Reading and Interpreting Your Building Contract

The contract your general contractor presents to you can be a means to facilitate your project, or a means to trip you up. Make sure your contract is the instrument you are expecting it to be. Some contractors use a standard contract form and fill in the blanks. Others write their contracts from scratch. Still others will take a standard contract form and doctor it up by striking out provisions which you may need to protect or maintain your rights.

You may wind up learning the hard way that you have the wrong kind of contract. Since this is your house, and you could wind up in litigation if your contract does not follow industry standards, getting your contract reviewed by a lawyer is essential. Neglect this step at your peril.