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A general contractor contract needs five things in writing: the scope of work, the price and payment schedule, start and completion dates, a change order process, and warranty terms. Skip one of those and you’re negotiating from memory a few months in, which rarely goes well for either side.
When you’re working with a general contractor Williston ND homeowners already know and trust for an existing remodel or a new home, it’s in the contract that you put that trust to the test. Generally, any construction project that is large enough to have a written contract is also large enough to be subject to North Dakota’s state license requirement for such work at over four thousand dollars.
What Should the Scope of Work Include?
A solid contractor scope of work names materials by brand, grade, and quantity, not just the finished result. “Replace the roof” isn’t a scope of work. “Remove existing shingles to the deck, replace damaged sheathing at a set price per sheet, install a named brand architectural shingle in a named color” is.
Two details get missed constantly: who pulls the permit, which is usually the contractor’s job in North Dakota cities, and what happens to demolition debris. Leave either one out and you’re not arguing about craftsmanship later. You’re arguing about a dumpster fee nobody planned for. Any general contractor Williston ND sends to your job site should be working from a scope this specific, not a one line description on an invoice.
What Payment Terms Should a Contractor Contract Have?
Good payment terms construction contract language tie every draw to a finished stage of work, not a date on the calendar. A schedule built around milestones keeps both sides even. One built around dates lets either party get ahead of the other.
| Draw | Tied to | Typical share |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Signed contract, materials ordered | 10 to 15 percent |
| Draw 1 | Framing or demo complete | 25 to 30 percent |
| Draw 2 | Rough in complete, inspections passed | 25 to 30 percent |
| Final | Punch list signed, final inspection | 15 to 20 percent |
A deposit above a third of the total price is worth a question before you sign. That single number is where a lot of bad payment terms construction contract disputes start.
How Should Contract Changes Be Documented?
Every job changes once the walls are open. A workable general contractor contract should include any changes in scope, cost, or schedule should be written down, then priced, and then signed by both parties before it is put into practice. The contractor who doesn’t have that talk at the beginning is usually the contractor who is going to have a problem later. No verbal add ons, no settling up later!
What Project Dates Should the Contract Include?
A proper construction project agreement lists a start date, a completion date, and a clause for weather delays. Williston winters slow or stop concrete and exterior work once the ground freezes, and Williams County residential plan reviews commonly run three to four weeks before a permit even gets issued. Skip that window in your construction project agreement and you’ve built a broken promise into the paperwork before day one.
According to the FTC consumer guide to hiring a contractor, a general contractor is the person in charge of the entire job, including all subcontractors, permits and inspections. A general contractor is the person who handles the entire project, from hiring subcontractors to handling inspections, obtaining building permits, and much more. Understanding the general contractor vs construction manager roles can also help clarify who is responsible for different parts of a construction project. If this is the case, define that responsibility in the contract, rather than assume it.
Should Licensing and Insurance Be Included?
Any construction contractor Williston ND clients hire for a job over four thousand dollars needs a current North Dakota license, issued in four classes based on project size, from Class D up to one hundred thousand dollars per job up to Class A with no cap. Ask to see it, along with a certificate of general liability insurance and, if the contractor has employees, proof of workers’ comp coverage through Workforce Safety and Insurance.
A general contractor Williston ND homeowner can verify in about two minutes through the Secretary of State’s contractor lookup, free of charge. A construction contractor Williston ND who won’t produce a license on request is telling you something before the job even starts.
What Warranty Terms Should Be in the Contract?
Construction contract terms covering warranty need to separate two things: workmanship, which is the contractor’s promise on labor, and manufacturer warranty, which covers materials and is usually handled separately by the maker. State the length of the workmanship warranty and what voids it. “Standard warranty applies” isn’t one of the construction contract terms that actually protects you. A year in writing with a clear exclusion list is.
[img:Payment schedule section of a construction contract.]
When Is a Written Contract Not Necessary?
A store receipt will be sufficient if you’re repainting a room or replacing a faucet in your bathroom. Retain the entire contract for work affecting structures, electrical or plumbing interests or when a contract is made beyond four thousand dollars and North Dakota law mandates it be licensed.
General Contractor Contract Checklist
| Section | What it must include |
|---|---|
| Scope of work | Materials by brand and grade, permit responsibility, debris handling |
| Payment schedule | Draws tied to milestones, capped deposit |
| Change orders | Written, priced, signed before work continues |
| Timeline | Start date, completion date, weather delay clause |
| Licensing and insurance | Current license, liability certificate, WSI proof |
| Warranty | Workmanship term and exclusions, separate from manufacturer coverage |
Get Your General Contractor Contract in Writing
WBP Contracting LLC offers general contractor services Williston ND homeowners and can put in writing before a shovel goes in the ground. Call (406) 890-3507 or wilder@wbpcontractingllc.com for general contractor services Williston ND that begin with a contract as specific as this.
Frequently asked questions
Does a general contractor contract have to be notarized in North Dakota?
No. It must be written and signed by both parties and not notarized.
May I use a different contract than the one provided by the contractor?
Yes. It’s a good idea to review what the contractor gives you with a checklist, such as the one above.
What happens if the contractor begins work prior to contract signature?
Stop the work. If a contractor is ready to begin work before the paperwork is signed, he or she is likely to be willing to forgo provisions that benefit the contractor, such as a change order clause.
Need a remodel license in Williston, ND?
The majority of structural, electrical and plumbing work does. Williams County handles plan review, and residential reviews commonly run three to four weeks.
How do I check if a general contractor in Williston, ND is actually licensed?
The North Dakota Secretary of State’s office keeps a public lookup for registered contractors, free to search before you sign anything.
Sources
- North Dakota Secretary of State, Contractors. Confirms the four thousand dollar licensing threshold under NDCC chapter 43-07 and the public license lookup.
- North Dakota Secretary of State, Contractor Licensing. Lists the four license classes and their project value caps.
- Federal Trade Commission, Hiring a Contractor. Defines the general contractor role and baseline consumer protections.
