Most disputes come from expectation gaps — the client expected something different from what they got. Closing that gap before the job starts is much cheaper and easier than resolving it after.
The Pre-Job Conversation
Before work begins, cover:
- Scope — what exactly is included. A written estimate or work order is the gold standard.
- Timeline — when you'll start, how long each phase takes, when you expect to finish
- Access and disruption — what the client should expect during the work
- Payment terms — deposit amount, progress payments, and final invoice timing
- How you'll communicate — update texts, photo reports, or calls
Even a 5-minute conversation at the job start covers most dispute triggers.
Confirm in Writing
Verbal conversations don't hold up when a client "remembers it differently." A signed estimate or even a text confirmation ("Just confirming scope per our estimate — we'll complete X by Y") creates a written record.
TimeFotos allows you to create and send estimates from the field; the client has a written scope before work starts.
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Bottom Line
Set scope, timeline, payment terms, and communication method before work starts — in writing. Expectation gaps are the root cause of most contractor disputes and they're mostly preventable.