Carpentry and Cabinetry Service Agreement

What a good one includes

• A highly detailed scope of work that specifies materials, wood species, dimensions, finishes, and hardware selections to prevent misunderstandings about the final look.
• A clear payment schedule tied to concrete project milestones, such as a deposit for materials, a progress payment upon workshop completion, and a final payment after installation.
• Explicit terms detailing the client's responsibility for preparing the space and acknowledging standard tolerances for out-of-plumb walls or unlevel floors in older homes.
• A formal change order process stating that any alterations to the design, materials, or timeline must be agreed upon in writing and may incur extra costs.
• Provisions clarifying who is responsible for moving electrical outlets, plumbing, or gas lines that might interfere with the installation of the cabinetry.
• A clause outlining storage fees if the client delays the installation date after the cabinetry has already been built and is taking up workshop space.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Relying on vague descriptions like 'custom kitchen cabinets' instead of listing exact dimensions, wood types, and finish samples.
• Starting work or ordering expensive lumber before securing a non-refundable deposit that covers material costs.
• Failing to address who pays for extra labor when crooked walls or hidden pipes require unexpected on-site scribing and modifications.
• Accepting verbal change orders on the job site without documenting the adjustment in price and timeline in writing.

Frequently asked questions