Like it or not, the days of relying solely on handshake deals are over. It’s important to put all agreements in writing, including supply agreements, in order to set proper expectations from the start. Having a written supply agreement sets the standard for what is expected from each party and lays the groundwork for a healthy job.
Because projects often run for long periods of time, and the amount and nature of supplies needed can change throughout the project’s lifecycle, parties are sometimes reluctant to get things in writing. Or sometimes, the parties have simply worked together before and trust that everything will work out on the project.
A written supply agreement not only makes everything clear, but it also compiles all of the necessary information regarding the actual project. When it comes to supplies on a project, information can easily get lost in translation as it travels to lower tier parties. However, this is something that can be avoided by putting information down in writing. After all, communication is the key to successful projects and written agreements are the best way to promote clear communication from the jump.
At the same time, that doesn’t mean the agreement has to be complicated! A supply agreement can be straightforward and still contain all of the necessary information. And If the amount or nature of the supplies changes, later on, you can always get that in writing, too.
Our levelset staff attorneys have created a no-nonsense supply agreement that can be used on a variety of jobs. Plus, the template is in MS Word – so you can customize the form to fit your projects. When you put the job in writing, it shouldn’t be seen as a burden. Instead, it should be seen as the first steps towards a successful project.
