New Hampshire Residential Home Improvement Contract

NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTIAL HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACT

Before signing: This form is for construction, remodeling, or repair of a residence under a contract exceeding $5,000. It includes the notice required by RSA 359-G:7. Complete every project and payment field, and give the owner a signed copy when the parties enter the contract.

Contract date: [__/__/____]

Owner: [FULL NAME] Mailing address: [ADDRESS]

Contractor: [LEGAL NAME] Business address: [ADDRESS]

Owner contact: [PHONE / EMAIL] Contractor contact: [PHONE / EMAIL]

Residence and work site: [STREET ADDRESS, CITY, NEW HAMPSHIRE ZIP]

1. Work and contract documents

Contractor will furnish the labor, supervision, materials, and equipment needed for the following improvement to the residence: [DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF WORK]. The parties attach and incorporate ☐ plans dated [DATE] ☐ specifications dated [DATE] ☐ itemized proposal dated [DATE] ☐ other [DOCUMENT AND DATE]. If descriptions conflict, the parties will resolve the conflict in a signed change order before the affected work begins.

Included materials, brands, grades, and finishes: [DETAILS OR ATTACHED SCHEDULE]

Excluded work and owner-supplied items: [DETAILS / NONE]

Site access, work hours, storage, and utilities supplied by owner: [DETAILS]

2. Price and payment

Total contract price: $[AMOUNT], subject only to signed change orders. The price includes [TAXES / PERMIT COSTS / DISPOSAL / OTHER]. Excluded amounts: [DETAILS / NONE].

Payments are due within [NUMBER] days after the stated event and an itemized invoice. The amounts above must total the contract price. Owner may identify disputed work in writing; the parties will discuss correction and payment for completed undisputed work without waiving either party's rights.

3. Schedule, permits, and changes

Anticipated start: [__/__/____] Target substantial completion: [__/__/____]

Contractor will notify Owner promptly of a delay and its reason. A revised completion date or price requires a written change order signed by both parties. The change order must state the changed work, price adjustment, and schedule adjustment before the changed work begins, except where immediate work is needed to address an emergency and the parties document it as soon as practicable.

Permit responsibility: [CONTRACTOR / OWNER] will obtain and pay for the following required permits: [LIST]. Inspections: [PARTY] will schedule required inspections and provide the results to the other party. Neither party directs work contrary to an applicable permit or code.

4. Performance, site protection, and completion

Contractor will perform the work in a workmanlike manner consistent with the attached specifications and applicable permits. Contractor will protect reasonably accessible existing property, keep the site reasonably orderly, and remove its construction debris when the work is complete. Owner will give reasonable access to the work area on the agreed schedule.

At substantial completion the parties will walk through the work and list remaining items in a signed punch list. Contractor will complete the listed items by [DATE OR AGREED PERIOD], subject to materials availability and a written schedule adjustment. Final payment is due as stated in Section 2 after the agreed final payment event. Contractor will provide applicable product and workmanship warranty documents and permit signoffs in its possession.

Contractor's workmanship warranty, if any: [COVERAGE, DURATION, EXCLUSIONS, CLAIM ADDRESS / NONE]. This term does not limit rights that applicable law does not permit the parties to waive.

Third party insured warranty program: ☐ None is provided. ☐ The following program is provided: [NAME]. If a third party insured warranty is provided, Contractor will deliver its warranty documents and claim procedures to Owner at or before closing or first occupancy, as RSA 359-G:7(II) requires. Delivery details: [DATE, METHOD, RECIPIENT].

5. Insurance, subcontractors, and property

Contractor's insurance and policy details disclosed to Owner: [CARRIER, COVERAGE, POLICY NUMBER / ATTACH CERTIFICATE]. Subcontracted work: [TRADE AND SUBCONTRACTOR / NONE]. Contractor remains responsible to Owner for the contracted work, including work performed through subcontractors. The parties will address any property damage or injury arising during the project under applicable law and their insurance policies.

6. Default and termination

If either party materially fails to perform, the other may give written notice describing the failure and a reasonable opportunity to address it, unless the failure cannot reasonably be corrected or applicable law provides a different remedy. Notice address for Owner: [ADDRESS / EMAIL]. Notice address for Contractor: [ADDRESS / EMAIL]. The parties may terminate by a signed writing stating the work completed, materials purchased for the project, payments made, and any remaining amount in dispute. Nothing here authorizes either party to waive a statutory notice or remedy that cannot be waived.

7. Required New Hampshire construction defect notice

The following conspicuous notice is supplied to Owner upon entering this contract for improvement of a residence exceeding $5,000, as required by RSA 359-G:7(I) and (III):

NEW HAMPSHIRE LAW, RSA 359-G, CONTAINS IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS YOU MUST FOLLOW BEFORE YOU MAY FILE A LAWSUIT OR OTHER ACTION FOR DEFECTIVE CONSTRUCTION AGAINST THE CONTRACTOR WHO CONSTRUCTED, REMODELED, OR REPAIRED YOUR HOME. SIXTY DAYS BEFORE YOU FILE YOUR LAWSUIT OR OTHER ACTION, YOU MUST SERVE ON THE CONTRACTOR A WRITTEN NOTICE OF ANY CONSTRUCTION CONDITIONS YOU ALLEGE ARE DEFECTIVE. UNDER THE LAW, A CONTRACTOR HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN OFFER TO REPAIR AND/OR PAY FOR THE DEFECTS. THERE ARE STRICT DEADLINES AND PROCEDURES UNDER STATE LAW, AND FAILURE TO FOLLOW THEM MAY AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO FILE A LAWSUIT OR OTHER ACTION.

8. Entire agreement and signatures

This contract, its identified attachments, and later signed change orders are the parties' agreement for this work. New Hampshire law governs. An amendment must be in writing and signed by both parties. Each party receives a signed copy, including the notice above and all attachments.

Owner signature: ______________________________ Date: [__/__/____]

Printed name: [________________________________]

Contractor authorized signature: ______________________________ Date: [__/__/____]

Printed name and title: [________________________________]

Owner acknowledges receipt of the Section 7 notice and a signed contract copy: ______________________________ Date: [__/__/____]

Sources and references

• RSA 359-G:7, Contract of Sale