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Site Work Contract for Contractor in Rhode Island

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SITE WORK CONTRACT

THIS SITE WORK CONTRACT (“Contract”), effective as of the date of the last party to sign below, is between , having an address at ("Contractor") and , having an address at ("Owner").

For valuable consideration the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. SCOPE OF WORK: Site work is the clearing, grubbing and filling of a property and may include foundation pad preparation, compacting and soil boring. Site work services also include, but are not limited to, cleaning and/or removing from building grounds or structures any debris resultant from any construction project (including concrete, dirt, scrap lumber, plaster drywall, and paint, adhesive products from windows, floors, ceramic tile and bathroom fixtures); site demolition; erosion control; grading; excavation; irrigating; and working with site utilities, fences, layout, and exterior concrete. Contractor shall provide all necessary site work labor and materials, and perform all site work services described above and/or as set forth in the plans and specifications signed by both Owner and Contractor (“Project”). Such plans and specifications are hereby made a part of this Contract and may contain pictures, diagrams or measurements of the work area together with a description of the work to be done, materials to be used, and the equipment to be used or installed.

2. WORK SITE: The Project shall be constructed on the property of Owner located at and more particularly described as (hereafter "the Work Site"). Owner hereby authorizes Contractor to commence and complete the usual and customary excavation and grading on the Work Site as may be required in the judgment of the Contractor to complete the Project. Unless called for in the plans or specifications, no landscaping or finish grading is to be performed at the Work Site by the Contractor.

3. TIME OF COMPLETION: Contractor shall commence the work to be performed under this Contract on or before and shall substantially complete the work on or before . Contractor shall not be liable for any delay due to circumstances beyond its control including strikes, casualty, acts of God, illness, injury, or general unavailability of materials.

4. PERMITS: Contractor shall apply for and obtain such permits and regulatory approvals as may be required by the local municipal/county government, the cost thereof shall be included as part of the Project price.

5. SOIL CONDITIONS: Contractor shall have no responsibility for the condition of the soils at the Work Site. Any excavation, filling or other work required by the Owner not specified in this agreement other than the usual and customary excavation and grading shall be agreed to in a Change Order for an amount in addition to the Contract Price. Contractor shall not be responsible for any damages suffered by Owner as a result of the soil conditions at the Work Site.

6. INSURANCE: Contractor shall maintain general liability and workers compensation insurance.

7. SURVEY AND TITLE: If the Project is near the Owner’s property boundary, Owner will point out property lines to the Contractor. If the Owner or Contractor has any doubt about the location of the property lines, Owner shall provide Contractor with boundary stakes through a licensed surveyor. In addition, Owner shall provide Contractor documentation that Owner has title to the Work Site and shall provide Contractor copies of any covenants, conditions, or restrictions that affect the Work Site.

8. CHANGES TO SCOPE OF WORK: Owner may make changes to the scope of the work, including changes to the plans and specifications, from time to time during the construction of the Project. However, any such change or modification shall only be made by written "Change Order" signed by both parties. Such Change Orders shall become part of this Contract. Owner agrees to pay any increase in the cost of the Project as a result of a Change Order. In the event the cost of a Change Order is not known at the time a Change Order is executed, the Contractor shall estimate the cost thereof and Owner shall pay the actual cost whether or not it is in excess of the estimated cost.

9. CONTRACT PRICE:

{COST PLUS}

Owner agrees to pay Contractor the actual cost to Contractor of materials plus the sum of $ for performing the services set forth in the scope of the work. Contractor shall be paid as follows:

OR

{FIXED FEE}

Owner agrees to pay Contractor the sum of $ for performing the services set forth in the scope of the work. Contractor shall be paid as follows:

Contractor shall furnish Owner appropriate releases or waivers of lien for all work performed or materials provided at the time the next periodic payment shall be due.

10. LATE PAYMENT/DEFAULT: A failure to make payment for a period in excess of ten (10) days from the due date shall be deemed a material breach of this Contract. If payment is not made when due, Contractor may suspend work on the job until such time as all payments due have been made without breach of the Contract pending payment or resolution of any dispute. Owner agrees to pay a late charge of 1% of all payments that are more than ten (10) days late plus interest at the rate of 1% per month.

11. DESTRUCTION AND DAMAGE: If the Project is destroyed or damaged for any reason, except where such destruction or damage was caused by the sole negligence of the Contractor or its subcontractors, Owner shall pay Contractor for any additional work done by Contractor in rebuilding or restoring the Project to its condition prior to such destruction or damage. If the estimated cost of replacing work already accomplished by Contractor exceeds 20 percent of the Contract price, either the Contractor or Owner may terminate this Contract. Upon termination by either party, Contractor shall be excused from further performance under this Contract and Owner shall pay Contractor a percentage of the Contract price in proportion to the amount of work accomplished prior to the destruction or damage.

12. ASSIGNMENT: Neither party may assign this Contract, or payments due under the Contract, without the other party’s written consent. Any such assignment shall be void and of no effect.

13. INTERPRETATION:

(a) Interpretation of Documents. The Contract, plans, and specifications are intended to supplement one another. In the event of a conflict, the specifications shall control the plans, and the Contract shall control both. If work is displayed on the plans but not called for in the specifications, or if the work is called for in the specifications but not displayed on the plans, Contractor shall be required to perform the work as though it were called for and displayed in both documents.

(b) Entire Agreement. This Contract constitutes the entire agreement of the parties. No other agreements, oral or written, pertaining to the work to be performed under this Contract exists between the parties. This Contract may only be modified by a written agreement signed by both parties.

(c) Governing Law. This Contract shall be interpreted and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Rhode Island.

14. ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS: If any party to this Contract brings a cause of action against the other party arising from or relating to this Contract, the prevailing party in such proceeding shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and court costs.

15. PERFORMANCE:

(a) Contractor may, at its discretion, engage licensed subcontractors to perform work pursuant to this Contract provided Contractor shall remain fully responsible for the proper completion of the Project.

(b) All work shall be completed in a workman-like manner and in compliance with all building codes and applicable laws. To the extent required by law, all work shall be performed by individuals duly licensed and authorized by law to perform said work.

(c) Contractor agrees to remove all debris and leave the premises in broom clean condition.

16. WARRANTY: Contractor's warranty shall be limited to defects in workmanship within the scope of work performed by Contractor and which arise and become known within one (1) year from the date hereof. All said defects arising after one (1) year and defects in material are not warranted by Contractor. Contractor hereby assigns to Owner all warranties on materials as provided by the manufacturer of such materials.

Contractor is covered with an insurer by an insurance policy that will be in effect to cover the work described in this contract.

A permit is required for the work described in this contract. No work will begin until the permit is obtained by the Owner Contractor.

AGREED:

CONTRACTOR:

Signature

Print Name & Title

Date

License Number

Name and Address of License Holder

OWNER:

Signature

Print Name

Date

NOTICE OF POSSIBLE MECHANIC’S LIEN

To: (Insert name of owner, lessee or tenant, or owner of less than the simple fee.)

The undersigned is about to perform work and/or furnish materials for the construction, erection, alterations or repair upon the land at (insert address) under contract with you. This is a notice that the undersigned and any other persons who provide labor and materials for the improvement under contract with the undersigned may file a mechanic's lien upon the land in the event of nonpayment to them. It is your responsibility to assure yourself that those other persons under contract with the undersigned receive payment for their work performed and materials furnished for the construction, erection, alteration or repair upon the land. Failure to adhere to the provisions of this subsection may result in a one thousand dollar ($1,000) fine against the contractor and shall not affect the right of any other person performing work or furnishing materials of claiming a lien pursuant to Chapter 34-28. However, such person failing to provide such notice shall indemnify and hold harmless any owner, lessee or tenant, or owner of less than the fee simple from any payment or costs incurred on account of any liens claims by those not in privity with them, unless such owner, lessee or tenant, or owner of less than the fee simple shall not have paid such person.

Notice of Cancellation

(date of transaction)

You may cancel this transaction, without any penalty or obligation, within three (3) business days from the above date. If you cancel, your cancellation notice must state that you do not wish to be bound by the agreement and mailed by registered or certified mail not later than midnight three (3) days following the buyer's signing the agreement, excluding Sunday and any holiday on which regular mail deliveries are not made. All cancellations must be mailed to: (insert name and address of the seller).

Notice of Cancellation

(date of transaction)

You may cancel this transaction, without any penalty or obligation, within three (3) business days from the above date. If you cancel, your cancellation notice must state that you do not wish to be bound by the agreement and mailed by registered or certified mail not later than midnight three (3) days following the buyer's signing the agreement, excluding Sunday and any holiday on which regular mail deliveries are not made. All cancellations must be mailed to: (insert name and address of the seller).

* Optional notice required for door-to-door sales only:

Notice to buyer: (1) Do not sign this agreement if any of the spaces intended for the agreed terms to the extent of then available information are left blank. (2) You are entitled to a copy of this agreement at the time you sign it. (3) You may at any time pay off the full unpaid balance due under this agreement, and in so doing you may be entitled to receive a partial rebate of the finance and insurance charges. (4) The seller has no right to unlawfully enter your premises or commit any breach of the peace to repossess goods purchased under this agreement. (5) You may cancel this agreement if it has not been signed at the main office or a branch office of the seller, provided you notify the seller at his or her main office or branch office shown in the agreement by registered or certified mail, which shall be posted not later than midnight of the third calendar day after the day on which the buyer signs the agreement, excluding Sunday and any holiday on which regular mail deliveries are not made. See the attached notice of cancellation form for an explanation of buyer's rights.

Notice of Cancellation

(date of transaction)

You may cancel this transaction, without any penalty or obligation, within three (3) business days from the above date. If you cancel, your cancellation notice must state that you do not wish to be bound by the agreement and mailed by registered or certified mail not later than midnight three (3) days following the buyer's signing the agreement, excluding Sunday and any holiday on which regular mail deliveries are not made. All cancellations must be mailed to: (insert name and address of the seller).

Notice of Cancellation

(date of transaction)

You may cancel this transaction, without any penalty or obligation, within three (3) business days from the above date. If you cancel, your cancellation notice must state that you do not wish to be bound by the agreement and mailed by registered or certified mail not later than midnight three (3) days following the buyer's signing the agreement, excluding Sunday and any holiday on which regular mail deliveries are not made. All cancellations must be mailed to: (insert name and address of the seller).

Enter text✕

What the Site Work Contract for Contractor in Rhode Island covers

A Site Work Contract for Contractor in Rhode Island is a written agreement that defines the scope, schedule, payment terms, insurance and change‑order process for excavation, grading, utilities, paving, and other on‑site construction activities. It allocates responsibilities among owner, prime contractor, and subcontractors; specifies deliverables and milestones; and typically includes warranty, indemnity, lien waiver and dispute resolution clauses to protect both parties during project execution.

Why a clear, state‑aware site work contract matters

A well‑drafted Site Work Contract clarifies responsibilities, reduces disputes, and establishes enforceable payment remedies. Electronic execution is legally effective under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA (1999) where adopted, but contract content must still address Rhode Island licensing, insurance, and lien considerations to remain enforceable.

Why a clear, state‑aware site work contract matters

Who typically completes this contract

The Site Work Contract is completed by parties directly involved in ground or civil work who need clear, binding project terms before mobilization.

  • Licensed general contractors and prime contractors responsible for site preparation and coordination with utilities and inspectors.
  • Property owners, developers, and municipalities that require defined deliverables, insurance proof, and schedule commitments before funding or permit issuance.
  • Project managers, engineers, and construction superintendents who use the contract to manage change orders, inspections, and subcontractor performance.

Proper completion protects payment rights, supports lien and insurance claims, and provides a clear record for regulatory compliance and project closeout.

Essential components to include in a professional site work contract

Ensure the contract explicitly covers project scope, deliverables, and administrative terms so parties and regulators can determine obligations, inspect performance, and resolve disputes without ambiguity.

Scope of Work

Detailed description of tasks, materials, and quality standards, with drawings or specifications attached as exhibits.

Payment Terms

Contract price, progress payment schedule, retainage percentage, invoicing procedures and conditions for final payment or release of retainage.

Project Schedule

Start date, milestone dates, critical path items, weather allowances and remedies for excusable delays.

Insurance & Bonding

Required insurance types and limits, certificate delivery before mobilization, and performance/payment bond requirements if applicable.

Change Orders

Written change‑order procedure, pricing method for extras or deducts, and authorization levels for approvals.

Lien & Waiver Terms

Mechanic's lien protections, conditional/unconditional waiver forms, and procedures to secure lien releases upon payment.

Core information fields required on the contract

Contractor Name: Legal business name
License Number: State contractor license
Project Address: Street, city, ZIP
Contract Price: Total or unit pricing
Start / Completion: MM/DD/YYYY dates
Insurance Limits: Policy types and amounts

Step‑by‑step: completing and executing the contract

Follow a clear sequence from drafting to signature to ensure the contract is complete, signed by authorized parties, and preserved for disputes or lien claims.

  • 01
    Draft: Populate fields, attach drawings and insurance certificates.
  • 02
    Review: Legal, owner and contractor review for scope and risk.
  • 03
    Execute: All parties sign and date; use agreed authentication.
  • 04
    Distribute: Provide copies to owner, contractor, subcontractors, insurer and file.

Configure an online signing workflow for this contract

Set up a clear eSignature workflow that defines signer order, authentication, reminders, and final storage to preserve the audit trail and meet project needs.

Field Configuration
Signer Order Owner → Contractor → Subcontractor, sequential
Auth Method Email link or SMS code for signer verification
Reminders Automatic reminders at 3 and 7 days
Storage Save PDF + audit trail to project folder

Technical requirements for eSigning and eSubmission

Use a platform that preserves an audit trail, supports required authentication, and exports signed PDFs with metadata for project records.

  • File formats: PDF or DOCX accepted
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or stronger
  • Integrations: Project systems and cloud storage

Ensure the chosen platform supports your integrations (for example, Procore, NetSuite, Salesforce, or cloud storage providers) and provides tamper‑evident signed copies with an accessible audit trail.

Where to send, file, and submit an executed contract

After execution, route signed copies to the parties and upload to project and compliance systems to maintain a single authoritative record accessible for inspections and payment verification.

  • Owner Copy: Deliver signed PDF to owner and project manager
  • Contractor Copy: Keep signed file in contractor contract folder
  • Permit Records: Upload to permit/inspection portal if required
  • Project System: Store in Procore/ERP for change‑order tracking

Common timelines and deadline expectations

Key dates govern mobilization, payments, retainage, and lien rights; build the contract schedule to meet permit and payment milestones and reduce delay claims.

Execution Before Mobilization:

Contract signed and insurance provided before start

Initial Payment Due:

Per schedule — often upon mobilization or first milestone

Retainage Release:

Released after punchlist completion or milestone completion

Certificate of Insurance:

Required prior to site access or work start

Lien Filing Deadline:

File within state statutory deadline to preserve claim

Key project milestones from contract to closeout

A milestone sequence clarifies when obligations occur and which documents must be produced at each stage to support payments and inspections.

01

Contract Negotiation

Finalize scope, price, and insurance prior to signing

02

Execution & Mobilization

Signatures complete; contractor mobilizes crews and equipment

03

Progress Inspections

Scheduled inspections and progress payment approvals

04

Final Acceptance

Punchlist completion, final payment, lien waivers exchanged

Common preparation errors to avoid

  • Vague scope descriptions that lead to disputes over contract inclusions and change‑order pricing.
  • Missing or expired insurance certificates that delay mobilization and risk uncovered losses.
  • Unclear payment timing or conditional payment clauses that trigger withholding or stop‑work actions.
  • Failure to attach plans, permits, or critical exhibits that determine performance standards and inspection criteria.

Principal risks and consequences of incorrect or incomplete contracts

Mechanic's Lien: Loss of lien rights if procedural steps missed
License Violation: Penalties for unlicensed work; stop‑work orders
Payment Withhold: Owner may withhold payments for noncompliance
Contract Dispute: Claims, arbitration or litigation costs
Statute of Limitations: Missed deadlines can bar claims
Wrong Party Signed: Enforceability issues if signer lacks authority

Real examples of online contract use for site work

Organizations use eSigned site work contracts to accelerate approvals and preserve audit trails for payments, insurance verification, and dispute resolution.

Martin Properties — Field Execution

Small developer needed remote signatures to start site work quickly and avoid weather delays.

  • Rapid mobile signing prevented multi‑day holdups.
  • Tim Martin, Founder of Martin Properties, reported processing and executing documents online with full compliance and security, enabling faster mobilization without in‑person meetings.

BIS — Compliance and Audit Trail

Construction services provider required tamper‑evident records for audits.

  • Audit trail and retention preserved contract history.
  • Dan Rotelli, CEO of BIS, selected a solution with SOC 2 compliance and detailed audit trails to meet internal controls and client requirements.

eSignature vendors and pricing to consider for executing contracts

Compare vendor pricing and capabilities for secure signing, audit trails, HIPAA support, and envelope limits when selecting a platform to execute site work contracts.

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 (Business Premium) Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about Site Work Contracts in Rhode Island

Answers to common concerns about validity, notarization, lien rights and electronic execution for Rhode Island site work contracts.


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