Utah Contractor Practice Exam

If a homeowner wishes to have additional work done after a job is completed, what should the contractor do?

1. Get the owner to sign a change order

2. Do the additional work for free

3. Make an oral agreement with the owner

4. Write a new contract and ask the owner to sign it

The correct answer is: Write a new contract and ask the owner to sign it

When a homeowner requests additional work after the initial job has been completed, the contractor should ideally write a new contract and ask the owner to sign it. This approach ensures that all parties have a clear understanding of the new scope of work, the associated costs, and the timeline for completion. A written contract protects both the contractor and the homeowner by providing legal documentation of the agreed terms. While change orders can sometimes be suitable for minor alterations to the original contract, when the scope of work has substantially changed, a new contract is often the most appropriate route. It allows for detailed specifications and prevents misunderstandings that could arise from incomplete or vague agreements. This formal process ensures that the contractor is compensated fairly for the additional work, and it minimizes the potential for disputes.