Construction Contract Basics: What to Check Before You Sign
From Your Home Building Coach with Bill Reid by William W. Reid
May 30, 2026 · 25 min · Season 2 · Episode 59
About this episode
Bill Reid discusses essential checks homeowners must make before signing a construction contract to ensure protection and avoid pitfalls.
That construction contract sitting on your kitchen table is the single most important document in your entire project. You've earned your way to this moment—months in design, weeks comparing bids, careful contractor selection. Now there's just one piece of paper between you and breaking ground. After 35+ years as a residential construction expert, Bill Reid has seen what goes wrong when homeowners treat this signing moment as a formality instead of the protection it's meant to be. WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER In this episode, Bill slows down the contract signing moment and walks you through three critical checks every homeowner must complete before picking up that pen. First, understand exactly who you're contracting with. You sign with one entity—the general contractor. The GC then contracts with subcontractors independently. You don't contract with subs, but here's the wrinkle most homeowners miss: mechanics liens mean unpaid subs or suppliers can still file claims against your house even when you've paid your general contractor in full. Bill explains the simple lien waiver discipline that prevents double-payment nightmares. Second, confirm what must be inside the document. Rule number…
People in this episode
Host: Bill Reid
Topics covered
- construction contracts
- homeowner protection
- contract signing
- mechanics liens
- subcontractors
- construction project management
Keywords
- construction contract
- homeowner
- general contractor
- subcontractor
- mechanics lien
- contract signing
- lien waiver
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- Cost Plus Contract Protection: The 4-Part System That Saves · May 16, 2026 · 47 min
- Cost Plus Contract Explained: 3 Types + California Law · May 9, 2026 · 41 min
- Cost Plus vs Fixed Price — Which Contract Protects You? · May 2, 2026 · 42 min
- How to Choose a Contractor — The Scorecard That Gets It Right · April 25, 2026 · 33 min
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