Written contract key to successful partnership with contractors

When you have a home project that requires expert help, it’s critical to hire the right people.

Nailing It Down

By Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty

When you have a home project that requires expert help, it’s critical to hire the right people. The most important element of a successful project is a contractor who is bonded, licensed and insured.

We spent a whole column recently outlining why that is so important.

In addition, to set you up for success, it’s key to have a written contract including a clear description of the work to be done. So today, we’re going to talk more specifically about the written contract.

Once again we’ll mention that we are not attorneys and don’t offer legal advice. That being said, think of us as an experienced neighbor who has worked with many contractors and contracts over the years.

Put it all in writing

Besides your name and address, a contract should name the construction company; all of its owners; all pertinent addresses and phone numbers; the contractor’s license number, bonding agent and bond amount; and their insurance company and liability coverage amount.

A one-page verification of this information and check for complaints is easily available from the Labor & Industries website.

Next, your contract should contain the scope of work, any drawings or other specifications (such as a manufacturer’s installation specs). If you’re not capable of doing this, there are construction management firms, designers and architects in the area who can help you.

Also include general conditions of the worksite, such as the hours available to work, keeping a clean site and even toilet use by workers. You may want to insist on a porta-potty onsite for a long contract.

The contract should clearly state the price agreed upon for the job, including all materials, taxes, fees and permits.

Progress payments

This is also the place to define progress payments. A brief description of the progress required for a payment works well. Timing them around incremental, required inspections is best.

Lien waivers

It should also state that before any payment, the contractor, any sub-contractors and any materials company having delivered materials on your property will each turn in an unconditional lien waiver for the amount paid and show you the signed-off permit card if relevant. Small incremental payments are actually better than large payouts.

Dates and change orders

Dates are also important elements to your contract. Time delays may occur, but what do you want to happen when the contractor doesn’t call or show up for a couple weeks or drops off the earth?

Adjustments to time and penalties for not showing up or not finishing the job in the contract period should be clearly stated.

What about other changes to the work? They are usually cost-plus, so identify cost per man-hour and whether there is a markup on materials. You will likely be paying for their shopping/delivery and your chat-it-up time, so keep both short and effective. “No surprises” is the goal.

Your contract should say something like this: “The owner and the contractor expressly agree that no material changes or alterations in the work, price or time shall be made unless in writing and agreed upon and signed by both parties.”

Getting building permits

Your contract should also address who will be responsible for any permits, building code requirements and arranging for city or county inspections.

Permits are required for most work done on your property, and initially you should be the person to call your local official when writing up what you want done. If you have a designer or architect drawing up a plan, they should be held responsible for knowing and designing with respect for the applicable building codes.

Your contractor is also expected to follow the local building code and certainly to follow any professionally designed plan provided that has been “plan checked” bycity or county officials, before a building permit is issued. This very important step is often not communicated, causing lots of problems that end up in the courts.

We don’t advise allowing any work to be done until the permit is in a sealed bag and attached to the outside of your house.

Observe inspections

You should also be aware of each required inspection. The building official will clearly mark on the permit card when they want to inspect the work. Pay attention to any notes written on the permit card by the inspector. Attend the inspections whenever possible. Know what is going on; it’s your project. Don’t pay for work not done to specs or not inspected and signed off.

Don’t mix contracts

A final note: Don’t mix verbal agreements with written contracts. Write every little change down for everybody to sign and date. If it changes the money, adding or subtracting from the contract amount, write the new money changes down and everybody signs.

The better the contract is written and followed, the less likely there will be problems. And long after the work is completed, both parties can bask in a job well done.

Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty are construction specialists at NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor County, where Murnen is executive director. This is a nonprofit organization committed to creating safe and affordable housing for all residents of Grays Harbor County. For questions about home repair, renting, remodeling or buying, call 360-533-7828 or visit 710 E. Market St. in Aberdeen. Our office is fully ADA-compliant.