{"id":2096,"date":"2013-09-04T06:06:05","date_gmt":"2013-09-04T12:06:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myconstructionexpert.com\/blog\/?p=2096"},"modified":"2013-09-03T18:07:20","modified_gmt":"2013-09-04T00:07:20","slug":"trading-in-the-handshake-for-a-well-written-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myconstructionexpert.com\/blog\/trading-in-the-handshake-for-a-well-written-contract\/","title":{"rendered":"Trading in the Handshake for a Well-Written Contract"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jodie Clark McDougal – August 26, 2013<\/p>\n

In thinking about the article I would write for the September issue of Blueprint, my\u00a0thoughts quickly turned to September\u2019s Tour of Remodeled Homes and all of the great\u00a0remodelers in the HBA.<\/p>\n

One construction law topic that I often speak about to\u00a0remodelers is the benefits of having a well-written contract with their owner-clients;\u00a0though, of course, new home builders benefit from a well-written contract with their\u00a0owner-clients just as much as remodelers. In my construction law practice, I have\u00a0counseled many remodelers and builders that detailed contracts not only help when\u00a0disputes arise, but they are actually an asset from the beginning to the end of every\u00a0construction or remodeling project.<\/p>\n

The benefits to builders and remodelers of having a well-written contract include the following:<\/p>\n

Communication: The preparation and negotiation of a contract assists with clear communication.<\/p>\n

Expectations: A contract can ensure the owner-client has responsible expectations.<\/p>\n

Accuracy & Preventing Disputes: A contract is the best recordation of the understandings and agreements between the parties, which can prevent disputes in the future.<\/p>\n

Strengthening A Company\u2019s Legal Position: Below, I have set forth just a few of the many types of contract provisions that strengthen a company\u2019s legal position when a dispute or lawsuit arises.<\/p>\n

Relevance to Mechanic\u2019s Lien Rights: A contract should include the required \u201cOwner Notice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adaptability: A well-written contract should be able to be used and adapted for years to come.<\/p>\n

There are a countless number of contractual provisions that accomplish one or more of these benefits.\u00a0Herein, I will name just a few. For example, a detailed warranty provision sets forth exactly what is and is\u00a0not included within the warranty. Desirable provisions related to lawsuits and disputes can include a\u00a0requirement of arbitration or litigation, payment of attorney\u2019s fees by the owner-client, and a\u00a0requirement of mediation prior to an owner suit, as well as provisions that kick in when there is a claimed\u00a0default by either party (including notice and period to cure provisions). In addition, certain contract\u00a0provisions can reduce or eliminate a contractor\u2019s liability and spell out the owner-client\u2019s payment\u00a0responsibilities for certain events. A \u201cdiffering site conditions\u201d provision can establish an owner\u2019s\u00a0payment responsibility for a contractor having to deal with unknown site conditions. Also, a contract can\u00a0extinguish a contractor\u2019s liability when its work is delayed for reasons behind their control. Payment\u00a0provisions relating to allowances, change orders, and extras are helpful in setting expectations. Finally,\u00a0certain contract provisions can prevent headaches for contractors during the construction process, such\u00a0as provisions prohibiting owner-performed\/directed work and setting forth the contractor\u2019s commitment\u00a0in terms of spending time with the owner on design and selection decisions. While construction and\u00a0remodeling projects were once done on a handshake, today\u2019s world requires the use of contracts.<\/p>\n

via Trading in the Handshake for a Well-Written Contract | Davis Brown Law Firm – JDSupra<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jodie Clark McDougal – August 26, 2013 In thinking about the article I would write for the September issue of Blueprint, my\u00a0thoughts quickly turned to September\u2019s Tour of Remodeled Homes and all of the great\u00a0remodelers in the HBA. One construction law topic that I often speak about to\u00a0remodelers is the benefits of having a well-written… Continue reading Trading in the Handshake for a Well-Written Contract<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[9,172],"tags":[224,27],"class_list":["post-2096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-construction-contracts","category-construction-law-2","tag-construction-contract","tag-construction-law","entry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\nTrading in the Handshake for a Well-Written Contract - Advise & Consult, Inc.<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myconstructionexpert.com\/blog\/trading-in-the-handshake-for-a-well-written-contract\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Trading in the Handshake for a Well-Written Contract - Advise & Consult, Inc.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Jodie Clark McDougal – August 26, 2013 In thinking about the article I would write for the September issue of Blueprint, my\u00a0thoughts quickly turned to September\u2019s Tour of Remodeled Homes and all of the great\u00a0remodelers in the HBA. 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