Is an electronic Start of Works legally binding?

Yes. In interstate transactions, ESIGN (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA laws recognize electronic signatures if intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention are present.

Who is authorized to sign the Start of Works?

Authorized signers are those named in the contract or company authorization records; confirm corporate authority and procurement thresholds before execution to avoid challenges.

When is notarization required?

Most Start of Works forms do not legally require notarization, but local rules or contract terms may demand a notary or witnesses for certain attachments; check state-specific notarization rules.

How do I correct an executed form?

Avoid manual alterations; prepare an addendum or corrected Start of Works signed by the same authorized parties to preserve evidentiary integrity and clarity.

Can Remote Online Notarization be used?

RON is permitted in many states under state rules; verify the project's state RON status and technical recording requirements before using remote notarization.

How do digital platforms meet compliance needs?

Use platforms that provide audit trails, tamper-evident storage, configurable authentication, and BAAs when handling protected health information to meet ESIGN, UETA, and applicable industry regulations.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Project Management
Project Management Start of Works

Project Management Start of Works

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

PROJECT MANAGEMENT START OF WORKS

Project Identification

Project Title:

Project ID: Client Name:

Client Primary Contact Service Provider Project Manager (Provider)

Scope of Work

The Service Provider is authorized to commence work on the limited scope described below. Work shall be performed in accordance with the project schedule, specifications, and acceptance criteria set forth in this Start of Works. Any work beyond this scope requires a written Change Order signed by both parties.

Detailed Scope of Work Out-of-Scope Items

Deliverables and Acceptance

Each deliverable shall be accompanied by acceptance criteria. The Client shall review each deliverable within the stated review period; if the Client does not provide written rejection with substantiated deficiencies within the review period, the deliverable will be deemed accepted.

Deliverable 1 — Title Deliverable 1 — Description Deliverable 1 — Acceptance Criteria

Due Date:

Deliverable 2 — Title Deliverable 2 — Description Deliverable 2 — Acceptance Criteria

Due Date:

Deliverable 3 — Title Deliverable 3 — Description Deliverable 3 — Acceptance Criteria

Due Date:

Project Timeline & Milestones

Project Start Date: Project End Date:

Milestone 1 — Title

Target Date:

Milestone 2 — Title

Target Date:

Milestone 3 — Title

Target Date:

Budget & Payment

Total Contract Value (USD):

Payment Schedule — Entry 1

Amount: Due At:

Payment Schedule — Entry 2

Amount: Due At:

Payment Schedule — Entry 3

Amount: Due At:

Taxes, duties, and reimbursable expenses:

Change Order Process

All changes to scope, schedule, or price shall be implemented only by a written Change Order signed by authorized representatives of both parties. The Change Order shall describe the change, schedule impact, cost impact, and revised acceptance criteria.

Approval threshold (changes under this amount may be approved by Project Manager):

Change Order Contact (Provider)

Client & Provider Responsibilities

Client Responsibilities Provider Responsibilities

Site Conditions, Permits & Safety

Client confirms responsibility for site access, permits, and any client-controlled approvals unless otherwise stated. Provider shall comply with all applicable safety laws and project-specific safety plans.

Required permits obtained by Client:

Client has obtained required permits:

Confidentiality

Each party shall treat all non-public business information exchanged in connection with this Start of Works as confidential and shall not disclose such information except to personnel with a need to know or as required by law. Confidential information does not include information that is or becomes publicly available through no fault of the receiving party.

Insurance, Warranties & Liability

Provider shall maintain insurance customary for the services and shall provide certificates on request. Provider warrants that services will be performed in a professional manner consistent with industry standards. Except for willful misconduct or gross negligence, liability of either party for direct damages shall be limited to the total fees paid under this Start of Works.

Termination

Either party may terminate for material breach that remains uncured for the notice period below. Termination for convenience by the Client requires written notice and payment for work performed up to the effective date of termination.

Cure / notice period (days):

Dispute Resolution & Governing Law

The parties shall use good-faith negotiation followed by mediation for disputes arising under this Start of Works. If unresolved, disputes shall be finally resolved under the laws of the state designated below, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

Governing Law State:

Attachments

Referenced Documents / Attachments

By signing below the parties confirm that the conditions precedent to commencement have been satisfied, or waived in writing, and authorize the Service Provider to commence the work described herein.

Client Name:

By:

Date:

Service Provider:

By:

Date:

What the Project Management Start of Works Document Is

The Project Management Start of Works is a formal initiation record used to authorize on-site project activities and establish the operational baseline for mobilization. It documents the effective date, scope summary, primary contacts, permitting status, safety responsibilities, initial milestones, and payment triggers. Prepared by the project manager or contractor, the Start of Works aligns stakeholders on scheduling, resource allocation, and compliance checks and serves as a reference for performance measurement and dispute resolution without replacing underlying contract terms.

Why a Clear Start of Works Matters for Projects

A concise Start of Works reduces ambiguity at mobilization, clarifies responsibilities, and documents conditions precedent that trigger resource deployment and payment. It minimizes coordination errors and creates an auditable record for contract compliance, inspections, and financial reconciliation.

Who Typically Prepares and Receives the Start of Works

Project teams and stakeholders who manage project mobilization and initial compliance commonly use this document to formalize the start of site activities.

Project managers who initiate, approve, and coordinate mobilization details and documentation for the execution team.
Contractors and subcontractors confirming resource availability, safety plans, and permit compliance before starting on-site work.
Owners and client representatives receiving formal notice of start dates, payment triggers, and inspection points for governance.

The Start of Works improves transparency across teams and serves as a contemporaneous record for audits, change orders, and dispute review.

Core Sections to Include in a Professional Start of Works

A complete Start of Works groups essential information—identification, scope, schedule, roles, compliance items, and sign-off—so teams have a single reference at mobilization.

Project Identification

Unique project ID, site address, contract reference, and concise project description to match contract records and support traceability for finance and compliance.

Scope of Work

Clear, specific tasks or deliverables to be performed at mobilization with exclusions and boundaries to avoid scope disputes during early work.

Schedule & Mobilization

Effective date, mobilization windows, milestone dates, and expected on-site hours to coordinate logistics, deliveries, and inspection scheduling.

Responsibilities Matrix

Named contacts, roles, and primary responsibilities for safety, quality, permits, and inspections to support accountability during start-up activities.

Permits & Compliance

List of required permits, current permit status, insurance confirmations, and any regulatory requirements that must be met before or during mobilization.

Signatures and Dates

Signature blocks for authorized representatives, dated acceptance lines, and confirmation of any preconditions satisfied before work begins.

Essential Data Fields Required on the Form

Project ID: Unique identifier

Effective Date: Start date

Parties: Primary entities

Scope Summary: Work overview

Permit List: Required permits

Authorized Signers: Signer names

Step-by-Step: From Preparation to Approved Start

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, approve, and circulate the Start of Works so work begins with clear authorization and documented controls.

01

Prepare Document: Complete identification, scope, permits, and schedule details.
02

Obtain Internal Approvals: Secure sign-offs from PM, safety, and finance as required.
03

Send for Signatures: Distribute to authorized signers via chosen signature method.
04

Distribute and Archive: Share executed copies and store per retention policy.

Where to Send or File the Completed Start of Works

A standard routing ensures stakeholders receive executed copies and records are retained in project systems for future reference.

Upload to PM System: Store signed copy in project management repository.
Email Stakeholders: Send executed PDF to owner, contractor, and key vendors.
File with Permits: Attach executed form to permit application or site binder.
Record Retention: Archive per company and regulatory retention schedules.

Digital Workflow Settings to Configure for eSubmission

Set up role-based routing, authentication, reminders, and storage to automate approvals and create an auditable trail of execution.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Sequential or parallel signing
Authentication	Email, SMS code, or KBA
Automatic Reminders	Frequency and escalation settings
Storage Location	Project drive or enterprise repository

Platform Capabilities and File Format Considerations

Verify that your eSignature platform supports required integrations, authentication levels, and PDF/Word formats before sending the Start of Works.

Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Procore availability
File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and editable templates
Authentication: Email, SMS, and advanced options

Confirm audit trail features (timestamps, IP addresses, certificate of completion), configurable signer authentication, and retention/export functions so executed records meet contractual and regulatory needs; verify whether a BAA or additional compliance add-on is required for protected health information.

How the Start of Works Differs from Similar Project Notices

Compare the Start of Works with related documents to pick the correct form for authorization, notice, or administrative recordkeeping.

Criteria	Start of Works	Notice to Proceed	Kickoff Minutes	Purchase Order
Authority to begin	operational start	contractual go-ahead	meeting record	procurement order
Legal effect	administrative record	contractual effect	informational	commercial obligation
Typical signer	pm/contractor	owner or rep	project team lead	procurement officer
Level of detail	execution tasks	contract terms	agenda and notes	itemized goods

Timing Items and Expected Deadlines in Typical Use

Common timing elements affect mobilization, inspections, and payment; adapt these timeframes to your contract terms and permit schedules.

Effective Date:

Date entered here starts mobilization and obligations.

Mobilization Window:

Expected timeframe for workforce and equipment arrival.

Permit Clearance Deadline:

Target date to have required permits issued.

First Inspection:

Scheduled initial site inspection after mobilization.

Initial Payment Milestone:

Payment conditions tied to mobilization or first deliverable.

Key Milestones from Document Preparation to First Deliverable

A high-level milestone sequence shows the main processing stages between preparation and initial project outcomes.

01

Document Preparation

Draft and populate identification, scope, and permit items.

02

Internal Review

Safety, legal, and finance checklists completed and approved.

03

Execution

Authorized signers execute the Start of Works and date it.

04

Mobilization & First Deliverable

Site mobilization begins and initial milestone is delivered.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Start of Works

Using vague scope language that omits exclusions or interfaces, which creates disputes about responsibility during early work.
Entering incorrect or inconsistent dates that misalign mobilization, inspection scheduling, and payment milestones across teams.
Failing to list required permits or omitting permit status, which can cause work stoppages or compliance violations.
Allowing unauthorized personnel to sign, producing an invalid or unenforceable authorization and potential payment disputes.

Risks and Consequences of an Incorrect or Incomplete Start of Works

Mobilization Delays: Project start postponed

Payment Withholding: Owner may delay payments

Contractual Claims: Risk of disputes or claims

Lien Exposure: Subcontractors may preserve lien rights

Safety Noncompliance: Inspections and fines possible

Insurance Denial: Coverage disputes on scope errors

eSignature Pricing and Capability Snapshot for Start of Works Execution

Compare basic pricing and capability lines relevant to high-volume execution and compliance needs; signNow is listed first per table conventions.

	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, no credit card required	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

FAQs and Troubleshooting for the Start of Works

Answers to common questions about validity, signing authority, notarization, corrections, and state-specific concerns related to Start of Works execution.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic Start of Works legally binding?
Yes. In interstate transactions, ESIGN (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA laws recognize electronic signatures if intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention are present.
Who is authorized to sign the Start of Works?
Authorized signers are those named in the contract or company authorization records; confirm corporate authority and procurement thresholds before execution to avoid challenges.
When is notarization required?
Most Start of Works forms do not legally require notarization, but local rules or contract terms may demand a notary or witnesses for certain attachments; check state-specific notarization rules.
How do I correct an executed form?
Avoid manual alterations; prepare an addendum or corrected Start of Works signed by the same authorized parties to preserve evidentiary integrity and clarity.
Can Remote Online Notarization be used?
RON is permitted in many states under state rules; verify the project's state RON status and technical recording requirements before using remote notarization.
How do digital platforms meet compliance needs?
Use platforms that provide audit trails, tamper-evident storage, configurable authentication, and BAAs when handling protected health information to meet ESIGN, UETA, and applicable industry regulations.

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