Considerations Before Deciding Upon A Legal Contract

By Micheal Saari


When you set out to hire a commercial remodeling team to work on a property, you have to take several steps in terms of due diligence. Negotiations may be intense and you should look at referrals and Better Business Bureau ratings. Also, have the public record checked to see if any pending suits exist against a company. Once you are confident they are competent and responsible, it's time to review the contract for the work. You will need to be protected, so make sure these concerns are addressed prior to signing anything.

Are there clear milestones and payment schedules? Freelance contractors need to have milestones set or there can be all kinds of interference, which leads to delays in work. Have a timeline set and peg payments to the same schedule. When one part of the job is finished, you will release funds and wait for the completion of the next phase. Working in this fashion, you can stay on top of remodelers and have a clear system of protection. Though it is the best way to operate, you might see contracts that don't permit this type of accountability.

Refuse simple contracts that offer you next-to-no protection. There are two-page documents that say little except which parties are signing and what is the work being done. Don't agree to use one of these contracts when hiring a remodel team. The AIA offers several standard contracts that protect you when hiring commercial work. For one thing, any changes to the work detailed in writing will have to become amendments to the contract or they are deemed unacceptable. For clients of roofing contractors there is another provision which states that the final payment not be released until all work is satisfactorily complete. It's the ultimate protection.

Be informed on the process following abandonment by a remodeling team. Contractor walkouts are rare, but you should still be protected when the unthinkable occurs. You might be able to get your money back in its entirety were this event to happen. Even if it's a worst-case situation, you'll enjoy the protection it affords you before signing.

Understand how to proceed should a contractor turn out to be unlicensed. Unlicensed contractors in the commercial remodeling business are rare, but expired licenses are not the most far-fetched concept. If you have a major problem and it turns out there was no valid license in the remodeling team's hands, you may have the opportunity to recoup your money and move on. Getting proof of licensing and insurance is essential before beginning.

Before you sign a contract for commercial remodeling, know what you're getting into. Detailed contracts protect you on multiple levels, so don't sign until you're sure you have recourse.




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