new startup - contract questions 2

[SLTA]

Hi, folks.

I've started my new company and have my first job on the books - hooray! I've been looking for contract templates and have plowed through the EJCDC website, but I'm balking a bit at the prices. I'll be doing simple, small jobs, lots of residential work straight for the owner, and a bit of commercial work as a sub. Based on this, any thoughts on which of the multitudes of contracts on the site would I need, or is there another (ie less expensive with better explanations) site I could look at as well?

thanks,
Linnea

 

[Ron]

Linnea...The most common that would probably apply to your services is the Short Form of Agreement between Owner and Engineer (E520). Once you purchase that form, you can then modify it to fit other situations and create your own contract, with your terms and conditions.

Not only do you need your own contract, but you also need to be careful about reviewing contracts provided by others. Owners and others often want you to sign their contracts.

I have attached two documents. The first is a "sanitized" contract that I use. The second is a booklet on reviewing contracts. Hopefully these will help.

Ron

 

[Ron]

Only one of the documents made it in the first post...here's the second one

 

[SLTA]

Ron - thanks so much for your help! I was leaning towards E520, so I'll get it.

cheers,
Linnea

 

[TDAA]

Ron,

I just noticed it does not look like you require a client signature. Do you not require this?

 

[Ron]

TDAA...it's in the middle of the first page, in the section "Services Authorized by"....

 

[TDAA]

Ahh, just took a quick glance, an sort of expected to see it at the end.

 

[Ron]

TDAA...I always hope they'll sign it before they get to the fine print!!

 

[TDAA]

Good strategy. . . and that fine print is really fine.

Actually, at 6.5 point, it is getting close to illegally to fine for some applications in some states.