I am sure this is not the first time this has been asked.
I have been very lucky over the past few years and have not had any problem collecting all amounts due. However as the jobs get larger I would like to improve my paper work.
We are a small construction company doing every thing from carpentry to tile work $3,000.00 to 42,000.00 jobs. Does any one have a basic estaimate form, and a basic contract form or any suggestions as to where to find some examples.
George
Replies
"The Contractor's Legal Kit" Gary Ransone
Let's not confuse the issue with facts!
I can assume that " the Contractors Legal Kit" is a book?
Thank you
It's a book and a CD that includes all of the sample contracts. It's a must-have. The usual suggestion is to write your own contract including everything that's important to you, and then take it to an attorney for the finish work.
Ditto the contractors legal kit. Have used it for 5 years. Great stuff. DanT
re the contract - many states have details that MUST BE included and other details that MUST BE EXCLUDED from any residential home improvement contract with an owner in order for the contract to be valid. Forget one of them in Maine and the entiore contract can be considered void by a judge, leaving the contractor out in the cold or potentially even subject to a penalty.
So whatever contract form you come up with, have a local atty review and adjust it - be sure to retain one who is familiar with your states construction laws.
You may be able to find and download a "model" contract that includes those provisions and a commentary on it from your State Attorney office website.
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The attorney general office in the state of NY does not have a model contract. I checked. Does Maine have one?Gene Davis, Davis Housewrights, Inc., Lake Placid, NY
Yes, that's where I got the idea
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While lawyers might seem expensive, I am of the opinion that having one on your side when you write out your boilerplates to use for contracts will, like having quality tools in the trailer, pay for itself over the long haul.
Why do we use any professional services? Accountants cost, but less than the taxes they save us. Designers cost, but they give the client ideas that we don't, and aren't geared for, resulting in happy customers and more leads. Ditto on lawyers. Despite all the jokes, I can't say enough good things about the one I use. Nice as all get out, easy to talk to, he doesn't nickle and dime me when I call with a five minute question, and hey, he knows people and throws work at me all the time. I'm all too happy to continue using the services of his firm.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain