In the context of both residential and commercial construction, a contractor's relationship with its customers must be defined and the contractor must be well informed. Previous articles have discussed the need for adequate preparation of contracts between contractors; the same is true as between contractors and their customers. A clear understanding of all of the circumstances at the beginning of a project will help to protect the contractor from future disputes.
Additionally, the parties should specify the accountability for work performed by the preceding contractor. Although it is rare for a new contractor to take over a project and warrant for work that a predecessor performed, it is critical to get that fact in writing.