Page 58 - Paulisms: Gold Nuggets for Small Business

The need to confirm things in writing would often become apparent when we were doing roof work on new construction sites. If we went up onto a roof and saw there was damage, we had to bring it to the attention of the project manager before starting. We would follow up with a written confirmation. If we didn’t put it in writing and damage on the roof was found later, as we were the ones that had been on the roof, they would ping us and send an invoice for repairs. This could have been many thousands of dollars. It was hard to fight and harder when they owed you money (possession is 9/10ths of the law).
It doesn’t work just to say it verbally, because later, if someone leaves or it comes to a dispute and it’s not in writing, it just doesn’t stand up! You have lost the argument and cost yourself money.