Contract Template
Updated 2026

Free General Contractor Service Agreement

One handshake deal gone south will turn your bank account into a crime scene and leave your equipment sitting in a Repo lot. If your paperwork is thin, you're not a contractor—you're a charity with a target on your back.

Pro Contractor Tip

Include a strict 'Change Order' clause stating that no extra work starts until a price is signed, or you'll be eating the cost of every 'quick favor' the client asks for.

Why use a written agreement?

Handshake deals are risky. As a General Contractor, "scope creep" is your biggest enemy. A clear agreement ensures everyone agrees on the deliverables before money changes hands.

🛡️ What this sequence covers:

  • Deliverables List
  • Payment Terms
  • IP Rights
  • Revision Limits
  • Cancellation Policy

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Statement of Work

REF: 2026-001

1. Project Background

This Agreement is entered into by and between the Client and the Contractor. The Client wishes to engage the Contractor for professional General Contractor services.

2. Scope of Services

The Contractor shall provide the following deliverables:

  • Site Preparation and Debris Removal
  • Foundation Excavation and Concrete Pour
  • Structural Framing and Sheathing
  • Rough-in Plumbing and Electrical Inspection
  • Drywall Installation and Finishing
  • Final Punch List Completion

3. Performance Standards

The Contractor agrees to perform the General Contractor services in a professional manner, using the degree of skill and care that is required by current industry standards.

Total ValueVariable

TERMS & CONDITIONS (Summary):

1. Payment: 50% Deposit required.

2. Copyright: Rights transfer to Client upon full payment.

Disclaimer: This template is for educational purposes only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do when a client adds 'one more thing' every single morning?

You stop the hammer and pull out the contract; show them the original scope and explain that 'one more thing' requires a signed Change Order with a new price, keeping your profit margins from bleeding out.

How do I make sure I'm not chasing my tail for the final payment?

Set a 'Substantial Completion' milestone in your agreement that triggers payment once the job is functional, preventing clients from withholding your entire check over a minor paint scuff.

What happens if the cost of lumber or copper spikes after we start?

A solid contract uses a Material Escalation clause to pass those market spikes to the owner, ensuring you aren't paying out of pocket just to finish their renovation.