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December 17, 2007
Santa's Contractor Check List
Q: Dear Ed, my wife and I love to read your column together and we get some great tips and a few chuckles here and there from your advice. Believe it or not, it's my wife that does all the handy work around the house; when it comes to home improvement I have two left thumbs and usually they will end up bruised! So, I pass on the physical labor but do help with coaching her on the projects.
We're going to remodel the kitchen and do plan to work with a few contractors. With that in mind I recently bought your book, Ed Del Grande's House Call, for her as a holiday gift. Naturally I looked through it and was very impressed with the "Hiring a Contractor" chapter and in particular the "signing a contract check list." I think this is information every homeowner should have. How about giving your readers everywhere a nice holiday gift and write a special column with your "signing the contract check list" that we can cut out of the paper and hang on the wall? Bill and Jean (Indiana)
A: Thanks, Bill, for getting my book, and yes, I'd be happy to share my building-contract checklist with everyone! Here it is:
Ed's 10 Things to Consider when Signing a Contract with a Building Contractor
(From Ed Del Grande's House Call; Viking Studio)
1. Contact a lawyer before you sign the contract, just to cover your bases.
2. If you have a good blueprint, incorporate mentions of it into the contract (i.e.,"as per approved plans or blueprints").
3. Include the starting date of the work and "finish by" completion date(s).
4. Include a detailed description of the project, the brand names and/or grades of materials to be used, and who supplies what materials.
5. Indicate who will pay for any government fees, taxes and/or permits.
6. Include the total agreed price of the main project; a payment schedule; and how extra work or job changes will be invoiced and paid for.
7. Clearly state who will pay for extra equipment like cranes, delivery trucks or dumpsters and who is responsible for keeping the jobsite clean.
8. Clarify material and labor warranties. Spell this out completely, especially if the homeowner is supplying any materials or fixtures.
9. Clearly state who pays the subcontractors for extra work; whose insurance the subs will work under; and a copy of the contractors insurance.
10. Finally, make sure both parties sign the contract!
(It will surprise you how many people forget number ten!)
Remember this list is just a quick rundown of some topics and not an actual contract. You may also want to add other details in your contract, like any special free extras that will be thrown into the job by the contractor and/or other issues that pertain to your type of building or remodeling job. When in doubt, see tip #1!
Happy Holidays to my friends around the world! Ed Del Grande
Ed Del Grande, the author of Ed Del Grande's House Call, was born and raised in a family-owned plumbing business. With more than 25 years of experience in every aspect of construction, he holds current Master licenses in pipefitting, fire protection and plumbing. If you have a question for Ed, send him an e-mail at eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com.Posted by Ed Del Grande at December 17, 2007 11:24 AM
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