I outsource my startup development heavily and I didn't bother signing anything either. Yes, I've lost a few hundred (probably even a couple of thousand) this way, paying for the job that went directly to the dumpster. It's a cost of doing business. And I didn't raise money this time, this is all my consulting revenue, I could have paid an income tax on it and put it in my pocket. But if you want to build a beautiful house there will be sawdust. These money is the sawdust.