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Builder Construction Agreement

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BUILDER CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT

This Builder Construction Agreement ("Agreement") is made effective as of between:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Owner desires to have certain construction work performed at the Project Location described above; and

WHEREAS, Builder is duly licensed, experienced and qualified to perform the construction, and represents that Builder will perform the Work in a good and workmanlike manner in accordance with this Agreement and applicable codes and regulations; and

WHEREAS, the parties agree the material terms of the Work, payment, and responsibilities are set forth below.

SCOPE OF WORK

Builder shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment and supervision and shall perform the work described as follows:

CHANGE ORDERS

Any modification, addition or deletion to the Scope of Work shall be effective only if memorialized in a written change order signed by both parties describing the change, any adjustment to the Contract Price, and any extension to the schedule. No oral instruction shall constitute a change order.

PAYMENT TERMS

Contract Price (Total): $. Payment shall be made as follows:

Retainage: % of each progress payment until substantial completion, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Invoices shall be due and payable within days of receipt. Late payments shall bear interest at % per month (or the maximum allowed by law), computed from the date payment was due.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Work Commencement Date: . Expected Substantial Completion Date: .

Either party may terminate this Agreement for cause if the other party materially breaches and fails to cure such breach within days after written notice. Owner may terminate for convenience upon written notice, subject to payment for Work performed and reasonable demobilization costs.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party shall treat as confidential all non-public technical, financial and business information of the other party disclosed in connection with this Agreement ("Confidential Information"). Confidential Information shall not include information that (i) is or becomes generally available to the public through no fault of the receiving party, (ii) was rightfully in the receiving party's possession prior to disclosure, or (iii) is required to be disclosed by law or regulation, provided that the disclosing party is given prompt notice and an opportunity to seek protective relief.

INSURANCE, INDEMNITY & LIENS

Builder shall maintain insurance customary for the construction industry, including commercial general liability and workers' compensation, and shall provide certificates upon request. Minimum insurance limits: .

Builder shall indemnify and hold Owner harmless from claims, damages or liabilities arising out of Builder's negligent acts or omissions, except to the extent caused by Owner's negligence. Builder shall promptly pay all subcontractors and suppliers to avoid mechanics' or construction liens against the Project.

Require lien waivers on progress and final payments: Yes

WARRANTIES

Builder warrants that all Work performed shall be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period of months from the date of substantial completion, except for defects arising from ordinary wear and tear or Owner's misuse. Additional warranty details:

PERMITS AND COMPLIANCE

Builder shall, at Builder's expense unless otherwise specified, obtain and pay for all permits, inspections and approvals required by applicable law for performance of the Work. Builder shall perform the Work in compliance with all applicable building codes, ordinances and lawful orders of public authorities.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

The parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve disputes arising under this Agreement through negotiation. If negotiation fails, the parties agree to submit unresolved disputes to mediation. If mediation is unsuccessful, either party may pursue any available legal or equitable remedies in a court of competent jurisdiction.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of , without regard to conflict of law principles.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, including all exhibits and signed change orders, constitutes the entire agreement between Owner and Builder with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous negotiations and agreements, whether written or oral. No amendment shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

NOTICES

Notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered personally, by nationally recognized overnight courier, or by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the addresses set forth below or to such other address as either party designates by notice to the other.

The parties acknowledge that each has had the opportunity to consult with counsel and that any ambiguous provisions shall not be construed against the drafting party.

Owner Name:

By:

Date:

Builder Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Builder Construction Agreement Is and When It Applies

A Builder Construction Agreement is a written contract that defines the scope, price, schedule, responsibilities, and legal relationship between a property owner and the builder or contractor engaged to perform construction work. It organizes key project terms such as scope of work, payment schedule, change-order procedures, insurance and indemnity, warranty obligations, dispute resolution, and termination rights. For projects involving subcontractors, financing, or permits, the agreement coordinates who is responsible for permits, inspections, and meeting local building-code requirements.

Why a Clear Construction Agreement Matters

A complete Builder Construction Agreement reduces disputes, sets expectations for schedule and payments, and protects both parties by documenting obligations, risk allocation, and remedies. It creates enforceable notice and change-order paths and clarifies how claims and warranties will be handled under state law.

Why a Clear Construction Agreement Matters

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Agreement

Each signer should confirm authority to bind their entity and ensure the agreement aligns with permits, financing, and insurance requirements before executing.

  • Property owners seeking fixed-price or cost-plus clarity and protections during construction.
  • General contractors managing scope, subcontractor flow-down obligations, and schedule milestones.
  • Lenders and title companies requiring standardized contract terms before funding or closing.

Core Clauses Every Professional Builder Construction Agreement Should Include

A robust agreement balances scope, payment, schedule, risk allocation, and procedures for changes, claims, and closeout to reduce ambiguity and protect the parties during the project lifecycle.

Scope of Work

Precisely describe deliverables, materials, drawings, and performance standards; attach plans and specs as exhibits to avoid later disputes over omitted work.

Price & Payment

State contract sum, retainage percentage, timing of progress payments, final payment conditions, and procedures for disputed invoices and conditional lien releases.

Schedule

Include start and substantial-completion dates, liquidated damages or incentives, critical-path milestones, and contractor obligations for delays and acceleration.

Change Orders

Define written change-order procedures, pricing methodology for extras or credits, and required approvals before performing changed work.

Insurance & Indemnity

Specify required policies (GL, workers' comp, builder's risk), coverage limits, additional-insured endorsements, and indemnity scope between parties.

Warranties & Closeout

Set warranty periods, punch-list procedures, final acceptance criteria, and documentation deliverables for operation, maintenance, and lien waiver submission.

Step-by-Step: Completing a Builder Construction Agreement

Follow these steps in order to prepare a clear, enforceable agreement that aligns with permits and funding conditions.

  • 01
    Gather Documents: Collect plans, bid proposals, and scope exhibits.
  • 02
    Draft Terms: Populate scope, schedule, price, and insurance clauses.
  • 03
    Review Legal Items: Confirm lien waivers, dispute clauses, and governing law.
  • 04
    Execute: Have authorized signers sign and date the final document.

How Electronic Completion and Routing Typically Flow

Electronic completion reduces turnaround time and captures an audit trail while preserving the sequence of approvals and signatory attributions.

  • Upload Document: Sender uploads the contract PDF or DOCX.
  • Add Fields: Place signature, date, and conditional fields.
  • Assign Signers: Specify roles, order, and authentication.
  • Route & Sign: Signers receive invites, authenticate, and sign.

Typical Online Workflow Settings for Construction Contracts

Configure an electronic workflow that preserves signing order, enforces required fields, and captures identity evidence for each signer.

Field Configuration
Signing Order Sequential or parallel routing per project needs
Authentication Level Email or SMS code; use KBA for higher risk
Conditional Fields Show change-order fields only when selected
Audit Trail Require full IP, timestamp, and action logging

Technical Requirements for Digital Signing and Delivery

Confirm the platform provides an immutable audit trail, secure storage with AES-256, and optional BAA where healthcare-related elements exist.

  • File Formats: PDF and DOCX accepted
  • Integrations: Connects to Procore and NetSuite
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or KBA

Key Timing and Deadline Considerations

Record and monitor milestone dates, notice periods, and statutory deadlines to preserve rights and avoid penalties.

Notice Periods:

Follow contract notice windows for defects and claims

Payment Turnaround:

Track invoice due dates to avoid lien filings

Permit Deadlines:

Ensure permit application and inspection timelines

Warranty Start:

Warranty often begins at substantial completion

Record Retention:

Keep contract and change orders per retention rules

Project Milestones from Contract to Closeout

Milestones below illustrate a typical lifecycle from signing through acceptance and warranty periods.

01

Contract Execution

Agreement signed and effective; permits applied

02

Mobilization & Start

Site preparation and initial deliveries

03

Substantial Completion

Work substantially complete; punch list issued

04

Final Acceptance

Final payment, lien waivers, and warranty start

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Vague scope language that omits specific deliverables and allows differing interpretations during performance.
  • Missing or unclear change-order procedures that lead to unauthorized work and payment disputes on site.
  • Failure to tie payment milestones to measurable deliverables, increasing risk of withheld payments or claims.
  • Not verifying signer authority or corporate signatory blocks, which can render the agreement unenforceable.

Consequences of an Inaccurate or Incomplete Agreement

Payment Disputes: Delays and potential lien filings
Lien Risk: Mechanic's lien exposure for unpaid work
Statute Issues: Missed notice may forfeit claims
Tax Reporting: Incorrect 1099s trigger IRC §6721 penalties
Insurance Gaps: Missing coverage increases indemnity exposure
Enforceability: Improper signature authority prevents binding effect

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Construction Contract Workflows

Compare common pricing and feature criteria for eSignature platforms used to execute Builder Construction Agreements; signNow is listed first per platform comparison conventions.

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 free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common legal, signing, and practical questions about completing and executing a Builder Construction Agreement.


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