Your subcontract and your quote don't match

Before you sign, make sure the subcontract carries your quote's scope and exclusions, the dates the GC owes you, and how back charges work. Whatever is missing from the signed version, you'll be asked to do for free.

Subs compared notes on refusing to sign the subcontract a GC sends after award, because the GC's standard form had quietly dropped the exclusions from the sub's quote. Another thread came from the other side: a GC who couldn't tell his subs when they could start, while each sub had other jobs to schedule around him. And a project manager sent an owner's change order to a sub by mistake, prices and all.

What to check before you sign

Scope: your quote is attached or written in, including the exclusions. "Per plans and specs" alone pulls in everything on the drawings.
Dates the GC owes you: when the site will be ready for you, and what happens if it isn't. A late start that costs you a crew should move your dates and may cost the GC.
Changes: a change to your scope is priced and agreed with you before you do it, the same as an owner's change.
Back charges: written notice within a set time, with a chance to fix it yourself first. Many subcontracts already require this; hold the GC to it.
Payment: what triggers each payment, and which payment clause you're signing. See when the GC doesn't pay.

If it's already signed

Ask the GC to add a one-page amendment that attaches your quote. Many will, because they'd rather fix it now than argue about it in month four. If they won't, write down every exclusion you'll be asked to do as you're asked, and price it as a change on the day.

Exclusions that hold up

Vague exclusions get read against you. "No patching" invites a fight over what patching means. Clearer: "Excludes drywall repair and paint after rough-in; by others." "Excludes core drilling through concrete; by GC." "Excludes permits and inspection fees." Each one names the work and says who does it instead. Put the list in the subcontract itself or attach your quote by date and number, and initial the page.

The version you both signed

In Everkept the subcontract is the job: your scope, your exclusions, your stages and the dates the GC owes you, signed by both. Each change to your scope is agreed with you before the work, and the owner's paperwork stays on the owner's job.

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This is general information, not legal advice. States differ on what a home improvement contract and its changes must contain. Check with your state’s contractor licensing board or an attorney.