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Protecting Yourself and Your Home When You Sign a Home Improvement Contract
By Hank Jaworowski, CR
Founder and President of The Home Improvement Success Club of
America™
A Home Improvement Project can be filled with a variety of problems
and headaches. Most people are very trusting individuals and are not
aware of the many problems that occur when one attempts a home
improvement project. If you choose to embark on a project than you
need to protect yourself and your home from common problems that
occur BEFORE you sign on the dotted line. Make sure that before you
sign a contract with someone to do a project that the following
items or clauses are included in that contract:
CONTINUOUS WORK CLAUSE - This clause should detail the minimum
number of people working on your home each day, Monday through
Friday. If weather is a factor and work cannot take place, you
should include in your contract that you will receive a call by 8
a.m. that day, if no one is going to show up because of bad weather.
The contractor should agree to 7 hour work days, and work will not
run past 5:00 p.m., unless permission is received by you. Reduction
of $_________(determine an amount) in total price if project work
schedule not continuous, with minimum manpower, for full seven
STARTING DATE CLAUSE - Full refund by contractor if job not started
by__________.
COMPLETION DATE CLAUSE - The amount of $_______ will be subtracted
per day, for every day project is not completed by________.
WORK SITE CONDITION CLAUSE - All areas to be kept “broom clean” on a
daily basis. Define “broom clean”.
WORK STOPPAGE CLAUSE - this gives you the right to cancel the
contract if work is deemed unsatisfactory or gets inexplicably
delayed.
MATERIAL INSTALLATION CLAUSE – All installations will be done
according to manufacturer specifications and local building codes,
unless otherwise noted.
ARBITRATION CLAUSE – If unsolvable problem(s) arise both parties
agree to arbitration by National Arbitration Board or other. Both
parties agree to abide by decision.
WARRANTY CLAUSE - All labor and product warranties will be supplied
by contractor before final payment.
MATERIAL DELIVERY AND STORAGE CLAUSE - All deliveries to be accepted
by contractor, securing materials will be the responsibility of
contractor until installation and materials will be covered and
placed _________ on property.
SUBCONTRACTING CLAUSE - Contractor shall not assign this project to
any other company or individual, unless they are listed as a
subcontractor, without the written consent of the homeowner.
PERMIT AND FEES CLAUSE - Contractor is responsible for all required
permits, fees or notices required for the work within.
PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAUSE - Contractor shall be responsible for any
damage caused to existing conditions. The contractor is liable for
the full cost of the repair. The homeowner will determine who will
repair the damage and at what cost.
JOB SITE BEHAVIOR CLAUSE - No loud music, foul language, alcohol or
drug consumption, no cigarette butts to be left on property, and
workers will wear shirts at all times.
COMMUNICATION CLAUSE - If homeowner needs to clarify a situation and
attempts to call contractor or contractor’s office during daytime
hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), contractor agrees to return call or
contact homeowner within 2 hours of homeowner’s call. If call back
or contact is not made within 2 hours, there will be a deduction of
$_________ per occurrence from the cost of the project.
SUBCONTRACTOR NAME, ADDRESS AND LICENSE NUMBERS CLAUSE -Names,
address and license numbers of all subcontractors to be used on
project.
STARTING DATE CLAUSE - Full refund by contractor if job not started
by_(Date)__.
COMPLETION DATE CLAUSE - The amount of $_______ will be subtracted
per day for every day project is not completed by_(Date)_.
These 17 clauses will protect you and your home from problems that
will occur in the completion of your Home Improvement Project. Make
sure your contract includes them all.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters,
portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop on line at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
a great selection online at the lowest prices anywhere. We can also be
found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube