Should You Start Work Without a Contract? A Freelancer's Dilemma

A friend or contact reaches out to you with a great project. They're excited to work with you, and they want you to start right away. There's just one problem: the contract isn't ready yet.

This is a common scenario for freelancers, and it can be a tricky one to navigate. On the one hand, you don't want to miss out on a great opportunity. On the other hand, you don't want to start work without a contract in place.

So, what should you do? A recent Reddit post sparked a lively discussion on this very topic. Here's what freelancers had to say:

The Risks of Working Without a Contract

The vast majority of freelancers who responded to the Reddit post agreed that it's a bad idea to start work without a contract. Here are some of the risks involved:

• You might not get paid: This is the most obvious risk. Without a contract, there's no guarantee that you'll get paid for your work.
• The scope of the project could change: The client could keep adding more and more work to the project, and you'll have no way to push back.
• You could get into legal trouble: If something goes wrong with the project, you could be held liable.

How to Protect Yourself

If you find yourself in a situation where a client is pressuring you to start work without a contract, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself:

• Get it in writing: At the very least, get an email from the client that outlines the scope of the project, the timeline, and the payment terms.
• Ask for a deposit: This will show that the client is serious about the project and that they have the funds to pay you.
• Set a deadline for the contract: Let the client know that you're happy to start work, but that you need to have a signed contract in place by a certain date.

The Bottom Line

Working without a contract is a risky proposition. While it may be tempting to start work on a project right away, it's always best to wait until you have a signed contract in place. This will protect you from getting taken advantage of and will help to ensure that you get paid for your work.