Who must sign the agreement?

The agreement should be signed by an authorized representative with contractual authority for each party. For businesses, use an officer or manager listed on corporate records to avoid challenges to signing authority.

Is notarization required?

Not typically for standard framing contracts. Notarization is rarely necessary unless local law or a lender requires it for enforcement or recordation purposes.

Can this be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.

What supporting documents should be attached?

Attach plans, permits, insurance certificates, bond documents, and any addenda describing unique site conditions to ensure the contract reflects the full agreement.

How to handle change orders?

Require written and signed change orders that reference the original contract, state pricing or time impacts, and are signed by authorized representatives before work proceeds.

How long to retain signed agreements?

Retain contract records for at least three years for tax purposes (IRC §6501(a)) and longer where state law or project risk suggests, typically seven years for construction claims.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Framing Labor Agreement

Framing Labor Agreement

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

FRAMING LABOR AGREEMENT

This Framing Labor Agreement ("Agreement") is made effective as of by and between:

Owner

Owner Name Entity Type Individual Corporation/LLC Owner Address

Contractor

Contractor Name Entity Type Individual Corporation/LLC Contractor Address

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Owner requires labor and services for the framing portion of the construction project located at:

WHEREAS, Contractor is experienced and properly licensed to perform framing labor and related services and agrees to provide labor, tools, and supervision in accordance with the terms set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:

Scope of Work

Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, equipment, tools, and materials (except those expressly provided by Owner) necessary to perform framing work for the project. Specific tasks include erection of structural framing, sheathing, blocking, cutting and fitting of lumber, installation of joists, rafters, trusses, and related framing tasks consistent with the contract documents and building codes.

Detailed Scope

Payment Terms

Owner shall pay Contractor for labor and services performed under this Agreement in accordance with the following payment terms.

Contract Price (Total) Deposit / Mobilization Payment Schedule and Invoicing Retainage Late Payment Fee

Late payments shall accrue interest at the rate specified above on a per-month basis until paid. Owner shall also be responsible for reasonable collection costs and attorney fees incurred to enforce payment.

Term and Termination

Contract Start Date Estimated Completion Date

This Agreement commences on the Contract Start Date and continues until completion of the Scope of Work or the Estimated Completion Date, unless earlier terminated as provided herein.

Notice Period for Termination Cure Period

Termination options: For cause (material breach not cured within cure period) For convenience (by Owner upon written notice and payment for work performed and documented costs)

Change Orders

Any additions, deletions, or modifications to the Scope of Work shall be made only by written change order signed by Owner and Contractor, stating the change in work, adjustment to price, and extension of time, if any.

Change Order Procedure

Confidentiality

Contractor shall treat as confidential all non-public information relating to Owner's project, plans, and budgets. Contractor shall not disclose such information to third parties except as required to perform the Scope of Work or as required by law. This obligation survives termination of this Agreement for years.

Insurance; Indemnity; Safety

Contractor shall maintain, at Contractor's expense, workers' compensation, general liability, and automobile liability insurance with limits adequate for the work performed. Minimum general liability coverage shall be per occurrence. Contractor shall provide certificates of insurance upon request and shall name Owner as additional insured where required by contract documents.

Contractor agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold Owner harmless from and against all claims, damages, losses, and expenses arising out of Contractor's performance, except to the extent caused by Owner's sole negligence.

Contractor is responsible for providing and enforcing site safety, compliance with applicable codes and regulations, and ensuring that all employees and subcontractors perform work in a safe manner.

Delays and Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for delays or failures to perform due to causes beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, labor disputes, governmental orders, or severe weather. The affected party shall promptly notify the other and take commercially reasonable steps to mitigate delay.

Dispute Resolution

Except for injunctive relief or actions to enforce payment, the parties agree to negotiate in good faith to resolve disputes. If unresolved, disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration in the county where the project is located under the rules of a recognized arbitration institution, with judgment on the award entered in the appropriate court.

Governing Law; Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

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

Owner Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Contractor Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What a Framing Labor Agreement Covers

A Framing Labor Agreement is a written contract between a general contractor or property owner and a framing subcontractor that defines the scope of framing work, payment terms, schedule, insurance and bonding requirements, change order procedures, and dispute resolution. It clarifies responsibilities for materials, on-site supervision, compliance with building codes, and safety protocols. Well-drafted agreements reduce ambiguity on jobsite expectations, allocate financial risk, and document performance milestones that trigger payments or retainage release. This document is commonly used on residential and commercial construction projects where framing is a discrete trade.

Why a Written Framing Labor Agreement Matters

A written agreement reduces scope disputes, protects against unpaid work through clear payment and lien waiver terms, and documents compliance with insurance and permit requirements. It creates an enforceable record of obligations and timelines between parties.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Agreement

Each signer should be an authorized representative with authority to bind the contracting party and to accept the stated terms.

General contractors coordinating trades and managing payment flow
Framing subcontractors defining scope, crew size, and wages
Project owners or developers confirming deliverables and schedules

How to Complete a Framing Labor Agreement

Follow this sequence to fill and finalize the agreement accurately.

01

Prepare: Gather plans, permit numbers, and insurance certificates.
02

Define Scope: Describe framing tasks, materials, and deliverables precisely.
03

Set Terms: Enter payment schedule, retainage, and change order rules.
04

Execute: Have authorized signers sign and date the agreement.

Core Clauses to Include in a Framing Labor Agreement

Ensure these six elements are present to make the agreement operational and enforceable on construction projects.

Scope of Work

A clear and itemized description of framing tasks, elevations, material specifications, quantities, and any exclusions to limit ambiguity during performance.

Payment Terms

Defines progress payment schedule, retainage percentage, invoicing requirements, final payment conditions, and remedies for late payment or nonpayment.

Change Orders

Procedure for written change orders, pricing adjustments, approval authorities, and time impact assessments to govern out-of-scope work.

Insurance & Bonds

Required commercial general liability, workers' comp, and performance/payment bonds with certificate and endorsement details naming the owner as certificate holder when required.

Schedule & Milestones

Start date, interim milestones, completion date, inspection checkpoints, and incentives or liquidated damages for schedule performance or delay.

Indemnity & Liability

Allocation of responsibility for third-party claims, property damage, personal injury, and limitation of consequential damages where permitted by law.

Essential Data Fields to Capture

Contractor Name: Full legal name

Subcontractor Name: Full legal name

Scope Reference: Plans/spec ID

Payment Terms: Amount or percent

Start Date: MM/DD/YYYY

Insurance Limits: Policy types/limits

Key Risks and Potential Penalties

Lien Exposure: Unpaid subcontractors risk mechanic's liens

Tax Penalties: 1099 errors (IRC §6721) penalties

I-9 Violations: Paperwork fines (8 CFR §274a.2)

Invalid Signature: Unsigned agreements may be unenforceable

Insurance Gaps: Claims denied for missing coverage

Contract Ambiguity: Costs from scope disputes

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Not attaching plans or permit numbers, which creates uncertainty about what work is actually required and often triggers costly change orders.
Vague scope language such as 'all framing work' without dimensions, leaving parties to dispute quantities, material grades, or finish points at completion.
Failing to require current certificates of insurance and endorsements naming the owner, exposing owners to direct claims and subcontractor insurance gaps.
Accepting verbal change orders or unsigned modifications, which complicates final billing and can void entitlement to additional time or compensation.

Configuring the Digital Agreement Workflow

Set routing, authentication, and retention rules before sending the agreement for signature to ensure compliance and a complete audit trail.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Sequential or parallel signer routing
Authentication	Email link, SMS code, or ID check
Required Fields	Signature, date, initials, COI upload
Storage	Retain signed PDF with audit trail

Technical Considerations for eSigning and Sharing

Store signed copies in your document management system and configure notifications for contract milestones and certificate expirations to reduce administrative risk.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX, or HTML
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Procore
Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, or SSO

Typical Dates and Deadlines to Record

Record and share these dates in the agreement and on project schedules to align expectations and payment triggers.

Effective Date:

Contract obligations begin on this MM/DD/YYYY date

Start of Work:

Date when framing crew mobilizes to site

Substantial Completion:

Target date for framing completion and inspections

Invoice Submission:

Deadlines for progress invoices and documentation

Retainage Release:

Conditions and date for retainage payment

Key Project Milestones from Contract to Closeout

A sequential milestone view helps teams monitor progress and link payments to measurable outcomes.

01

Pre-Construction Review

Finalize scope, permits, and insurance before mobilization

02

Mobilization

Crew arrival and site setup; materials staged

03

Inspection Checkpoints

Framing inspections scheduled at key completion points

04

Final Acceptance

Punchlist completion and final payment release

eSignature Vendor Pricing and Capability Snapshot

Basic pricing and common capability indicators for eSignature vendors used to execute construction contracts. signNow is listed first for comparison purposes.

	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	Contact vendor	Contact vendor	Contact vendor	Contact vendor
Bulk Send	Yes (Business Premium+)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Realistic Use Cases for a Framing Labor Agreement

These scenarios show how the agreement functions in common project situations.

Small Residential Job

A contractor hires a framing crew for a single-family home build

The agreement defines per-square-foot pricing and delivery milestones
Clear retainage and COI requirements prevented payment disputes and sped final closeout by eliminating ambiguous invoicing.

Multi-Unit Development

A developer contracts multiple framing subcontractors across buildings

Standardized agreements align scope, inspection points, and payment schedules across trades
Uniform clauses reduced administrative review time and simplified lien waiver collection at project milestones.

Frequently Asked Questions About Framing Labor Agreements

Answers to common questions about execution, signatures, and compliance when using a Framing Labor Agreement.

Need help? Contact support

Who must sign the agreement?
The agreement should be signed by an authorized representative with contractual authority for each party. For businesses, use an officer or manager listed on corporate records to avoid challenges to signing authority.
Is notarization required?
Not typically for standard framing contracts. Notarization is rarely necessary unless local law or a lender requires it for enforcement or recordation purposes.
Can this be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.
What supporting documents should be attached?
Attach plans, permits, insurance certificates, bond documents, and any addenda describing unique site conditions to ensure the contract reflects the full agreement.
How to handle change orders?
Require written and signed change orders that reference the original contract, state pricing or time impacts, and are signed by authorized representatives before work proceeds.
How long to retain signed agreements?
Retain contract records for at least three years for tax purposes (IRC §6501(a)) and longer where state law or project risk suggests, typically seven years for construction claims.

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