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Agreement Between Contractor and Subcontractor

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SUBCONTRACTOR’S AGREEMENT

This SUBCONTRACTOR’S AGREEMENT (“Subcontract”), made on , is by and between the Contractor and Subcontractor identified below.

Contractor Subcontractor
Name*
Address
Representative(s)
License
Fed. Tax ID
Phone
Facsimile
e-mail

*Indicate if an individual or business entity (e.g., corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, etc…)

Jobsite

Address of the Jobsite
Legal Description of the Jobsite
Owner Name
Owner Address
Architect/Engineer Name
Architect/Engineer Address

Contractor has entered into a contract (“Prime Contract”) with the Owner to provide labor, material, and equipment and perform all work necessary to complete the residence, structure, or improvements on the Jobsite as described in the drawings and specifications signed by both Owner and Contractor (the “Project”).

Description of Work

Subcontractor shall provide all labor, material, equipment, and work necessary to complete the portion of the Project described as follows in strict compliance with this Subcontract: (the “Work”).

The Work is based upon the following drawings and specifications or other documents:

With the following specific additions or deletions:

Subcontractor shall apply for and obtain the following permits and regulatory approvals from the local municipal/county government, the cost thereof shall be included as part of the Work:

Contractor shall obtain apply for and obtain any permits necessary for the Project and the Work not listed above.

Time and Scheduling Work

Estimated Start Date:

Estimated Date of Substantial Completion of the Work:

Subcontractor shall not deliver any materials to the Jobsite or commence work until notified to do so by Contractor. Working days are defined as Monday through Friday, holidays excluded.

Subcontract Price

Contractor shall pay Subcontractor the following amount:

The fixed-price of Dollars ($) subject to any Change Orders.

Time and material rates and prices in accordance with the Schedule of Labor and Materials attached as an Exhibit to this Subcontract subject to any Change Orders.

Any amounts not paid when due shall bear interest at the rate of 1 ½ % per month until paid.

Schedule of Payments

Contractor shall Pay Subcontractor according to the following schedule:

Subcontractor shall submit an application for each Progress Payment no later than days following the end of each payment period. Such applications shall be itemized and supported by substantiating receipts and other records.

List of Exhibits

Such Exhibits are made part of this Subcontract whether or not attached.

Sole Agreement: As of the date entered above, this Subcontract, including the Terms and Conditions, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the Work. No other agreement or understanding, oral or written, expressed or implied, exists between the parties pertaining to the Work. This Contract may only be modified only by a written agreement signed by both parties.

Each party has caused this Subcontract to be executed by its authorized representative to be effective as of the date indicated above.

Contractor

By:

Name (printed)

Title (printed)

Subcontractor

By:

Name (printed)

Title (printed)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Delay in Commencing the Work: If Subcontractor is not called upon to commence work within four (4) months from the Estimated Start Date, Subcontractor may elect at Subcontractor’s sole discretion, to refuse to perform under this Subcontract. Subcontractor shall make such election by delivering written notice of intent to cease performance to the Contractor’s representative. If Contractor can demonstrate that such delay was due to actions taken by Owner; acts of God; fire, explosions, casualty losses, strikes, boycotts or other labor disputes; lockouts; hazardous material disturbance, abatement, or removal; or acts of government body (“Excusable Event”), Contractor shall notify Subcontractor of the Excusable Event in writing within seven (7) days of receipt of Subcontractors notice to cease performance, and Contractor shall have a reasonable extension of time. If Contractor does not demonstrate that the delay was caused by an Excusable Event within the seven (7) day period, Subcontractor is relieved of all responsibility to perform under this Subcontract and shall be held harmless by Contractor of any liability associated with Subcontractor’s refusal to perform. Immediately following the above mentioned seven (7) day period, where such delay was not caused by an Excusable Event, Contractor will immediately pay Subcontractor: (1) for any materials and equipment it purchased in anticipation of performing the Work that Subcontractor can document and support with receipts and other records, plus a 10% handling fee, and Subcontractor shall deliver to Contractor the above mentioned materials and equipment in good condition; and (2) liquidated damages in the sum of 10% of Subcontractor’s anticipated profits.

2. Asbestos and Hazardous Materials. The disturbance, removal, or abatement of asbestos or other hazardous materials is not provided for by the terms of this Subcontract, and in the event that asbestos or other hazardous material is encountered or disturbed in order to complete the Work, it will be treated as Extra Work under Paragraph 12 of this Subcontract. Subcontractor may stop work upon discovering asbestos or other hazardous material, until the terms of the Extra Work are negotiated. Subcontractor, at Subcontractor’s sole option, can require Owner or Contractor to be responsible for the removal or abatement of asbestos or any other hazardous materials found on the Jobsite.

3. Arbitration, Validity, and Damages. Any controversy or claim arising out of or related to this Subcontract, or the breach thereof, shall be settled in the county where the Jobsite is located by arbitration in accordance with the Construction Industry Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the Arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. However, a party may bring a claim under the jurisdiction of the small claims court without waiving the right to arbitrate, and if a counterclaim in excess of the jurisdiction of the Small Claims Court is filed in the Municipal or Superior Court, then the party filing in the Small Claims Court may demand arbitration pursuant to this Paragraph 3 of this Subcontract in lieu of litigating in the Municipal or Superior Court.

4. Reservation of Rights of Dispute. In the event that the Subcontractor is required to, or deems it appropriate to proceed with and complete any work which is the subject of a dispute between the Contractor and the Subcontractor as to whether such work should be classified as an Incidental Change or Extra Work, Subcontractor may, if it deems it appropriate, but is not required to, proceed with such work, and thereafter or contemporaneously, file for arbitration as provided in this Paragraph 3 of this Subcontract, to determine whether such work is in fact an Incidental Change or Extra Work (including payment terms for such Extra Work) without waiving any said rights.

5. Attorneys’ Fees. If any party to this Subcontract brings a cause of action against the other party arising from or relating to this Subcontract, the prevailing party in such proceeding shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs.

6. Removal of Debris. Upon completion of the Work, the Subcontractor agrees to remove all of its debris and surplus materials from Jobsite and leave the Jobsite in a neat and broom clean condition.

7. Failure to Make Payments. A failure by the Contractor to make a scheduled progress payment by more than ten (10) days from the due date shall be deemed a material breach of this Subcontract. Upon Contractor’s material breach of this Subcontract, Subcontractor may suspend work on the job until such time as all payments due have been made without breaching this Subcontract, pending payment or resolution of any dispute. If a payment is more than thirty (30) days late, Subcontractor has the option to justifiably refuse to complete the balance of this Subcontract, be considered excused from further performance, and not be considered in breach of this Subcontract. Subcontractor may then institute an arbitration proceeding as described in Paragraph 3 of this Subcontract.

8. Retention. Contractor is authorized to withhold retention from Subcontractor only to the extent that Owner withholds funds from Contractor for the Work performed by Subcontractor. In no event shall Contractor withhold more than ten (10) percent of payments due Subcontractor. All retentions must be paid to Subcontractor within thirty-five (35) days of the date the Subcontractor substantially completes the Work.

9. Items Not Responsibility of Subcontractor. Unless specifically included in the Subcontract, Subcontractor shall not be held responsible for any existing violations of applicable building regulations or ordinances, whether cited by the appropriate authority or not. Subcontractor is not responsible for any abnormal or unusual preexisting condition. Correction by the Subcontractor of any such violations or abnormal conditions shall be considered Additional Work and dealt with according to Paragraph 12 of this Subcontract.

10. Excusable Delays. If the Subcontractor is delayed in the performance of the Work by conditions that could not be reasonably foreseen by Subcontractor or out of the reasonable control of Subcontractor, including, but not limited to, actions taken by Owner; acts of God; fire, explosions, casualty losses, strikes, boycotts or other labor disputes; lockouts; hazardous material disturbance, abatement, or removal; and acts of government body, then Contractor shall grant Subcontractor a reasonable extension of time.

11. Compliance with Rules and Regulations. Both Contractor and Subcontractor shall comply with all applicable federal, state, county, and municipal rules and regulations including but not limited to OSHA safety requirements.

12. Extra Work. Subcontractor shall provide in a good and workmanlike manner only that labor and materials specified in this Subcontract. Subcontractor will only provide additional work not specified in this Subcontract (“Extra Work”) upon written authorization by the Contractor in a change order specifying the additional work (“Change Order”). Such Change Order shall also contain the amount of additional compensation for the Extra Work in addition adjustments in the scheduled time for completing the Work. However, in the event that an emergency exists, then Subcontractor may proceed upon the verbal authorization of the Contractor or the Contractor’s job superintendent, and upon Subcontractor’s request, Contractor shall provide Subcontractor written confirmation of the verbal authorization within seventy-two (72) hours.

13. Incidental Change: The Contractor may direct the Subcontractor to perform incidental changes in the Work not involving adjustments in the Payments or time of completion. Incidental changes shall be consistent with the scope and intent of the Work. The Contractor shall initiate an Incidental Change by issuing a written order to the Subcontractor.

14. Protection of Work. To the extent noted in this Paragraph 14, Subcontractor will protect its own work until completion and the Contractor’s acceptance of Subcontractor’s work.

If Subcontractor’s work is damaged or destroyed during the course of the Work, and such damage or destruction is the result of Subcontractor’s negligence, then Subcontractor shall repair or replace the damaged or destroyed work at Subcontractor’s expense. If such damage or destruction was not the result Subcontractor’s negligence, Subcontractor shall repair or replace the damage or destroyed work as Extra Work and Contractor shall compensate Subcontractor in accordance with the terms of Paragraph 12 of this Subcontract.

15. Concealed Conditions. In the event Subcontractor encounters rock, ground water, underground structures, utilities, or other conditions unknown to Subcontractor and not reasonably foreseeable by Subcontractor, then Subcontractor shall immediately stop work and call Contractor’s attention to such concealed conditions in writing. The Contractor and Subcontractor shall then agree on an equitable adjustment on the Subcontract time and price in writing prior to Subcontractor resuming the Work.

16. Insurance. Subcontractor shall maintain general liability, workers compensation and builder's risk insurance.

Contractor shall also maintain general liability, workers compensation and builder's risk insurance.

17. Interpretation: The Subcontract and the Exhibits are intended to supplement one another. In the event of a conflict, the specifications shall control the drawings, and the Subcontract shall control both. If work is displayed on the drawings but not called for in the specifications, or if the work is called for in the specifications but not displayed on the drawings, Contractor shall be required to perform the work as though it were called for and displayed in both documents.

If a portion of this Subcontract is found to be invalid, such provision shall be deemed severed, and this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

This Contract shall be interpreted and governed in accordance with the laws of the State where the Jobsite is located.

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What the Agreement Between Contractor and Subcontractor Is

An Agreement Between Contractor and Subcontractor is a written contract that defines the scope, schedule, payment, insurance, and responsibilities for work a subcontractor will perform for a contractor on a specific project. The document allocates risk, sets inspection and acceptance criteria, requires regulatory and licensing compliance, and often includes indemnity, warranty, lien release, and dispute-resolution provisions. Properly drafted, it clarifies who supplies materials, who coordinates permits, and how change orders, delays, and payment claims will be handled to reduce disputes during project execution.

Why a Clear Contractor–Subcontractor Agreement Matters

A written agreement reduces ambiguity about scope, protects against unexpected costs, sets payment expectations, and establishes procedures for claims and termination. It creates evidentiary clarity for liens, insurance claims, and dispute resolution while making responsibilities explicit for both parties.

Why a Clear Contractor–Subcontractor Agreement Matters

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Agreement

The agreement is used by specialty contractors, general contractors, project managers, and procurement or legal teams to formalize on-site and off-site construction work relationships.

  • General contractors who hire trade subcontractors for specific tasks such as electrical, plumbing, or framing work.
  • Subcontractors who need written terms for scope, payment milestones, retainage, and insurance requirements.
  • Owners or project managers who require a chain of responsibility and evidence of contractor-subcontractor relationships.

Use a standardized template tailored to the project’s governing law and complexity; include exhibits like scope of work, schedule, and payment schedule to minimize later disputes.

Core Clauses to Include in a Professional Contractor–Subcontractor Agreement

A robust agreement groups commercial, operational, and legal terms so each party’s obligations are clear. The following elements are commonly included and should be customized to the project size and risk profile.

Scope of Work

Describe tasks, materials, deliverables, and measurable acceptance criteria so performance obligations are unambiguous and enforceable.

Payment Terms

Specify contract price, milestone amounts, retainage, invoice submission, and timing for release of payments to avoid disputes over progress payments.

Schedule

Include start/end dates, critical milestones, and liquidated damages or notice procedures for delays and excusable events.

Insurance & Bonds

List required coverages, limits, certificate-holder information, and any performance or payment bond requirements.

Indemnity & Liability

Allocate responsibility for third-party claims, define indemnity scope, and set caps or exclusions for consequential damages.

Dispute Resolution

Provide governing law, venue, and selected resolution method (mediation, arbitration, or court) to limit litigation risk.

Step-by-Step: Filling Out the Agreement

Complete the agreement in a consistent order to avoid omissions and ensure all cross-references and exhibits align.

  • 01
    Prepare attachments: Collect scope, schedule, insurance certificates, and bid breakdowns.
  • 02
    Populate parties: Enter contractor and subcontractor legal names and addresses.
  • 03
    Set commercial terms: Fill payment milestones, retainage, and warranty provisions.
  • 04
    Review and sign: Have authorized signatories execute and retain executed copies.

How to Configure an Online Signing Workflow

Set up a clear electronic workflow so signatures, approvals, and file retention occur reliably and in the correct order.

Field Configuration
Order of Signing Sequential or parallel routing as required by project rules
Authentication Level Email + SMS code or stronger (KBA/ID check) for higher-risk projects
Supporting Documents Attach insurance certificates and exhibits before sending
Audit Trail Capture timestamps, IP addresses, and signer emails

Where to Send and File the Completed Agreement

Establish a routing and filing plan so the executed agreement is distributed to all stakeholders and stored for compliance.

  • Contractor Copy: Retain an executed PDF in the project contract file.
  • Subcontractor Copy: Provide an executed copy to the subcontractor for their records.
  • Owner/PM Copy: Send a copy to the owner or project manager if required.
  • Accounting/Payroll: Forward to accounts payable and payroll for payments and tax reporting.

Digital Signing and File Format Considerations

Use platforms that support secure PDFs, maintain audit trails, and integrate with project management systems.

  • File Types: PDF and DOCX supported for final executed copies
  • Integrations: Connectors for Procore, Box, NetSuite, and Google Workspace
  • Authentication: Email, SMS code, or advanced ID verification

Ensure the chosen platform can export tamper-evident signed PDFs, preserve metadata, and meet any industry compliance requirements.

Key Deadlines and Timing to Track

Monitor dates that affect performance, payments, claims, and tax reporting to avoid penalties and preserve rights.

Execution Before Mobilization:

Sign before work begins to trigger insurance and bond obligations.

Payment Milestones Due:

Follow the contract schedule for draw claims and invoice submission.

Notice of Claim Deadlines:

Comply with contract notice windows for changes and defects.

1099 Reporting:

Report payments to subcontractors by Jan 31 (1099-NEC) when required

Retainage Release:

Observe contract conditions and release timing for retainage funds

eSignature Vendor Pricing Snapshot for Executing Agreements

Compare common pricing and capability points for executing contractor–subcontractor agreements. Pricing and features vary by plan and billing cadence.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Security and Compliance Features to Look For

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Tamper-evident timestamps and signer metadata
HIPAA: Supports BAA for protected health information
SOC 2: SOC 2 Type II compliance available
ISO 27001: ISO 27001 certified information security
21 CFR Part 11: Capabilities to support FDA-regulated records

Penalties and Risks of an Incorrect or Missing Agreement

1099 Penalties: $60–$330 per form under IRC §6721
I-9 Violations: $281–$2,789 per violation
Lien Exposure: Unpaid work can lead to mechanic’s liens and enforced claims
Insurance Gaps: Missing coverage can shift liability to hiring contractor
Delay Costs: Project delays increase carrying and remediation expenses
Contract Invalidity: Improper execution may hamper enforcement in court

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Agreement

  • Omitting a detailed scope of work that ties payments to measurable deliverables and quantities.
  • Failing to confirm signatory authority for corporate entities and relying on unsigned change orders.
  • Neglecting to require proof of insurance and up-to-date certificates before mobilization.
  • Using ambiguous payment or retainage language that invites conflicting interpretations.

Real-World Examples of How Teams Use This Agreement

These concise examples show practical uses and outcomes when teams apply clear agreement templates and eSigning workflows.

Optica Ventures (COO)

The team standardized subcontractor contracts across multiple projects to reduce onboarding time by consolidating exhibits.

  • They attached scope exhibits to each agreement for clarity.
  • As a result, site-level disputes decreased, approvals were faster, and project administrators could audit obligations and insurance consistently across the portfolio.

Martin Properties (Founder)

A small contractor moved agreements online to ensure quick signature turnaround and consistent records.

  • They used signed PDF records stored in a centralized folder.
  • This enabled faster payment processing, reduced paper handling, and preserved an audit trail for owner reviews and lien protection.

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about signing, notarization, amendment, and storage for contractor–subcontractor agreements.


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