Is an electronic signature valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally binding under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are met.

When is notarization required?

Most repair agreements do not require notarization, but state or lender requirements or specific recording instruments may require it; confirm local rules before notarizing or recording.

Can I use remote notarization?

Remote online notarization (RON) is allowed in many states with identity proofing and audio‑video recording; verify state RON rules and retention requirements before proceeding.

What authentication is appropriate?

Use email link, SMS code, or higher‑assurance methods as needed; stronger authentication reduces signer-dispute risk and supports evidentiary value.

How long should I keep the agreement?

Keep the executed agreement for the active term plus at least three years; for tax or title matters follow IRC §6501(a) and industry-specific retention rules.

What if a contractor files a mechanics lien?

Respond promptly: verify contract terms, payment status, and lien validity; lien procedures and timelines vary by state and may require legal counsel.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate Repair Agreement

Real Estate Repair Agreement

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

REAL ESTATE REPAIR AGREEMENT

This Real Estate Repair Agreement (Agreement) is made and entered into on by and between Owner: and Contractor: .

1. Parties and Contacts

Owner Name Owner Address Owner Contact (phone/email) Contractor Name Contractor Address Contractor Contact (phone/email)

2. Property Identification

Property Address Parcel / APN Legal Description

3. Scope of Work

Contractor shall perform the repair, restoration and replacement work described below (Scope of Work) at the Property in a good and workmanlike manner in accordance with standard trade practices. Detailed description:

Materials Specification / Brand Preferences

4. Schedule

Commencement Date: Estimated Completion Date: .

Milestones / Delivery Schedule

5. Compensation and Payment

Total Contract Price Deposit / Earnest Payment Payment Schedule

Late payment shall accrue interest at the rate of on the unpaid balance, beginning thirty (30) days after the due date.

6. Permits, Codes and Approvals

Contractor shall obtain and pay for all permits, inspections and approvals necessary for the lawful performance of the Scope of Work unless otherwise stated. Owner shall reasonably cooperate with Contractor in obtaining approvals.

Party Responsible for Permits

7. Insurance and Indemnity

Contractor shall maintain comprehensive general liability insurance and workers' compensation as required by law and provide certificates upon request. Minimum liability coverage: .

Contractor shall indemnify, defend and hold Owner harmless from and against all claims, liabilities, losses and expenses arising out of Contractor's performance, except to the extent caused by Owner's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

8. Warranties

Contractor warrants that labor and materials furnished under this Agreement shall be free from defects for a period of from the date of completion. This warranty does not cover damage due to ordinary wear and tear, negligence, or improper maintenance.

9. Change Orders

Any change to the Scope of Work, price, or schedule shall be made only by written change order signed by both parties. Contractor shall not proceed with changed work without a signed change order unless delay would cause immediate harm, in which case Contractor shall promptly seek written ratification.

Change Order Contact

10. Access and Site Conditions

Owner shall provide Contractor reasonable access to the Property and shall disclose known site conditions that may affect performance. Contractor will take commercially reasonable measures to protect the Property and to remove debris daily.

11. Disclosures

Lead-based Paint Present? Yes No

Prior Water Damage or Mold Observed? Yes No

Material Hazardous Conditions Known? Yes No

12. Default and Remedies

If Contractor fails to commence or diligently pursue the Scope of Work, Owner may provide seven (7) days' written notice to cure. If the breach is not cured, Owner may terminate this Agreement and seek damages, including the cost to complete the work. If Owner fails to make timely payment, Contractor may suspend work after ten (10) days' written notice and shall be entitled to recover costs, interest and any damages resulting from the suspension.

13. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

The parties agree to attempt good faith negotiation to resolve disputes. If unresolved, disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance with the rules selected by the parties. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state where the Property is located.

14. Notices

Notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered personally, by certified mail (return receipt requested), or by overnight courier to the addresses listed in Section 1 and shall be effective upon receipt.

15. Entire Agreement

This Agreement, including any executed change orders, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior negotiations and agreements. No amendment shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

16. Additional Provisions

Owner (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

Contractor (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

What the Real Estate Repair Agreement Covers

A Real Estate Repair Agreement is a written contract that documents the scope, cost, timeline, and responsibilities for maintenance or repair work on a residential or commercial property. It identifies the property, the parties (owner, tenant, contractor), payment terms, necessary permits, insurance and warranty provisions, and dispute resolution. The agreement can be used before, during, or after a sale or tenancy to allocate repair obligations and to create an enforceable record of commitments, approvals, and completion criteria under applicable state contract and construction laws.

Why Use a Formal Repair Agreement

A clear repair agreement reduces disputes by defining obligations, costs, deadlines, and remedies. It protects owners, tenants, and contractors with documented consent, supports insurance claims, and preserves evidence for warranty or lien issues.

Typical Parties and Roles

The agreement is used by property owners, tenants, contractors, property managers, and closing agents to document repairs and responsibilities.

Property owners and landlords — Authorize repairs, set budgets, require proof of permits and insurance before payment.
Licensed contractors and tradespeople — Define scope, materials, schedule, payment milestones, and warranty obligations.
Real estate agents and property managers — Coordinate repairs pre-closing or during tenancy and document completion for files.

Use the agreement to align expectations, authorize work, and record approvals before payments or occupancy changes occur.

Essential Sections to Include

A professional Real Estate Repair Agreement groups obligations, payments, schedule, access, legal protections, and dispute resolution into clear sections for enforceability and practical use.

Scope of Work

Describe specific tasks, locations, and measurable acceptance criteria so parties agree precisely what constitutes satisfactory repair or completion.

Materials

List materials, brand or quality standards, and responsibility for disposal or hazardous materials to avoid later disagreements about substitutions.

Pricing & Payment

State total price, deposit, milestone payments, retainage (if any), accepted payment methods, and consequences for late payment or unpaid invoices.

Timeline

Include start and completion dates, work hours, delay allowances for weather or permitting, and remedies for missed deadlines.

Access & Permits

Authorize property access, identify who arranges permits and inspections, and allocate responsibility for permit costs and code compliance.

Warranty & Remedies

Specify warranty length, what is covered, repair procedures for defects, and options for withholding payment or hiring corrective work.

Step-by-Step: Preparing and Executing the Agreement

Follow these steps to prepare, confirm, and finalize a binding repair agreement between parties.

01

Review Request: Inspect the property and confirm exact repair needs.
02

Draft Agreement: Complete fields, itemize work, and add schedules.
03

Obtain Approvals: Get signatures, permits, and insurance certificates.
04

Distribute Copies: Share executed copies with owner, contractor, and manager.

Where to Send and Who Receives Copies

Routing the executed agreement ensures compliance, claim readiness, and that all stakeholders have records for payments, inspections, and closing.

Owner / Landlord: Retain the original for property records and tax purposes.
Contractor: Keep a signed copy for warranty and invoice support.
Property Manager: Store a copy in the tenant or property file.
Insurer or Closing Agent: Provide copies when claims or closings require proof of repairs.

Configuring an Online Repair Agreement Workflow

Set workflow fields to automate routing, reminders, and evidence capture when you prepare and send the agreement electronically.

Field	Configuration
Signer Authentication	Email link or SMS code
Auto-Reminders	Three reminders before due date
Template Locking	Freeze critical clauses after signature
Audit Trail	Enable timestamp and IP logging

Digital Signing and Format Requirements

Use a platform that supports PDF and DOCX, captures an audit trail, and offers secure signer authentication for legal reliability.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX accepted
Authentication: Email or SMS code
Integrations: CRM and cloud storage

Typical Timelines and Deadlines

Track key dates to manage work, payment, inspections, and warranty periods in one place to avoid disputes or contract breaches.

Estimate Delivery:

Contractor provides estimate within 3–7 business days.

Work Start Date:

Begin work on agreed MM/DD/YYYY start date.

Substantial Completion:

Target completion date for usable property condition.

Payment Deadline:

Final payment due within agreed days after completion.

Warranty Period:

Warranty begins on completion date per agreement.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Vague scope descriptions that leave material, labor, and tolerances undefined, leading to disputes and change orders.
Failing to verify contractor licensing and insurance before work begins, exposing owners to liability and uninsured losses.
Skipping permit checks or inspections, which can result in code violations, rework, or municipal fines.
Not documenting material substitutions or change orders in writing, causing payment disagreements and warranty disputes.

Consequences of an Inadequate Agreement

Payment Disputes: Withheld or delayed payments

Licensing Fines: Contractor or owner penalties

Permit Violations: Municipal fines and rework

Mechanics Liens: Lien filings against property

Warranty Claims: Extended repair obligations

Insurance Denial: Claim rejection for noncompliance

eSignature Provider Comparison for Signing Repair Agreements

Comparison of common eSignature features and starting prices; signNow is listed first to show pricing and compliance options alongside major competitors.

	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	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Representative Use Cases

Real-world examples show how repair agreements resolve pre-closing repairs, tenant-requested fixes, and contractor warranty obligations.

Pre-Closing Repairs

A seller lists agreed repairs in the contract

The buyer authorizes work before closing
The signed agreement recorded in the closing file resolved escrow holdbacks and verified completion for transfer.

Tenant Repairs

A tenant requests HVAC repair and owner approves a licensed contractor

Parties document cost sharing and timeline
The executed agreement protected both parties and supported a warranty claim after completion.

Practical Tips for Accurate Agreements

Apply these best practices to reduce risk, speed execution, and maintain enforceable records for repairs and warranties.

Use Itemized Scopes

Break work into discrete line items, include measurable acceptance criteria, and attach photos or diagrams where helpful.

Confirm Licensing

Verify contractor license numbers and insurance certificates and record them with the agreement to prevent liability gaps.

Document Change Orders

Require written change orders for any material deviations from the original scope to avoid payment disputes.

Preserve Signed Records

Store executed agreements with timestamps, signer identity, and audit trails for warranty, tax, or resale purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions and Common Issues

Answers to frequent questions about enforceability, eSigning, notarization, and what to check before signing a repair agreement.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally binding under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are met.
When is notarization required?
Most repair agreements do not require notarization, but state or lender requirements or specific recording instruments may require it; confirm local rules before notarizing or recording.
Can I use remote notarization?
Remote online notarization (RON) is allowed in many states with identity proofing and audio‑video recording; verify state RON rules and retention requirements before proceeding.
What authentication is appropriate?
Use email link, SMS code, or higher‑assurance methods as needed; stronger authentication reduces signer-dispute risk and supports evidentiary value.
How long should I keep the agreement?
Keep the executed agreement for the active term plus at least three years; for tax or title matters follow IRC §6501(a) and industry-specific retention rules.
What if a contractor files a mechanics lien?
Respond promptly: verify contract terms, payment status, and lien validity; lien procedures and timelines vary by state and may require legal counsel.

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