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Whether you are building a new home or simply adding a deck, the easiest way to reduce the likelihood of there being any problems between yourself and the building Contractor is to have a signed contract.
The reason for this is simple: when parties have considered their respective rights and obligations and recorded their agreement in writing, the possible areas of dispute or difference are reduced considerably. For example, one of the most common areas of dispute between parties relates to the price. The Contractor claims payment for items of work and the Principal disputes their liability to pay for this work on the basis that it was included in the Contract Price. If there is nothing in writing, the parties are left to argue backwards and forwards as to what was included and what was not. However, if the parties have a written contract that includes a breakdown of the works and the costs, there is an accurate record to refer back to and the dispute is more likely to resolve itself. BUILDSAFE® has prepared Conditions of Contract which members of the BUILDSAFE Security of Payment Scheme are welcome to use at no extra cost. The Conditions of Contract have been drafted in a fair and impartial way and are not weighted in favour of either party. We have prepared two different types of contracts for Owner's/Principal's to use: one for large projects such as an extension or new house and one for smaller projects where the nature of the work is relatively straightforward such as a deck or a new kitchen. It is a condition of using the BUILDSAFE® Security of Payment Scheme that you and your contractor have a signed contract and we invite you to review our conditions of contract if you do not have any other Contract that you are intending to use. |
