Tuesday, April 14, 2009

California Construction Contracts






What's required in a California Construction Contract?

A heck of a lot.

In 2006 California Construction Law changed and became much more complex. A California construction contract has to be in 10 point type, has to include the name and address of the owner, the contractor, and the lending agent, and the contractor's license number. It has to list the contract price, the downpayment, the estimated start and completion dates, the general liability insurance coverage, a note about how extra charges will be handled and a disclosure for the owner on Mechanic's Lien Waivers. This is just a start of the requirements.

For free California construction contracts that you can download and use go to:
http://www.construction-contract.net/list.php?state=CA

For more easy-to-understand information on California construction contracts visit:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=3011099Add Image

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Contractors Affected by Illinois Laws


New Illinois laws intended to protect homeowners are making it really tough on contractors.


The Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act requires that contractors provide a written contract for every residential remodeling or repair job over $1000. The contractor, as well as the homeowner, are required to sign and date a contract, as well as a State brochure Home Repair, Know Your Consumer Rights.


If contractors operate a business under an assumed name they're liable for a $2,500 fine and a year in prison. If contractors take on a home improvement project and don't finish it on time, the homeowner can demand a refund on any money paid. If the contractor doesn't pay this money, he faces a suspension of his business license and a fine up to $50,000.


Illinois contractors must be careful what they say to their customers. False promises can get them up to a year in jail under the new Illinois Home Repair Fraud Act (HRFA). Under this law contractors are also liable for making false excuses for non-performance, failing to employ qualified personnel (forget about your brother-in-law), or violating the building code.


What can contractors do to protect themselves? They can write contracts that comply with the State of Illinois requirements. Unfortunately, contracts that cover these requirements can't be found in the local stationary store. Contractor's can consult a lawyer and have a new contract drafted for each job -- but that's an expensive option for small remodeling contractors.


Only a few contract writing programs even offer options for these Illinois requirements. One of them, Construction Contract Writer contains all of the options needed to protect the contractor
as well as provide the ability to list and cover all the possible problem areas of the job -- before work begins. Contractors can find sample Illinois contracts that they can download and use for free at http://www.construction-contract.net/list.php?state=IL.