I email (99% of the time) or fax the contract to the client ahead of time, along with a cover letter about payment, access to stuff in the house, etc. I generally deal with the contract and the check at the end of the inspection. I know, but I haven't been stiffed yet. If the client is out of town, I tell them to mail payment and the signed agreement to me. I always bring two copies of the agreement form with me to each inspection. One copy for me, one for them. If someday, someone refused to sign the agreement, I would not release the report to them until I had the agreement signed. It seems to work pretty easily for me.

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Jim Robinson
New Mexico, USA