Hiring an Independent Contractor with a Contract

As you plan your project, hire an independent contractor to do the work for you. When hiring this professional, it is critical to take into consideration all of the details. You should exhaust your search by comparing various contractors and their experience. Hiring the right person for the job is critical to ensuring it goes well. However, the process does not stop there. You also need to develop a contract that is right for all involved.

When hiring an independent contractor, it is critical to get everything in writing. This is the only way to ensure that both sides fully understand the scope of what's to be done, how it is to be done and what to expect in the process. By spending a bit of time creating the ideal contract, you ensure the job will go well or that you will have a way out if it does not. You can find pre-made contracts available to use or you can create your own. The bottom line is just to have one to use.

What's Included?

For those who are working with contractors for the first time, it can be overwhelming to determine what should be included in the document. The following are the basics to consider.

- A timeline should be a part of the contract. It should include a start time and an estimated completion time. In some cases, you can expect the project to run over especially when there is weather to factor in.

- The budget for materials and labor should be clearly defined. You should be able to see the difference in these two costs on the document. If materials change, you may see an increase in that area, but not in the overall labor charges.

- You should include information about safety, codes and other regulations. This ensures the contractors remain responsible for the job and doing it well. You want to ensure if there are problems with the city down the road that it is the contractor's responsibility to make it right.

- Consider the experience and licensing of the company, too. You want to ensure only trained, licensed professionals are working on your property. Likewise, you want to ensure that the professionals are responsible for any accidents or injuries that occur.

- Include any details important to the job, such as the type of material used, who will work on the project (or who will not) and other factors.

It is often necessary to consider all of these factors when creating a contract for an independent contractor. Find out what your city's requirements are for having individuals work in your home or place of business as well. Overall, you want a safe and successful project.