I have a question about your contract. I have a small IT consulting business (literally small just ME!) and up till now my advertising has been word of mouth (e.g. friends or contacts talking to other potential contacts). Most of the time its just as you said as far as the interview part. "can you do xyz within this time frame" or "can you help do this for my business". But what stifles me is the "paperwork" that needed in these types of situations. I generally charge an hourly fee or I'll quote for a particular job a flat rate just depending on the amount of work needed. So i guess my question is how or what to word in the contract because business is starting to pick up and I'd like to have a 'canned' contract I can print or email to a potential client. Any suggestions you would be greatly appreciated.

Patrick