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Authority And Responsibility To Contract For Authorized Supplies And Services Are Vested In The Agency Head

(a) Unless specifically prohibited by another provision of law, authority and responsibility to contract for authorized supplies and services are vested in the agency head. The agency head may establish contracting activities and delegate broad authority to manage the agency’s contracting functions to heads of such contracting activities. Contracts may be entered into and signed on behalf of the Government only by contracting officers. In some agencies, a relatively small number of high level officials are designated contracting officers solely by virtue of their positions. Contracting officers below the level of a head of a contracting activity shall be selected and appointed under 1.603.

(b) Agency heads may mutually agree to—

By definition, and as contractors already know, contractors contract. It's an essential part of what contractors do. And the essential meaning of contract is "to agree upon." A contract is an agreement between two or more people that the law will enforce.

That's why the Contractors State License Board says that a home improvement contract is one of the most important tools a contractor uses. It's a tool to ensure that all parties to the contract agree. When contractors and consumers disagree, it's time-consuming and costly to all involved.

Home improvement contracts are a tool to make sure that contractors and consumers agree on the work to be performed: how it will be done, when it will be done, what materials will be used, and how much it will cost. A well-written contract is also a tool that helps ensure enforcement of the agreement, if necessary. Like most other tools, a contract should be top quality and well constructed, with all working parts.

A contract can be oral or written. Home improvement contracts over $500 must be written. In most cases, it's a good idea to put a contract in writing. It shows that there was a contract, and it proves what you and the other party agreed to do. The old axiom is true: "A verbal contract is as good as the paper it's not written on."

This document will describe what ALL home improvement contracts MUST have--all the pieces of the puzzle, so to speak--and then other information contractors should know. It also includes a "top ten" list of contract problems to watch out for, as well as a checklist of the essential elements of home improvement contracts. Finally, a resource list of where contractors can obtain standard contract forms is included.

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	Did You Know?
	The Requirement That Certain Contracts Be Written & Signed Came From 'The Old English Statute Of Frauds' The title of the statute purpose was to prevent deceptive acts by people who falsely claimed they were parties to oral contracts.