If you're ready to contact the
local printer for another 1,000
copies of your standard contract
form, now's a good time
to make some revisions. As an
arbitrator, I see case after case
in which remodelers use
scanty, poorly worded contracts,
even on major jobs like
second-story additions or
whole house remodels. In
most cases, these remodelers
simply haven't taken the time
to properly prepare their contracts.
Some believe the
rapport they've established
with their customers will
smooth out any miscommunication.
In my experience, this
casual approach may work for
awhile, but eventually every
remodeler learns — usually
the hard way — that a wellprepared
contract is the only
way to avoid working for free.
Presenting Your Contract
Ideally, your contract should
anticipate all areas of conflict