What should be included in a contractor’s written contract?

Including the scope of work, payment terms, and completion timeline in a contractor’s written contract is essential for establishing clear expectations between the contractor and the client. The scope of work defines exactly what tasks will be performed, ensuring both parties are aligned on the project deliverables. Payment terms outline how and when the contractor will be compensated, which is crucial for financial planning and avoiding disputes. The completion timeline sets deadlines for the project's various phases or overall completion, helping to track progress and ensuring timely delivery of services.

While employee roles and responsibilities might be relevant internally for a contractor's business, they are typically not necessary in the contract with the client. A marketing strategy and budget are unrelated to the construction project specifics and have no bearing on the contractual obligations between the contractor and the client. Detailed project proposals and estimates are important elements of project planning and bidding but are not as comprehensive as the specific elements of scope, payment, and timelines that form the foundation of a contract.