Whether it is a service contract for the lawn/snow company, a short and straightforward contract for “time and materials” to do touch up painting, or a multi-million dollar building envelope remediation project, there are a few key contract components to review and understand.
Parties to the Contract – the contract should state the complete legal names, addresses and contact information for all involved. Typically, the parties include the Contractor and the Association. Important note: the contract should always be with the Association; not the management company. You’ll need to pay special attention how your Association is named in the contract. It is vitally important that the legal entity names are 100% accurate. Don’t assume you are just “Happy Valley Association.” Check the Articles of Incorporation for exact wording. You may be surprised to see that it could actually be something like the “Happy Valley Condominium Association, Inc.”
Scope of Work – If an RFP was utilized, it should be all that much easier – but the scope of work should be included (or attached) and spell out specifically what work is to be done. For the Association’s protection, the more detail, the better. Don’t be afraid to ask for details to be spelled out.
Compensation – The contract should lay out the total amount to be paid for the project, when payments are due, retainers/down payments (if required) and the manner in which they are to be paid. And once again, the specifics of the legal company name being paid is extremely important.
Time Period – Whenever possible, you should try to get contracts to state a date when the work is to begin and when it must be completed by. If it is a dynamic or complicated project, consider negotiating cost reductions if timetables are not met.
Warranty – The warranty should cover four very basic components:
1.) What is covered – materials and workmanship often times being two separate, but equally important coverages.
2.) What is not covered.
3.) How long are the materials and/or workmanship covered.
4.) What is the process and timeline for workmanship or material defect corrections.
Indemnification – It is always advisable to have a clause that states the Contractor will indemnify and hold harmless the Association, and Management company, for damages or fees resulting in claims made against the Association due to the Contractor’s work. This should also include legal costs incurred with defending any such claims.
Insurance, Licenses and Permits – Always request to see a Certificate of Insurance before work commences with a Contractor. Also consider putting language into the contract that says all federal, state and local laws, codes and ordinances are applicable.
Termination & Default – The Association should always have a path to terminate a contract, if so desired. Typical and recommended language is “with or without cause” – and often times it will give a specific period of time after giving appropriate notice. This is particularly important for running service contacts – lawn/snow contracts, as perhaps the most common example. The contract should also provide for specific language constituting a default or failure to fulfill the terms of the agreement/contract – and what each party’s rights are in a default.
There are certainly other important elements to various contracts and agreements – and by no means is this content a comprehensive analysis of the components we have addressed. To reiterate, if it is a large or dynamic contract – or even if it just a poorly worded or confusing contract – it is always advisable to have an attorney review.