Key Provisions for Every Subcontractor Agreement

When prime contractors and subcontractors do business together, success is reliant upon clear, effective communication. And that communication starts with the contract. Both parties must be aware of their responsibilities and liabilities, and those details lie in the contract provisions. What follows are important stipulations to consider.

Scope of Work

When beginning a project, general contractors must outline the scope of work for the subcontractors. In most cases, general contractors tend to make the scope more broad, while the subcontractors prefer it to be more specific. It is essential that the scope matches the work described in the bid proposal. If there are any exclusions, they must be noted. Without a well-defined scope, general contractors may find that the work falls short of their expectations.

 Flow-Through

The flow-through clause allows general contractors to pass along their responsibilities from the owners to the subcontractors. Although such a clause is necessary from the general contractors’ point of view, the subcontractors may feel as though they are agreeing to something they have never read. So it may be important to provide the subcontractor with a copy of the agreement between the owner and general contractor.

Indemnification

An indemnification clause requires one party to assume responsibility for damage or loss caused by the other party. The party agreeing to such responsibility is the indemnitor, and it holds the other party harmless from damage or loss. These clauses are often subject to local and state laws, so contractors and subcontractors should carefully review them. In most cases, the general contractor should not assume responsibility beyond its and the subcontractor’s negligence. And subcontractors will likely want to avoid assuming broad form indemnity with general contractors. It is also essential that any party agreeing to indemnity is insured at a level high enough to cover any resulting loss or damage.

Liquidated Damages

Most contracts provide for liquidated damages when there are delays on a project. They usually require a general contractor to pay specific amounts based on each day of the delay. With a flow-through clause, a subcontractor can be held responsible too. If the clause is well written, it can protect the general contractor and subcontractor from unexpected expenses. And both parties should ensure that the clause limits their exposure.

No Damages for Delay

In most cases, if an owner causes a delay on a construction project, the general contractor and subcontractor can recover damages. However, when a no-damages-for-delay clause is included in the contract, the general contractor cannot recover damages, and per a flow-through clause, neither can the subcontractor. Instead, they are usually given more time to complete the project. Both general contractors and subcontractors may object to the no-damages-for-delay clause since any scheduling issues may take time away from future projects they have planned.

Termination for Convenience

This clause allows an owner or general contractor to cancel a contract or subcontract without cause and for any reason. Such a termination can have a substantial financial impact on both contractors and subcontractors. Therefore, they should try to include language that guarantees they will be paid for work completed prior to the termination. Subcontractors may also request that a contractor is allowed to terminate for convenience only if the owner has done so.

Termination for Default

This type of termination usually occurs downstream when an owner or general contractor cancels a contract due to breach. Causes include a failure to perform, follow laws and ordinances, and fix subpar work. Both contractors and subcontractors should ensure that the contract allows for sufficient notice and opportunity to cure before such termination. Otherwise, they could face serious financial implications. They could also be held responsible for consequential damages, such as lost rent, lost profits, loss of use, and damage to reputation.

Dispute Resolution

Quite often, if one party files a claim against another, the matter ends up in court. However, many contracts include an arbitration provision. This stipulation requires that all parties agree to participate in arbitration to resolve the dispute. While the arbitration process is much faster than litigation, it can also be more expensive. In addition, all parties must understand that the arbiter’s decision is final and there can be no appeal. Therefore, it is critical that both general contractors and subcontractors carefully review any language regarding disputes and arbitration. The contract should expressly state which parties are responsible for covering expenses.

Final Advice

When general contractors and subcontractors enter an agreement, it is essential that they understand one another’s expectations. All those details should be outlined in the contract.

If you are entering such an agreement and are unsure what provisions should be included in your contract, do not hesitate to reach out to me to discuss. You can reach me at trent.cotney@arlaw.com or call 866.303.5868.