You've got a construction project you need to work on fast. But before you get started, you have to be in agreement with your contractor about all the terms and conditions. What better way to do this than have a written contract?

Written contracts are important for whatever size of work. It could be a small resurfacing contract or you may be building a house. However, before carving your signature into that piece of paper, you need to put some factors into consideration.

All the discussed terms

Ensure you've got all the important info written down. If it was discussed, then it's important for it to be in paper otherwise you'll be giving the contractor loopholes. For the simplest contracts, include details like the parties involved, price and payment, the exact scope of the work to be done, and the dates of the agreement.

You should also pay extra attention to the handwritten portions of the contract. These can either be included as part of the deal when you sign the contract or void the agreement.

Detailed description of the work

This is not as obvious as it sounds. You need to mention the scope of the work to be done in full. Describing in details involves outlining what needs to be done and what doesn't. Be as specific as possible because this is the part of the clause that does the most in preventing disputes. If there are other people involved, spell that out, too.

Permits, insurance and site preparation

Most of the construction jobs require a permit, and the contract should specify who gets and pays for it. Also include the insurance details and in most cases, the contractor is usually responsible for any damage to the property or personal injuries incurred. You should also have the insurance copies before the project begins and confirm that you are well insured.

Also include the necessary preparation that should take place and the one responsible for it. For instance, if you need to cut down trees or move furniture around, the responsible party should be clearly defined.

Resolution of disputes

You're dealing with a fellow human being and there are highs and lows. No matter how strong the relationship between you and your contractor is, things could always go wrong.

Most people prefer settling the disputes in arbitration and not courts. This is because it's much faster and less costly as compared to a court settlement. However, if you've written an arbitration clause down, you have just thrown your right to take the matter to court in the drains.

For more tips on ensuring the contract is complete, contact law firms such as Michael Atkinson & Associates before proceeding with the project.

Share