When you hire a contractor for a home or business project, you must ensure that the contract protects you. The contractor is going to do the same from their standpoint. Before you sign the document, there are a few things that you need to ensure are in place.
One of the most important things that must be outlined in the contract is the specifics of the project. This should have the location and a detailed account of what’s supposed to be done. It should also have the start date and the estimated date of completion.
When you review the dates in the contract, remember that contractors usually add a little additional time just in case something happens and they can’t work on each day they had planned. This is especially useful when rain or snow are common.
The payment information for the project is another point that should in the contract. The downpayment and all required payments, including the final payment at the end of the project, need to be outlined. Terms for late payments, such as the interest rate, are also important.
Construction contracts usually have information about dispute resolution methods that will be used when there is a problem. For the most part, contractors will correct issues, but you will use the methods outlined in the contract if you come to a mutually agreeable solution to the dispute.
As the client, you have an expectation of how the project will be handled. You have the right to check on the work and point out any potential issues that you spot. Catching these problems as they occur can help you to get them handled in a reasonable manner.
