Is a verbal agreement enforceable for a $15K consulting project?

Client and I agreed to $15K for a 3-month project over a phone call. I started work. Now 6 weeks in, they're saying they never agreed to that amount and want to pay $8K. I have nothing in writing except some emails about project scope. Am I screwed?

Verbal contracts are generally enforceable. The issue is proving what was agreed to.

Key questions: Do those emails mention the $15K amount? Did you send an invoice at $15K that they didn't dispute? Any text messages discussing price? These all help establish the agreement.

did you send any kind of proposal or quote before starting? even an informal one?

Found it! I sent an email that said "Per our call, I'll do X, Y, Z deliverables for $15K, 50% upfront, 50% on completion. Let me know if we're good to proceed." They replied "Sounds good, looking forward to working together!"

That's actually a written contract. You made an offer with specific terms, they accepted. It doesn't need to be a formal document to be enforceable. Their "sounds good" is acceptance.

Send them that email chain and politely point out that you have a written agreement. If they still refuse, small claims court is an option up to $10K in most states, or you could hire a lawyer to send a demand letter.

Did they pay the 50% upfront? If so, that's even more evidence — they paid half of $15K, which is $7,500. Hard to argue they thought the total was $8K.

Yes! They paid $7,500 upfront. Didn't even think about that as evidence.

You have: (1) written offer with price, (2) written acceptance, (3) partial payment consistent with agreed price. This is an open and shut case. They're just trying to renegotiate after the fact. Don't let them.

UPDATE: Sent them the email chain highlighting the agreement and the $7,500 payment. They backed down immediately and apologized — said it was a "miscommunication" with their accounting team. Getting the remaining $7,500 this week. Lesson learned: always get it in writing, even if it's just a confirmation email.