Especially at this time of year, we all like to refresh things a little and break the routine, but with renovations, we know how they start, yet do not always know how they will end. So just before the holiday...
Price Quote and Preliminary Site Visit
Before you engage the performing contractor, make sure to describe extensively everything you wish for and what the desired result at the end of the work is. The performing contractor should carry out a preliminary visit to the property and provide a written price quote covering all of your requirements.
Demand a detailed price quote for each stage of the work, so that it is possible to know the cost of each of the items. There is good reason for the requirement of an itemized price quote — it is intended to assess the value of the consideration to be paid to the contractor if the parties run into difficulties and wish to terminate the engagement before the work is completed. In this situation, each party knows exactly what it must do and, above all, what it is entitled to or obligated for — according to the circumstances.
The price quote must include the following particulars: costs, work times, materials, the manner of performing the work (preliminary stages, the number of layers of paint, for example), the minimum manpower, payment dates, payment terms, method of payment, number of working days per week, cleaning and restoring the site to its original condition, removal of objects, debris, insurance, foreign workers, residence permits, and more. The more detailed the engagement agreement between the parties and the more itemized its provisions, the better you will get through the renovation.
The main bone of contention between the parties relates mainly to additions beyond what was agreed. Bear in mind that during the renovation, additional decisions are made relating mainly to expanding the renovation to further areas, and it is advisable to obtain in advance a price quote addressing these areas — even if in the end you decide to stick to the original plan.
Registered Contractor
The website of the Ministry of Construction and Housing maintains a register containing all registered contractors who have received approval to engage in construction work, according to the amount of the project. Usually, a renovator engaged in simple work for relatively low amounts, up to approximately NIS 41,000, will not hold this certification — which increases the risk when engaging him.
Completion of Work and Warranty
A clause should be included specifying the duration and scope of the warranty and, no less importantly, the time within which the contractor undertakes to repair the defect from the moment the client gives notice.
The Contractor’s Contract Law
Having reviewed the recommendations for preventing a legal dispute between the parties, allow us to present to you one of the laws addressing this subject.
This law deals with the ways in which the parties are to conduct themselves and the obligations that apply to them in the event of a crisis. In Section 3, one can see that the legislature provided that the client must notify the contractor within a reasonable period of the existence of a defect from the moment he becomes aware of it. In addition, the client must give the contractor a genuine opportunity to repair the defect.
The Amon Law Firm, a civil law attorney, accompanies clients before engaging a performing contractor, and assists by providing legal recommendations throughout the entire period of the engagement between the parties, and even thereafter. It is especially important not to take this matter lightly, and in the event of a crisis with the contractor, the way you respond can be critical to raising arguments before the court.
The above is general information only and does not constitute legal advice; each case is examined on its own merits.
