 | Be sure the contract includes the contractor's name, address, telephone and license
number (if applicable). |
| Details of what the contractor will and will not do should be outlined-such as
protection of personal property surrounding the job site, and daily cleanup or cleanup
upon completion of the job. Since this is an additional labor cost for the contractor, it
may slightly raise the cost of the job, but it is often well worth the price. |
| All materials should be specified. The contractor should detail a list of all materials
for the project in the contract, including size, color, model, brand name and product. |
| The contract should include the approximate start date and substantial completion dates.
|
| All required plans should be studied carefully and be approved by the homeowner.
Conditions to obtain the homeowner's approval should be identified in the written contract
before the work begins. |
| Federal law requires a contractor to give the homeowners written notice of their right
to, without penalty, cancel a contract within three business days of signing it, provided
it was solicited at some place other that the contractor's place of business or
appropriate trade premises-the homeowner's residence, for instance. |
| Understand the financial terms. Make sure that the terms are spelled out in the
contract. The total price, payment schedule and any cancellation penalty should be clear. |
| The contract should include procedures for handling change orders during the course of
the project. |
| A warranty covering materials and workmanship for a minimum of one year should be
written into the contract. The warranty must be identified as either "full" or
"limited." If it is a "full warranty," all faulty products must be
repaired or replaced, or the homeowner's money returned. A "limited warranty"
indicates that all replacements and refunds of damaged products are limited in some
regard. The name and address of the party who will honor the warranty (contractor,
distributor or manufacturer) must be identified. Make sure the time period for which the
warranty is offered is clearly specified. |
| A binding arbitration clause is also a good inclusion in the event a disagreement
occurs. Arbitration can enable both parties to resolve disputes more quickly and
effectively without costly litigation. |
| Request a contractor's Affidavit of Final Release be provided to you at the time you
make final payment. This is your assurance that you will not be liable for any third-party
claims from nonpayment of materials or subcontractors. |
| Thoroughly review the entire contract and be certain you fully understand it before
signing. Consider the scope of the project and make sure all items you have requested are
included. If you do not see a specific item in the contract, ask about it-otherwise,
assume it is not included. |
| Never sign an incomplete contract and always be sure to keep a copy of the final
document, including signatures, for your records. |
