A contract begins with an offer from one party and an acceptance from another. Under Pennsylvania law, both parties must agree to the terms laid out in the contract. The offer is a proposal for a specific exchange or service, while the acceptance indicates that the other party agrees to the terms without modifications.
Pennsylvania's statute of repose sets a hard deadline of 12 years after the completion of construction for bringing any action related to construction defects. This applies regardless of when the defect was discovered, with some exceptions for fraud or intentionally concealed defects.
What should I include in a construction contract template? Name and contact information of the project owner. Name and contact information of the contractor. Legal description of the property being worked on. Detailed description of the work to be completed. Completion date and date of final payment.
Can I write my own contract? Yes, you can write your own contract. However, including all necessary elements is crucial to make it legally binding.
To draft a contract from scratch, start by identifying the parties involved and clearly outlining the agreement. Include consideration (what is exchanged), define the terms and conditions, ensure all parties are legally competent, and finalise it with signatures. These essential elements make the contract enforceable.
Contracts don't need to be in legal language, but they do need to outline exactly who is responsible for what from obtaining various permissions (such as building control approval) to timings, tidying up, materials, insurance and how payments will be made. A written contract will protect you and reduce risks.
There are no statewide Pennsylvania general contractor license or certification requirements. However, any contractor who performs at least $5,000 worth of home improvements per year must register with the Attorney General's office.
How To Write A Construction Contract With 7 Steps Step 1: Define the Parties Involved. Step 2: Outline the Scope of Work. Step 3: Establish the Timeline. Step 4: Determine the Payment Terms. Step 5: Include Necessary Legal Clauses. Step 6: Address Change Orders and Modifications. Step 7: Sign and Execute the Contract.
Offer and Acceptance: One party must make an offer, and the other must accept it. Mutual Consent: Both parties agree to the terms without coercion. Contract law often refers to this condition as a "meeting of the minds." Competence: The parties must have the legal capacity to agree.