Money management is crucial for contractors, especially when it comes to documenting free work to protect final payments. We discuss strategies for tracking and leveraging unpaid work rather than simply accepting profit loss when clients negotiate at the end of a job.

• Three scenarios where contractors typically do free work: quick fixes you choose to cover, gray areas in contract interpretation, and disagreements over scope or quality
• Always calculate your actual costs before offering to do something for free
• Communicate clearly with clients when you're covering extra work at your expense
• Document the market value of free work in your estimate with a $0 charge
• Use documented free work as leverage during final payment negotiations
• This approach transforms your generosity from a profit loss into a strategic advantage
• Documentation creates boundaries while still demonstrating commitment to customer satisfaction

Ready to implement better documentation in your contracting business? Visit ProStruct360.com, reach the contact page, and I'll personally connect for a free 30-minute consultation. Try our software free with personalized onboarding to better document jobs, build estimates, and protect your profits and reputation.

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