Can this agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act and UETA when parties consent and there is a reliable record of the signing event; exceptions may apply for specific state or court requirements.

Is notarization required for the contract?

Not typically for a services contract, but notarization may be required for recordable instruments or lender conditions; check local rules and any mortgage or title company requirements before execution.

What authentication level is recommended?

Use at least email plus SMS or identity verification for contractor and owner signatures; stronger methods reduce disputes over signer attribution and are appropriate for high‑value contracts.

How should change orders be handled?

Require written, signed change orders that specify added work, price, and schedule impact before initiating additional tasks; attach approved change orders to the original agreement.

How long should I retain the signed agreement?

Retain the executed agreement through warranty periods and at least 3 years beyond project completion for tax and dispute purposes; industry or state rules may require longer retention.

What if the contractor lacks a valid license?

Perform a licensing check before signing; unlicensed work may be unlawful, jeopardize insurance coverage, and render contractual remedies limited or unenforceable in some jurisdictions.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Foundation Repair Agreement

Foundation Repair Agreement

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

FOUNDATION REPAIR AGREEMENT

Owner Name: Contractor Name:

Owner Address Contractor Address

Contractor License/Reg. No.: Work/Property Address:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Owner is the legal owner of the real property located at the Work/Property Address above and desires to have foundation repair, stabilization, and related work performed at that location; and

WHEREAS, Contractor is duly licensed and experienced in performing foundation repair services, represents that Contractor maintains applicable insurance and licenses, and agrees to perform the work in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth the terms and conditions under which Contractor will perform the foundation repair work described herein.

SCOPE OF WORK

Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, supervision, and services necessary to perform the foundation repair work described below. The work includes, but is not limited to, evaluation, excavation as required, installation of piers/piles or underpinning systems, crack repair, drainage correction, backfill, site restoration, and final cleanup in accordance with accepted industry standards and applicable codes.

Detailed Scope of Work (specify materials, methods, and exclusions)

PAYMENT TERMS

Contract Price: $ (the "Contract Amount"). Payment shall be made in accordance with the schedule below and conditioned on satisfactory completion of the described work.

Payment Schedule

Late Payment: Any undisputed amount not paid within days after written invoice shall accrue interest at , calculated monthly, or the maximum permitted by law, whichever is less. Contractor may suspend work for nonpayment after providing written notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Commencement Date: . Estimated Completion Date: . The parties acknowledge that timelines are estimates and subject to extension for causes beyond Contractor's control.

Termination: Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party if the breaching party fails to cure the breach within days after written notice. Upon termination, Owner shall pay Contractor for all work performed, materials procured, and reasonable demobilization costs.

PERMITS, INSPECTIONS AND ACCESS

Contractor shall obtain and pay for all required permits unless otherwise agreed in writing. Contractor shall schedule and coordinate inspections as required. Owner shall provide reasonable access to the property and shall remove or protect personal property and landscaping in the work area.

Permits Included

Contractor to obtain and pay for permits Owner to obtain and pay for permits

CHANGE ORDERS

Any changes to the Scope of Work, including adjustments to price or schedule, must be documented in a written change order signed by both parties prior to performance. Contractor is not required to perform work outside the signed change order.

Change Order Procedure

WARRANTY

Contractor warrants workmanship for a period of years from the date of completion against defects in workmanship when used for the purpose intended. This warranty does not cover damage resulting from subsequent settlement due to causes other than faulty workmanship by Contractor, alterations by others, acts of God, changes in soil moisture conditions, or Owner negligence.

INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY

Contractor shall maintain commercial general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by law. Contractor shall indemnify and defend Owner from claims, liabilities, losses, and expenses arising from Contractor's negligent acts or omissions, except to the extent caused by Owner's negligence or willful misconduct.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Except for Contractor's willful misconduct or gross negligence, Contractor's total liability for any claim arising out of or related to this Agreement shall not exceed the Contract Amount. In no event shall Contractor be liable for consequential, incidental, or punitive damages.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The parties agree that pricing, technical specifications, plans, reports, and other proprietary information exchanged in connection with this Agreement are confidential. Neither party shall disclose such confidential information to third parties without prior written consent, except as required by law. The obligations of confidentiality survive termination of this Agreement for a period of three years.

GOVERNING LAW; DISPUTE RESOLUTION

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. The parties shall first attempt in good faith to resolve disputes through negotiation. If unresolved, disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration under commercially reasonable rules mutually agreed by the parties, with the prevailing party entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

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

NOTICES

Owner Contact for Notices Contractor Contact for Notices

Owner Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Contractor Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What a Foundation Repair Agreement Covers

A Foundation Repair Agreement is a written contract that defines the scope, cost, schedule, warranties, and responsibilities for repairing or stabilizing a building foundation. It names the owner and contractor, describes specific repair methods and materials, lists permits and inspections, sets payment milestones and retainage, and allocates risk, insurance, and dispute resolution. The document can be executed on paper or electronically where permitted by law and commonly includes signature blocks, exhibit drawings, and a change-order process to manage unforeseen conditions.

Why a Clear Agreement Matters for Foundation Work

A well‑drafted agreement reduces disputes by documenting expectations for scope, schedule, price, permits, and warranties. It clarifies who pays for permits and inspections and how unexpected site findings are handled.

Who Typically Prepares or Signs This Agreement

The following profiles commonly draft, review, or sign foundation repair agreements in residential and commercial projects.

Homeowners and property owners seeking documented scope, timelines, payments, and warranty terms before authorizing significant foundation work.
Licensed contractors, structural engineers, and project managers who must confirm permit responsibilities, materials, and change‑order procedures.
Lenders, title companies, or property managers who require clear payment security, insurance confirmations, and recorded lien waiver procedures.

Each party should review authority to sign, insurance certificates, and local permit requirements before execution to avoid later disputes.

Primary Signers and Their Roles

Homeowner — Property Owner

As the contracting party, the homeowner authorizes work, approves the scope and payment schedule, and accepts associated warranty terms; name and property ownership must match recorded title to avoid enforceability issues.

Contractor — Licensed Specialist

A licensed foundation contractor confirms methods, materials, and timelines, provides proof of insurance and licensing, and accepts responsibility for permits, inspections, and defined warranty obligations under the contract.

Essential Sections to Include in a Professional Agreement

A clear agreement organizes obligations and reduces ambiguity. Include specific clauses and exhibits so all parties share the same expectations.

Scope of Work

Detailed description of required repairs, methods (e.g., underpinning, helical piers), materials, and measurable acceptance criteria such as tolerances or performance testing.

Price & Payment

Total contract price, deposit amount, progress payments, retainage, final invoice conditions, and accepted payment methods including handling of additional work costs.

Schedule & Access

Projected start and completion dates, working hours, site access requirements, and responsibility for clearing or protecting landscaping and utilities.

Warranties & Remedies

Time‑limited workmanship and materials warranties, conditions that void warranty, and remedies for defective work including repair or reimbursement processes.

Permits & Inspections

Which party obtains permits, who pays permit fees, required inspections, and acceptance criteria tied to municipal sign‑off or engineer certification.

Change Orders

Formal process for approving unplanned work, pricing changes, and schedule impacts; require written signed change orders before additional work begins.

Step‑by‑Step: Completing the Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to produce a signed, enforceable contract for foundation repairs.

01

Step 1: Inspect and document the issue before drafting scope.
02

Step 2: Draft detailed scope, attach drawings, and estimate costs.
03

Step 3: Review permits, insurance, and contractor licensing.
04

Step 4: Execute signatures and retain a signed copy for records.

Configuring an Online Signing Workflow

Set up a workflow that enforces required fields, includes an audit trail, and routes signatures in the correct order.

Field	Configuration
Authentication Method	Email link plus optional SMS code
Template Fields	Signature, initials, dates, and required checkboxes
Routing Order	Sequential or parallel signer order
Notifications	Email reminders and completion receipts

Typical Routing: From Draft to Archive

A simple sending flow reduces friction and preserves evidence of execution.

Prepare Document: Attach exhibits and set required fields.
Send to Parties: Provide signers with an authenticated link.
Sign and Date: Signers review and apply signatures.
Store Signed Copy: Save executed agreement and audit trail.

Technical Considerations for eSigning and Sharing

Ensure the platform supports secure eSignatures, preserves audit trails, and exports in standard file formats.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX, HTML, Excel
Common Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
Authentication Options: Email, SMS, KBA, SSO

Use an eSignature provider that captures timestamps, signer attribution, and tamper‑evident storage; verify compliance features appropriate to your industry and jurisdiction.

Key Deadlines and Payment Milestones to Specify

Specify clear calendar dates and durations to avoid disputes about when work must start, when payments are due, and when warranties begin.

Start Date:

Contractor begins work on specified date or within a defined number of business days.

Progress Payments:

Define amounts and due dates tied to percent complete or inspection milestones.

Completion Deadline:

Set a target completion date and remedies for delays, including liquidated damages if applicable.

Final Payment:

Release final payment only after inspections and acceptance or lien waiver provided.

Warranty Start:

Warranty period begins on final acceptance or date specified in agreement.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Vague scope language that omits repair methods or acceptance criteria, causing later disputes over whether work was completed correctly.
Failure to confirm contractor license and insurance coverage, exposing owners to liability if the contractor lacks proper credentials.
Missing permit responsibilities and inspection timing, which can delay project closeout and invalidate local approvals.
No formal change‑order process; verbal authorizations for extra work lead to unpaid invoices and contested claims.

Risks and Contractual Consequences

Contractor Liability: May face repair costs or indemnity claims if work fails to meet specified standards.

Permit Violations: Fines or required rework for work performed without required permits.

Payment Disputes: Delayed payments can trigger mechanics' liens or arbitration claims.

Lien Risks: Unpaid subcontractors or suppliers can record liens against the property.

Insurance Gaps: Missing general liability or builders' risk coverage shifts loss exposure to owner or contractor.

Voidable Agreement: Signatures by unauthorized agents may render the contract unenforceable.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Signing Agreements

Comparison of common eSignature vendors and feature highlights relevant to foundation repair agreements and recordkeeping. 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	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	No cap	No cap	No cap

Real‑World Examples of eSigning Construction Documents

These examples show how organizations use electronic signing for property‑related documents and construction workflows.

Martin Properties — Founder

When managing property repairs across multiple assets, the team needed a reliable remote signing process

They required mobile and offline signing support
"I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built‑in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."

Optica Ventures — COO

A small portfolio manager needed a simple interface for customers and contractors to approve work orders remotely

Ease of use was essential to adoption
"The interface is simple and easy‑to‑use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers."

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Agreements

Adopt these best practices to reduce disputes, speed execution, and preserve enforceability.

Define Measurable Scope

Include drawings, measurable tolerances, specific materials, and acceptance tests so all parties agree on what constitutes completed work and to reduce subjective interpretation.

Require Proofs Before Work

Obtain current contractor license, insurance certificates naming owner as additional insured, and references; verify documents before initial payment is released.

Use Formal Change Orders

Document all scope changes with prices and revised schedules; prohibit verbal authorizations to avoid disputed invoices later.

Preserve the Audit Trail

When using eSignatures, ensure the platform captures timestamps, signer IP, authentication method, and a downloadable certificate of completion for recordkeeping.

Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Repair Agreements

Answers to common legal, procedural, and digital signing questions related to foundation repair contracts.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act and UETA when parties consent and there is a reliable record of the signing event; exceptions may apply for specific state or court requirements.
Is notarization required for the contract?
Not typically for a services contract, but notarization may be required for recordable instruments or lender conditions; check local rules and any mortgage or title company requirements before execution.
What authentication level is recommended?
Use at least email plus SMS or identity verification for contractor and owner signatures; stronger methods reduce disputes over signer attribution and are appropriate for high‑value contracts.
How should change orders be handled?
Require written, signed change orders that specify added work, price, and schedule impact before initiating additional tasks; attach approved change orders to the original agreement.
How long should I retain the signed agreement?
Retain the executed agreement through warranty periods and at least 3 years beyond project completion for tax and dispute purposes; industry or state rules may require longer retention.
What if the contractor lacks a valid license?
Perform a licensing check before signing; unlicensed work may be unlawful, jeopardize insurance coverage, and render contractual remedies limited or unenforceable in some jurisdictions.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now