Why You Should Never Start Work Without a Signed Contract in Minnesota

At the kitchen table, it all sounds simple: “We’ll remove the tree, grind the stump, clean up, and it’ll be about five grand.” Everybody nods. A week later, you’re arguing about what “clean up” meant and whether stump grinding was actually included.

Verbal agreements rely on memory—and memories bend toward whoever’s under pressure. A written contract takes the guesswork out. It turns “I thought” into “Here’s what we both signed.”

That doesn’t make things confrontational. It makes them professional. The contractor knows exactly what they’ve promised. You know exactly what you’re paying for.

The core of a good contract is simple: what’s being done, what it costs, and how/when you pay.

At a minimum, the agreement should clearly list:

• The exact work to be performed (what’s included—and what isn’t)
• Total price or clear pricing structure
• Deposit amount and when it’s due
• Progress payments or milestones, if any
• Final payment timing (for example, “due at substantial completion”)

When those pieces are vague, it’s easy for “a quick extra” to turn into hundreds or thousands more than you expected—or for a contractor to demand more money halfway through the job with no paper trail.

On almost every project, something changes. Rot shows up behind siding. A neighbor asks to extend the fence. You decide to upgrade materials halfway through. That’s normal—but it’s dangerous if it stays verbal.

A solid contract explains how changes will be handled:

• Who can approve extra work
• How new costs are presented (written change order, text confirmation, etc.)
• How those changes affect schedule and payment

Without that structure, “we can just add that on” turns into the world’s worst surprise bill.

A contract isn’t just about money. It’s about how the job fits into your actual life.

Look for language that covers:

• Approximate start date and expected completion window
• Work hours (for example, “between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.”)
• What happens if weather or materials delay the job
• Access to your home, garage, gates, or driveway
• Cleanup expectations and debris removal

When none of that is written, you’re left arguing from feelings: “You said you’d be done by now.” The contractor has their version. You have yours. The contract is what keeps both sides aligned.

If something truly goes sideways—a major property damage claim, unfinished work, or a contractor who disappears—your future self will be glad you insisted on paperwork.

A written, signed agreement can help:

• Show your own insurance company you acted reasonably
• Support complaints to licensing boards or state agencies
• Give attorneys something concrete to work with, if it comes to that

Without it, everything is based on text fragments and fuzzy memories. That doesn’t mean you’re helpless—but it does make it harder and more expensive to get help.

You don’t need to be a lawyer to set a simple boundary: no one does work at your home without a written agreement that both sides sign.

Most reputable Minnesota contractors will respect that immediately. In fact, they’ll appreciate the clarity. The pushback usually comes from the people who benefit from keeping things loose and fuzzy.

When a contractor seems in a hurry to start “today” but doesn’t want to slow down for paperwork, that’s your cue to slow the whole process down—or walk away. A one-day delay to get things in writing is better than months of regret.