How to Get the Best Out of Your Existing Contracts
5 Overlooked Tips to Make Your Business Contracts Work Harder for You
A contract isn’t just paperwork. It’s a tool to build trust, set expectations, and support long-term working relationships.
But too often, contracts get signed, stashed away, and ignored — until there’s a problem.
At The Law Shop Alabama, we believe contracts should work for you throughout the entire relationship — not just at the beginning and end.
Here are five tips to get more out of the contracts you already have:
1. Clarify the Contract Timeframe
Before anything else, check how long your contract is set to run.
This guide is written for multi-year contracts (one year or longer). If yours is shorter, don’t worry — you can still apply these tips. Just shrink the timeline references accordingly.
Knowing your timeframe helps you map out what needs to happen when — and ensures nothing gets lost in the day-to-day.
2. Set Internal “Refreshment” Dates
Before you ever meet with the other party, schedule time for you (and your team) to review the contract.
Block time (30–60 minutes) once or twice a year — March and September are great options — to:
Re-read the agreement
Revisit what you promised
Review how the work has evolved
Realign your internal process if anything shifted
This isn’t about asking the other party for input — its a self-audit. It’s about making sure you are in alignment with what you signed. Staying familiar with the contract terms helps you prevent gaps or missed obligations (or payments!) later.
Contract refreshments, also known as contract audits, can be done internally - ContractSafe has a straightforward self audit worksheet that you can access. At The Law Shop, we can review your contract with you during a Law Shop Evaluation.
3. Schedule Check-ins with the Other Party
Once a year (or more, depending on your work), hold a brief, intentional check-in with your client, customer, or collaborator.
This is not a renewal conversation or an exit interview.
It’s a relationship management tool. One that sounds like:
“Hey, how are we doing? Are you satisfied with the work? Are there adjustments we should make to scope or pricing?”
You’re not just trying to “fix” anything — you’re being proactive. This shows maturity and can even lead to upsells or extensions before renewal time.
4. Plan Your Exit Early
If you’re the service provider, plan your contract closeout just as carefully as your onboarding. Having a meeting 2-3 months prior to closeout can set the tone for a smooth handoff.
Your exit checklist should include:
Confirming with the other party that the contract is ending (don’t assume they know!)
Setting a final meeting to review deliverables and close the loop
Addressing any remaining payments or final needs
Providing clear instructions for what happens once you're gone
(Ex: If you planted flowers, who waters them? If you built a website, who renews the domain?)
Bonus: This is a great time to offer additional services or renew the contract in a new form.
5. Be Gone (But Not Really)
Once your contract ends, stay lightly engaged:
Request feedback and referrals
Ask if any remaining needs can be addressed under the current agreement
Offer to create a new contract if something new has emerged
Your contract might be done, but the relationship doesn’t have to be.
Handled well, a closeout can create a new opportunity.
Bottom Line: You don’t always need new contracts. Sometimes you just need to get more strategic with the ones you already have.
Your contracts should evolve with your business.
Whether you drafted them from scratch, bought a template, or hired a lawyer five years ago, there’s always room to get more value from them.
If you’re ready to:
Make your existing contracts more strategic
Review a template before using it again
Or build a contract process that actually supports your business
📩 Click here to inquire about a flat-rate contract review from The Law Shop.
Let’s make sure your contract works for you — not just against you.
