Be specific on your Contracts and SOW. Details make the difference.

[Bruce Woodruff]

I'm continuing this from another post I commented on.....I think it's an important enough topic to revisit, we get so many posts from people that had problems with their Contractor and project because expectations were not met (on both sides), and it creates problems with both the schedule and the budget. A good GC should be doing this, but if they are not detail oriented, it may fall on the customer to make sure the details are there.

It's so important to be ultra specific when writing a Scope Of Work and Contract for a construction project - of any size, even a small job can go south without the specifics being spelled out clearly. Take even a small bathroom remodel.....What type of tile is being installed? How many SF? Who is the manufacturer and the model name? Size and color? Who is supplying the tile? Who is picking it up? And then.......how much $$ is due? When will it be paid? What must happen to make this progress payment happen? If there are changes to any of the above, how will that be handled?

I found after years of trial and error that it's best to have a separate Scope Of Work (SOW) that has every detail in it, and 'attach' it to the Contract as "Exhibit A' (for example). Another document (like my tile specs below) could be attached as 'Exhibit B'

Look at this tile spec sheet from one of my jobs as an example, and the detail it contains....and it's only one of four pages..... 

[Chris Seveney]

@Bruce Woodruff

Agree 100%. Even the type of wood floor, tile, different colors of paint, bath fixtures, lighting etc

Always give specs and be very specific as you mention, otherwise it can cost you later on down the road