Contracts: It’s best to spell things out beforework begins
You may have heard this before: “I’ve been remodeling homes on a handshake for 30 years, and I’ve never had a problem.” That begs the question: when remodeling your home, should you go with a contractor whose wink- and- a- smile charm has you feeling comfortable and cozy? Or should you find a contractor that takes the business of remodeling your home seriously enough to use a detailed contract?
There is reason to believe the answer to that question is easy: Whether your project is large or small, a home remodeling job should not hold surprises for you. As a result, a detailed contract is theway to go.
it is important to document the scope of the project. A detailed, written contract can spell out more effectively what work will be done, how it is to be done, how long it is estimated to take, and what the price for that work will be. A written contract can contain an objective and practical standard for how the work is to be performed, and can reference a warranty that will establish standards for how the work will perform over time. A good remodeling contract should provide options for making changes and have a place for the homeowner to specify budgets for aesthetic selections such as appliances, carpet and plumbing fixtures. The more detailed the description of the scope of the project, the less likely you are to experience disagreements and disappointments.
Second, who gets paid and when? What will the role of your lender be, if any? Will there be inspections? And how will the remodeler confirm all subcontractors are being paid? There is nothing that will bring a remodeling project to a halt faster than problems with payment. A detailed remodeling contract can help you avoid that situation by establishing