The moment you sign, you are aligning budgets, timelines, and risk—not just approving a price. The best contracts answer detailed questions before work starts so everyone shares the same picture of success.
1. What exactly is in scope—and what is excluded?
Milestones and materials should be written clearly enough that a third party could tell what “done” means. Ask for explicit exclusions (e.g., permits you will obtain yourself, allowances vs fixed selections) so gray areas do not become disputes later.
2. How are schedule and delays handled?
Understand realistic timelines, weather or permit contingencies, and how you will be notified when dates shift. A good agreement describes communication cadence and who approves critical path changes.
3. How do change orders work?
Change orders should be documented with description, cost impact, and schedule impact before work proceeds. Ask how allowances are reconciled and what happens when selections run over or under.
4. What insurance, warranties, and lien protections apply?
Confirm liability coverage, WSIB where applicable, and warranty language on labour and materials. Know how to verify subs and whether holdbacks are part of your arrangement.
5. How and when do you pay?
Progress draws should map to verifiable completion stages—not vague percentages. Understand retainers, HST, and what happens if you need to pause the job.
When these five areas are clear, you can move forward with confidence. If you want a second set of eyes on a contract before you sign, our team is happy to talk it through.