If you own a landscaping/maintenance company, tree removal service or are just doing a side job to remove a tree, you must write a contract for the work. A contract protects the client and your interests as well. A contract is one of the basics in running any business, and it isn't that hard.

Make sure you have a professional-looking form on which the contract is written. You can purchase blank contract forms at an office supply store or make one yourself. The benefit in making one on your home computer is, you'll be able to customize it to your own needs. When making your contract form, be sure to list any contact information, as well as license numbers to your business.

List the service you are providing and the price. It might be wise to name the tree you are removing and where it's located in the yard. Write out the price you are charging for labor to take down the tree. This way there will be no questions when it comes to the price you are charging once the job is complete.

Write down any special charges that might be applied to the job. For instance, are you renting other machinery, such as a stump grinder? If so, you might want to list these special charges separate from the labor charges. This way the customer will know exactly how the charges are being broken down and what she is paying for. This protects her as well as you.

List any separate hauling charges if they are separate from the labor charges. If the tree isn't that big, you may be able to leave it for the waste removal service to pick it up free of charge. If you're going to have to haul the tree away to another dump site, you might want to add charges to do it. It's best to break down the charges into different segments so there will be no questions from the customer.

Write out any guarantees pertaining to the job. If you are not responsible for something, such as a sprinkler pipe being broken that's located by the tree, state it. You don't want to complete the job and have the customer tell you that you are responsible for the break and must pay for it. If there are any other special circumstances that need to be written out, do so.

Total up all the charges on the contract. Once you're satisfied that everything has been covered on the written contract, you can now sign and date it. Always be sure to keep yourself a copy and make your contract look as professional as possible.