PUT AGREEMENTS IN WRITING

When you have an agreement, make sure you have the agreement in writing. It is important because then the parties will know what their rights and liabilities are. If the agreement is for many different types of construction, the Contractors' License Law may require that agreement be completely in writing. Make the agreement as detailed as possible. Anytime something changes, you should send a confirming letter or possibly a change order to the other side. All of this will give you legal protection. Even though you are allowed by law to have oral agreements as well, the legal protection you will get is not the same. When the agreement is only oral it is not clear as to what each party says and it is easier for a judge to believe either side of the story. A written agreement that clearly states your position leaves no room for a judge or jury to try and figure out what was meant by that agreement and you avoid going against the Contractors' License Law.