What is a Construction Contract?

NOTE-- We retired MacNail in 2000. and replaced it with Goldenseal-- a complete software package that handles construction spec writing, plus accounting, construction estimating, and project management, This manual is still online as a courtesy to die-hard MacNail users! Goldenseal stores Contract records, which have all the details needed to create a legal document that you can use as a contract, subcontract or specifications sheet.

What is a Contract?

A contract, as created by Spec Writer, is a document that describes a project, and lists the terms under which the work will be done. It is created from 'libraries' of legal language that come with the MacNail construction management software. You can modify any of the language to suit your own needs.

A subcontract is almost identical to a contract, but it includes specs for only some parts of the project. Usually a subcontract is used between a general contractor and a subcontractor, so it only lists the work that will be done as a part of that subcontractor's trade.

A spec sheet is a listing of some or all of the work that will be done in a project. It is created by using the MacNail project management software to create a contract or subcontract with no headers, footers or stock clauses in it.