A home remodel can be stressful enough without colliding with a contractor. There are many useful tips in hiring a general contractor that may help you in finding the right one. A contract can help to avoid any crossed wires down the road, which will allow your builder to focus on the task at hand without interference. What’s more, you can sleep peacefully at night knowing a project will be completed to your desired standard. You simply need to look at the six things every remodel contract should feature.
- A Project Description
The project description must detail all the work required of your chosen qualified local builder, and his or her employees. It will also specify all products and materials used in the project, and what will be constructed or demolished to complete a remodel. The description must also outline the associated costs for every material and fixture used, as well as how a contractor plans to properly dispose of debris.
- The Payment Process
The payment process must cover all the basics of your expenditure. For example, it must detail how often you will pay a contractor and the payment method. In addition to stating the full project price, it must also provide a time outline and each instalment payment price based on a project’s milestones. For example, you may need to provide a payment once the foundations have been laid or following the installation of electricity and plumbing.
- A Lien Waiver
Did you know that a worker on the remodelling team can claim he or she was not paid for work, even once you’ve made a full payment to a contractor? That’s why it’s essential to add a lien waiver into a contract for each instalment, so a contractor must sign a statement to confirm that he or she used the previous payment for both materials and labour. It will therefore provide the legal protection you need for a contractor’s employees or subcontractors.
- Approximate Completion Dates
Before a contractor embarks on a project, we recommend confirming both a start and end date for a remodel. Once confirmed, you should incorporate the dates into the remodel contract. While you should not limit a contractor to an exact date, the estimated timescale will provide an understanding of the date the work is due to be commenced and completed, which could fluctuate due to weather interruptions or late deliveries.
- An Escape Hatch
Write into a contract that you will have three days to rescind the contract without a penalty. As a result, you won’t lose your deposit if you discover a problem with your credit or finances.
- An Adjustment Procedure
Keep a tight grip in the remodel process by stating in a remodel contract that no changes can be made to the project without your approval. State that a contractor must provide a clear description of any changes, such as how much the plan alterations will cost and affect the schedule. Any change orders will also require your written approval in either pen and ink or via text or email.