7. Make sure your contractor is fully insured! This includes general liability, automobile and workers compensation. Otherwise you may be held liable for any injuries or damage that occur during the project.
Make sure the contract contains:
8. When the work will be completed
9. A detailed breakdown of what materials will be provided and what work will be done by the contractor. If you are not sure if something will be done or included, have it added to the contract or clarified so there are no surprises on either part.
10. A provision for clean-up of the premises. Your contractor should be professional and courteous enough to leave your project as clean as they found it.
11. The contractor’s obligation to obtain any necessary permits
12. How change orders will be handled. A change order — common on most remodeling jobs — is a written authorization to the contractor to make a change or addition to the work described in the original contract. It could affect the project’s cost and schedule. Remodelers often require payment for change orders before work begins.
13. If contractor guarantees the work, be sure it specifically states what is guaranteed and for how long.
14. Contract should state when payment is due. Never pay full price in advance; link payments to certain stages of completion of the entire job.
15. Final payment should only take place when work is completed as agreed upon in the contract and to your satisfaction.