Insist on a written contract
Verbal contracts are hard to prove. Don't start a project without a written contract.
Read every line
- Fill any blank space on a printed form with N/A or NIL.
- Strike out anything you don't agree with, and have both you and the contractor initial each change.
- Consider having a lawyer review the contract. Once signed, it is legally binding.
Paying for the work
The payment schedule should be written into the contract. Most contractors ask for a deposit. Find out whether it is refundable and under what conditions, and tie later payments to clear project milestones.
Changes during the project
Renovations often reveal things nobody could see on day one. Agree in writing how changes will be priced and approved before work starts, so a change order is a short conversation rather than a dispute.
Talk it through with Kay2
Every project starts with a complimentary consultation with one of our estimators.
