We're about to sign a contract with a home improvement 'guy' to gut and renovate our only bathroom. We interviewed several and this one seemed a good fit, good price (not lowest, not highest) and the references (for what those are worth; I prefer word-of-mouth myself) were solid.
That said, this is our first foray into hiring a contractor. What are typical contract terms for things like warranting against defects in workmanship (e.g., leak below tub area 6 weeks after installation) and taking longer than estimated to finish? Is a price penalty for passing a deadline normal? This is our only bathroom and if he leaves us high and dry for 2 days to to work on a friend's emergency that's going to hurt. And what if the workmanship is marginally sloppy, i.e., something is hung slightly out of plumb, or a joint doesn't meet acceptably?
What are typical payment terms/stages? Up-front and punch list percentages? We are buying all the fixtures and tile, he's doing the labor. We've asked for a certificate of insurance and there's no problem there.
I've googled and found general references to what a good contract should include and many warnings about proceeding without one, but not much for specificity in typical terms.
TIA
Hera