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Subcontractor's Agreement

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SUBCONTRACTOR’S AGREEMENT

This SUBCONTRACTOR’S AGREEMENT (“Subcontract”), made on , is by and between the Contractor and Subcontractor identified below.

Contractor Subcontractor
Name*
Address
Representative(s)
License
Fed. Tax ID
Phone
Facsimile
e-mail

*Indicate if an individual or business entity (e.g., corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, etc…)

Jobsite
Address of the Jobsite
Legal Description of the Jobsite
Owner
Architect/Engineer
Address

Contractor has entered into a contract (“Prime Contract”) with the Owner to provide labor, material, and equipment and perform all work necessary to complete the residence, structure, or improvements on the Jobsite as described in the drawings and specifications signed by both Owner and Contractor (the “Project”).

Description of Work

Subcontractor shall provide all labor, material, equipment, and work necessary to complete the portion of the Project described as follows in strict compliance with this Subcontract: (the “Work”).

The Work is based upon the following drawings and specifications or other documents:

With the following specific additions or deletions:

Subcontractor shall apply for and obtain the following permits and regulatory approvals from the local municipal/county government, the cost thereof shall be included as part of the Work:

Contractor shall obtain apply for and obtain any permits necessary for the Project and the Work not listed above.

Time and Scheduling Work

Estimated Start Date:

Estimated Date of Substantial Completion of the Work:

Subcontractor shall not deliver any materials to the Jobsite or commence work until notified to do so by Contractor. Working days are defined as Monday through Friday, holidays excluded.

Subcontract Price

Contractor shall pay Subcontractor the following amount:

The fixed-price of Dollars ($) subject to any Change Orders.

Time and material rates and prices in accordance with the Schedule of Labor and Materials attached as an Exhibit to this Subcontract subject to any Change Orders.

Any amounts not paid when due shall bear interest at the rate of 1 ½ % per month until paid.

Schedule of Payments

Contractor shall Pay Subcontractor according to the following schedule:

Subcontractor shall submit an application for each Progress Payment no later than days following the end of each payment period. Such applications shall be itemized and supported by substantiating receipts and other records.

List of Exhibits

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Such Exhibits are made part of this Subcontract whether or not attached.

Sole Agreement: As of the date entered above, this Subcontract, including the Terms and Conditions, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the Work. No other agreement or understanding, oral or written, expressed or implied, exists between the parties pertaining to the Work. This Contract may only be modified only by a written agreement signed by both parties.

Each party has caused this Subcontract to be executed by its authorized representative to be effective as of the date indicated above.

Contractor

By:

Name (printed)

Title (printed)

Subcontractor

By:

Name (printed)

Title (printed)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Delay in Commencing the Work:

If Subcontractor is not called upon to commence work within four (4) months from the Estimated Start Date, Subcontractor may elect at Subcontractor’s sole discretion, to refuse to perform under this Subcontract. Subcontractor shall make such election by delivering written notice of intent to cease performance to the Contractor’s representative. If Contractor can demonstrate that such delay was due to actions taken by Owner; acts of God; fire, explosions, casualty losses, strikes, boycotts or other labor disputes; lockouts; hazardous material disturbance, abatement, or removal; or acts of government body (“Excusable Event”), Contractor shall notify Subcontractor of the Excusable Event in writing within seven (7) days of receipt of Subcontractors notice to cease performance, and Contractor shall have a reasonable extension of time. If Contractor does not demonstrate that the delay was caused by an Excusable Event within the seven (7) day period, Subcontractor is relieved of all responsibility to perform under this Subcontract and shall be held harmless by Contractor of any liability associated with Subcontractor’s refusal to perform. Immediately following the above mentioned seven (7) day period, where such delay was not caused by an Excusable Event, Contractor will immediately pay Subcontractor: (1) for any materials and equipment it purchased in anticipation of performing the Work that Subcontractor can document and support with receipts and other records, plus a 10% handling fee, and Subcontractor shall deliver to Contractor the above mentioned materials and equipment in good condition; and (2) liquidated damages in the sum of 10% of Subcontractor’s anticipated profits.

2. Asbestos and Hazardous Materials.

The disturbance, removal, or abatement of asbestos or other hazardous materials is not provided for by the terms of this Subcontract, and in the event that asbestos or other hazardous material is encountered or disturbed in order to complete the Work, it will be treated as Extra Work under Paragraph 12 of this Subcontract. Subcontractor may stop work upon discovering asbestos or other hazardous material, until the terms of the Extra Work are negotiated. Subcontractor, at Subcontractor’s sole option, can require Owner or Contractor to be responsible for the removal or abatement of asbestos or any other hazardous materials found on the Jobsite.

3. Arbitration, Validity, and Damages.

Any controversy or claim arising out of or related to this Subcontract, or the breach thereof, shall be settled in the county where the Jobsite is located by arbitration in accordance with the Construction Industry Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the Arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. However, a party may bring a claim under the jurisdiction of the small claims court without waiving the right to arbitrate, and if a counterclaim in excess of the jurisdiction of the Small Claims Court is filed in the Municipal or Superior Court, then the party filing in the Small Claims Court may demand arbitration pursuant to this Paragraph 3 of this Subcontract in lieu of litigating in the Municipal or Superior Court.

4. Reservation of Rights of Dispute.

In the event that the Subcontractor is required to, or deems it appropriate to proceed with and complete any work which is the subject of a dispute between the Contractor and the Subcontractor as to whether such work should be classified as an Incidental Change or Extra Work, Subcontractor may, if it deems it appropriate, but is not required to, proceed with such work, and thereafter or contemporaneously, file for arbitration as provided in this Paragraph 3 of this Subcontract, to determine whether such work is in fact an Incidental Change or Extra Work (including payment terms for such Extra Work) without waiving any said rights.

5. Attorneys’ Fees.

If any party to this Subcontract brings a cause of action against the other party arising from or relating to this Subcontract, the prevailing party in such proceeding shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs.

6. Removal of Debris.

Upon completion of the Work, the Subcontractor agrees to remove all of its debris and surplus materials from Jobsite and leave the Jobsite in a neat and broom clean condition.

7. Failure to Make Payments.

A failure by the Contractor to make a scheduled progress payment by more than ten (10) days from the due date shall be deemed a material breach of this Subcontract. Upon Contractor’s material breach of this Subcontract, Subcontractor may suspend work on the job until such time as all payments due have been made without breaching this Subcontract, pending payment or resolution of any dispute. If a payment is more than thirty (30) days late, Subcontractor has the option to justifiably refuse to complete the balance of this Subcontract, be considered excused from further performance, and not be considered in breach of this Subcontract. Subcontractor may then institute an arbitration proceeding as described in Paragraph 3 of this Subcontract.

8. Retention.

Contractor is authorized to withhold retention from Subcontractor only to the extent that Owner withholds funds from Contractor for the Work performed by Subcontractor. In no event shall Contractor withhold more than ten (10) percent of payments due Subcontractor. All retentions must be paid to Subcontractor within thirty-five (35) days of the date the Subcontractor substantially completes the Work.

9. Items Not Responsibility of Subcontractor.

Unless specifically included in the Subcontract, Subcontractor shall not be held responsible for any existing violations of applicable building regulations or ordinances, whether cited by the appropriate authority or not. Subcontractor is not responsible for any abnormal or unusual preexisting condition. Correction by the Subcontractor of any such violations or abnormal conditions shall be considered Additional Work and dealt with according to Paragraph 12 of this Subcontract.

10. Excusable Delays.

If the Subcontractor is delayed in the performance of the Work by conditions that could not be reasonably foreseen by Subcontractor or out of the reasonable control of Subcontractor, including, but not limited to, actions taken by Owner; acts of God; fire, explosions, casualty losses, strikes, boycotts or other labor disputes; lockouts; hazardous material disturbance, abatement, or removal; and acts of government body, then Contractor shall grant Subcontractor a reasonable extension of time.

11. Compliance with Rules and Regulations.

Both Contractor and Subcontractor shall comply with all applicable federal, state, county, and municipal rules and regulations including but not limited to OSHA safety requirements.

12. Extra Work.

Subcontractor shall provide in a good and workmanlike manner only that labor and materials specified in this Subcontract. Subcontractor will only provide additional work not specified in this Subcontract (“Extra Work”) upon written authorization by the Contractor in a change order specifying the additional work (“Change Order”). Such Change Order shall also contain the amount of additional compensation for the Extra Work in addition adjustments in the scheduled time for completing the Work. However, in the event that an emergency exists, then Subcontractor may proceed upon the verbal authorization of the Contractor or the Contractor’s job superintendent, and upon Subcontractor’s request, Contractor shall provide Subcontractor written confirmation of the verbal authorization within seventy-two (72) hours.

13. Incidental Change.

The Contractor may direct the Subcontractor to perform incidental changes in the Work not involving adjustments in the Payments or time of completion. Incidental changes shall be consistent with the scope and intent of the Work. The Contractor shall initiate an Incidental Change by issuing a written order to the Subcontractor.

14. Protection of Work.

To the extent noted in this Paragraph 14, Subcontractor will protect its own work until completion and the Contractor’s acceptance of Subcontractor’s work. If Subcontractor’s work is damaged or destroyed during the course of the Work, and such damage or destruction is the result of Subcontractor’s negligence, then Subcontractor shall repair or replace the damaged or destroyed work at Subcontractor’s expense. If such damage or destruction was not the result Subcontractor’s negligence, Subcontractor shall repair or replace the damage or destroyed work as Extra Work and Contractor shall compensate Subcontractor in accordance with the terms of Paragraph 12 of this Subcontract.

15. Concealed Conditions.

In the event Subcontractor encounters rock, ground water, underground structures, utilities, or other conditions unknown to Subcontractor and not reasonably foreseeable by Subcontractor, then Subcontractor shall immediately stop work and call Contractor’s attention to such concealed conditions in writing. The Contractor and Subcontractor shall then agree on an equitable adjustment on the Subcontract time and price in writing prior to Subcontractor resuming the Work.

16. Insurance.

Subcontractor shall maintain general liability, workers compensation and builder's risk insurance. Contractor shall also maintain general liability, workers compensation and builder's risk insurance.

17. Interpretation:

The Subcontract and the Exhibits are intended to supplement one another. In the event of a conflict, the specifications shall control the drawings, and the Subcontract shall control both. If work is displayed on the drawings but not called for in the specifications, or if the work is called for in the specifications but not displayed on the drawings, Contractor shall be required to perform the work as though it were called for and displayed in both documents.

If a portion of this Subcontract is found to be invalid, such provision shall be deemed severed, and this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

This Contract shall be interpreted and governed in accordance with the laws of the State where the Jobsite is located.

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What a Subcontractor's Agreement Is and when it matters

A Subcontractor's Agreement is a written contract that defines work, payment, schedule, insurance, warranties, and dispute resolution between a contractor and a subcontractor. It allocates responsibilities for labor and materials, clarifies change-order procedures, and preserves lien and indemnity rights. The agreement also documents compliance with licensing, insurance, and tax obligations, and serves as evidence in payment or performance disputes.

Why a clear Subcontractor's Agreement matters for project certainty

A well-drafted Subcontractor's Agreement reduces payment disputes, clarifies scopes, and protects insurance and lien rights; it is legally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where applicable, provided parties manifest intent, consent, attribution, and retention capability.

Why a clear Subcontractor's Agreement matters for project certainty

Who commonly completes a Subcontractor's Agreement

Typical participants include the hiring contractor, the subcontractor, and project administrators who manage day-to-day performance and compliance.

  • General contractors managing multiple trades and contract flow-down obligations on commercial or residential projects.
  • Subcontractors (trade contractors) who need to document scope, schedule, and payment terms before mobilizing.
  • Project owners or construction managers who require consistent downstream insurance and indemnity provisions.

Each party should review obligations, insurance, and payment terms before signing and ensure authorized signatories execute the agreement.

Representative signatories and their role descriptions

General Contractor — Project Manager

Project managers sign on behalf of the general contractor to bind scope, schedule milestones, and payment terms; they coordinate change orders and ensure subcontractor compliance with site safety and insurance requirements.

Subcontractor — Business Owner

The subcontractor owner or authorized officer signs to accept scope, pricing, and warranty obligations; signing confirms insurance coverage, licensing status, and agreement to indemnify or resolve claims per contract terms.

Core clauses every professional Subcontractor's Agreement should include

A complete subcontract balances detail and clarity: specify scope, price, schedule, insurance, indemnity, termination, and dispute mechanisms to avoid later ambiguity and litigation.

Scope of Work

Detailed description of tasks, deliverables, exclusions, and applicable drawings or specifications that define performance expectations and measure completion.

Payment Terms

Price, retainage, invoicing schedule, progress payment process, and remedies for late or disputed payments including mechanics lien procedures.

Schedule & Milestones

Start and completion dates, milestone acceptance criteria, liquidated damages or time extensions, and procedures for excusable delays and change orders.

Insurance & Bonds

Required coverages, minimum limits, additional insured endorsements, waiver of subrogation, and performance or payment bond obligations where applicable.

Indemnity & Warranties

Scope of indemnification, warranty period for labor and materials, remedial obligations, and limitations on consequential damages.

Termination & Remedies

Grounds for termination, cure periods, suspension of work, payment on termination, and dispute resolution including arbitration or litigation venue.

Essential data to collect and verify in the agreement

Contractor Name: Legal entity name
Subcontractor Name: Legal business name
Scope Reference: Scope and exhibit IDs
Payment Terms: Price and retainage
Insurance Proof: Carrier, policy numbers
Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY

Step-by-step: completing a Subcontractor's Agreement

Follow this sequence to prepare, review, and execute the subcontract so responsibilities and payment mechanics are clear before work begins.

  • 01
    Draft Scope: Describe tasks, attachments, and exclusions clearly.
  • 02
    Set Payment: Enter price, invoicing dates, and retainage amounts.
  • 03
    Require Insurance: Specify coverage and additional-insured language.
  • 04
    Sign & Distribute: Have authorized signers execute and circulate copies.

Recommended digital workflow settings for online completion

Configure routing, authentication, and reminders to match your review and approval process before sending for signature.

Field Configuration
Routing Order Sequential or parallel signer order
Authentication Email link, SMS code, or KBA
Conditional Fields Show fields based on scope selections
Automatic Reminders Enable 3- and 7-day reminders

How online signing and delivery normally proceeds

A standard electronic workflow moves the agreement from draft to fully executed copy while recording timestamps and signer attribution.

  • Upload Document: Add the subcontract and exhibits to the platform.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, date, and initial fields where required.
  • Invite Signers: Send email links or SMS codes to signers.
  • Capture Audit Trail: System records IP, timestamp, and actions.

Digital signing and delivery considerations

Choose a platform that supports legally admissible audit trails and appropriate signer authentication for contract value and risk.

  • Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA options
  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
  • Integrations: CRM and storage connectors

Timing: common deadlines to manage in a subcontract

Track execution, insurance delivery, invoice cycles, and warranty periods to avoid payment delays and compliance lapses.

Contract Execution Deadline:

Execute before mobilization or site access begins.

Insurance Certificates:

Provide COI before start of work.

Invoice Submission:

Submit per contract schedule to trigger payment.

Change Order Response:

Respond to change requests within agreed days.

Warranty Start:

Starts at acceptance or practical completion.

Key milestones from negotiation to project closeout

Follow these numbered milestones to move from proposal to final acceptance while preserving claims and payment rights.

01

Negotiation Complete

Finalize scope, price, and key clauses before issuing purchase order.

02

Agreement Execution

Obtain signatures from authorized representatives and distribute fully executed copies.

03

Work Commencement

Confirm insurance, permits, and site access before starting.

04

Project Closeout

Deliver final invoice, lien releases, and warranty documentation.

Common preparation errors to avoid

  • Using vague scope language that creates differing expectations and leads to disputes or extra change orders.
  • Failing to require an additional-insured endorsement, leaving the contractor exposed to third-party claims and coverage gaps.
  • Not naming the correct legal entity or signatory, which can invalidate collection or 1099 information and delay payment.
  • Overlooking lien waiver timing and content, which can complicate final payment and release of retainage.

Immediate risks and penalties of an incorrect subcontract

Payment Delays: Claims and liens
Insurance Gaps: Uninsured exposure
Tax Classification: 1099 backup withholding
Bond Claims: Payment bond exposure
Termination: Work stoppage costs
Indemnity Losses: Costly defense obligations

How real teams use the Subcontractor's Agreement

These short examples show practical outcomes when teams use clear subcontracts and digital signing to speed execution and maintain compliance.

Optica Ventures LLC — COO

Optica automated signature routing for subcontract agreements to reduce administrative friction.

  • The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team.
  • The result was faster turnaround and fewer incomplete forms, helping the team focus on project delivery rather than paperwork.

Martin Properties — Founder

A regional developer moved subcontract signing online to close scheduling gaps before site starts.

  • I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security.
  • That capability allowed on-site crews to receive signed scopes and start work without paper delays, reducing mobilization downtime.

Representative eSignature vendor comparison for executing subcontract agreements

Compare common plan and capability dimensions for handling subcontract execution and bulk distribution; signNow is listed first per data provided.

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Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
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Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about Subcontractor's Agreements and electronic execution

Answers to common questions about enforceability, notarization, signature authority, and how to correct or cancel an executed subcontract.


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