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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
Name
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. 4.
2. 5.
3. 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 why it matters

A Subcontractor's Agreement is a written contract that defines the relationship between a contractor and a subcontractor for specific work, deliverables, schedules, and payment terms. It allocates responsibilities such as scope of work, insurance and indemnity, change order procedures, lien waivers, and quality standards. The agreement helps reduce disputes by documenting performance milestones, acceptance criteria, inspection rights, and remedies for breach. For construction and professional services it often ties into prime contract obligations, insurance requirements, and safety compliance, so clear drafting protects both parties and supports enforceability.

Why use a formal Subcontractor's Agreement

A formal agreement establishes clear scope, controls payment risk, assigns liability, and documents insurance and compliance obligations. It clarifies who pays for change orders, which party holds indemnity responsibilities, and how claims are resolved, reducing costly disputes and project delays.

Why use a formal Subcontractor's Agreement

Who typically completes a Subcontractor's Agreement

Contractors, subcontractors, project managers, and in-house legal or procurement teams complete and manage these agreements depending on project size and risk.

  • General contractors and prime contractors managing project schedules and downstream risk allocation.
  • Specialty subcontractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, IT) documenting scope, warranty, and payment terms.
  • Owners and project managers who require flow-down clauses from the prime contract.

Core sections to include in a professional Subcontractor's Agreement

A complete agreement balances operational detail with legal protections. Include clear, standalone clauses so each obligation is enforceable even if other provisions fail.

Scope of Work

Precisely describe tasks, deliverables, drawings, and specifications so performance and acceptance criteria are unambiguous and measurable.

Payment Terms

State contract price, schedule of payments, retainage, invoice timing, and conditions for withholding or set-off to avoid payment disputes.

Insurance & Bonds

Specify required insurance types and limits, certificate and endorsement timing, and bonding obligations tied to prime contract requirements.

Indemnity & Liability

Allocate responsibility for losses, third-party claims, and specify caps or exclusions consistent with state law and the prime contract.

Change Orders

Formal procedures for written change orders, pricing adjustments, schedule shifts, and authority to approve work changes.

Termination & Remedies

Define termination for cause/convenience, cure periods, and post-termination obligations such as repossession of site, final accounting, and lien waivers.

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

Follow these steps to prepare, review, and execute a defensible subcontract that aligns with the prime contract.

  • 01
    Draft: Populate parties, scope, price, dates, and insurance fields.
  • 02
    Review: Compare flow-down clauses to the prime contract and update as needed.
  • 03
    Approve: Obtain internal approvals and confirm insurance certificates are received.
  • 04
    Sign: Execute with authorized signatures and retain fully signed copies for records.

How digital completion and eSigning usually works

Digital execution streamlines signature capture, provides an auditable timeline, and preserves the final PDF and associated metadata for both parties.

  • Upload Document: Sender uploads the contract to the eSignature platform in PDF or DOCX format.
  • Place Fields: Sender places signature, date, and required initial fields on the document.
  • Authenticate Signers: Signers receive email or SMS links and authenticate per chosen security level.
  • Complete Signing: Platform records timestamps, IP, and audit trail; final signed PDF is delivered.

Typical digital workflow settings for a Subcontractor's Agreement

Configure fields and signer order to mirror your approval process and legal needs before sending for signature.

Field Configuration
Signature Field Required; signer-specific; timestamped
Initials Field Optional; used for page acknowledgements
Date Field Auto-populate on signature
Attachment Field Use to collect insurance certificates or W-9s

Platform capabilities to support eSigning and distribution

Choose a platform that supports PDF/Word import, configurable fields, secure authentication, and a reliable audit trail.

  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace
  • File formats: PDF, DOCX, HTML, Excel
  • Security: AES-256 at rest; TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Security and compliance features to confirm

Encryption: TLS in transit; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Detailed signer actions and timestamps
Access Controls: Role-based permissions for document access
HIPAA Support: BAA available where required
21 CFR Part 11: Controls for FDA-regulated records
SOC 2 / ISO: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 compliance

eSignature vendor comparison for executing Subcontractor's Agreements

Compare basic plan cost, trial availability, bulk sending, audit trail capability, HIPAA support, and envelope limits when selecting an eSignature provider.

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 Yes, 7-day free trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Not specified Not specified Not specified

Key contract dates and typical deadlines to track

Assign and monitor key dates in the contract to control obligations, avoid payment delays, and maintain compliance.

Effective Date:

Enter MM/DD/YYYY; marks when obligations begin

Commencement of Work:

Specify start date and mobilization timeline before invoicing

Invoice Submission:

State required invoice submittal frequency and supporting documentation

Proof of Insurance:

Certificate required before starting work; include endorsement deadlines

Notice Periods:

Define cure and termination notice periods for noncompliance

Common pitfalls when preparing a Subcontractor's Agreement

  • Vague scope descriptions that lead to disputes over extra work and change orders midproject.
  • Missing flow-down clauses that fail to impose prime contract obligations on the subcontractor.
  • Inadequate insurance or certificate requirements that expose parties to uncovered third-party claims.
  • Incorrect party names, missing signatures, or mismatched dates that create enforceability questions.

Primary risks and consequences of an incorrect agreement

Payment Delays: Disputed invoices; withheld payments
Lien Exposure: Potential mechanic's liens for unpaid subcontractor claims
Insurance Gaps: Uncovered losses or denied claims
Tax Issues: Backup withholding triggered by incorrect TINs
Enforceability: Ambiguous clauses may be voided
Regulatory Fines: Violation of safety or payroll rules

Practical examples of subcontract use in real projects

These short case arcs show common contract scenarios and outcomes when agreements are used correctly.

Case Study 1

A general contractor used a detailed subcontract to define milestone payments and retainage

  • Change orders required written approval to proceed
  • Result: timely payment releases and a documented basis to resolve a scope dispute without litigation.

Case Study 2

A specialty trades firm added insurance endorsement requirements and certificate timing

  • Subcontractor provided late proof of insurance, work halted
  • Result: project delay prevented by clear stop-work clause; dispute settled with limited exposure.

Frequently asked questions about Subcontractor's Agreements

Answers address common execution, enforceability, and eSignature questions specific to subcontract scenarios.


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