Frequently Asked Questions

BuilderGuard provides plain-English legal tools, contracts, and dispute resolution templates specifically designed for contractors. We help you protect your business, get paid for your work, and handle difficult clients — without expensive lawyers.

Our documents have been developed by contractors who've faced these exact situations, refined through thousands of real-world uses, and have helped recover over $4.2 million in unpaid invoices.

BuilderGuard is designed for anyone in the construction industry who deals with clients, contracts, and payments:

• General contractors and builders
• Remodelers and renovation specialists
• Trade contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, etc.)
• Specialty contractors (concrete, flooring, painting, etc.)
• Subcontractors and material suppliers
• Handymen and small contractors

Whether you run a one-person operation or manage a crew of 50, these tools will help protect your business.

No. Our documents are useful for any construction professional, licensed or not. However, keep in mind that some states require a contractor's license for certain types or sizes of work, and operating without one may affect your legal rights (including mechanics lien rights).

We recommend checking your state's licensing requirements. Our documents include space for your license number if you have one, but it's not required to use them.

Our contracts, demand letters, and most business documents work in all 50 states. These are based on universal contract law principles that apply nationwide.

Important exception: Mechanics lien forms and procedures vary significantly by state. Some states (like California, Texas, and Georgia) have very specific statutory forms that must be used. Our Mechanics Lien Kit includes general guidance, but you should verify your state's specific requirements or consider our state-specific lien packs.

When in doubt, consult with a local attorney for state-specific requirements.

Each kit is a comprehensive package designed to handle a specific situation from start to finish. Kits typically include:

• Multiple related documents and forms
• Step-by-step instructions and guides
• Email and letter templates
• Tracking tools and checklists
• Escalation strategies

For example, the Payment Crisis Kit includes 5-stage demand letter series, invoice templates, payment tracking tools, mechanics lien guidance, and small claims court preparation — everything you need to collect what you're owed.

Kits are comprehensive packages that include multiple documents, guides, templates, and strategies for handling an entire situation (like non-payment or a difficult client). They're best when you need a complete system.

Individual documents are single forms or templates for specific needs (like a Change Order Form or Subcontractor Agreement). They're perfect when you just need one specific tool.

Kits offer significant savings compared to buying documents separately. For example, if a kit contains 8 documents that would cost $150+ individually, the kit might be priced at $79-99.

Our products are professional templates with fillable fields. You fill in your specific information (company name, client details, project info, amounts, etc.) to create your personalized document.

Each document includes:

• Clear instructions on what to enter in each field
• Example language and options to choose from
• Guidance on customizing for your situation

For contractors who want fully customized documents prepared for them, we offer a "Done For You" service — contact us for details.

Yes! All documents are provided in formats that allow you to:

• Fill in the blank fields digitally
• Print and fill out by hand
• Customize text and clauses as needed
• Add your company logo and branding
• Reuse for multiple projects

Once purchased, you own the documents forever and can use them on unlimited projects.

Documents are delivered as PDF files with fillable form fields. PDFs can be opened, filled, and saved on any device using free software like Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Some products also include Word (.docx) versions for easier customization and editing.

After purchase, you'll receive instant download links via email and can access your files anytime from your account.

Yes! We offer a free contractor pricing calculator to help you calculate accurate job quotes in 60 seconds. The calculator includes:

• 8 pre-loaded job templates (kitchen, bathroom, roofing, etc.)
• Labor cost calculators (crew size × hours × rate)
• Overhead cost helpers
• Profit margin recommendations
• Professional PDF output
• Personal dashboard to save and access your quotes

The calculator is completely free and requires no signup. Simply enter your costs and download a professional quote. Try the calculator now.

Yes. Our contracts and agreements are designed to create legally binding obligations when properly executed (signed by both parties). They include the essential elements required for enforceability: offer, acceptance, consideration, and mutual assent.

However, no template can guarantee a specific outcome in court. Enforceability can depend on many factors including how the document was filled out, state-specific laws, and the specific circumstances of your situation.

For high-value contracts or complex situations, we always recommend having an attorney review your documents.

No. Our documents are written in plain English specifically so you don't need a lawyer for everyday protection. Thousands of contractors use these documents successfully without legal help.

When you might want a lawyer:

• Contracts over $100,000
• Complex commercial projects
• Situations that have already escalated to litigation
• State-specific requirements you're unsure about

Think of our documents as your first line of defense — they'll handle 90% of situations. For the other 10%, we can refer you to construction attorneys in your area.

Our documents are designed with court admissibility in mind. They include proper legal language, clear terms, signature blocks, and documentation best practices that courts expect to see.

What makes documents strong in court:

• Clear, unambiguous language
• Proper signatures and dates
• Documented delivery (certified mail, email confirmation)
• Consistent, timely use

Many of our customers have successfully used these documents in small claims court, mediation, and even larger litigation. The key is using them correctly and consistently — which is why we include detailed instructions with every product.

Most of our documents (contracts, change orders, demand letters) are based on general contract law and work in all states. However, some areas have important state-specific variations:

• Mechanics Liens: Forms and deadlines vary significantly by state
• Preliminary Notices: Required in some states, not others
• Consumer Protection: Some states have specific right-to-cancel rules
• Licensing: Unlicensed contractors may have limited rights in some states

Each document includes notes about potential state variations. We also offer state-specific document packs for mechanics liens in major states. When in doubt, verify with a local attorney.

Every document includes a "How to Use This Document" page with step-by-step instructions. Generally:

• Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) or your browser
• Click on each fillable field and enter your information
• Check the appropriate boxes for options that apply
• Review the completed document
• Save and print for signatures

Forms can also be printed blank and filled out by hand. Each field is clearly labeled, and example text shows you exactly what type of information to enter.

Yes, our documents work for both residential and commercial projects. The core protections — clear scope, payment terms, change order procedures, dispute resolution — apply regardless of project type.

For larger commercial projects, you may want to add:

• More detailed insurance requirements
• Performance bond provisions
• Detailed liquidated damages clauses
• Specific compliance requirements

Our contracts include space for these additions. For very large or complex commercial work, consider having an attorney review your customized contract.

This is actually one of the best early warning signs of a problem client. Our Client Screening Questionnaire helps you identify red flags before you're in too deep.

If a client resists signing:

• Explain that the contract protects both parties equally
• Offer to walk through any sections they're concerned about
• Be willing to negotiate reasonable changes
• If they still refuse — walk away

A client who won't sign a fair contract is telling you they don't intend to follow through on their commitments. Trust that red flag. The job you don't take is sometimes the most profitable.

Mechanics lien procedures vary significantly by state, but the general process is:

• Step 1: Send preliminary notice (if required in your state)
• Step 2: Complete the lien claim form with property and work details
• Step 3: File the lien with your county recorder's office
• Step 4: Serve a copy to the property owner
• Step 5: Enforce the lien (sue to foreclose) within your state's deadline

Our Mechanics Lien Kit includes detailed instructions, deadlines by state, and all the forms you need. Critical: Lien deadlines are strict — miss them by one day and you lose your rights entirely.

We accept all major payment methods:

• Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
• Debit cards
• PayPal
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• Shop Pay

All transactions are processed securely through Shopify's payment system. Your payment information is never stored on our servers.

Yes! When you purchase a BuilderGuard product, you get free lifetime updates. If we update a document due to legal changes, best practice improvements, or customer feedback, you'll receive:

• Email notification about the update
• Free download of the updated version
• Summary of what changed and why

We regularly review our documents to ensure they reflect current laws and best practices. Updates are automatically available in your account.

Yes! We offer special pricing for:

• Companies: Multi-user licenses for your team
• Trade Associations: Member discounts and bulk licensing
• Trade Schools: Educational pricing for training programs
• Affiliates: Reseller and referral programs

For bulk pricing inquiries, email [email protected] with details about your organization and needs.