...more in the series of "Equipping you to Deal Knowledgeably with your Contractor...
Make sure that your contract does not say you will pay the contractor in full immediately upon substantial completion. Make sure that final payment will be due 30 days after Notice of Completion is filed with the proper authorities AND all work is completed to the satisfaction of the Owner. I can’t stress this enough. Subcontractors and suppliers have 30 days from the filing of Notice of Completion to file lien notices on your house. If no Notice of Completion is filed, they have 30 days from substantial completion – according to whom? If you have already paid the Contractor all the money and someone files a lien... you get to pay twice….
YIPPEE. Isn’t this fun?
It is always advisable to have any contract reviewed by an attorney. Attorney’s specializing in Construction are your best bet. They are easy to find on the web and will make sure YOU are protected. I am a big believer in spending protection money rather than fix-it money.
But if you aren’t going to do this, at least go to the Contractor’s State Licensing Board website ( www.cslb.ca.gov ) and get the bare minimum legal requirements of a contract.
