Can this template be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, provided the parties demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and record retention.

Do I need a notary for a construction contract?

Not usually for ordinary construction contracts, but specific instruments (deeds, certain affidavits, or jurisdictional requirements) may require notarization or witnesses; verify local rules.

What happens if a party signs with a different legal name?

Mismatched legal names can complicate enforcement and payment. Use the party's legal entity name as registered and, when necessary, include a 'doing business as' line.

How do I include conditional clauses online?

Use conditional fields or logic in your signing platform to reveal clauses only when relevant (for example, optional warranty extensions or supplier substitutions).

Are healthcare project sections subject to HIPAA?

Yes if the work involves protected health information; include privacy addenda and execute a BAA where required to meet HIPAA obligations (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

How long should I keep signed contract records?

Retain executed agreements for the active term plus at least three years; follow industry-specific rules (e.g., 6 years for certain healthcare records).

Electronic Signature
Templates
Project Management
Project Management Design and Construct Template

Project Management Design and Construct Template

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

PROJECT MANAGEMENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT AGREEMENT

Project Identification

Project Title:

Project ID Client Name Client Address Service Provider Provider Address

Project Manager: Contact:

Effective Date:

Recitals and Definitions

This Agreement sets forth the terms under which Service Provider will perform design and construction management services for the Project identified above. The following definitions apply: "Work" means the design, procurement management, construction management and related services described in the Scope of Work. "Contract Documents" consist of this Agreement, the Scope of Work, accepted Deliverables, and any executed Change Orders.

Scope of Work

Detailed Scope of Work Out of Scope Items

Deliverables and Acceptance Criteria

Deliverables will be submitted in accordance with the schedule below. Acceptance of each deliverable requires written confirmation of conformity by Client within the Acceptance Period specified in each deliverable entry. Failure to timely reject a deliverable constitutes acceptance.

Deliverable 1 — Title Description Acceptance Criteria

Due Date:

Deliverable 2 — Title Description Acceptance Criteria

Due Date:

Timeline and Milestones

Project Start Date: Project End Date:

Milestone 1

Due Date:

Milestone 2

Due Date:

Budget, Fees and Payment

Total Contract Value: $

Payment Schedule

Retainage Percentage: Invoice Frequency:

Change Order Procedure

All changes to the Scope of Work or Contract Value shall be made only by written Change Order signed by both parties. Service Provider shall submit a Change Order Request describing the change, basis for cost/time adjustment, and proposed schedule impact. Client shall approve or reject the Change Order Request in writing within days of receipt. No work associated with a requested change shall proceed until a Change Order is executed, except as expressly authorized in writing by Client.

Change Order Contact (Service Provider)

Confidentiality

Each party shall hold in confidence and not disclose any Confidential Information received from the other party except as necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement. Confidential Information excludes information that: (a) is or becomes publicly available through no breach of this Agreement; (b) is lawfully obtained from a third party; or (c) is independently developed. Obligations of confidentiality survive termination of this Agreement for a period of three (3) years.

Warranties, Liability and Indemnification

Service Provider warrants that services shall be performed in a professional manner consistent with industry standards. Except as expressly provided herein, Service Provider disclaims all other warranties. Each party shall indemnify and hold harmless the other from third-party claims arising from its negligent acts, omissions or willful misconduct in the performance of this Agreement, subject to limitations of liability expressly set forth in this Agreement.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction specified below without regard to conflict of law principles. The parties will first attempt to resolve disputes through good faith negotiation. If unresolved within days, disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered in the designated jurisdiction.

Governing Jurisdiction:

Insurance and Safety

Service Provider shall maintain insurance customary for the type and scale of work performed, including commercial general liability, workers' compensation, and professional liability where applicable. Proof of insurance shall be provided to Client upon request prior to commencement of Work.

Miscellaneous Provisions

Entire Agreement: This Agreement, including all incorporated documents and executed Change Orders, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes prior agreements. Amendments must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

Notices: All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses listed in the Project Identification section or to such other address as either party designates in writing.

Client

Printed Name:

By (Signature):

Title:

Date:

Service Provider

Printed Name:

By (Signature):

Title:

Date:

What the Project Management Design and Construct Template Is

The Project Management Design and Construct Template is a standardized contract and workflow document used to coordinate design, permitting, construction, and handover for built-environment projects. It consolidates scope, deliverables, schedule, payment terms, change-order procedures, responsibilities, and dispute-resolution clauses so stakeholders have a single reference for project management and execution.

Why a Formal Template Matters for Design-and-Construct Projects

A clear template reduces ambiguity, speeds approvals, and documents obligations in writing. It establishes roles, risk allocation, and payment triggers while creating a record suitable for enforcement under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA rules where applicable.

Who Typically Prepares and Uses This Template

Owners, architects, general contractors, and project managers commonly use this template to align expectations before construction begins.

Project Owners and Developers — Use the template to define deliverables, acceptance criteria, payment schedule, and warranty obligations to protect budget and timeline.
Design Professionals and Architects — Capture scope of design phases, submission milestones, and document handover requirements for permitting and bid-ready documents.
General Contractors and Subcontractors — Use the contract sections for construction sequencing, change-order processes, lien rights, and certifications required at completion.

The template supports collaboration between commercial and public-sector stakeholders and can be adapted for project size and procurement method.

Typical Signatories and Their Roles

Owner / Client

The owner authorizes scope, issues notices to proceed, approves change orders, and holds payment obligations. Their signature confirms funding responsibility and acceptance criteria for final delivery; counsel often reviews for risk allocation.

General Contractor / Prime

The contractor accepts execution responsibility, schedules subcontractors, and warrants work. Their signature binds them to timelines, safety and quality obligations, lien waiver conditions, and indemnities defined in the template.

Core Components to Include in a Professional Template

A robust design-and-construct template groups contract elements so obligations and workflow are obvious to all parties.

Scope of Work

Precise description of design deliverables, construction limits, and excluded items to avoid later disputes.

Schedule & Milestones

Detailed milestone dates, notice-to-proceed, permitting windows, and liquidated damages or extension-of-time clauses.

Payment Terms

Progress payment schedule, retainage, invoicing requirements, and conditions for release of funds at completion.

Change Orders

Procedure for approving scope changes, pricing adjustments, and time impacts including documentation needed for claims.

Risk Allocation

Insurance, indemnity, warranty, and responsibility for permits, inspections, and code compliance.

Closeout & Handover

Punchlist, final inspections, warranties, record drawings, and required certifications for final acceptance.

Step-by-Step: Complete and Execute the Template

Follow these steps in order to prepare, approve, and finalize the design-and-construct agreement with minimal friction.

01

Prepare Draft: Populate scope, schedule, payment and exhibits; attach plans and spec references.
02

Internal Review: Legal and procurement review for risk allocation, insurance, and lien language.
03

Stakeholder Sign-off: Share with owner, designer, and contractor for edits and approval in tracked-change form.
04

Execute and Archive: Obtain signatures, capture audit trail, and store final executed copy in secure repository.

How to Configure the Document for Online Completion

Set up form fields, signer roles, and conditional logic before sending to reduce back-and-forth and errors.

Field	Configuration
Signers and Order	Define roles (Owner \| Contractor) and set sequential or parallel signing order.
Required Fields	Mark critical fields as required to prevent incomplete submissions.
Conditional Sections	Show payment or warranty clauses only when the related checkbox is selected.
Attachments	Require uploaded exhibits (drawings, insurance certificates) before final signature.

Distribution and eSubmission Options

Use email signing, bulk send, or API integration depending on volume and workflow complexity.

Integrations: Salesforce | NetSuite | Procore | Microsoft 365
File Types: PDF | DOCX | HTML | Excel
Authentication: Email, SMS code, or advanced signer verification

Ensure the chosen platform supports audit trails, field validation, and secure storage to preserve enforceability and records.

Typical Digital Signing Flow for the Template

A standard online workflow reduces turnaround and creates an auditable record for each signing event.

Upload Document: Import PDF or DOCX into the signing platform.
Place Fields: Add signature, date, and required data fields to the template.
Assign Signers: Enter signer emails and set signing order or parallel routing.
Send for Signature: Dispatch invites; audit trail captures timestamps and IP addresses.

Common Contract Dates and Deadlines to Track

Track critical dates in the template so parties can enforce milestones and preserve claims.

Effective Date:

When contract obligations begin; triggers milestone countdowns.

Design Deliverable Due:

Date for design submission for permitting and owner review.

Permit Submission:

Target date for filing permits to avoid schedule delays.

Construction Start:

Planned mobilization and site work commencement date.

Substantial Completion:

Date for owner acceptance and start of warranty period.

Key Project Milestones from Contract to Handover

Use these sequential milestone stages to drive approvals, invoicing, and inspections across the project lifecycle.

01

Contract Execution

Signatures complete; notice-to-proceed can be issued to mobilize resources.

02

Design Completion

Architect submits final drawings for permit and procurement of long-lead items.

03

Permitting & Approvals

Authorities review and issue permits required before major construction.

04

Construction Closeout

Punchlist completion, final inspections, and handover to owner for occupancy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Template

Using vague scope language that leaves essential tasks undefined, leading to change-order disputes and delay claims.
Failing to attach or reference project drawings and specifications, which causes confusion about deliverable standards and inspection criteria.
Not specifying a clear approval workflow or signer order, resulting in stalled signatures and missed milestones.
Omitting payment schedule details or retainage mechanics, which creates ambiguity during invoicing and final acceptance.

Potential Risks and Consequences of an Incorrect Template

Contract Ambiguity: May lead to costly disputes

Delayed Approvals: Can extend project timeline

Payment Withholding: Owner may delay or dispute payments

Lien Exposure: Subcontractors may file liens

Regulatory Noncompliance: Permitting or inspection failures

Signature Invalidity: Improper signing can risk enforceability

Real-World Examples from Similar Projects

These condensed case arcs show how organizations adapt templates to practical workflows and integrations.

Optica Ventures (COO)

Their team adopted an online template to simplify signatures and approvals.

Reduced turnaround time for client signoffs by several days.
They reported easier customer interactions and fewer back-and-forths by standardizing documents and delivering mobile-friendly signing options.

Martin Properties (Founder)

Used a digital template for leasehold improvement projects across portfolios.

Enabled mobile and offline signing for field teams.
The company achieved consistent compliance, faster document returns, and smoother handovers across multiple properties.

Practical Tips for Accurate, Efficient Completion

Adopt these practices to reduce disputes, speed approvals, and preserve enforceability.

Use Defined Exhibits

Attach all plans, specifications, and schedules as labeled exhibits rather than pasting large content into the main agreement; this ensures clarity during reviews and reduces versioning errors.

Require Essential Fields

Mark party names, effective date, contract price, and signature blocks as required fields so the platform blocks incomplete submissions and reduces rework.

Standardize Change Orders

Include a single change-order form linked to the main contract with fields for scope, cost, and time impact to streamline approvals and preserve audit trails.

Preserve Audit Trails

Ensure every signed document includes a tamper-evident audit trail capturing timestamps, IP addresses, and signer authentication details for future enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions and Common Troubleshooting

Answers to typical questions about filling, signing, and validating a design-and-construct template in a U.S. context.

Need help? Contact support

Can this template be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, provided the parties demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and record retention.
Do I need a notary for a construction contract?
Not usually for ordinary construction contracts, but specific instruments (deeds, certain affidavits, or jurisdictional requirements) may require notarization or witnesses; verify local rules.
What happens if a party signs with a different legal name?
Mismatched legal names can complicate enforcement and payment. Use the party's legal entity name as registered and, when necessary, include a 'doing business as' line.
How do I include conditional clauses online?
Use conditional fields or logic in your signing platform to reveal clauses only when relevant (for example, optional warranty extensions or supplier substitutions).
Are healthcare project sections subject to HIPAA?
Yes if the work involves protected health information; include privacy addenda and execute a BAA where required to meet HIPAA obligations (45 CFR §164.530(j)).
How long should I keep signed contract records?
Retain executed agreements for the active term plus at least three years; follow industry-specific rules (e.g., 6 years for certain healthcare records).

Selected eSignature Pricing and Feature Snapshot

A concise vendor comparison for common features and starting prices. signNow is listed first per platform-specific pricing tiers.

	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 trial	Free trial available	Free trial available	Free trial available	Free trial available
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Limited
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

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