---
title: "Remodeling Contract: What Yours Should Include"
url: https://remodelbycuttingedge.com/remodeling-contract/
date: 2026-10-11
modified: 2026-10-11
lang: en
author: "Blane Perun"
description: "What a Florida remodeling contract should include: scope, fixed price, draw schedule, change orders, lien law notices, deposits and warranties."
image: https://remodelbycuttingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/General-Contractor-from-Cutting-Edge-Bonita-Springs-1-1024x572.webp
word_count: 921
---

# Remodeling Contract: What Yours Should Include

![Remodeling Contract What Yours Should Include by Cutting Edge Kitchen & Bath](https://remodelbycuttingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/General-Contractor-from-Cutting-Edge-Bonita-Springs-1-scaled.webp)General Contractor · Bonita Springs & Naples
# Remodeling ContractWhat Yours Should Include
Projects From$25.5KBased on our General Contractor packagesDesign VisitFreeLiDAR scan and photo-real 3D renderBuilt ByOur CrewsLicensed Florida GC, 500+ SWFL remodels
By **Blane Perun**, Owner · Cutting Edge Kitchen & Bath·20 years property management · 500+ SWFL remodels · Updated October 2026

The short answer
A Florida remodeling contract should spell out the full scope with drawings and selections, the price, a payment schedule tied to completed work, how change orders are priced and approved, the schedule, who pulls permits, warranties and how disputes are handled. Florida also requires residential construction contracts above a modest dollar amount to include the construction lien law disclosure and a notice about the Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund. Watch allowances closely: a low price full of allowances is not really a fixed price.

[Part of our General Contractor guide →](/general-contractor-bonita/)

![Homeowners reviewing a remodeling contract with a Bonita Springs contractor](https://remodelbycuttingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/General-Contractor-from-Cutting-Edge-Bonita-Springs-2-scaled.webp)General Contractor · Cutting Edge Kitchen & Bath

## What Belongs in a Remodeling Contract?
Scope is the foundation. The contract should reference specific drawings and a selections list naming cabinets, counters, tile, fixtures and appliances by model or by a clear allowance amount, and it should say what is excluded, such as furniture moving, painting other rooms or unforeseen structural repairs. The price should be stated plainly, with payments tied to milestones like rough-in inspections, cabinet installation and final completion rather than dates on a calendar. Florida requires the contractor's license number on the contract, and the contract should also state who pulls the permits.

The rest covers what happens when plans change. A change order clause should require written, signed changes with price and schedule impact before the work is done. The schedule should name a start window and duration, and explain how weather, material delays and inspections are handled. Look for the workmanship warranty and how manufacturer warranties pass to you, proof of insurance, cleanup and site rules, and a dispute process. Lien releases from subcontractors and suppliers should be part of the payment process, not an afterthought.

| Section | What to look for |
| ------- | ---------------- |
| Scope and drawings | Referenced plans and a selections list, plus exclusions |
| Price and allowances | Fixed price, realistic allowances clearly labeled |
| Payment schedule | Draws tied to completed milestones and inspections |
| Change orders | Written, signed, priced before work proceeds |
| Schedule | Start window, duration, how delays are handled |
| Permits and license | Who pulls permits, license number on the contract |
| Lien protection | Required lien law notice, releases with each payment |
| Warranty and insurance | Workmanship terms, manufacturer warranties, certificates |

Work With a *Licensed GC.*
See how our general contractor team handles permits, lien paperwork and one fixed-price contract for every project.

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## What Does Florida Law Add to the Contract?
Florida's construction lien law lets subcontractors and suppliers who were not paid place a lien on your home, even if you paid your contractor in full. That is why the contract carries a lien law disclosure, why a Notice of Commencement is recorded with the county clerk in Lee or Collier County before the first inspection on larger jobs, and why you should collect lien releases as payments go out. Florida also regulates deposits: a contractor who takes more than 10 percent up front must apply for permits within 30 days and begin work within 90 days of permit issuance.

Local conditions add a few clauses worth having. Hurricane season can halt work and delay materials, so the contract should explain how storm delays and site protection are handled. Condo projects need an association approval contingency and a certificate of insurance naming the association. Seasonal owners who approve selections and change orders from out of state should confirm the contract allows electronic signatures and spells out who can authorize changes on their behalf.

![Licensed contractor managing a permitted remodel in Southwest Florida](https://remodelbycuttingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/General-Contractor-from-Cutting-Edge-Bonita-Springs-3-scaled.webp)General Contractor · Cutting Edge Kitchen & Bath

## Remodeling Contract Questions

### Should a remodeling contract have a fixed price?
For most remodels, yes. A fixed price based on complete drawings and selections puts the risk of estimating errors on the contractor. Read the allowances carefully, because low allowances for tile, fixtures or cabinets can make a fixed price grow later. Unforeseen conditions should be handled through a defined change order process.

### How much deposit should a contractor ask for in Florida?
Florida does not set a single maximum, but it does protect larger deposits: if a contractor collects more than 10 percent of the price up front, they must apply for permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days of permit issuance, unless you agree otherwise in writing. Tie later payments to completed work.

### What is a Notice of Commencement?
It is a document recorded with the county clerk before work begins on larger projects, identifying the owner, contractor, property and lender if any. It sets the framework for lien rights under Florida law, and the building department typically requires a recorded copy before the first inspection. Your contractor usually prepares it for your signature.

Read Our *Contract Terms.*
Book a free consultation and we will walk you through our fixed-price contract line by line.

[Book a Free Consultation →](/general-contractor-bonita/)[Set an Appointment](/contact/)

## Why Clear Contracts Come From Cutting Edge
Cutting Edge Kitchen & Bath is a licensed Florida general contractor with a 4,000-square-foot showroom at 28280 Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs, more than 500 Southwest Florida remodels and nine Best of Houzz awards. Our contracts come after the design work, not before it: a free LiDAR scan and photo-real 3D render settle the scope and selections, so the price that follows is one fixed number. We pull the permits, handle the Notice of Commencement and lien paperwork, and build with our own crews, so you have one company accountable from signature to final inspection.