Can this be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states when intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are met. Confirm any industry-specific consumer-disclosure requirements first.

Do I need a notary or witnesses?

Notarization is not uniformly required for the contract itself, but many states require notary or witness attestations for underlying instruments (deeds, some POAs). Check state rules where recording or enforcement may involve public filings.

What if the contractor stops work?

Follow the contract's notice and cure provisions. Preserve documentation of communications, payments, and incomplete work; consider lien, arbitration, or statutory remedies as specified in the agreement.

How should change orders be handled?

Require written change orders signed by both parties that specify additional scope, cost, and schedule impact. Oral changes increase dispute risk and may not be enforceable.

When are lien waivers required?

Tie lien waivers to specific payments and milestones. Use conditional waivers for pending payment and unconditional waivers only after funds are cleared to avoid releasing rights prematurely.

How long should I keep the agreement?

Retain signed agreements for the contract term plus several years; retention varies by tax, construction, and healthcare rules. See the retention timeline section for regulatory minima.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Residential Improvements Agreement

Residential Improvements Agreement

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

RESIDENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS AGREEMENT

Parties and Property Identification

This Residential Improvements Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into between:

Owner / Property Owner Owner Contact Information Contractor / Improvement Provider Property Subject to Improvements Legal Description

Recitals

Owner is the lawful owner of the Property identified above and desires to have certain improvements constructed, installed, or performed on the Property. Contractor represents that Contractor is duly licensed and qualified to perform the Work described herein and will perform in a workmanlike and code-compliant manner.

Effective Date of this Agreement:

Scope of Work

Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, supervision, and services necessary to complete the improvements described below (the Work). The Work shall conform to the plans, specifications, and schedules attached as Exhibit A and any permitted change orders.

Detailed Scope and Specifications Plans or Drawing References

Schedule and Completion

Work shall commence on or before: and shall be substantially complete by: unless extended in accordance with this Agreement.

Inspection Period After Substantial Completion (days)

Permits, Approvals and Compliance

Contractor shall obtain all building permits and approvals required by applicable law unless checked otherwise.

Responsible for Obtaining Permits (select all that apply) Contractor Owner

Payment Terms

Owner shall pay Contractor for the performance of the Work the total Contract Price set forth below, subject to adjustments for approved change orders, allowances, and credits.

Total Contract Price Deposit / Initial Payment Progress Payment Schedule / Retainage Final Payment Due Upon Late Payment Charge

Change Orders

All changes to the Work that affect price or schedule must be made by written Change Order signed by both Owner and Contractor. Contractor shall not be entitled to additional compensation for extra work performed without a signed Change Order.

Change Order Procedure / Rates

Warranties, Liens and Releases

Contractor warrants that all Work will be free from defects in workmanship for the period specified below. Contractor shall promptly pay all subcontractors and suppliers and shall provide lien releases upon progress and final payments.

Contractor Warranty Period (months) Lien Release on Payment Contractor shall provide conditional and final lien releases as condition of payment

Insurance and Indemnity

Contractor shall maintain commercial general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by law. Contractor shall indemnify, defend and hold Owner harmless from claims arising from Contractor's performance of the Work except to the extent caused by Owner's negligence.

Insurance Requirements / Limits

Access, Storage, and Work Conditions

Owner shall provide Contractor reasonable access to the Property during normal working hours and space for material storage as reasonably necessary. Contractor shall keep the site reasonably clean and shall remove debris at completion.

Authorized Work Hours

Default, Remedies and Termination

If either party materially defaults and fails to cure within a reasonable time after written notice, the non-defaulting party may pursue available remedies including termination, damages, and specific performance. Owner may withhold payment for defective or incomplete Work until cured.

Cure Period for Material Breach (days)

Disclosures

Owner discloses the following known conditions affecting the Property. Contractor acknowledges Owner's disclosures and remains responsible to investigate as part of the Work.

Lead-Based Paint (if dwelling built prior to 1978) Yes No Mold or Water Intrusion Yes No Prior Structural Damage or Repairs Yes No

Miscellaneous Provisions

Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to conflict of law principles.

Entire Agreement: This Agreement, together with any exhibits and signed Change Orders, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations and understandings.

Additional Terms or Notes

Certifications

Contractor certifies that Contractor is authorized to perform the Work, that Contractor will comply with all applicable codes, laws and permit conditions, and that all subcontractors shall be paid when due. Owner certifies that Owner has the legal authority to approve the Work and grant Contractor access to the Property.

Contractor Certifications (initials) Owner Certifications (initials)

Owner:

By:

Date:

Contractor:

By:

Date:

What a Residential Improvements Agreement Covers

A Residential Improvements Agreement is a written contract between a property owner and a contractor that sets the scope, schedule, payment terms, permit responsibilities, inspection and acceptance criteria, and warranty provisions for work performed on residential real property. It allocates risk for change orders, delays, code compliance, and lien waivers, and it documents milestones and deliverables so both parties have a clear basis for payment and dispute resolution. Typical uses include remodels, additions, major repairs, and any project requiring permits or licensed trades.

Why this Agreement Matters for Owners and Contractors

A clear Residential Improvements Agreement reduces disputes by documenting obligations, payment timing, permit handling, and acceptance standards. It protects owners from incomplete or unsafe work, and it protects contractors by defining scope, change-order procedures, and remedies for late payment.

Who typically completes or signs this agreement

Typical parties who complete or sign a Residential Improvements Agreement include property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals.

Homeowners and residential investors contracting work and retaining rights and obligations under the agreement.
Licensed general contractors bidding, scheduling, and managing construction work and subcontractor coordination.
Subcontractors and suppliers providing labor, materials, and lien waivers tied to payment milestones.

Confirm license numbers, insurance coverage, and authorized signatory names to avoid enforceability problems and payment disputes.

Step-by-step: prepare and execute the agreement

Use this sequence to draft, approve, and store a Residential Improvements Agreement for a project.

01

Draft terms: Define scope, schedule, payment milestones, and warranty language clearly.
02

Verify credentials: Confirm contractor license, insurance, and bonding before signing.
03

Execute signatures: Obtain dated signatures from all contracting parties and witnesses if required.
04

Store records: Distribute signed copies to parties and retain originals per retention policy.

Common questions and practical answers

Answers to frequent questions about enforceability, notarization, change orders, and recordkeeping for Residential Improvements Agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Can this be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states when intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are met. Confirm any industry-specific consumer-disclosure requirements first.
Do I need a notary or witnesses?
Notarization is not uniformly required for the contract itself, but many states require notary or witness attestations for underlying instruments (deeds, some POAs). Check state rules where recording or enforcement may involve public filings.
What if the contractor stops work?
Follow the contract's notice and cure provisions. Preserve documentation of communications, payments, and incomplete work; consider lien, arbitration, or statutory remedies as specified in the agreement.
How should change orders be handled?
Require written change orders signed by both parties that specify additional scope, cost, and schedule impact. Oral changes increase dispute risk and may not be enforceable.
When are lien waivers required?
Tie lien waivers to specific payments and milestones. Use conditional waivers for pending payment and unconditional waivers only after funds are cleared to avoid releasing rights prematurely.
How long should I keep the agreement?
Retain signed agreements for the contract term plus several years; retention varies by tax, construction, and healthcare rules. See the retention timeline section for regulatory minima.

Core elements to include in a professional agreement

Ensure the document contains these six elements to reduce ambiguity and support enforcement in disputes or lien proceedings.

Scope & Specifications

Detailed descriptions, referenced drawings, materials, and performance standards that precisely define the contractor's obligations and deliverables.

Payment Schedule

Fixed amounts or percentages tied to milestones, retainage terms, acceptable payment methods, and consequences for late payment.

Permits & Code Compliance

Who secures permits, inspection responsibilities, and obligations to comply with local building codes and permit conditions.

Change Orders

Procedures for authorized changes including written approval, revised pricing, and adjustments to completion dates.

Completion and Acceptance

Inspection, punch-list process, and criteria for final acceptance and release of retainage or final payment.

Warranties & Liens

Express warranty periods, contractor remedies, and mechanic's lien release or waiver language tied to payments.

Essential information fields to capture

Owner Name: Full legal name

Contractor Details: Company name and license number

Property Address: Street, city, state, ZIP

Scope Summary: Concise description of work

Payment Terms: Amounts, schedule, retainage

Signatures: Dated signatures with titles

Key risks and consequences to avoid

Mechanic's Lien Risk: Unpaid subcontractors can file liens

Permit Violations: Work without permits risks fines

Scope Creep: Unclear scope leads to disputes

Payment Delays: Late payment can trigger interest

Insurance Gaps: Insufficient coverage leaves liability

Voided Warranties: Improper documentation may void warranties

Common drafting and preparation mistakes

Vague scope language that omits finishes, materials, or referenced plans results in contractor and owner disagreement over deliverables and quality.
Missing license or insurance details for the contractor, which can complicate recovery and expose the owner to liability for uninsured work.
Failing to specify payment triggers and retainage leads to disputes over when final payment and lien waivers are required.
Neglecting permit and inspection responsibilities, which can cause stop-work orders, rework, or fines from local building authorities.

Where to send, file, and distribute the signed agreement

Typical routing for a signed Residential Improvements Agreement includes parties, permit files, and secure records systems.

To Parties: Provide signed PDF copies to owner and contractor.
Permit Folder: Attach agreement to permit application where required.
Recordkeeping: Store in secure cloud or project management repository.
Lien Records: Retain signed originals for possible lien defenses.

How to configure an online signing workflow

Use these settings when preparing an online eSigning workflow for the agreement to ensure authentication and document integrity.

Workflow Setting	Recommended Configuration
Signer Order	Owner then contractor then subcontractors
Authentication	Email + SMS code for higher assurance
Conditional Fields	Show change-order block only when needed
Reminders	Auto-remind at 3 and 7 days

Distribution options and platform considerations

Choose distribution channels that match signer access, authentication needs, and retention requirements for the agreement.

Email Delivery: Send secure signing links via email to named signers.
Cloud Storage: Store signed PDFs in Google Workspace, Box, or NetSuite for project continuity.
Project Tools: Integrate with Procore or MS Teams for job-site access and version control.

Contract milestones and suggested timing

Sample deadlines commonly included in the agreement; adjust dates to project scale and permit lead times.

Effective Date:

The date parties sign or an explicitly stated MM/DD/YYYY.

Permit Approval:

Target date for required permits; often 2–8 weeks depending on jurisdiction.

Start of Work:

Commencement within X days after permit or deposit receipt, as specified.

Substantial Completion:

Milestone for primary scope completion and inspection.

Final Payment:

Due after punch-list completion and final acceptance.

Key project stages from agreement to closeout

A sequential milestone view helps teams track progress and payment triggers through construction completion.

01

Agreement Negotiation

Define scope, price, schedule, and payment terms before signing.

02

Permitting Stage

Submit plans and obtain required building permits and inspections.

03

Construction Phase

Perform work per scope with scheduled progress payments.

04

Closeout & Warranty

Complete punch list, final payment, and start warranty period.

How this agreement differs from related documents

Compare the Residential Improvements Agreement with other common construction documents to choose the right form.

Document Type	Residential Improvements Agreement	Home Improvement Contract
Purpose	comprehensive project terms	often used for smaller consumer jobs
Recording	not typically recorded	not typically recorded
Typical Parties	owner and licensed contractor	owner and contractor (consumer)
Change Management	formal change-order process	may be informal or minimal

eSignature vendor comparison for signing and managing agreements

Core pricing and capability comparisons for eSignature vendors; signNow appears first per vendor listing requirements and pricing reflects typical annual-billing entry-level figures where available.

	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

Real customer outcomes and practical examples

These examples show how organizations use electronic workflows and clear contracts to accelerate execution and reduce risk.

Martin Properties — Small Remodels

A regional property manager standardized contracts and signatures to scale projects.

Reduced in-person meetings and administrative handoffs.
"I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security," says Tim Martin, Founder, describing faster turnarounds and more reliable recordkeeping.

Fertility Centers — Compliance Focus

A healthcare provider tightened workflows for facility improvements with audit trails and access controls.

Ensured execution met privacy and retention needs.
John Butler, Founder, notes responsive support and API flexibility that helped integrate signed records with internal case management systems.

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