Can this template be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted. Ensure the signer demonstrates intent, consents to electronic records, and that the signed record can be retained and reproduced.

Are notarization or witnesses required?

Most building science reports do not require notarization unless specifically requested by a regulator, contract, or permit authority. If a notarized or witnessed signature is needed, follow the jurisdiction's notary and witness rules.

How should photos and lab results be attached?

Attach high-resolution images with captions and reference IDs. Include lab reports as PDFs and list their file names in the Instrumentation Log to preserve traceability and support future audits.

What happens if a field is left blank?

Missing required fields can delay approvals and may trigger re-inspection. Use validation rules to enforce required fields before submission and document reasons for any intentionally blank entries.

How long must I keep signed reports?

Retain signed reports for the active project period plus at least three years; healthcare-related records require six years per HIPAA (45 CFR §164.530(j)). Follow any contract or grant-specific retention terms.

Which parties can sign the report?

Authorized signers typically include the inspecting professional, project manager, and property owner. Ensure each signer is authorized under contract and that their identity is captured in the audit trail.

Electronic Signature
Templates
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Building Science Template

Building Science Template

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

BUILDING SCIENCE CONSULTING AGREEMENT

This Building Science Consulting Agreement ("Agreement") is made effective as of by and between Client Name: and Consultant Name: .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client engages Consultant for professional building science services related to the Project identified as Project Name: located at Project Address: ; and

WHEREAS, Consultant has the specialized expertise in building enclosure performance, moisture control, thermal analysis, indoor environmental quality, and related diagnostics and shall provide technical services in accordance with the terms set forth below; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth their respective obligations, compensation, and applicable conditions governing Consultant’s performance.

SCOPE OF WORK

Consultant shall provide building science services to Client as described in this Section and any attached exhibits. Services include diagnostics, field testing, analysis, specifications, and reporting necessary to evaluate and improve building enclosure performance and indoor environmental quality. Deliverables, milestones, and performance standards are set forth below and shall be incorporated into this Agreement.

Detailed Scope of Work and Deliverables Anticipated Key Milestones

PAYMENT TERMS

Client shall compensate Consultant for performance of the Scope of Work as follows. All amounts are payable in United States dollars unless otherwise agreed in writing. Consultant shall invoice Client in accordance with the agreed schedule and Client shall pay undisputed amounts within the time period specified below.

Total Contract Amount Payment Schedule / Milestones Invoice Frequency Late Payment Fee

All invoices shall itemize services rendered and reimbursable expenses. Client shall promptly notify Consultant of any disputed invoiced amounts and the parties shall negotiate in good faith to resolve the dispute. Failure to timely pay undisputed portions shall constitute a material breach for which Consultant may suspend services after providing written notice.

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement shall commence on Start Date: and shall continue in effect until End Date: unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Section.

Notice Period for Termination Without Cause

Either party may terminate this Agreement for cause upon material breach by the other party if the breach remains uncured for a period of after written notice. Upon termination for any reason, Consultant shall be paid for work performed and expenses incurred through the effective date of termination and shall deliver all work-in-progress to Client as directed.

CONFIDENTIALITY

For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" means non-public information disclosed by one party to the other that is designated as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential given its nature. Confidential Information does not include information that: (a) is or becomes publicly known through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (b) is lawfully received from a third party without restriction; (c) is independently developed without use of the disclosing party’s Confidential Information; or (d) is required to be disclosed by law, provided the receiving party provides prompt notice and cooperates in any effort to limit disclosure.

Confidentiality Term (years)

The receiving party shall protect Confidential Information using at least the same degree of care it uses to protect its own confidential information, shall use Confidential Information only for the purposes of performing under this Agreement, and shall not disclose Confidential Information to any third party except to employees, consultants, or subcontractors on a need-to-know basis who are bound by comparable confidentiality obligations. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, the receiving party shall return or destroy Confidential Information as requested by the disclosing party.

INSURANCE, LIABILITY, AND INDEMNITY

Consultant shall maintain professional liability and general liability insurance in commercially reasonable amounts for the scope of services provided. Consultant’s total liability to Client for any claim arising out of or related to this Agreement shall be limited to the amount of fees paid to Consultant for the services giving rise to the claim, except for losses arising from Consultant’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Each party shall indemnify and hold the other harmless from third-party claims arising from the indemnifying party’s negligence or breach of this Agreement.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any legal action arising under this Agreement shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in the same state, and the parties consent to personal jurisdiction therein.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, including any exhibits and attachments executed contemporaneously herewith, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals, representations, and understandings, whether written or oral. Any modification to this Agreement must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

MISCELLANEOUS

If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other, except that Consultant may assign to a successor in connection with a merger or sale of substantially all of its assets. Headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.

Client Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Consultant Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Building Science Template Is

The Building Science Template is a structured report and data-collection form used to document building performance, envelope conditions, mechanical systems, moisture and thermal test results, and recommended corrective actions. It standardizes site information, measurement tables, inspection photos, instrumentation logs, and compliance notes so technical teams can produce consistent assessments for energy audits, condition surveys, retrofit planning, and code compliance reviews. The template is designed for use by field teams and office reviewers and supports electronic completion and secure signature capture to preserve chain-of-custody for findings and approvals.

Why a Standardized Building Science Template Matters

A consistent template reduces interpretation errors, speeds report production, and improves traceability for permits and audits. It ensures required technical data is captured uniformly across projects, supports regulatory and warranty workflows, and provides a clear record that can be signed and retained under ESIGN and UETA frameworks.

Who Typically Prepares and Uses This Template

The Building Science Template is applied by a mix of technical and administrative users who collect, verify, and act on building performance data.

Building scientists and energy auditors who perform diagnostic testing, analyze results, and recommend corrective work.
General contractors and specialty trades who need documented scope, test requirements, and sign-off for change orders.
Facility managers, owners, and permitting staff who require a clear, standardized report for approvals and recordkeeping.

Recipients include facility owners, permitting officials, contractors, and third-party reviewers who rely on a compact, auditable record of findings.

Essential Sections to Include in a Professional Template

A professional Building Science Template groups related information, makes technical data discoverable, and features fields that support legal and regulatory review while remaining readable for nontechnical stakeholders.

Executive Summary

One-page overview with scope, key findings, and prioritized recommendations. Summarize measured performance metrics and critical safety or moisture issues so decision-makers can act quickly.

Site Identification

Building name, address, owner, contact, project ID, and inspection date. Include building type and constructed area to contextualize measured results and code applicability.

Instrumentation Log

List instruments, serial numbers, calibration dates, and operator names. Accurate device records support result validity and are essential for dispute resolution or warranty claims.

Measurement Tables

Structured rows for test points, measurement types, units, and tolerances. Use consistent units and column headings to facilitate automated analysis and aggregation across sites.

Photographs & Annotations

Numbered photos with captions, view directions, and reference markers. Visual evidence tied to table rows reduces ambiguity and supports permits or insurance reviews.

Recommended Actions

Clear remediation steps with estimated cost or priority and responsible party. Distinguish immediate safety fixes from long-term efficiency improvements for planning purposes.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete the Template

Follow these core steps to prepare a complete, review-ready building science report.

01

Gather Files: Collect plans, sensor logs, and permits.
02

Populate Header: Enter project ID, address, and client details.
03

Record Measurements: Fill table rows with calibrated results.
04

Review & Sign: Verify entries, attach photos, and capture signatures.

Typical Submission and Review Flow

The following steps describe a common routing sequence from field data capture to final acceptance.

Field Capture: Technician completes template and attaches photos.
Internal Review: Project manager validates data and flags issues.
Client Review: Owner or facility team confirms findings.
Final Approval: Signing party executes the final report.

Configuring an Online Workflow for This Template

Map template fields to workflow settings so electronic routing, signer authentication, and storage behave consistently across projects.

Field	Configuration
Template Name	Use standardized project naming conventions
Signer Order	Define sequential or parallel signing
Authentication	Choose email, SMS code, or stronger MFA
Retention Folder	Map to a secure, access-controlled repository

Technical Requirements for Electronic Completion

Ensure users have compatible browsers, file formats, and integration access before deploying the template for electronic completion.

Supported Formats: PDF, DOCX, and CSV
Integrations: Common: Google Workspace, Box, Procore
Browser Minimum: Modern Chrome/Edge/Safari

Typical Timelines and Delivery Expectations

Timelines depend on scope, laboratory turnaround, and approvals; plan for contingencies and allow time for revisions and notarization if required.

Report Delivery:

7–14 business days for standard assessments, longer if lab testing is required

Permit Submission:

Align report delivery with permit windows and local review cycles

Client Review:

Allow 3–5 business days for client comments or sign-off

Reinspection:

Post-remediation verification typically scheduled within 30 days

Retention Trigger:

Retention periods begin on the inspection or signature date

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Incomplete site context such as missing building area, which prevents correct load or energy intensity calculations.
Inconsistent units and decimals across measurement tables that lead to aggregation errors during analysis or modeling.
Lack of instrument calibration records undermining result validity and increasing the risk of dispute or re-testing.
Poorly referenced photos or unlabeled photo files that make it impossible to match images to measured data points.

Potential Consequences of Incorrect or Incomplete Reports

Permit Delay: Application rejection risk

Warranty Denial: Claims may be denied without supporting data

Liability Exposure: Professional responsibility concerns

Insurance Issues: Coverage disputes for concealed defects

Re-testing Costs: Additional field or lab expenses

Regulatory Noncompliance: Local code enforcement actions

Practical Tips for Efficient, Accurate Completion

Apply these practices to reduce errors, accelerate review cycles, and maintain a defensible record of findings and approvals.

Standardize Naming and IDs

Use a consistent project ID scheme across templates, photos, and lab submissions so records link reliably. Consistent naming minimizes lost files and simplifies automated ingestion into asset management systems, saving time during audits.

Enforce Calibration and Logs

Require instrument serial numbers and calibration dates in the Instrumentation Log. Retain calibration certificates with the signed report to substantiate measurements in disputes or warranty claims.

Use Clear Photo Protocols

Number images, include scale markers and north-facing or room identifiers. High-quality photos with captions reduce back-and-forth during reviews and support faster permit approvals and contractor pricing.

Capture Electronic Signatures and Audit Trails

Ensure signatures include signer identity, timestamp, and a reproducible record. Maintain exportable audit logs to comply with ESIGN/UETA and to support internal quality control and external review.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Document Signing and Workflow

Basic vendor differences for signing and workflow features are summarized below. Use plan-level details and organizational requirements to select the appropriate provider.

	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 by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions About the Building Science Template

Answers to common questions about completing, signing, and storing the Building Science Template in electronic workflows.

Need help? Contact support

Can this template be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted. Ensure the signer demonstrates intent, consents to electronic records, and that the signed record can be retained and reproduced.
Are notarization or witnesses required?
Most building science reports do not require notarization unless specifically requested by a regulator, contract, or permit authority. If a notarized or witnessed signature is needed, follow the jurisdiction's notary and witness rules.
How should photos and lab results be attached?
Attach high-resolution images with captions and reference IDs. Include lab reports as PDFs and list their file names in the Instrumentation Log to preserve traceability and support future audits.
What happens if a field is left blank?
Missing required fields can delay approvals and may trigger re-inspection. Use validation rules to enforce required fields before submission and document reasons for any intentionally blank entries.
How long must I keep signed reports?
Retain signed reports for the active project period plus at least three years; healthcare-related records require six years per HIPAA (45 CFR §164.530(j)). Follow any contract or grant-specific retention terms.
Which parties can sign the report?
Authorized signers typically include the inspecting professional, project manager, and property owner. Ensure each signer is authorized under contract and that their identity is captured in the audit trail.

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