Embarking on costly restoration - contract with restorer?

[swisstoni]

I'm likely to be getting a car restored for quite a lot of money in staged payments. The sums involved make me think that there should be a contract written up to protect both parties. The restorer is well known, produces phenomenal work but is not a big business operation; more of a low profile craftsman. He seems to have worked on a gentleman's agreement basis in the past with his many friends and contacts in the 'scene' he specialises in. He doesn't have a problem with using a contract though if I want to,

I'm probably going to speak to a solicitor but does anyone know of a template contract I could use or have any experience of the subject. I don't want to be a scaredy cat, but on the other hand "a fool and his money are soon parted" as my old Mum used to say.

[swisstoni]

DB4DM said:

If you have a contract, can you guarantee to meet your half of the bargain?

If you mean pay for the work, then yes.

[swisstoni]

That's very useful breadvan. I will contact them. I just want something straightforward.

[swisstoni]

Flatinfourth said:

swisstoni said:

That's very useful breadvan. I will contact them. I just want something straightforward.

Speaking as a restorer, I deal with clients both with and without contracts. If someone came to me with a contract that looked more like legalese than an agreement drawn up by gentlemen, I would be left wondering whether the client might be prone to vexatious behaviour?

I have watched as a client has drawn several businesses into contracts by shortening timescales and tightening budgets, so that when some small thing inevitably is delayed, the supplier can effectively only fail, thereby leaving the client in a position where he can choose not to pay, yet having had the job done

I think it is much better to gauge from your chosen restorer's clients how they find his work, and look at whether you match their personality as someone who has reasonable expectations, with an understanding posture. Then everything simply works without undue paperwork. Very few good restorers will tolerate an aggressive, ultimatum loaded posture from a client.

Yes it's a difficult line. I just want something simple, spelling out the agreement. not something that needs a law degree to understand.
Can I ask what sort of structure the contracts that you have worked to have been like?

[swisstoni]

Certainly food for thought here. As soon as more and more eventualities are catered for, the more the pages add up and start to look like the scary contract Flatinfourth is wary of. And does any company offer insurance for cars that are being restored? A quick Google and I can see Hagerty offer one in the US but it is not mentioned on their UK site.

[swisstoni]

That's very useful breadvan. I will contact them. I just want something straightforward.

[swisstoni]

Just as an update; I knocked out a draft agreement including some of the points raised in this thread and took it to a local solicitor who, I'm happy to say, was a classic car owner himself. He was able to convert my draft into a proper document and I am pleased with the plain English result which covers me and the restorer. We have both signed it and the restoration is on.

I will not tempt fate by doing running updates, but will be happy to praise all concerned once the car is complete.