General Contractor Contract

This General Contractor Contract ("Contract") establishes the agreement between [Your Name], operating under the laws of [State/Country], and [Client's Name], for the provision of general contracting services. Under this Contract, the Contractor agrees to perform the designated project described herein, while the Client agrees to compensate the Contractor according to the agreed-upon terms and conditions. Both parties recognize and agree to the terms set forth herein, acknowledging their mutual understanding and acceptance of their respective rights and obligations throughout the project.

1. Project Description

Project Name: Smith Residence Renovation

Project Address: [Project Address]

Description of the project: The renovation of a single-family home including kitchen remodeling, bathroom upgrades, installation of new flooring throughout the house, and landscaping improvements to the front yard.

2. Scope of Work

The Contractor agrees to perform the following tasks:

Demolition of existing kitchen cabinets, countertops, and appliances.
Installation of new custom kitchen cabinets, including hardware and shelving.
Fabrication and installation of granite countertops with under-mount sink.
Plumbing work for kitchen sink, dishwasher, and disposal unit installation.
Electrical work for new lighting fixtures, outlets, and switches in the kitchen area.
Removal of old bathroom fixtures including bathtub, toilet, and vanity.
Installation of new bathtub, toilet, and vanity with sink in the main bathroom.
Tile installation for bathroom floor and shower walls.
Replacement of flooring throughout the house with hardwood laminate.
Painting of interior walls, ceilings, and trim in all rooms.
Installation of new sod and landscaping features in the front yard.
Coordination with subcontractors for specialized tasks such as HVAC adjustments and window replacement.
Obtaining necessary permits and inspections throughout the project.
Daily cleanup of the work area and removal of debris from the site.
Final walkthrough with the client to ensure satisfaction with completed work.

3. Timeline

The project is scheduled to commence on [Start Date] and is estimated to be completed by [Completion Date]. The Contractor will provide regular updates on the progress of the project to the Client, including weekly status meetings and progress reports detailing completed tasks and upcoming milestones. Any changes to the schedule will be communicated promptly to ensure transparency and manage expectations throughout the project.

4. Payment Terms:

The total contract price for the project is [Total Amount]. Payment shall be made in [Number of Payments] installments as follows:

Initial Payment: [Percentage or Fixed Amount], due upon signing of the contract on [Start Date].
Progress Payment 1: [Percentage or Fixed Amount], due upon completion of demolition and rough plumbing/electrical work, estimated to be on [Date].
Progress Payment 2: [Percentage or Fixed Amount], due upon completion of kitchen and bathroom installations, estimated to be on [Date].
Progress Payment 3: [Percentage or Fixed Amount], due upon completion of flooring installation and painting, estimated to be on [Date].
Final Payment: [Percentage or Fixed Amount], due upon final walkthrough and client approval, estimated to be on [Completion Date].

Payment schedule dates are subject to adjustment based on actual progress and any agreed-upon changes to the scope of work. Late payments may incur penalties as outlined in the contract.

5. Insurance and Liability

The Contractor shall maintain general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance throughout the project. Proof of insurance coverage shall be provided to the Client upon request.

The Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Client from any claims, damages, or losses arising from the Contractor's work on the project, including but not limited to:

Property damage caused by the Contractor's activities or negligence.
Bodily injury to any person, including the Contractor's employees, subcontractors, or third parties.
Any violations of laws, regulations, or codes related to the project.

The Contractor shall promptly notify the Client of any incidents or claims related to the project and shall cooperate fully in the investigation and resolution of such matters.

Failure to maintain adequate insurance coverage or fulfill the obligations outlined in this section may result in termination of the contract at the discretion of the Client.

6. Change Orders

Any changes to the scope of work must be agreed upon in writing by both parties. Change orders shall clearly outline the modifications to the project scope, including but not limited to changes in materials, design, or timeline.

Additional costs associated with change orders, including labor, materials, and any related expenses, will be negotiated and documented accordingly. The Client shall approve all cost adjustments before the change order is implemented.

Changes to the project timeline resulting from approved change orders will be communicated promptly to the Client, and revised completion dates will be provided as necessary.

Both parties agree to execute change orders in good faith, with the understanding that changes may impact project costs and timelines. Failure to obtain written approval for changes may result in disputes regarding payment and project completion.

7. Termination Clause

Either party may terminate this Contract upon written notice if the other party fails to fulfill its obligations under this Contract. Notice of termination shall specify the reasons for termination and the effective date of termination, allowing for a reasonable period for the other party to rectify any breaches if applicable.

In the event of termination, the Client shall compensate the Contractor for work completed up to the date of termination, including any approved change orders and reimbursable expenses incurred by the Contractor in connection with the project. The Contractor shall provide an itemized invoice detailing the work completed and associated costs within a reasonable time following termination.

Upon termination, both parties agree to promptly return any materials, equipment, or documents belonging to the other party and to cooperate in the orderly transition of project responsibilities, as necessary.

Termination of the Contract shall not relieve either party of any liabilities or obligations accrued before the effective date of termination.

8. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from this Contract shall be resolved through mediation, with each party bearing their costs. Mediation shall take place in [City/Region] or another mutually agreed-upon location.

If mediation is unsuccessful in resolving the dispute within a reasonable time, the parties agree to submit the dispute to binding arbitration by the laws of [State/Country]. The arbitration shall be conducted by a neutral arbitrator agreed upon by both parties or appointed by the [Arbitration Association/Agency]. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on both parties.

The location of the arbitration proceedings shall be [City/Region] or another mutually agreed-upon location. Each party shall bear the costs associated with the arbitration, including legal fees and expenses unless the arbitrator determines otherwise as part of the arbitration award.

This dispute resolution clause shall not prevent either party from seeking injunctive relief or other equitable remedies in a court of competent jurisdiction to address urgent matters or to enforce the terms of this Contract pending resolution of the dispute through mediation or arbitration.

9. Warranties and Guarantees

The Contractor warrants that all work performed under this Contract will be of good quality and by industry standards. The Contractor further warrants that all materials used in the project will be new and of suitable quality for their intended purposes.

Any defects or deficiencies in the workmanship or materials discovered within [Warranty Period] after the completion of the project will be rectified by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Client. The Client shall promptly notify the Contractor in writing of any such defects or deficiencies, and the Contractor shall remedy the issue within a reasonable time frame.

This warranty does not cover damage or defects resulting from normal wear and tear, misuse, neglect, or unauthorized alterations to the work performed by the Contractor.

The warranties provided herein are in addition to any other warranties or guarantees provided by manufacturers or suppliers of materials used in the project.

The Client's sole remedy for breach of warranty shall be the repair or replacement of defective workmanship or materials by the Contractor. The Contractor shall not be liable for any consequential or incidental damages arising from the breach of warranty.

This warranty is transferable to subsequent owners of the property upon written notification to the Contractor.

10. Miscellaneous Provisions

This Contract constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter herein.
Neither party may assign or transfer their rights or obligations under this Contract without the prior written consent of the other party, except in the case of a merger, acquisition, or similar transaction involving the entire business or assets of the assigning party.
Any amendments or modifications to this Contract must be made in writing and signed by both parties to be valid and enforceable.
This Contract shall be governed by the laws of [State/Country], without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any disputes arising under or in connection with this Contract shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in [City/Region].
If any provision of this Contract is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The headings in this Contract are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of any provision.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Contract as of the date first above written.

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR COMPANY NAME]

[DATE]

[CLIENT'S NAME]

[DATE]