What Should Be in Your Remodeling Contract? (And What to Avoid)
June 9, 2025
When you're investing in a remodel—whether it’s a new kitchen, a home addition, or a full renovation—the contract you sign matters just as much as the craftsmanship itself.
A remodeling contract isn’t just paperwork. It’s the playbook for your entire project. It sets expectations, defines responsibilities, and lays out exactly what you’re getting and what it will cost. Unfortunately, too many homeowners in Spokane and North Idaho get burned because they signed vague, rushed, or incomplete agreements.
At The Building Company, we believe in doing things differently. Here’s what you should expect to see in a well-structured remodeling contract—and what to steer clear of.
The Remodeling Contract: Why It Matters
You’re not just hiring someone to swing a hammer. You’re trusting them with your home, your money, and your peace of mind. A clear contract protects you from surprises, misunderstandings, and costly mistakes.
If it’s not in writing, it’s not real. That goes for pricing, timelines, responsibilities, and even design decisions. So before work begins, make sure the contract actually matches the conversation you had.
What Should Be Included in Your Remodeling Contract?
Here’s what every professional remodeling contract should include:
Detailed Scope of Work:
- What exactly is being done
- Which rooms, systems, or features are included
- Any demo, framing, electrical, plumbing, finishes, etc.
Fixed Price or Clear Itemized Budget:
- Avoid "allowances" that give contractors wiggle room to charge more later
- The more specific the pricing, the fewer surprises down the road
Start Date & Completion Timeline:
- When the work will begin and how long it will take
- Provisions for what happens if timelines shift
Payment Schedule:
- When payments are due and what they’re tied to (milestones, progress, etc.)
- Watch for large upfront deposits with no breakdown
Change Order Process:
- How changes are approved and priced
- Who signs off before extra work begins
Permits and Inspections:
- Who is responsible for applying and managing local permits
- How inspections will be handled (especially in Spokane, CDA, and outlying counties)
Warranty Information:
- Length and scope of warranty on workmanship and materials
- License and Insurance Details
- Contractor’s license number (required in WA and ID)
- Proof of liability and workers comp insurance
Dispute Resolution & Termination Terms
- What happens if the project is delayed, abandoned, or disputed
- Legal protections for both parties
What to Watch Out For
If you’re reviewing a contract and see any of the following, slow down:
- ❌ Vague language like "TBD" or "as needed"
- ❌ One-page quotes passed off as full contracts
- ❌ No mention of schedule or payment terms
- ❌ Loose or missing scope of work
- ❌ No warranty or follow-up policy
These are signs the contractor either isn’t organized, isn’t experienced, or isn’t interested in accountability.
How The Building Company Protects You From the Start
Our remodeling contracts are built to make things simple, not stressful. Before we ever sign, we guide you through a structured planning process where every detail—scope, layout, finishes, costs, timelines—is dialed in.
Then we give you a fixed-price agreement that reflects everything we've planned together. No vague allowances. No sliding labor rates. No back-of-napkin quotes.
We also include:
- Clear scopes and schedules
- A clean change order process
- Local permit handling
- A lifetime workmanship warranty
Why? Because we want you to feel confident at every step, not anxious about what might pop up next.
Remodeling in Spokane or North Idaho? Let’s Get it Right From Day One.
Whether you're remodeling in South Hill, Liberty Lake, Coeur d’Alene, or Post Falls, the contract you sign is the foundation of your entire experience.
If you're ready for a remodel built on clarity, not chaos—start with The Building Company.
Call or text: 509-890-0222 or inquire
You can also email admin@pnwbuild.com for a free sample contract.
Let’s build something great—with expectations that are clear, costs that are fixed, and results that speak for themselves
At The Building Company, we’ve built our reputation around clarity, communication, and craftsmanship. Here’s what we recommend homeowners look for when hiring a remodeler.
Remodeling your home is a big decision. It’s exciting to think about improving your space—making it more functional, more beautiful, and better suited to your life today. But timing matters. If you start too early, you might not be financially or mentally ready. Too late, and you could be dealing with rising costs, increasing wear and tear, or missed opportunities to improve your quality of life.
Kitchen remodels are one of the most popular home improvement projects in Spokane and North Idaho—and for good reason. Your kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s where families gather, coffee is brewed, meals are made, and memories are built. So when it stops working for your lifestyle, it makes sense to consider an upgrade.
One of the most common things that homeowners ask when looking at remodel projects is, “How much does it cost to do x.” Our answer: it depends. This answer likely makes your hackles rise just a little.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Remodel Budget
As a premier home remodeling company, The Building Company provides tailored solutions that meet our clients' unique expectations and budgets. From budget-friendly transformations to ultra-high-end revamps, we offer a range of remodeling services to fit every homeowner's needs. In this article, we will delve into the estimated costs of a home remodeling project based on different levels of finishes and detail some of the factors that cause variances in pricing. The cost of remodeling the main floor of a home can greatly vary due to factors like the level of finish, the types of materials used, labor costs, and unforeseen issues like structural challenges. However, for a standard 1200-1400 square foot main floor (including a kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, and an entryway), here are some general cost estimates for different finish levels: 1. Budget : In a budget renovation, the cost can range from $60 to $85 per square foot, translating to approximately $72,000 - $119,000. This typically includes basic upgrades to finishes, fixtures, and appliances with minimal changes to the layout. 2. Medium: For a medium-grade renovation, you might expect to pay between $100 to $150 per square foot, or $120,000 - $210,000. This often involves more substantial changes to the layout, higher-end finishes, and superior quality appliances. 3. High-End: At this level, prices can range from $200 to $300 per square foot, resulting in total costs between $240,000 - $420,000. Expect significant structural changes, custom design work, top-of-the-line appliances, and premium materials. 4. Ultra High-End: For a luxurious, tailor-made remodel, expect costs upwards of $350 per square foot or more, which can bring your total to well over $420,000. This includes architecturally significant changes, high-quality finishes, and the highest caliber of materials and appliances. Keep in mind, these estimates are general ranges, and the actual cost can vary based on the specific details and scope of your project. The Building Company is dedicated to providing detailed, personalized estimates to ensure there are no surprises along the way, helping you achieve the home of your dreams within your budget. Several factors cause these significant price variations. The choice of materials is often the largest contributor, as high-quality, durable materials come at a premium. Custom-made pieces or unique installations also increase the price, as do any changes to the home's structure or layout. Labor costs can also vary widely, depending on the complexity of the work and the professionals required. If controlling costs is a priority, consider focusing your budget on key areas, such as the kitchen or bathrooms, which yield higher returns on investment. Opt for standard finishes and fixtures, and try to maintain the existing layout to avoid costly structural changes. Room-specific breakdowns are as follows: Kitchen Typically the most expensive to remodel, a kitchen renovation can account for 15-30% of your total budget, depending on the level of finishes and appliances. Bathroom Bathroom remodels usually consume around 10-20% of the total budget. Living Room & Dining Room These areas generally account for 10-15% of the budget each. Bedrooms Expect to allocate around 5-10% of your budget per bedroom. When considering which finish level to choose, consider both your financial capacity and your lifestyle needs. Budget renovations are ideal for those needing a refresh on a limited budget. A medium-grade remodel is suitable for those wanting more customization and quality without extreme luxury, while high-end renovations are designed for homeowners desiring a significant lifestyle upgrade. Lastly, an ultra high-end remodel caters to those wanting a completely bespoke home experience, where every detail is of the highest quality and tailored to the homeowner's unique tastes and preferences. No matter the scale or budget of your remodel, The Building Company is committed to transforming your home into a space that reflects your style while enhancing your everyday life.
The Basics Sweep and Vacuum The easiest way to avoid damage is to sweep and vacuum often. The majority of the damage particularly to flooring or surfaces comes from dust and debris being ground into or dragged across flooring or countertops. Best practice is at a minimum to sweep and vacuum daily throughout a project. Even more often is better, especially for jobs with large amounts of demo. A couple of great pieces for these tasks are a soft bristle broom , a quality large dustpan , and a powerful extra “sucky” vacuum. Work Outside Or In the Garage If there is trim to be cut, cut it in the garage. Do you need to frame a wall? Cut the studs outside. It seems simple but this will cut down on the dust left on the interior. The less dust and debris in your project from the beginning will help reduce the protections needed for the project. Now if that seems like a lot of trips in and out of the house then see or section on Dust Collection below. Intermediate Plastic Sheeting/Masking Maybe the most prolific form of home protection is the giant sheets of plastic to seal off a section of the house. Here at The Building Company we like to use no lighter than 4 mil thick plastic, 6 mil is better for longer jobs. If you combine this with a Zip Wall door it can be a very effective way to close off the space from dust and debris. If you combine these with the ZipWall ZipPole it becomes a complete quick up, quick down system. Ram Board/Floor Covering There are many types of protective floor coverings. A common type of covering that is used is Contractor’s Paper or Builder’s Paper, a lightweight paper used especially to protect floor from light traffic such as paint in a room where the flooring is not being redone. Generally, here at The Building Company we generally opt for X-Board . X-Board is a quality medium traffic protective floor covering. In some locations such as stairs or high traffic hallways it is better to go to a heavy duty product like Ram Board . Ram Board has some accessories such as stair guards and seam tape. Best practice is to suit the product to fit the traffic. Advanced Dust Collection Dust collection is the advanced form of vacuuming. In fact it’s almost like pre vacuuming. Most saws, sanders and cutting tools have dust collection ports on them these days. Some excellent dust extractors would be Makita’s 11 Gallon Model and Bosch’s 9 Gallon Model . The benefit of utilizing dust extraction is that you hardly generate extra dust from cuts at all. The newer systems do a great job of getting most of the dust and debris leaving very little clean up. They also help cut down airborne dust. This becomes the best of both worlds. It allows a contractor to utilize their time more efficiently because they are not going in and out of the room. It also allows them to utilize less time cleaning up. Air Scrubbers Air scrubbers are HEPA filtration systems that significantly reduce the air particle count. Particularly in high dust situations such as lath and plaster removal or heavy sanding, these are a lung saver. Anyone who has worked in a high dust environment knows how brutally long those days feel when you can hardly breathe. Implementing a few of these scrubbers will quickly knock down the amount of dust and help protect your house from the scratches.