Is an electronic signature enforceable?

Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes, an electronic signature satisfies legal signature requirements when intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are present. Exceptions include wills, certain court orders, and some family law instruments.

Do I need a notarization or witness?

Not always. Most framing contracts do not require notarization; however, state law or lender requirements might demand notarized acknowledgements for deeds or financing documents. Remote online notarization (RON) is authorized in most states but check state notary rules and recording requirements.

Can I use eSign for change orders?

Yes. Change orders executed electronically are valid when they show signer intent and consent, include clear scope and pricing adjustments, and are retained. Link each change order to the original contract and obtain explicit signer confirmation to minimize disputes and support enforceability.

How long should I keep signed agreements?

Retain executed agreements for the contract term plus statutory periods: generally three years for tax-related records (IRC §6501(a)), seven years recommended for construction matters, and six years for HIPAA-related healthcare documents (45 CFR §164.530(j)). Check state-specific rules.

What if party names differ?

Mismatched legal names can impair enforcement and tax reporting. Correct names before signing, attach legal entity documents if necessary, and include a signature block showing signer capacity. For tax reporting, ensure TINs match names on W-9 or backup withholding may apply.

How to retract or cancel agreement?

Cancellation depends on contract terms; review termination, notice, and cure provisions. Mutual rescission requires written agreement from all parties. For unilateral cancellation, follow contractual notice periods and preserve records of communications. Seek legal advice for disputes or where performance has commenced.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Framing Service Agreement

Framing Service Agreement

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

FRAMING SERVICE AGREEMENT

This Framing Service Agreement (Agreement) is entered into as of by and between:

Contractor Name Contractor Address Client Name Client Address

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Contractor is duly qualified and experienced in providing framing labor and related services for residential and commercial structures; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to retain Contractor to furnish framing labor, supervision, and specified materials for the project described herein in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties intend that the performance, payment and administration of the work will be governed by this written Agreement and any written change orders executed by both parties.

SCOPE OF WORK

Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, tools and equipment and shall perform all framing services necessary for the Project as described below. Work shall be performed in a professional manner consistent with industry standards.

Detailed Scope of Work

PAYMENT TERMS

Client shall pay Contractor for the services described above in accordance with the following payment schedule. All amounts are stated in lawful currency.

Contract Price (Total Amount) Deposit Amount Payment Schedule / Milestones

Late payments shall accrue interest at a rate of per month (or the maximum lawful rate if less). Contractor may suspend work for nonpayment after providing days' written notice to Client.

MATERIALS, SUBCONTRACTORS AND CHANGE ORDERS

Unless otherwise provided in the Scope of Work, Contractor is responsible for providing framing lumber and fasteners. Client will provide any specified proprietary or specialty materials identified in the Detailed Scope of Work. Contractor may engage subcontractors and will remain responsible for their performance.

Change Order Procedure

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement commences on the Start Date and continues until completion of the Work or the End Date, unless earlier terminated in accordance with this section.

Start Date End Date (Estimated)

Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party if the breach remains uncured for days following written notice. In the event of termination, Contractor shall be paid for work performed and materials ordered to the date of termination, less setoffs.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party shall hold in confidence and not disclose to any third party any proprietary or confidential information disclosed by the other party in connection with this Agreement. Confidential obligations shall not apply to information that is public through no fault of the receiving party, already lawfully in the receiving party's possession, or required to be disclosed by law. Confidentiality obligations survive termination for a period of from the date of termination.

INSURANCE, LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

Contractor shall maintain commercial general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by law and sufficient to cover the scope of work. Contractor's liability for direct damages arising out of the performance of the Work shall be limited to the amount paid to Contractor under this Agreement, except for liability resulting from Contractor's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Insurance Coverage Description / Limits

Each party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other party from and against claims, damages and liabilities arising from the indemnifying party's negligence, breach of this Agreement, or failure to comply with applicable laws.

WARRANTY

Contractor warrants that framing work performed by Contractor will be free from defects in workmanship for a period of from the date of substantial completion. This warranty does not extend to damage resulting from normal wear and tear, misuse, abuse, or alterations by others.

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND SAFETY

Contractor shall perform the Work in compliance with all applicable building codes, statutes, ordinances, and regulations. Contractor shall be responsible for jobsite safety for Contractor's personnel and shall take reasonable precautions to prevent property damage and personal injury.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND GOVERNING LAW

The parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve disputes arising under this Agreement through negotiation. If negotiation fails, disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered in accordance with the parties' chosen rules and held in the county where the Project is located, unless otherwise agreed in writing. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of , excluding its conflict-of-law principles.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

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

MISCELLANEOUS

If any provision of this Agreement is held 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 party, except that Contractor may assign receivables for financing purposes.

Contractor

Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Client

Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What a Framing Service Agreement Is

A Framing Service Agreement is a written contract used between a framing contractor and a client that defines the scope, materials, schedule, pricing, and responsibilities for framing work on a construction or renovation project. The agreement typically covers site access, change orders, payment milestones, insurance and indemnity provisions, warranty terms, and acceptance criteria for completed work. Using a clear, signed agreement reduces disputes by documenting expectations, timelines, and liabilities, and serves as an enforceable record when executed electronically under U.S. e-signature laws like ESIGN and applicable state UETA provisions.

Why a Clear Contract Matters — Legal Basis and Practical Effect

A Framing Service Agreement protects parties by clarifying deliverables, payment, change control, and risk allocation. When signed electronically in compliance with the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA, it is generally enforceable and reproducible for records and audits.

Who Prepares and Signs This Agreement

Typical users include framing contractors, property owners, general contractors, project managers, and construction administrators responsible for scopes and payments.

Framing contractors — draft scope, materials, schedule, and warranty obligations for project delivery.
Property owners — confirm specifications, approve change orders, and authorize payments tied to milestones.
General contractors and project managers — coordinate sequencing, site access, inspections, and final acceptance testing.

Use the agreement for both new construction and remodels to document responsibilities, reduce disputes, and support contractual enforcement.

Core Components Every Professional Agreement Should Include

These six components form the contract backbone and help allocate risk, define work, and set payment and inspection processes for framing projects.

Scope of Work

Describe specific framing tasks, materials, dimensions, drawings referenced, unit pricing, and exclusions. Include deliverables such as wall assemblies, roof trusses, and sheathing schedules with acceptance criteria.

Schedule & Milestones

Set start and completion dates, phased milestones, inspection timelines, and liquidated damages or delay remedies. Tie payment milestones to completed scopes and documented sign-offs to reduce payment disputes.

Payment Terms

Specify contract price, unit rates, retention, deposit amount, progress payment schedule, accepted payment methods, and conditions for final payment release including punchlist completion and lien waiver submission.

Change Orders

Define change order approval process, documentation required, pricing adjustments, time impacts, and an agreed method for pricing unforeseen conditions to avoid scope creep and payment disagreements.

Insurance & Indemnity

Require contractor insurance limits, additional insured endorsements, worker's compensation, and indemnity language allocating third-party claims, property damage, and defense obligations during performance, including certificate delivery timelines.

Acceptance & Warranty

Set inspection procedures, acceptance criteria, correction periods, and warranty terms for materials and workmanship. Specify warranty duration and remedies for defective framing or failures discovered post-completion.

Required Data Fields at a Glance

Contractor Legal Name: Full company or individual name.

Client Legal Name: Exact name for billing and notices.

Project Address: Street, city, state, and ZIP.

Scope Reference: Attach plans, drawings, or specs.

Payment Schedule: Dates, amounts, and milestone triggers.

Insurance Certificates: Carrier name, policy number, and limits.

Step-by-Step: Prepare and Execute the Agreement

Follow these steps to prepare, review, and execute the agreement so responsibilities, schedule, and payments are clear.

01

Prepare Draft: Draft scope, schedule, and payment terms.
02

Review Parties: Verify legal names and authorized signatories.
03

Attach Documents: Include plans, permits, and insurance proof.
04

Execute: Sign, date, and distribute final signed copies.

Configuring an Online Signing Workflow

Configure an online workflow to add fields, set signer order, and apply authentication so the agreement executes cleanly and audit trails are captured.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Sequential or parallel signer routing
Authentication	Email link, SMS code, or KBA
Fields	Signature, initials, date, text, attachments
Conditional Logic	Show fields based on prior choices

Where to Send or File the Executed Agreement

After signing, distribute executed agreements to project stakeholders, file copies with the owner and subcontractors, and retain records for compliance.

Owner: Provide final signed copy for project records.
Contractor File: Store executed agreement in company project folder.
Subcontractors: Share relevant scope pages and approved change orders.
Permits / Authorities: Keep copies required for inspections and permits.

Platform Capabilities for Electronic Execution

Digital execution requires an eSignature platform that supports audit trails, secure authentication, and compliant record retention for construction contracts.

File Formats: PDF or PDF/A preferred.
Integrations: Connect to Procore, NetSuite, or storage.
Authentication: Email link, SMS PIN, or SSO options.

Typical Dates and Deadlines to Track

Key dates for a Framing Service Agreement include start, milestone inspections, payment due dates, and warranty commencement.

Project Start Date:

Defined by contract; often before material ordering.

Milestone Inspections:

Dates tied to payments and inspector approvals.

Payment Due Dates:

Per schedule; late payments may incur fees.

Warranty Period Start:

Typically at acceptance or substantial completion.

Record Retention Start:

Retain from effective date for statutory periods.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Vague scope descriptions that omit critical details like material grades, structural connections, or referenced drawings lead to disagreements during construction and costly rework.
Failure to link payment milestones to verifiable inspections or sign-offs causes disputes and delayed payments for completed phases.
Not documenting change order pricing or time extensions allows unilateral changes without agreed compensation or schedule adjustments.
Incorrect party names, missing insurance certificates, or unsigned signatures can render key provisions unenforceable and increase legal exposure.

Risks and Consequences of an Incorrect Agreement

Delayed Payments: Cashflow disruptions, late fees.

Contractor Liability: Expanded indemnity exposure.

Regulatory Noncompliance: Permit or code violations.

Invalid Signature: Signature challenges; enforceability risk.

Disputed Change Orders: Work stoppage and added costs.

Liens & Claims: Mechanic's liens and litigation.

Pricing and Feature Comparison for eSignature Vendors

This table compares vendor starting prices, trial availability, bulk send, audit trail, HIPAA compliance, and envelope caps for eSignature vendors.

	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

Common questions cover signature validity, notarization, change orders, insurance, storage, and dispute handling. Short answers address practical steps and legal considerations for executability and compliance.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature enforceable?
Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes, an electronic signature satisfies legal signature requirements when intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are present. Exceptions include wills, certain court orders, and some family law instruments.
Do I need a notarization or witness?
Not always. Most framing contracts do not require notarization; however, state law or lender requirements might demand notarized acknowledgements for deeds or financing documents. Remote online notarization (RON) is authorized in most states but check state notary rules and recording requirements.
Can I use eSign for change orders?
Yes. Change orders executed electronically are valid when they show signer intent and consent, include clear scope and pricing adjustments, and are retained. Link each change order to the original contract and obtain explicit signer confirmation to minimize disputes and support enforceability.
How long should I keep signed agreements?
Retain executed agreements for the contract term plus statutory periods: generally three years for tax-related records (IRC §6501(a)), seven years recommended for construction matters, and six years for HIPAA-related healthcare documents (45 CFR §164.530(j)). Check state-specific rules.
What if party names differ?
Mismatched legal names can impair enforcement and tax reporting. Correct names before signing, attach legal entity documents if necessary, and include a signature block showing signer capacity. For tax reporting, ensure TINs match names on W-9 or backup withholding may apply.
How to retract or cancel agreement?
Cancellation depends on contract terms; review termination, notice, and cure provisions. Mutual rescission requires written agreement from all parties. For unilateral cancellation, follow contractual notice periods and preserve records of communications. Seek legal advice for disputes or where performance has commenced.

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