What Your Vehicle Wrap Contract Should Always Include

Most wrap shop disputes come down to one problem: the customer remembers a different conversation than the shop does. A written contract that both parties sign before work begins eliminates 90% of these situations.

You don't need a lawyer to write a functional wrap contract. You need to clearly document what's happening, when, for how much, and what happens if things don't go as planned.

Core Elements Every Wrap Contract Needs

1. Scope of Work

Describe exactly what's being done — not "full wrap" but "full vehicle wrap including all body panels, mirrors, and door handles using Avery Dennison SW900 Gloss Battleship Grey, excluding roof rack and running boards."

Include: - Coverage areas (full, partial, front-only) - Material brand and finish - Color(s) — use specific manufacturer color names and codes, not "dark grey" - Design source (customer-provided files vs. shop-designed)

Vague scope is where disputes start. "Full wrap" to you might be "including the roof, mirrors, door handles, and bumpers" to the customer.

2. Pricing and Payment Schedule

State the total price, deposit amount, and when the balance is due. Best practice:

• •30–50% deposit due at contract signing
• •Balance due at pickup before keys are returned
• •List what's included in the price (design, installation, X rounds of design revisions)
• •State what's NOT included (removal of existing wrap, paint correction, rush fees)

Add a line about what happens if scope changes mid-job: "Additional work discovered during installation will be quoted and approved by client before proceeding."

3. Design Approval Process

Specify how design approval works:

• •Number of revision rounds included (typically 2)
• •Cost per revision round beyond that ($75–$150 is common)
• •What "approval" means: a written sign-off (email or signature) before printing or installation begins
• •That the shop is not responsible for errors in customer-provided artwork that was approved

Get final design approval in writing before you order material. Oral approval doesn't hold up if the customer says the color looked different on their screen.

4. Vehicle Condition at Drop-Off

Document the vehicle's paint condition before you touch it. Include in the contract:

• •A checkbox or field for noting pre-existing damage (rock chips, scratches, rust, previous wrap adhesive)
• •Language such as: "Client acknowledges that any pre-existing paint damage, contamination, or surface irregularities noted at intake may affect wrap adhesion and durability and are not covered under shop warranty."
• •Photo documentation referenced in the contract (or attached)

This single clause prevents the most common dispute: "You damaged my paint when you removed the wrap" for damage that was already there.

5. Turnaround Time and Delays

State your estimated completion timeline and what happens if there are delays:

• •Estimated completion: "5–7 business days from design approval and material receipt"
• •Shop is not liable for manufacturer shipping delays
• •If the vehicle is not picked up within X days of completion, storage fees apply

6. Warranty Terms

Summarize your warranty or reference a separate warranty document:

• •What's covered (workmanship defects, material defects)
• •What's excluded (road damage, improper maintenance, car wash damage)
• •Duration
• •How claims are filed

7. Cancellation Policy

What happens if the customer cancels?

A common policy: - Before design is approved: deposit refunded minus design time - After design is approved but before materials ordered: 50% of deposit refunded - After materials ordered: deposit non-refundable - After installation begins: full invoice due

Cancellations are rare but happen. Having a written policy prevents awkward negotiations.

8. Liability Limitation

Standard language: "Shop's total liability for any claim related to this agreement shall not exceed the total amount paid for the services."

This protects you from claims for consequential damages (lost business because their vehicle was unavailable, etc.).

Making Contracts Easy to Use

Your contract doesn't need to be 10 pages. A one-page document that covers these eight points, signed by the customer before work starts, handles the vast majority of situations.

Options: - Paper contract signed at drop-off — simple, doesn't require any software - Digital signature via DocuSign, HelloSign, or similar — works well for customers who book remotely - Integrated into your job management software — Wraptor allows you to attach customer sign-offs and approvals directly to the job file

The most important thing is consistency. Use the contract on every job, not just the ones that feel risky. The job that feels straightforward is often the one that surprises you.

Wraptor's job management platform lets you attach customer approvals, notes, and signed documents directly to each job — so your contracts are always where you need them. See how it works →