LAWTON LAWN CARE
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT
Daniel Dittmeyer, Owner • (580) 919-3040 • lawtonmowing@gmail.com
This Independent Contractor Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of the date of the Contractor’s electronic signature below, by and between Lawton Lawn Care, owned and operated by Daniel Dittmeyer (“Company”), and the undersigned individual (“Contractor”). This Agreement shall become effective on the date signed and shall remain in effect until terminated by either party.
1. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS
The Contractor acknowledges and agrees that at all times during the performance of services under this Agreement, the Contractor is acting solely as an independent contractor and not as an employee, agent, or partner of Lawton Lawn Care. As an independent contractor, the Contractor understands and agrees to the following:
- Contractor is solely responsible for their own federal, state, and local income taxes, self-employment taxes, and any other tax obligations arising from compensation received under this Agreement.
- Contractor is responsible for maintaining their own tools, equipment, and any personal insurance they choose to carry, including health insurance and general liability insurance.
- Contractor is not entitled to workers’ compensation coverage, unemployment insurance, paid time off, employee health benefits, retirement contributions, or any other employee benefit from Lawton Lawn Care.
- The Company bears no employment obligation, supervisory responsibility, or liability of any kind for Contractor’s work, conduct, or safety while performing services.
- Contractor retains the right to perform work for other clients and is not exclusively engaged by Lawton Lawn Care.
2. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The Contractor agrees to perform lawn care and related property maintenance services as assigned by the Company through the Contractor Portal or other agreed-upon communication method. Services may include but are not limited to: lawn mowing, edging, string trimming, leaf and debris removal, hauling, bed cleanup, weed removal, hedge trimming, and other property maintenance tasks. All work shall be performed in a professional, workmanlike manner using appropriate tools and safety practices.
Contractor shall take before and after photos of each job and transmit them to the Company upon completion. These photos are used to document condition and quality for the property owner.
3. COMPENSATION
Compensation shall be paid on a per-job basis as communicated through the Contractor Portal or as otherwise agreed upon in writing. Payment terms, rates, and scheduling will be specified in individual job assignments. The Contractor is solely responsible for paying any helpers or subcontractors they engage.
If a job is cancelled, unpaid by the customer, inaccessible, or otherwise unable to be completed through no fault of the Company, no compensation shall be owed for that job.
4. TRANSPORTATION
The Contractor shall provide their own vehicle suitable for safe transport to and from job sites. If the Contractor does not have their own vehicle, they may elect to subcontract as a helper with an existing contractor who does have transportation. In such cases, the Contractor will ride along and assist, earning a percentage or flat rate per job as negotiated directly with that contractor. The Company is not responsible for coordinating or guaranteeing such arrangements.
5. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
The Contractor may use their own equipment or rent equipment from the Company at agreed-upon daily rates. If renting Company equipment, the Contractor is financially responsible for any damage caused by negligence, misuse, or failure to follow proper operating procedures. All Company equipment must be returned clean and in good working condition. The Company is not responsible for damage to, loss of, or theft of the Contractor’s personal equipment.
6. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The Contractor must arrive within scheduled delivery/service windows, perform quality work according to Company standards, and complete all assigned jobs on time. Failure to meet performance standards may result in a deduction of up to 25% of the job payout, reassignment of the job, or termination of this Agreement.
7. PROPERTY DAMAGE
Contractor agrees to exercise the highest reasonable care to avoid damage to customer property and all improvements thereon, including but not limited to: fencing, sprinkler systems, irrigation heads, landscape features, outdoor structures, paved surfaces, and any personal property on the premises. In the event the Contractor causes damage, the Contractor shall notify the Company immediately and provide photographic documentation. The Contractor may be held financially responsible for repair or reimbursement costs.
8. INSURANCE
The Contractor is strongly encouraged to maintain appropriate general liability and auto insurance and may be required to provide proof upon request. The Company carries its own insurance but is not responsible for injuries, damages, or losses caused by the Contractor’s negligence.
9. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISK
Contractor acknowledges that performing lawn care, debris removal, tree work, and general property maintenance services involves significant inherent physical risks. These risks include but are not limited to: cuts and lacerations from tools, muscle strain, back injury, heat-related illness, falls, contact with insects or wildlife, equipment-related injuries, and debris ejection. Contractor affirms that they are physically capable of performing the agreed work and are not operating under the influence of any substance that could impair their judgment or physical ability.
10. RELEASE OF LIABILITY
Contractor hereby releases, waives, and forever discharges Lawton Lawn Care (Daniel Dittmeyer), its owners, agents, and representatives, from any and all claims, demands, damages, suits, causes of action, judgments, and liability of any kind — including claims for personal injury, permanent disability, death, lost wages, or property damage — arising out of or in any way connected with Contractor’s performance of services. This release applies to claims arising from ordinary negligence. This release does not apply to claims arising from gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional willful misconduct.
11. INDEMNIFICATION
The Contractor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Lawton Lawn Care and any property owners from any claims arising out of the Contractor’s own negligence or misconduct during the performance of services.
12. SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
Contractor agrees to prioritize safety throughout the performance of all services, including: using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), inspecting all tools and equipment before use, immediately stopping work and notifying the Company if any hidden hazard is discovered, never performing work under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances, and following all applicable safety regulations and OSHA guidelines.
13. EMERGENCY MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION
In the event of a medical emergency or injury arising during the performance of services, Contractor consents to receiving emergency medical treatment. Contractor acknowledges that they are solely responsible for all medical costs, hospital bills, and rehabilitation costs resulting from such treatment. The emergency contact information provided in this application will be used to contact the designated person in the event of a serious injury.
14. CONFIDENTIALITY
The Contractor shall not disclose Company customer lists, pricing, procedures, or operational methods. All Company documents and materials remain Company property.
15. NON-SOLICITATION
During the term of this Agreement and for one (1) year after termination, the Contractor shall not solicit lawn care or property maintenance business from Company customers they serviced.
16. BACKGROUND CHECK AUTHORIZATION
The Contractor authorizes the Company to conduct a background check and verify all information provided in the application. The Contractor must maintain a valid driver’s license and comply with all local, state, and federal laws. Any misrepresentation of information may result in immediate termination of this Agreement.
17. BUSINESS EXPENSES
The Contractor is responsible for all fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance, and helper costs incurred in the performance of services.
18. SUBCONTRACTORS AND HELPERS
The Contractor may hire helpers at their own expense and remains responsible for their actions. The Company will not supervise helpers.
19. TERMINATION
Either party may terminate this Agreement with 10 days written notice. The Company may terminate immediately for unsafe practices, repeated lateness, failure to provide photos, negligence, or violation of confidentiality or non-solicitation provisions.
20. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Any disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Comanche County, Oklahoma.
21. GOVERNING LAW & SEVERABILITY
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Oklahoma. If any provision is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be severed and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
22. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements. This Agreement may not be modified except in writing signed by both parties.
23. VOLUNTARY AGREEMENT — READ CAREFULLY
BY SIGNING BELOW, CONTRACTOR ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THEY HAVE READ THIS ENTIRE AGREEMENT, UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS AND LEGAL EFFECT, AND ARE VOLUNTARILY AGREEING TO ALL PROVISIONS — INCLUDING THE RELEASE OF LIABILITY — WITHOUT ANY DURESS, UNDUE INFLUENCE, OR PROMISE OF ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION. CONTRACTOR HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS AND SEEK INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL BEFORE SIGNING.