A well written contract that you and your contractor both agree to is important to have signed and in place to ensure that the project successfully meets your expectations. A well written and fully detailed contract that outlines every step of the process is important; and a contract should elaborate on the requirements of both parties in order to avoid misunderstandings.
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Every contract should include:
- Contractor information including name, address, telephone numbers, license number (if required).
- A detailed job scope outlining what the contractor will and will not do—for example, the tasks you have chosen to do, such as painting or demolition.
- All materials, sizes, colors, specifications.
- A dated copy of all drawings and diagrams. If changes need to be made during the project, they should be made to these documents and initialed and dated by both you and the contractor.
- Payment Schedule
- Tentative start and finish dates.
- A warranty.
- A binding arbitration clause.
- A statement of how the contract can be canceled.
Also make sure the contractor is fully insured and carries worker's compensation, liability, and property damage insurance.
Having a signed contract can save a homeowner the effort of a court case because matters can be resolved much more quickly, often without the help of an attorney. In the unfortunate event of a court case, having a signed contract will make negotiating a fair settlement easier. With a contract that outlines the details of a project, the grievances will be easier to assess and rule on. |
