Key elements of a contract typically include:
- Offer: One party presents a proposal or offer to the other party, outlining the terms of the agreement.
- Acceptance: The other party agrees to the terms of the offer, creating mutual consent.
- Consideration: There is an exchange of something of value, such as money, goods, services, or promises, between the parties.
- Legal Intent: Both parties intend for the contract to create a legally binding relationship and have the capacity to enter into such an agreement.
- Capacity: The parties involved are legally competent and have the legal capacity to enter into a contract. This typically means they are of sound mind and of a certain age (usually 18 or older).
- Legality: The contract’s purpose and terms must not involve illegal activities or go against public policy.
- Certainty: The terms of the contract must be clear and specific enough for a court to enforce if necessary.
- Meeting of the Minds: Both parties have a clear understanding of the terms and agree on the same understanding of what is being contracted.
Contracts can be written, verbal, or implied, depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the agreement. However, written contracts are generally preferred as they provide clear evidence of the terms and reduce the potential for misunderstandings or disputes. If a party breaches the terms of a contract, legal remedies, such as monetary damages or specific performance, may be pursued to enforce the agreement or compensate for losses.
It’s important to note that contract law can vary between jurisdictions, and the specific requirements for a valid contract may differ based on local laws and regulations.
For your residential building, you may want to have a contract before proceeding to construction works. Typically, a gentleman’s agreement may be okay. In this case, it’s a verbal statement and the deal is based on trust. However, on projects, what is not written does not exist hence we advise even a one page agreement is fine. Some complex contracts for multi-billion Naira projects can be hundreds of pages long. But your a small residential project is doesn’t have to be so. Ensure you are dealing with a trusted team before entering into a contract because no matter the type of contract,once you have a major issue, it will take a toll on your time, money and energy. The mindset of those you are dealing with is of utmost importance… first things first.
We would not be going into different types of contracts for ease of understanding. A basic residential construction contract should outline some information part of which is below:
- Project address
- Name of owner
- Name of contractor
- Scope of works to be done
- Project schedule
- Project cost
- Expected quality
- Stakeholders’ information
- Possible risks and how to mitigate such
- Communication plan
- Dispute resolution if required
- And any other information deemed necessary.
Below is a draft contract for a residential bungalow:
AGREEMENT
between Owner and Contractor
This is an agreement between “abc”, hereinafter called Owner and “xyz”, hereinafter called Contractor.
I. PURPOSE & SCOPE
The purpose of this agreement is to
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Create a binding Legal Contract between the Owner and Contractor for the Construction of 3 Bedroom Residential Bungalows.
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Clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of each party as they relate to the construction of the said two units residential bungalow located in ….., Nigeria.
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Define Project Milestones and Payments thereof.
The scope of works is carcass and finishes for 3 bedroom residential bungalows.
II. OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
The owner shall undertake the following activities:
1. Share and communicate relevant project information with supervisor
2. Resolve government approval and community related issues on the project
3. Review the project status weekly with the contractor.
4. Provide storage, water, water tanks and accessories, security, power and access to the site
5. Attend to project issues in a timely manner to prevent delays
6. Make Milestone Payments on the Project in a Timely Manner.
III. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The contractor shall undertake the following activities:
1. Ensure the predefined project scope is complete at handover
2. Ensure the project is finished within schedule
3. Review the project status periodically
4. Comply with Nigerian laws during the execution of the project
5. Ensure the project construction quality complies with Nigerian standards.
IV . IT IS MUTUALLY UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED BY AND BETWEEN THE PARTIES THAT:
1. The building construction will be carried out in a workmanlike manner to conform with the Nigerian building codes and standards.
2. The project scope is the building carcass and finishes excluding external works such as gates, fences, paving, soft landscaping, borehole,power connection, septic tank and gate house.
3. The planned project schedule is 8 weeks.
4. The construction cost and payment milestone for the project is as below:
Cost for building carcass:
Cost for building finishes:
Building Carcass payment milestone:
(1) Foundation to DPC =
(2) DPC to Parapet =
(3) Parapet to Roof completion =
Building Finishing payment milestone:
(1) Plastering, POP and MEP =
(2) Doors, windows and tiles =
(3) Painting, kitchen cabinets and wardrobes =
5. Contractor will give weekly progress updates to Owner.
6. All project issues will be discussed and resolved in a timely manner between the
Contractor and owner to prevent project delays.
7. Variation in project scope will affect time and cost. This will be discussed and resolved by the owner and Contractor.
V. SCOPE
The project scope is as under listed for the main building
CARCASS: Foundation
1. Setting out of buildings
2. Digging of foundation to about 600mm
3. Casting 50mm thick blinding
4. Laying of blocks
5. Installation of metal bars to columns
6. Casting of columns
7. Filling foundation
8. Ramming of foundation
9. Laying of water proof
10. Installation of side formwork
11. Casting the ground floor slab
Ground floor
1. Setting out of block work
2. Building up block walls leaving space for doors and windows as per drawings
3. Installation of door and window lintels.
4. Installation of formwork to columns and casting of the same
5. Build up of block work above lintel level
6. Mechanical and electrical piping
Roof level
1. Casting of perimeter roof beam
2. Parapet casting
3. Installation of wood truss
4. Installation of roofing sheets and flashing
FINISHES:
1. Plastering
2. Windows installation
3. POP ceilings
4. Screeding
5. Doors installation
6. Windows installation
7. Window trims
8. Wiring
9. Tiling
10. Sanitary wares installtion
11. Cabinets
12. Sockets and switches installation
13. Lighting fittings installtion
14. Painting
External Works
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Water Stanchion
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Septic Tank, Soakaway and Chambers
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Layout Kerbs for Landscaping
* Kindly note that external works are not included in the cost/scope. This can however be added as a separate item.
VI. CONTACT
Owner’s Details
Name:
Phone number:
Address_
Contractor’s Details
Name:
Phone number:
Address:
VII. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
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This Agreement and any Dispute shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Nigerian law.
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State and dispute resolution procedure if any
VIII. EFFECTIVE DATE AND SIGNATURE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as a deed as of the date first above written.
Owner: Contractor:
Date: Date:
In The Presence of:
……………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………….
Name:
Title
Address
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