
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 23, 1995                   TAG: 9505080008
SECTION: AMERICAN HOME WEEK                    PAGE: 12   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WRITTEN CONTRACTS ARE A MUST FOR REMODELING

The relationship you form with another person or company to repair, remodel or alter your home must be formalized by a written contract. Before any money changes hands, you must first undergo the process of selecting a contractor, then drawing up a contract that will outline the steps and conditions of the project.

CONTRACT PREPARATION:

In order to fairly evaluate contract bids, the specifics of the job should be determined and a contract prepared before the selection process begins. Often, homeowners have only a general idea of the planned project and rely on actual discussions with contractors to produce the specifics.

Avoid this approach. If you add something to the contract each time you interview a contractor, each candidate will be bidding on a different job.

For most construction of remodeling jobs, it is worthwhile to consider hiring an architect or paying for "design/build" plans from a contractor. If complex plans or drawings are involved, you will pay for the work either directly or as part of the total job. Remember, the penny saved in the planning stage, almost always results in a pound lost at the completion of the project.

Too late, we find that the closet should be in another area, the stairway and door do not flow well, or the kitchen layout is inconvenient.

THE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS:

The following are the "bare bones essentials" of any major repair or remodeling contract:

Complete plans and specification.

Start and stop dates of the work, and any exclusions.

Description of the full extent or scope of the work.

Hours of work.

Specifics of change orders to the work.

Insurance requirements.

The price of the work and the payment or draw schedule.

Release of liens from suppliers and subcontractors.

Clean up responsibilities of contractor as work progresses. Work area should be kept separate and broom cleaned each day.

List of facilities to be made available by the homeowner, such as power, light and toilets.

Schedule of homeowner decisions, such as paint colors, carpet, tile.

Method of resolving disputes. Arbitration is recommended.

Accessibility to the work site.

Plans, permits and inspections.

Steady progression of the work and daily attendance. State allowances for weather delays, material shortages, strikes, etc.

Conditions under which either party can cancel the contract.

Conformance with building codes and permit laws.

A schedule of subcontractors advising who is permitted to do the work; it is important to ensure qualified craftsmen.

PREPARE NOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS LATER:

Saving time by ignoring the written contract is pure folly, and invariably will lead to disputes and debates. Only lazy contractors try to avoid setting down the complete details of a project in a contract document.

The contract is the controlling reference point should there be a dispute about what is or what is not to be done. This document is all important should a matter eventually end up in court.

The contract guides the work and establishes responsibility. This is very important and the contract will be referred to often throughout the course of complex jobs. Essentially, it is the constitution upon which your project is built.

We all know how constitutions and amendments can be subject to a continuous stream of different interpretations. However, you can keep misunderstandings and conflicting interpretations to a minimum by having a comprehensive, well-written contract. The better your written contract, the more smoothly your project will proceed.

- Article Provided By: Andy DeMarry, Home Inspector HomePro of New River.

by CNB