3 things you should include in all vendor agreements

As a business owner, you will need vendors to supply goods or services to operate your business effectively. This means that you need to maintain a dependable business relationship. One of the best ways to do this is to establish a vendor agreement. A vendor agreement can help outline expectations and minimize conflicts or confusion.

Here are some elements that you should include in all your vendor contracts.

1. Scope of the products or services

One of the most important things any vendor contract should include is a description of the products or services suppliers will provide. Including this element in your contract will help define what each party should expect, and this can avoid costly mistakes down the line.

2. Contract duration

Your vendor contract should also include how long the vendor will supply products or services to your business and which days of the week. This is important so that you’re able to determine how to pay your vendor. Remember also to include the date when the business relationship will end.

3. The price of the services or products and how they will be paid

A valid vendor contract should establish the price for services rendered or products supplied. In addition, your agreement should include information on how the vendor will be paid. Remember to specify the payment mode if you’re using bank transfers, cash or electronic payment services.

You should also spell out the time payment will be made. For example, if you will pay a portion of the payment upfront and the rest later, include this information in the contract. Including all these details will help prevent misunderstandings that could quickly lead to litigations.

When creating or growing your business, creating a vendor agreement may not be at the forefront of your mind. However, a good vendor contract with the above elements is the best protection for your business when dealing with vendors.