1.) The company name, address, telephone number and current license number
2.) The homeowner's name(s), address and the jobsite address
3.) List the payment schedule you have agreed to in the contract.
4.) A detailed description of the job specifications, the exact work to be performed, the brand and model of all material and equipment to be provided and any required drawings or plans should be approved and signed by all parties
5.) All subtotal amounts should be listed for each trade and a grand total of the contract price listed.
6.) The signature of all parties to the contract and the date signed.
7.) The completion date of the work to be performed. (If the completion date is critical, the parties should negotiate a liquidated damages clause, if necessary, to insure that completion is timely.)
8.) Get all addenda, change orders and credits in writing with a date and signature. (Think of these as mini-contracts.)
9.) Consider asking about the insurance coverage over the project and ask for proof of insurance.
10.) Keep a copy of all contract documents, notes, drawings, letters and memos for your records.
1.) NEVER pay with cash.
2.) Request a properly executed and notarized lien waiver/release in exchange for each payment made.
3.) Have the bank return a front and back copy of each cancelled check issued as payment.
4.) Keep a copy of the front side of personal checks issued as payment.
5.) Keep copies of bank statements that reflect checks issued as the payments clear your account.
6.) Request a formal account statement from the handyman that reflects services rendered, invoice numbers and payments made.
7.) Request a formal account statement from the handyman that reflects balance of an account paid in full.
8.) Make personal checks payable to the licensed company name only.
9.) If you pay with a cashier's check, keep a copy of the front side of the cashier check.
10.) Never make a personal check payable to a company partner or employee.
11.) If you make a payment to your handyman's subcontractor, issue the check as a two-party joint check to both the handyman and the subcontractor.
12.) Keep a copy of all credit card statements that reflect purchases for the project or payments made to a handyman.
