Construction Contract in India | Download Word Template (.doc)

Ready to use legal template

Drafted by experienced lawyers

Compliant with Indian law

Ready to use legal template

Drafted by lawyers

Compliant with Indian law

Home › Buy a property › Construction contract

Learn more about Construction Contract in India

A Construction Contract is a legally binding agreement between a property owner and a contractor that outlines the terms, conditions, and scope of work for a construction project. In India, this document plays a vital role in ensuring that all parties involved are clear on project specifications, timelines, payment terms, responsibilities, and dispute resolution procedures. Whether it’s a residential renovation or commercial development, a Construction Contract helps protect your investment and avoid costly misunderstandings. It also supports compliance with Indian laws and local regulations, such as those under the Indian Contract Act, 1872, and relevant building codes. Download our Construction Contract template, fully editable in Word format and drafted by legal experts with knowledge of the Indian construction and legal landscape.

📄 Related documents

Architect contractInterior design contractProperty purchase agreementIntent to purchase letter

Need legal advice ?

What is a Construction Contract?

A Construction Contract is a legal agreement that details the services and expenses of a building project. A Construction Contract can be used to build a house or a company. The Building Contract will have varied details depending on the customer. A home contract, for example, will have different details than a commercial construction deal.

The project scope, construction timeframe, and payment schedule should all be detailed in all construction contracts. A construction timetable is a timeline that comprises construction milestones, planned dates, and an estimated completion date. A payment plan should include the expected final cost of the project, payment instructions, and whether or not a deposit is necessary.

When to use a Building Contract?

If you are on either end of the process of building, renovating, or remodeling a building or structure, you should employ a Construction Contract Agreement. Maybe you’ve finally chosen to build your ideal home and live happily ever after. Happily ever after may have to wait due to unreasonable contractor delays or unforeseen, exorbitant charges.

Perhaps you are a local contractor trying to expand your company and take on larger building jobs. In any case, make sure you have a written agreement to function as the blueprint until construction is finished to iron out the creases.

This agreement allows the parties to establish in writing the specific type and details of the work to be performed, as well as the duties of each party during the building process.

Why use a Construction Contract?

A Construction Contract is required if you are constructing, remodeling, or modifying a building or structure. Both parties are protected by a construction agreement. If you’ve recently chosen to build your dream house, a construction contract will safeguard your rights in the event of excessive building delays and material shortages, or if your contractor surprises you with unexpectedly high expenses. If you’re a contractor, the construction contract will serve as your guidance for dealing with any unanticipated complications before the job is finished.

The construction contract allows each party to specify the actual work to be done as well as each party’s duties throughout the project. The construction contract also includes the deal’s payment conditions. All contract conditions must be in accordance with applicable laws.

What is included in the Construction Contract?

The following components are frequently identified/included in the basic construction contract:

➤ Owner: The person or entity who hires the general contractor to build on his or her land.

➤ The general contractor is the entity in charge of overseeing the work on a daily basis.

➤ The general contractor's state license board number demonstrates that they are a licensed contractor.

➤ Worksite: The property's location, where building will take place.

➤ Work description: A full explanation of the contractor's work and construction. The agreement might also include project plans and specifications.

➤ Contract pricing and payments: The entire cost of the job, as well as how and when payments will be made.

➤ Contract papers include any designs, plans, exhibits, or other documents that will be included in the contract.

➤ Materials and labour: Which side will provide and pay for materials and labour?

➤ Starting and completion dates: The deadlines for the contractor to start and substantially complete construction.

➤ Subcontracts: Whether or not the contractor will engage subcontractors to assist in the performance of some of the contractor's tasks.

➤ Modifications to the agreed-upon work: How any changes to the agreed-upon work will be handled once construction has commenced.

➤ Warranties: For how long will the contractor guarantee that his or her work is free of material flaws?

These extra components can be included as well:

➤ Indemnification: The contractor commits to pay the owner for any losses or damages caused by his or her work.

➤ Dispute resolution: Arbitration, mediation, and adjudication are popular methods for contract parties to settle issues rather than going to court.

➤ Inspection: Allows the owner to view the contractor's work at any point throughout construction to ensure that it complies with the contract conditions.

➤ Insurance: Both owners and contractors are responsible for acquiring insurance to cover damages and faults, as well as claims and losses.

➤ Liquidated damages: A daily amount that the contractor must pay to the owner for each day that construction is delayed over the agreed-upon completion date.

➤ Force majeure: Parties will not be held liable for failure to perform as a result of unavoidable occurrences or situations beyond their authority (e.g. hurricanes, earthquakes, shortage of materials, change in contract plans).

What are the important terms of a Building Contract?

The following phrases may be inferred in a building contract:

➤ A responsibility to cooperate: The employer must do all possible to ensure that the contract is performed, including referring to specific contractual requirements.

➤ A legal obligation to cede ownership of the site within a reasonable time frame: This word only refers to particular sorts of contracts, such as no maintenance or renovation.

➤ A responsibility not to obstruct/prevent the contractor: The contractor shall not be prevented from carrying out his contractual responsibilities or obligations in a normal and routine way.

➤ A responsibility to use discretion honestly and in good faith: The right to make a choice must be used for its intended purpose and not arbitrarily or capriciously.

What are the laws that govern construction in India?

The Indian Contracts Act is a legislation organised into a systematic code that is heavily based on English Common Law. Construction Acts exist in certain western nations, such as the United Kingdom and portions of the United States, however in India, it is controlled by the Indian Contract Act, 1872, exactly like other contracts.

A contract must be in compliance with other laws and regulations and must not contradict any of them in order to be legitimate. As a result, depending on the kind of contract under construction and engineering legislation, the following requirements must be followed:

➤ Labour regulations, such as the Child Labour Act of 1986

➤ The Minimum Wage Act of 1948

➤The Workmen Compensation Act of 1923

➤ The Sales of Goods Act of 1930

➤ Regulations and rules of the local municipality/corporation

➤ The 1996 Arbitration and Conciliation Act

➤ The 1963 Limitation Act

➤ Tax legislation, such as the Income Tax Act of 1961

What are the main types of Construction Contract?

There are three sorts of pricing systems in general:

1. The most frequent pricing form for construction contracts is the lump payment, often known as the conventional “fixed price” contract. A lump sum contract is one in which the parties agree on a fixed fee based on the contractor’s estimate of the expenses of a complete and final design. Lump sum contracts include all materials, subcontracts, labor, indirect expenses, profit, and other charges.

2. Cost or cost-plus: In a cost-plus contract, the owner reimburses the contractor for all construction costs, including supplies and labor. In addition, the owner pays an agreed-upon profit margin, which is either a fixed price or a percentage of overall expenditures.

3. A unit pricing arrangement involves the parties putting a price on each unit or relevant piece of work, such as by item, cubic yard, linear foot, or per hour.