[Terre]

I have to join on the side of the more detailed, the better. I had a client this fall, with whom I contracted for work up to a certain amount, and she stated she'd want ongoing work/maintenance of about $300 monthly. As I began the demolition phase, I suggested certain things that would be good for some of the future work. She liked my ideas, and added to them. But what she didn't hear me say, was that these suggestions were for additional work. When she asked when I would start staining the concrete and expand the flagstone area, I told her I still had to work up a bid for that, and she freaked.

My version: She requested additional work and changes, for which I submitted a bid.

Her version: She actually stated that she thought all her changes were "substitutions as a result of ongoing discussions and open dialog".

Had I not been very specific in the original contract as to what she had the right to expect, her "open dialog" would have cost me several thousand dollars.