This is something that has come up from time to time in my business.
Do I have a contract with my clients? Quite honestly, I don’t.
When I first started out, I had one client, who incidentally was a very good friend and I didn’t feel the need. Now as my business grows, I have been thinking more and more about it.
When I start with a new client we discuss their expectations and mine. I then write up a proposal based on what we had discussed. I also ask the client to send me their task list. Their goals for their business and what they would like me to do to assist them to achieve those goals. Once we have an understanding of the hours, billing and such, I move forward.
I just read a blog regarding this and it has inspired me to change my “modus operandi”, so to speak.
You can read more about this at http://collinsadmin.wordpress.com/2008/08/19/yes-a-virtual-assistant-has-a-contract
I nearly always use an agreement with my clients, and I’ve updated it from time to time to cover issues that I didn’t anticipate previously. It has definitely saved me grief on a number of occasions!