Any time you plan to hire a contractor or subcontractor, you’ll want to make sure you have a written contract. This document represents an agreement between both parties about what is expected and the compensation that will be paid once the work is completed. It is a legally binding contract according to law once it has been signed and must be very specific in nature to avoid any confusion or possibility of misinterpretation by either party. To ensure that the contract you fill out is in the correct format, you can review several sample contract agreements to find the one that best represents your needs.
This form should be divided into several sections to ensure that all aspects of the contract are covered and that there is no room for error. It should start with a section that describes who is hiring and who is being hired. This section can also be used to describe in detail the work for which the person or company is hired. It can also cover any parts or materials that will be used and any specialized equipment that will be needed. For example, John Smith is hiring Fred Blogs to use his backhoe to dig a utility trench 3 feet wide by 6 feet deep and 200 yards long.
The next section of the contract agreement should cover compensation, that is, how much the person or company will be paid for the job they have been hired to do. This is followed by a guarantee of services in which the contractor agrees to provide the services listed for the agreed amount and that all information obtained during the work will be kept in the strictest confidence when deemed necessary by the employer. Finally, the contract agreement must include information covering when the contract begins and when it ends.
For those who have never had to complete this type of contract, you can search online where you will find many different sample contract agreements covering every type of job imaginable. Chances are you’ll find several that directly relate to the job you have in mind, and you need to make sure the one you choose is legal in the state where you’re based. Since this is a legally binding contract, it’s your job to make sure you cover all the bases and leave no room for the independent contractor you hire to create an issue at any point during the life of the contract.