A contract that is drafted by a contractor is the backbone of any type of project and can prevent legal issues or miscommunication from occurring. There are many different parts of a contract, which can offer protection for both the client and the contractor. To ensure that you know what to look for in the contract, there are a few important sections to understand.

The Contractor’s Physical Address

The contractor should have their physical address clearly labeled on the contract, which will allow you to track down the professional if any problems occur. You can confirm the address by asking to drop off the deposit at their office before the project begins.

Timeframe of the Work

One of the most important parts of the contract is the duration of the work, which will allow you to get an idea of how long the project will take to complete. This will ensure that contractor and his team work efficiently to ensure that they don’t get behind schedule with delays that can occur. This detail of the contract can also provide you with peace of mind if you’re afraid that the construction will be delayed due to slow parts of the process.

Payment Schedule

You’ll need to know the payment schedule of the contract to ensure that you can continue to pay the contractor for their work. Most contractors request that their clients make payments after a certain amount of work has been completed during different stages of the construction.

Warranty

There should be a section of the contract that discusses the warranty that is provided by the contractor, which guarantees that they’ll replace or repair parts that don’t hold up after they’ve been installed. The contractor’s work will also have a warranty for a year after the project has been completed. This will offer you peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to pay for anything to be fixed or installed after paying for the project.

Details of the Project

Most clients have certain expectations of what they want to be completed on their home, but the details can often be miscommunicated. A contract puts all of the details in writing to ensure that the project is completed exactly how you envisioned. If there are any issues with the final results, you can point back to the contract to ensure that the necessary changes are made without being held responsible.

Insurance

You’ll need to verify in the contract that your contractor has insurance to guarantee that they’ll cover the cost of injuries or accidents that may occur on the property. There is always a certain amount of risk that comes with construction, making it important that you’re not responsible for the medical bills of subcontractors that can be injured in your home or damages that can occur to the building.

License

It’s important to verify that your contractor is licensed to ensure that they’ve passed certain exams that make them a trusted professional in the local area. Their license information that is listed in the contract will also mean that they follow laws and pay their taxes to the state to ensure that a reputable professional is working on your home and can be trusted.