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Framing Services Agreement

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FRAMING SERVICES AGREEMENT

This Framing Services Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into as of by and between Contractor Name: (Contractor) and Client Name: (Client).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Contractor is duly qualified and experienced in the business of providing structural framing and related on-site services for residential and commercial construction projects; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to retain Contractor to perform framing services at the project location described below in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Contractor agrees to perform such services under the scope, schedule and payment terms agreed herein and to comply with applicable codes, permits, and good industry practices.

PROJECT INFORMATION

SCOPE OF WORK

Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, equipment and materials necessary to perform framing work in a workmanlike manner consistent with accepted industry standards. The work includes, without limitation, the framing of walls, floors, roofs, sheathing as specified in the plans, layout per structural drawings, blocking, and bracing as required by code. Unless otherwise specified, finish carpentry, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, insulation and exterior finishes are excluded.

MATERIALS, STANDARDS AND PERMITS

Materials shall conform to the specifications in the Detailed Scope and applicable building codes. Contractor shall procure and maintain all required permits directly related to the framing work unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. Client shall be responsible for fees for permits and inspections unless otherwise agreed.

PAYMENT TERMS

Client shall pay Contractor the total contract price as set forth below in accordance with the schedule. All amounts are payable in U.S. dollars and subject to the terms below.

Client agrees that payments are due net upon invoice as specified in the Payment Schedule. Contractor may suspend work for nonpayment after providing five (5) days' written notice. Client remains responsible for payments for work performed and materials ordered to date of suspension or termination.

CHANGE ORDERS

Any change in the Scope of Work shall be made only by written change order signed by both parties describing the change, any adjustment to the contract price, and any change in the schedule. Contractor shall not be required to perform changed work without an executed change order.

TERM AND TERMINATION

The term of this Agreement shall commence on and shall continue until completion of the Scope of Work or until , whichever occurs first, unless earlier terminated as provided herein.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for cause if the other party materially breaches any provision and fails to cure such breach within the notice period set forth above. Upon termination, Client shall pay Contractor for all work performed, materials purchased and reasonable demobilization costs through the date of termination.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party shall treat as confidential all non-public business information disclosed by the other party in connection with this Agreement, including pricing, technical specifications, trade secrets, and project documentation (Confidential Information). Confidential Information shall not include information that is or becomes generally available to the public other than by breach of this Agreement or that is lawfully obtained from a third party. Confidential Information shall be used solely for the performance and administration of this Agreement.

INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY

Contractor shall maintain commercial general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage as required by law for the duration of the Work. Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless Client from claims arising out of Contractor's negligent performance of the Work, except to the extent caused by Client's negligence or willful misconduct.

RISK OF LOSS AND SITE CONDITIONS

Risk of loss for materials on site and installed work shall transfer to Client upon delivery or installation as applicable. Client shall provide a safe and accessible work site; Contractor shall notify Client in writing of hazardous or concealed conditions that materially affect the cost or performance of the Work.

GOVERNING LAW

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

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, including any schedules and executed change orders, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties regarding the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, whether written or oral. No 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 remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. The parties are independent contractors and nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to create a partnership, joint venture or agency relationship.

Contractor:

By:

Date:

Client:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Framing Services Agreement Is

The Framing Services Agreement is a written contract that sets the terms and responsibilities for framing work on residential or commercial construction projects. It identifies the parties, defines the precise scope of framing labor and materials, states the contract price and payment schedule, specifies start and completion milestones, and records insurance, warranty, permitting, and inspection requirements. The agreement establishes change-order procedures, dispute resolution and acceptance criteria so parties have a clear basis to enforce obligations, address defects, and resolve payment or schedule disputes.

Why a Clear Framing Services Agreement Matters

A Framing Services Agreement reduces ambiguity by documenting scope, schedule, payment milestones, insurance, and warranty obligations. Clear terms limit disputes, ensure contractor licensing and permit compliance, and create an evidentiary record for claims, payments, and lien or insurance matters.

Why a Clear Framing Services Agreement Matters

Who Typically Uses This Agreement

Contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and lenders commonly use a Framing Services Agreement to assign work and payment responsibilities.

  • General contractors: document crew responsibilities, sequencing, and subcontractor oversight to avoid disputes.
  • Subcontractors: establish payment timing, materials responsibility, and change-order handling for clarity.
  • Property owners: set acceptance tests, inspection windows, and warranty terms tied to completion.

When completed correctly, the document protects construction schedules, payment flows, and regulatory compliance across project stakeholders.

Who Signs and Why

Project Manager

The contractor's Project Manager signs on behalf of the licensed contractor or framing subcontractor. They confirm crew assignments, schedule adherence, coordinate inspections, and accept contractual responsibilities, binding the contractor to payment terms, warranty obligations, and compliance with local building codes.

Property Owner

The Property Owner or authorized agent signs to accept scope, authorize changes, and trigger payment milestones. The signature starts warranty and acceptance timelines and provides the basis for final payment, lien waivers, and any project closeout documentation.

Essential Information to Include

Project Address: Street, city, state, ZIP
Contractor Legal Name: Full business name as licensed
Client Legal Name: Owner or authorized entity name
Scope Summary: Brief listing of included tasks
Contract Price: Total amount and payment terms
Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY start date

Core Sections Every Agreement Should Have

A professional Framing Services Agreement breaks the project into measurable obligations, payment rules, and risk allocations. The following sections should be explicit, measurable, and easy to administer.

Scope of Work

Describe framing tasks in detail: walls, roof framing, sheathing, materials, member sizes, load-bearing elements, exclusions, and any site constraints to avoid ambiguity during performance and inspection.

Schedule

Specify start date, key milestones, interim inspections, completion date, and allowances for weather or permit delays; identify procedures for formally approving schedule changes.

Payment Terms

State contract price, deposit, progress payment schedule tied to milestones, retainage if any, timing for invoicing, accepted payment methods, and late payment remedies.

Change Orders

Require written change orders that include revised scope, cost implications, and schedule effects; name the approver and set response timelines to reduce disputes.

Warranties

Detail workmanship warranty duration, start date, remedies for defects, maker warranties for materials, and the notice and cure process for defect claims.

Insurance & Indemnity

Specify required insurance limits, proof of coverage, additional insured language for owners or lenders, and indemnity allocations for property damage and third-party claims.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Agreement

Follow a short sequence to prepare, review, and execute the Framing Services Agreement so the document is enforceable and administrable across the project lifecycle.

  • 01
    Gather Documents: Collect permits, license numbers, insurance certificates, and scope exhibits before drafting.
  • 02
    Draft Scope: Enter detailed task lists, materials, and exclusions into the scope section.
  • 03
    Set Payments: Link deposits and progress payments to measurable milestones or inspections.
  • 04
    Sign and Distribute: Obtain signatures from authorized parties and share executed copies with stakeholders.

Configuring an Online Template and Workflow

When using an e-signature platform, configure fields, authentication, and routing so each signer receives the correct view and the audit trail is retained.

Field Configuration
Template import Upload PDF or DOCX; preserve pagination and exhibits.
Signature field placement Assign signature, initials, and date fields per signer role.
Conditional scope items Use conditional fields for optional add-ons or allowances.
Audit trail retention Enable IP, timestamp, and event logging for records.

Where to Send Signed Copies

After execution, route the signed agreement to required recipients and systems to support payments, permits, and recordkeeping.

  • Owner Copy: Provide the signed agreement to the property owner for records and payment processing.
  • Contractor Copy: Keep an executed copy with jobsite records and foreman instructions.
  • Lender or Agent: Send to any lender requiring contract documentation for funding draws.
  • Permit Authority: Include signed agreement with permit applications if jurisdiction requires contract documentation.

Digital Signing and Platform Requirements

Choose a platform that supports ESIGN/UETA compliance, secure audit trails, and signer authentication appropriate for the transaction.

  • Authentication: Email, SMS codes, or stronger KBA available
  • Audit Trail: IP, timestamp, and action log preserved
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Procore, Box supported

For construction workflows, ensure the platform preserves a tamper-evident PDF with audit evidence, supports bulk or template sends, and can integrate with project or cloud systems for storage and retrieval.

Timelines and Deadlines to Define

Include explicit deadlines and processing expectations to align mobilization, inspections, payments, and warranty triggers.

Permit Application Submission:

Submit permit documents at least 30 days before planned start

Mobilization Start:

Crew mobilization scheduled by MM/DD/YYYY or within X days after deposit

Progress Payment Dates:

Tie payments to milestones or inspection signoffs with defined invoicing windows

Substantial Completion:

Define acceptance criteria and target completion date for milestone payments

Warranty Start Date:

Start on final acceptance date or recorded certificate of occupancy

Key Project Milestones and Sequence

A numbered milestone sequence helps teams track obligations and conditions that trigger payments and inspections.

01

Quote Approval

Client approves scope and price; deposit becomes due.

02

Permitting

Obtain required permits before on-site framing begins.

03

Mobilization

Crew and materials arrive; safety briefing completed.

04

Final Inspection

Complete inspection and final payment or punch-list resolution.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Vague scope descriptions that omit critical tasks such as sheathing, bracing, or truss installation leading to disputes and change orders.
  • Missing licensing or insurance verification before execution, exposing owners to liability and contractors to stop-work orders.
  • Tying payments to subjective milestones without objective acceptance criteria, which causes withholding and payment disputes.
  • Failing to document change-order approval authority and timing, resulting in unapproved on-site changes and billing disputes.

Penalties and Contract Risks

Late Completion: Liquidated damages possible
Mechanic's Liens: Unpaid work can trigger liens
Payment Disputes: Stopping work or litigation risk
Permit Noncompliance: Work stoppage or fines
Insurance Gaps: Uninsured losses exposure
Ambiguous Scope: Change orders and disputes

Real-World Examples

Examples show how electronic execution and clear contracts reduce delays and keep project cashflow aligned with milestones.

Martin Properties

Tim Martin used online signing to process framing documents and maintain compliance with permits and inspections.

  • Mobile signing enabled on-site approvals and eliminated paper delays.
  • He reports executing documents online with complete security and compliance, which reduced turnaround time, improved scheduling, and kept payments and inspections aligned across stakeholders.

Optica Ventures

Optica Ventures adopted electronic execution for subcontract agreements to simplify customer interactions and tracking.

  • The interface improved signer experience.
  • The team emphasized that simple, accessible signing reduced friction for customers and ensured signed contracts were returned promptly with auditable trails for disputes or compliance checks.

Best Practices for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Follow these practical guidelines to minimize disputes and speed project execution while preserving legal enforceability.

Use Clear, Measurable Language
Draft scope items with measurable criteria: list dimensions, material types, and inspection standards so acceptance decisions are objective and disputes limited.
Tie Payments to Inspections
Link progress payments to specific inspections or deliverables and require written sign-off to create predictable cashflow and reduce claims.
Document Change Orders
Require written change orders with cost and schedule impacts before any extra work begins to avoid unpaid labor or disputed adjustments.
Verify Insurance and Licenses
Confirm active contractor licensing and current insurance certificates before work begins and attach certificates to the executed agreement.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Executing the Agreement

Compare starting prices and key capabilities for common eSignature vendors; signNow appears first as a listed option to support contract workflows.

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 Trial varies by vendor Trial varies by vendor Trial varies by vendor Trial varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes (premium) Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about enforceability, notarization, signature authority, and how to handle changes or cancellations.


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