Often faced with various types of paperwork, including their own job-related documents and customer bid packages, contractors find themselves repeatedly encountering contracts. While contracts may not always be explicitly labeled as such, they govern the legal instructions for project execution. This complexity often leads busy professionals to sign contracts without thorough review, which can result in hidden problems.
The theme of this article is centered around the 2023 focus of the CRCA (Contracts and Insurance Committee) which encourages contractors to avoid merely signing documents and instead emphasizes the importance of reading and understanding them before signing. It is important to understand the multifaceted nature of contracts in the commercial roofing industry, comprising business terms, general terms and conditions, drawings, and written specifications. Notably, there is no truly “standard” contract language, revealing that the traps and potential pitfalls often reside in the general terms and conditions. There are various clauses that can pose challenges for contractors, such as defect clauses, liquidated damages, law and venue clauses, code compliance language, warranty terms, and the incorporation of multiple contract documents. Contractors should take a proactive approach of reading and comprehending contract terms before just signing.
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