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Home Improvement Contract template

A home improvement contract sets out the renovation or repair work a contractor will do on a homeowner's property, the price and payment schedule, and the rights of both parties.

Replace everything in [BRACKETS], export to PDF, then send it for signature.

1. Parties

This Home Improvement Contract (the "Contract") is made on [DATE] between [HOMEOWNER NAME(S)], of [PROPERTY ADDRESS] (the "Homeowner"), and [CONTRACTOR NAME], of [CONTRACTOR ADDRESS], phone [PHONE], license number [LICENSE NUMBER, if applicable] (the "Contractor").

2. Description of Work

The Contractor will perform the following work at the property: [DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF WORK, including rooms/areas, materials, brands, models, colors, and quantities] (the "Work"). The following are not included: [EXCLUSIONS, e.g. painting, electrical upgrades, appliance installation].

3. Materials

The Contractor will supply all materials unless listed here as Homeowner-supplied: [HOMEOWNER-SUPPLIED ITEMS]. Materials will be new and of good quality unless otherwise stated. Allowances for items the Homeowner will choose later are: [ALLOWANCE ITEMS AND AMOUNTS]; costs above an allowance will be added by change order.

4. Price and Payment

The total contract price is [TOTAL AMOUNT AND CURRENCY]. The Homeowner will pay a deposit of [DEPOSIT AMOUNT] on signing [NOTE: some jurisdictions cap residential deposits], then [PROGRESS PAYMENTS TIED TO MILESTONES], with the final payment of [AMOUNT] due on completion and final walkthrough. Payments are made by [PAYMENT METHOD]. The Contractor will not request payment for work not yet performed or materials not yet delivered, except the deposit.

5. Schedule

Work will begin on or about [START DATE] and be substantially complete by [COMPLETION DATE]. Working hours will be [DAYS AND HOURS]. Delays caused by weather, material availability, inspections, change orders, or the Homeowner will extend the schedule accordingly.

6. Changes

Any change to the Work, price, or schedule must be agreed in a written change order signed by both parties before the changed work begins.

7. Permits and Inspections

The Contractor will obtain and pay for all required building permits and schedule inspections, unless stated otherwise here: [EXCEPTIONS]. The Work will comply with applicable building codes.

8. Site Access, Protection, and Cleanup

The Homeowner will give the Contractor reasonable access to the work areas and access to water and electricity. The Contractor will protect floors, furniture, and landscaping near the work areas, keep the site reasonably tidy, and remove all debris on completion.

9. Insurance

The Contractor will maintain general liability insurance of at least [AMOUNT] and any workers' compensation insurance required by law, and will provide proof on request.

10. Warranty

The Contractor warrants its workmanship for [WARRANTY PERIOD, e.g. one (1) year] from completion and will repair defects in workmanship at no cost after written notice. Manufacturer warranties on materials pass to the Homeowner. The warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse, neglect, or normal wear.

11. Right to Cancel

The Homeowner may have a statutory right to cancel this Contract within a set period after signing, depending on local consumer protection law (for example, where the contract was signed away from the Contractor's place of business). Any required notice of cancellation rights is attached as [EXHIBIT / NOTICE].

12. Termination and Disputes

Either party may terminate for material breach not cured within [NUMBER] days after written notice. On termination, the Homeowner will pay for Work properly completed. The parties will try to resolve disputes through good-faith discussion, then [MEDIATION / ARBITRATION / COURTS OF VENUE].

13. Governing Law and General Terms

This Contract is governed by the laws of [GOVERNING LAW JURISDICTION]. It is the entire agreement between the parties and may be amended only in writing signed by both parties.

14. Signatures

The Parties agree that this Agreement may be signed electronically and in counterparts, and that electronic signatures have the same effect as handwritten signatures. HOMEOWNER: [HOMEOWNER NAME(S)] Signature: ____________________ Date: [DATE] CONTRACTOR: [CONTRACTOR NAME] Signature: ____________________ Name: [SIGNATORY NAME] Date: [DATE]

When to use this template

  • For kitchen and bathroom remodels
  • For roofing, siding, windows, flooring, and painting jobs
  • For decks, fences, landscaping, and other exterior projects
  • When local rules require written contracts for residential work above a certain value

How to fill it in and get it signed

  1. Enter the homeowner and contractor details, property address, and any license number.
  2. Describe the work in detail, including materials, brands, allowances, and exclusions.
  3. Set the price, deposit, and milestone payments, checking any local limits on deposits.
  4. Fill in the schedule, warranty period, and governing law, and attach any required cancellation notice.
  5. Upload the contract to eSignSimple and send it to the homeowner and contractor for e-signature. Signers don't need an account.

This template is general information, not legal advice. Laws differ by country and state; have a lawyer review contracts with high stakes.

Frequently asked questions

How much deposit can a contractor ask for?

It varies. Some jurisdictions cap deposits on residential jobs, sometimes at a fixed amount or a percentage of the price. Check local rules before setting the deposit.

Do homeowners have a right to cancel a home improvement contract?

In some places, yes. Consumer protection laws often give a short cooling-off period, especially when the contract is signed at the home. The contractor may need to give written notice of this right.

What is the difference between a home improvement contract and a construction contract?

A home improvement contract is tailored to renovations on an existing home and consumer protections for homeowners. A construction contract is broader and often used for new builds or commercial work.

Can I sign a contractor agreement electronically?

Generally yes. eSignSimple lets homeowners sign from any device and records an audit trail of the signature.