# General contractor agreement template

Source: https://contracko.com/de/vertragsvorlagen/general-contractor-agreement

# General contractor agreement template

A comprehensive contract between property owners and general contractors for construction, renovation, or remodeling projects. Covers scope of work, payment schedules, change orders, warranties, insurance, and completion timelines.

## General Contractor Agreement

This General Contractor Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into on 2023-10-01 (the "Effective Date") by and between Owner Name ("Owner") with an address of 123 Owner St and Contractor Inc. ("Contractor") with an address of 456 Contractor Rd.

### 1. Project Description

Project Name: Home Renovation

Property Address: 123 Owner St

Property Description: Single Family Home (lot/parcel number, legal description if applicable)

Project Type: Renovation (new construction, renovation, addition, remodeling, etc.)

Detailed Scope of Work: Kitchen and Bath Remodel

Attached Plans: Plans and specifications attached as:

- Architectural drawings: A1-A5
- Engineering plans: S1-S2
- Specifications: Spec Book v1
- Other: None

All work shall be performed according to attached plans and specifications

### 2. Contract Price

Total Contract Price: $50000

Price Includes:

- All labor
- All materials (unless specified otherwise)
- Equipment and tools
- Subcontractor costs
- Permits and fees: Included
- Cleanup and disposal
- None

Price Does NOT Include: Furniture

Allowances: The following allowances are included in the contract price:

- Cabinets: $10000
- Flooring: $5000
- Fixtures: $2000

Selections exceeding allowances will result in additional charges; unused allowances will credit to Owner

### 3. Payment Schedule

Payment Terms:

| Milestone/Phase | Description | Amount | Due Date/Trigger |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Deposit | Upon signing | $5000 | 2023-10-01 |
| Foundation | Foundation completed and inspected | $10000 | Inspection Pass |
| Framing | Framing and roof completed | $10000 | Roof On |
| Rough-In | Electrical/plumbing/HVAC rough-in | $10000 | Rough Inspection |
| Drywall | Drywall completed | $5000 | Tape and Texture |
| Finish | Finishes and fixtures installed | $5000 | Substantial Completion |
| Final | Upon substantial completion | $5000 | Upon punch list completion |

Payment Method: Check

Payment Timing: Payments due within 15 days of invoice

Retainage: 10% of each payment retained until final completion

Final Payment: Released upon:

- Substantial completion
- Passing all inspections
- Lien releases from all subcontractors
- Completion of punch list
- Delivery of warranties and manuals

### 4. Project Timeline

Commencement Date: 2023-10-15

Substantial Completion Date: 2024-01-15

Final Completion Date: 2024-02-01

Total Duration: Approximately 100 calendar days

Work Schedule: Work performed Mon-Fri from 8am-5pm

Liquidated Damages: If Contractor fails to substantially complete by 2024-01-15, Owner may deduct liquidated damages per day (if applicable)

Time Extensions: Contractor entitled to time extension for:

- Owner-requested changes
- Weather delays exceeding weather allowance days days
- Unforeseen conditions
- Delays in Owner selections/approvals
- Force majeure events

Must request extension in writing within extension request days days of delay

### 5. Change Orders

Definition: Any change to scope, specifications, schedule, or price requires written change order

Process:

1. Contractor provides written proposal with cost and time impact
2. Owner reviews and approves/rejects
3. Both parties sign change order before work proceeds

Emergency Changes: Contractor may proceed with emergency work to prevent damage, with notification to Owner within emergency notification hours hours

No Oral Changes: Oral agreements are not enforceable; all changes must be in writing

Pricing: Change order work priced at:

- Actual costs plus change order markup% markup, OR
- Fixed price as agreed in change order

### 6. Permits and Compliance

Responsibility: Contractor responsible for obtaining all necessary permits and licenses

Permit Costs: permit cost responsibility (included in contract price / Owner pays separately)

Building Codes: All work performed in compliance with:

- Local building codes
- State and federal regulations
- Manufacturer specifications
- Attached plans and specifications

Inspections: Contractor responsible for scheduling required inspections and ensuring work passes

Zoning: Owner represents that project complies with zoning regulations: zoning compliance

Failed Inspections: Contractor responsible for correcting work that fails inspection at no cost to Owner

### 7. Materials and Workmanship

Materials Quality: All materials shall be new and of quality specified in plans or, if not specified, of good quality suitable for purpose

Substitutions: Contractor may not substitute materials without Owner's written approval

Material Approval: Samples of the following require Owner approval before installation: materials requiring approval

Workmanship: All work performed in professional and workmanlike manner according to industry standards

Defective Work: Contractor shall promptly correct defective work at no cost to Owner

### 8. Subcontractors and Employees

Subcontractors: Contractor may use subcontractors for: anticipated subcontractors

Subcontractor Approval: Owner approval required: subcontractor approval required

Contractor Responsibility: Contractor responsible for all work performed by subcontractors

Lien Releases: Contractor shall provide lien releases from all subcontractors and suppliers before final payment

Background Checks: All persons working on site: background check requirements

Supervision: Contractor shall maintain qualified supervisor on site during work hours

### 9. Insurance and Bonding

Contractor Insurance: Contractor maintains:

- General Liability: gl insurance amount
- Workers' Compensation (as required by law)
- Auto Liability: auto insurance amount
- Builder's Risk: builders risk terms

Owner as Additional Insured: Owner named as additional insured on liability policy

Proof of Insurance: Provided before work commences and upon renewal

Performance Bond: performance bond (if required)

Payment Bond: payment bond (if required)

### 10. Site Access and Conditions

Site Access: Owner provides Contractor access to property during work hours

Utilities: Owner provides access to: utilities provided

Storage: Contractor may store materials and equipment on site: onsite storage terms

Site Security: Contractor responsible for securing site: site security requirements

Existing Structures: Contractor shall protect existing structures, landscaping, and improvements: protection requirements

Hazardous Materials: Owner represents that property is free of hazardous materials: hazmat representation

If hazardous materials discovered, work stops and parties negotiate remediation

### 11. Changes in Work Conditions

Concealed Conditions: If Contractor encounters conditions materially different from expected (concealed damage, structural issues, etc.):

1. Contractor stops work in affected area
2. Notifies Owner within condition notification hours hours
3. Documents conditions with photos
4. Parties negotiate change order for additional work

Differing Site Conditions: Contract price may be adjusted for differing subsurface or physical conditions

### 12. Owner's Responsibilities

Owner agrees to:

- Provide clear access to site
- Make timely decisions and selections
- Provide utilities as specified
- Make payments according to schedule
- Obtain financing (if applicable)
- Designate representative: owner representative
- Respond to requests for information within owner response days days
- Review and approve/reject submittals within submittal review days days
- Not interfere with Contractor's work
- additional owner responsibilities

### 13. Warranties

Workmanship Warranty: Contractor warrants all work free from defects in workmanship for workmanship warranty years year(s) from substantial completion

Warranty Coverage: Warranty covers:

- Defective workmanship
- Improper installation
- Work not conforming to contract documents

Warranty Exclusions: Does not cover:

- Normal wear and tear
- Damage from misuse or lack of maintenance
- Damage from modifications by others
- Acts of nature
- Owner-supplied materials

Manufacturer Warranties: Contractor shall obtain and transfer to Owner all manufacturer warranties for materials and equipment

Systems: Specific system warranties:

- Roofing: roofing warranty
- HVAC: hvac warranty
- Plumbing: plumbing warranty
- Electrical: electrical warranty

Warranty Service: Contractor shall correct warranty defects within warranty response days days of notice

### 14. Cleanup and Final Completion

Ongoing Cleanup: Contractor shall maintain clean and safe site, removing debris regularly

Final Cleanup: Upon completion, Contractor shall:

- Remove all materials, equipment, and debris
- Clean all surfaces
- Ensure all systems operational
- Repair damage caused by work
- Leave property in broom-clean condition

Owner Walkthrough: Contractor shall conduct walkthrough with Owner to identify punch list items

Punch List: Contractor shall complete punch list items within punchlist days days

Substantial Completion: Occurs when work sufficiently complete for Owner's intended use and only punch list items remain

Certificate of Completion: Contractor provides certificate of substantial completion

### 15. Termination

Termination by Owner for Cause: Owner may terminate if:

- Contractor abandons work
- Fails to perform work according to schedule
- Fails to correct defective work
- Violates material terms
- Becomes insolvent

Owner must provide cure period days days notice to cure

Termination by Owner for Convenience: Owner may terminate for any reason with convenience termination days days notice. Owner shall pay for work completed plus reasonable termination costs

Termination by Contractor: Contractor may terminate if:

- Owner fails to make payments
- Work suspended by Owner for more than suspension termination days days
- Owner breaches material terms

Contractor must provide contractor termination days days notice

Effect of Termination: Upon termination:

- All work stops (except securing site)
- Contractor removes equipment
- Contractor provides lien releases
- Final accounting prepared
- Contractor paid for work completed less amounts owed to Owner

### 16. Indemnification and Liability

Contractor Indemnifies Owner: Against claims arising from:

- Contractor's negligence or misconduct
- Injury to persons or property caused by Contractor's work
- Contractor's breach of this Agreement
- Lien claims by subcontractors or suppliers

Owner Indemnifies Contractor: Against claims arising from:

- Owner's negligence
- Owner-supplied materials or equipment
- Owner's breach of this Agreement
- Pre-existing property conditions disclosed by Owner

Limitation of Liability: Contractor's total liability shall not exceed liability cap (typically the contract price)

### 17. Dispute Resolution

Governing Law: This Agreement governed by laws of governing jurisdiction

Dispute Resolution:

1. Good faith negotiation
2. Mediation in mediation location
3. binding resolution (binding arbitration / litigation)

Arbitration Rules: If arbitration selected, conducted under arbitration rules (e.g., AAA Construction Rules)

Continue Working: Unless terminated, Contractor shall continue working during dispute resolution

Attorney Fees: Prevailing party entitled to reasonable attorney fees and costs

No Liens: Contractor agrees not to file mechanics liens if Owner making payments according to this Agreement

### 18. Miscellaneous

Entire Agreement: This Agreement, including all attached exhibits, constitutes entire agreement

Amendments: Must be in writing signed by both parties

Assignment: Neither party may assign without written consent

Severability: Invalid provisions do not affect remaining terms

Notices: Written notices to addresses above or:

- Owner email: owner email, phone: owner phone
- Contractor email: contractor email, phone: contractor phone

Survival: Warranties, indemnification, and confidentiality survive completion

Force Majeure: Neither party liable for delays due to circumstances beyond reasonable control

No Third-Party Beneficiaries: This Agreement benefits only the parties (and their successors)

Waiver: Failure to enforce any term does not waive future enforcement

Photographs: Contractor may photograph project for portfolio: photo rights

### 19. Licenses and Qualifications

Contractor License: Contractor holds license number 123456 issued by licensing authority

Specialty Licenses: Subcontractors performing specialty work hold required licenses

Liability for Unlicensed Work: Owner aware that unlicensed work may affect rights and remedies: licensing disclosures

### 20. Signatures

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

OWNER

Date: 2023-10-01

Name: Owner Name

Signature: _____________________________

CONTRACTOR

Date: 2023-10-01

Name: Contractor Inc.

License Number: 123456

Signature: _____________________________

Attachments:

- Exhibit A: Plans and Specifications
- Exhibit B: Payment Schedule
- Exhibit C: Scope of Work Detail
- Exhibit D: Allowances and Selections
- Exhibit E: Insurance Certificates

## Vorlage anpassen

Effective Date

Deposit Date

Start Date

Project Duration Days

Liquidated Damages

Builders Risk Terms

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## Häufig gestellte Fragen

- **Q:** What should be in a General Contractor Agreement?
  **A:** It should include a detailed description of the work, the total price, payment schedule, start and completion dates, and procedures for change orders.

- **Q:** How are change orders handled in construction contracts?
  **A:** Change orders document any modifications to the original scope of work. They should be written, signed by both parties, and include adjusted pricing and timeline before work proceeds.

- **Q:** What insurance should a general contractor carry?
  **A:** General contractors typically need general liability insurance, workers' compensation, and property damage coverage. The agreement should specify minimum coverage amounts and require proof of insurance.

- **Q:** What happens if the project is not completed on time?
  **A:** The agreement should outline consequences for delays, including liquidated damages or extension provisions for weather or unforeseen circumstances beyond the contractor's control.

- **Q:** How should a contractor's payment schedule be structured to protect both parties?
  **A:** A common structure ties payments to project milestones — for example, a deposit at signing (typically 10–25%), draws at defined completion stages (foundation, framing, rough-in), and a final payment held until punch-list items are resolved. Avoid front-loading payments heavily toward the contractor, as this reduces your leverage if disputes arise or work stalls before completion.

## Verwandte Vorlagen

### [Equipment rental agreement template](https://contracko.com/de/vertragsvorlagen/equipment-rental-agreement)

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