scope of work statements? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

marlow · 04-07-2009, 04:09 PM

hey guys,
So i have spent the last few days scouring this site and I LOVE IT!! You guys definitely know whats going on! I am slowly building a huge file of very useful resources...

I have searched and searched and I cant seem to find any scope of work statements. If you guys would post some of your specs and scope of work on this thread it would really really help me out. As we all know this is how you can clearly say "well mam, we arent contracted to do that, but we would be happy to add the additional work at a reasonable price" And not feel bad about it!!!!

Any of you guys feelin gracious?

macatawacab · 04-07-2009, 09:21 PM

Marlow - Please post your location. Work scopes are a breed unto themselves. I have boiler plate of most WC but would not share them with you openly because 1- you just joined CT 2- don't know your motives

You need to build your posts and establish some dialog other wise you come across as trying to profit from participants.

jma_1000 · 04-08-2009, 05:41 PM

I am in the same boat as the OP, unfortunately. I don't want to look like a troll, but I definitely feel like a fish out of water. But wanting to know another persons 'scope of work' (with applied rates, I assume) seems a little personal, doesn't it?

buildpinnacle · 05-03-2009, 06:30 PM

I think this is where most contractors are looking for that 'magic' formula to do the hardest part of writing a contract. If you know what you are doing, you simply write out each step in the most professional sounding manner you can under different subheadings as needed in the order the work will be performed. You can be as detailed as you choose, but the more detailed, the better. Hate to be the one to break it to you, but unless you do the exact same scope of work every day, (unlikely), you will always be thinking and typing at the same time on this one.

rbsremodeling · 05-03-2009, 06:34 PM

Michael Stone has a contract writing template software, one of the better ones I have seen.

Uda software is a close second to that.

silvertree · 05-03-2009, 08:12 PM

I use a scope of work or work scope as I call it. That's not much more than a story of what you propose to do, followed in my case by the materials list.

I write mine out on Word, my material are done in Excel.
I have a 3 page contract with all the legal stuff.
All contracts can be broken, all paperwork can be argued, but some is better than none.
I have the customers sign each sheet with their full names and dates.

macatawacab · 05-03-2009, 11:58 PM

Marlow - are you wanting to have a work category description for your own activity or are you buying out a large job and wanting scopes for all trades?

Silvertree has it right for writing one covering your own activity.

Trying to buy out a large job is a little harder. Using the architect's plans and specs, the trick is to buy everything and only buy it once. All the AIA spec numbers listed in the job specs must be accounted for in the WC descriptions without assigning a spec area twice. This gets a little tricky.

The key is to break down the spec book into sections and have an understanding of which trade performs which sections, then allocate the spec #'s to the WC. If you do not have a good feel for the constructability of the building and the sequence of trades, you could make mistakes that will cost you big. Smart subs know now to bid a poorly written spec and WC.

Then you have to account for general site conditions, conformance with any authority with jurisdiction, etc. Another useful tool is the "work not included in this WC".

Maybe this helps.

marlow · 09-02-2009, 10:15 AM

thanks for the responses guys.
I am just trying to get some encouragement so that I can build my confidence up and get some bigger jobs. I get all my work through word of mouth but most of it is 2 and 3 day jobs, minor remodels, repairs, porches etc. I just was hoping that I could search the site and find a bunch of scope of work statements so that I could file them back just for referencing.

I have been using service magic and its a bit frustrating but I am getting the opportunity to sell some big jobs so I am sticking with it, trying to learn the system and improving my sales and communication techniques. At a hefty price I might add!

I mostly just get on here and search the topics that I am curious about and then save them on my comp and print them off and read at my leisure. This is by far the best site I have found for knowledgable folks.

Thanks again guys

Magic Hammer · 09-13-2009, 07:30 AM

Read "Professional Cost Estimating" (and everything else) by Walter W. Stoeppelwerth, it's been out for a while but he gives good examples on good and bad specs for your contract. Silvertree is right, just put down what your proposing to do, and just as important what your not going to do.
Good Luck,

bert0168 · 09-13-2009, 08:16 AM

Damn, I just realized how old this thread is.