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Conditions are the terms and obligations binding on the parties to a contract. In a contract for a project, the General Contractor must ensure that it contains the following 3 conditions:
- Work and Duties of the Parties
Under this condition, the scope of the work to be done will be fully disclosed. In addition, highlight the warranties and assurances provided by both the contractor and the client. This helps save time in the future in case there is a need to refer especially during conflict and any possible settlement. Also, the condition of the sites and provide other insurance details.
This condition also indicates the party responsible for obtaining licenses and permits, among others. This is the most basic condition of the contract, as it goes to the essence of the whole contract.
- Timeline and Payment Schedule
Also important is the condition detailing the Timeline and Payment Schedule of the whole contract. This condition is particularly important to ensure convenience and proper planning. In this section, state the timeframe for the completion of the project. This includes the:
- commencement date and the proposed date for completion;
- include the various milestones and completion levels in the contract
- also indicate the process of handling delays and extensions in the completion of the project.
This section also outlines the payment plans for the project, whether there is installment payment, payment according to the milestone or even a lump sum payment. And it outlines the steps to follow in the case of payment defaults, especially from the client.
- Dispute Resolution Clause
A general contractor must include another condition in a contract, that is the Dispute Resolution Clause. Considering the frequency at which disputes arise in this kind of transaction, the success of the job is largely determined by the efficiency of the dispute resolution mechanisms put in place.
The contractor and client have to agree on effective and practical ways of resolving different kinds of disputes. Provide the process for addressing delays and extensions. Include the means of addressing defaults in payments. These means could range from:
- Contractor and Client In-house Negotiations,
- Mediations and Arbitration
- Full-blown Litigations
The Cost of Damages
Putting in mind the nature of these transactions, it is advisable to explore other means of dispute resolution, particularly what we call Arbitration. This is done proper to recourse made to the courts for litigation. However, litigation can and does happen more often than you may expect.
In the unfortunate case where you are responsible for damages, you need to cover the entire cost of the injuries and potential legal defenses. This is when you will be relieved to have Contractors Liability Insurance in place. You don’t?
For a personalized quote contact ContractorsLiability.com or call us at (866) 225-1950. It’s free. Invest in comprehensive insurance coverage before you find yourself facing legal costs that your business cannot afford.
You may also like: Everything You Need to Know About an Independent Contractor Agreement
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