I am wondering if anyone would be willing to share their contract that they use when working with homeowners. I know one contract does not fit every situation but I am just looking for something to go off of. I am hoping for something relatively simple and easy to read as well as being legally binding and will protect me. Please email a copy. Thanks for the help.
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the AIA may have some standard contractor/owner contracts ... maybe even designed for residential. The local AIA office will likely require you to pay for a copy.
Good language might include: 'in a workmanlike manner standard in the industry' (not necessarily standard to the 'local' industry). This addresses quality only ... lots of other things to address, too ... like change orders, running into 'unknowns', etc. etc.
This might be a situation where $300 spent with attorney is money well spent.
If the wording in the contract is not done in a certain way for your state laws - you may not even be able to do a lien on their house if they do not pay.
Plus - there are some great ways to word "you will pay for all my legal fees if we get into a dispute" that an attorney can write out in a way that won't scare off a possible client.
JT
This might be a situation where $300 spent with attorney is money well spent.
Spend the money. It'll be worth every penny. You nned to find the guy who is good at beating contractors. That is who will know how to structure your contracts for your area.
"this dog may be old but he ain't cold. And he still knows how to bury a bone."
Lattimore