Ten Things to Look for in a Contractor’s Contract

If you are thinking about hiring a contractor, then you should check out the ten tips listed in this Houzz article: What to Look for in a Contractor’s Contract (written by Kenny Grono of Buckminster Green). The tips are just a starting point, but they will get you thinking about the important issues before the contractor starts working on your house.

10 Things to Look for in a Contractor’s Contract

  1. The contract
    You’ll regret not having a contract if one of you forgets parts of your conversation
  2. A physical address
    Ask to drop off the deposit at the physical location listed on the contract
  3. License
    Check to see the contractor has the license required for the work being done
  4. Insurance
    Check with your locality for the proper amount of liability insurance
  5. Scope of work
    There are many details to get right in a renovation, so write everything down before work starts
  6. Duration of work
    Having a timeline will help calm your nerves if progress hits a slow spot
  7. Exclusions
    A good contract should include a list of exclusions
  8. EPA lead safety certification
    Contractors working on homes in the U.S. built before 1978 should be certified in lead-safe practices by the EPA
  9. Payment schedule
    Payments tied to milestones in the project are better than those tied to percentages of completion
  10. Warranty
    The standard warranty for work is one year from substantial completion