Residential Jobs

CAHOON'S CONTRACT SIGNING CHECKLIST

1.  WE REVIEW YOUR BID WITH YOU

Before gearing up to start work, we review your contract with you, carefully. We ensure that our bookkeeper checks the math. We have our field superintendent and foreman check the labor and equipment figures. And we call our major suppliers and subcontractors to confirm their estimates. If all looks good, we go on to the next step.

2.  WE SIT DOWN AND REVIEW YOUR COMPLETE PLANS 

Before signing a contract, we review ALL plans and project documents including: architectural, structural, civil, plumbing, mechanical and electrical plans; soils reports; addendum's and finish schedules with any subcontractors we use.

For example, on a single family dwelling project, another general contractor talked to the site concrete subcontractor to pour the foundation, driveway and sidewalks exactly as shown on the grading plans. The next day, the architect asked the job superintendent if the rebar called out on the architectural plans had been installed in the freshly poured site concrete. If the general contractor had never cross-checked the site plans with the architectural plans, or if architectural plans ever issued to the site concrete subcontractor. Then weeks and $40,000 later, the contractor's error is fixed.  At Cahoon, we NEVER - NEVER - NEVER sign a contract without reviewing the complete set of plans with our customer.

3.  WE REVIEW ALL SPECIFICATIONS 

Because specification books are often a very thick document, many contractors only read the section that affects their trade. At Cahoon, however, we review ALL specification sections before you sign a contract. The general conditions section, for example, contains contractual requirements for jobsite safety, submittals, cleanup, change orders and how to get paid. 

For example: another general contractor talked to the asphalt paving subcontractor that the parking lot next to the driveway was ready to pave. Unfortunately for the pavers, the asphalt flooring was called out in the finish schedule section of the specifications, and was not shown on the site plans!  A complete set of plans, specifications and the finish schedule would have eliminated this problem. At Cahoon we NEVER - NEVER - NEVER sign a contract without reviewing the complete specifications.

4.  WE VISIT THE JOBSITE 

Always send our field superintendent to the jobsite to look for any unforeseen conditions, conflicts with the project plans and logistic concerns that can cause you grief later. A field super is a very experienced and well qualified supervisor who is highly skilled and perceptive in all contracting practices. Every job looks different in person than they do on paper.

5.  WE REVIEW THE JOB SCHEDULE AND KEEP YOU INFORMED

Before committing to any project, Cahoon makes sure you completely understand and agree with the project schedule. Unplanned increases in job costs can be attributed to improper scheduling of crews, poor supervision and lack of field coordination.  And a schedule that's too optimistic will result in a crunch at the end of the project which costs everyone money.  At Cahoon, we ensure a project plan is workable and in place before we start every job.

6. WE OFFER A COMPLETE A PROJECT CHECKLIST

When reviewing contracts, we use this simple project checklist so you and the project team building your home won't overlook any important items. On the list you can be sure we include:

• * Scope of work, inclusions & exclusions

• * Insurance requirements 

• * Bonding requirements

• * Payment procedures & cash flow requirements

• * Person(s) authorized to approve field changes, etc.

• * Project schedule & long lead items

• * Shop drawings & submittals

• * Meetings required to attend

• * Permit requirements

• * Site access, logistics & parking

• * Special tools & equipment requirements

• * Contract close-out procedures

7.  WE ALWAYS VERIFY PROJECT FUNDING

At Cahoon we verify that all funds are available to complete the job before work starts.  There is nothing more frustrating that to have subcontractors, who have the right to know that a project has adequate funds, waiting on deck to get paid. We do this to project you and your jobsite from unnecessary delays due to payment schedules not being well thought out.

We know it can be awkward to ask, so we tell you up front our banker or bonding company won't let us sign a contract without assurance there is money set aside to complete the project. Doing jobs without getting paid isn't any fun for the customer or the contractor.

8.  WE READ COMPLETE CONTRACT WITH YOU

Signing a contract prepared by someone else can be scary. The days of a handshake contract are long gone. Today, CONTRACTING Is About CONTRACTS! If you don't understand what you are signing, you won't come back to us and the who experience can be messy. At Cahoon, we ensure we avoid "messy". Many contacts contain clauses that are one-sided and unfair.

Carefully look over contract clauses dealing with such issues as:

• Payment, retention & pay when paid

• Indemnification

• Authorizations, notices, approvals & administration

• Conflict resolution and disputes

• Arbitration vs. court

• Schedule issues:
      - Failure to perform
      - Delays and weather
      - Acceleration & termination
      - Liquidated damages

• Change orders & back-charges

• Cleanup & supervision

Every home owner should have a good attorney to review things like purchase contracts and land deeds.  A construction contract is no different. 

At Cahoon, we recommend that you pay the few hundred dollars to your lawyer to review the contract. Make sure its what you want and what you need. Remember, you have the right to sign only what you agree with. Never sign an unfair contract.

9.  EXECUTE CONTRACT

Construction begins when the contract is signed and the first installment on the contract is paid.  Well, done!  You are on your way to being a proud home-owner.