Contractapp

<ul><li>Navigate to the ContractApp Dashboard. Locate and click on the Create Contract button.</li><li>What you’ll see: A clean, user-friendly interface prompting you to start the contract creation process.</li></ul>

Start Contract Creation

<ul><li>From the sidebar, click New Contract if navigating through different sections.</li><li>Why this matters: This shortcut lets you jump directly into the contract creation flow without returning to the main dashboard.</li></ul>

Select New Contract

<ul><li>Select AI Generated Contract to automate legal text creation.</li><li>How it helps: The AI uses preloaded templates to populate standard sections like payment terms, liabilities, and termination clauses.</li><li>Note: AI templates save time but always double-check for clauses specific to your client or industry.</li></ul>

Choose AI Assistance

<ul><li>Choose your role, e.g., I’m the Contractor/Business or other roles such as Client if applicable.</li><li>Impact: Defining your role determines the primary responsibilities and obligations outlined in the contract.</li><li>Tip: Double-check your selection to avoid misaligning your responsibilities within the contract.</li></ul>

Define Your Role

<ul><li>Enter a contract title, e.g., “Deck Replacement and Enlargement.”</li><li>Select contract type and industry from dropdown menus.</li><li>Details matter: A precise title and correct categorization help in retrieving the contract quickly in the future.</li><li>Pro Tip: Include client/project specifics in the title for easy identification during audits.</li></ul>

 Input Contract Details

<ul><li>Choose an appropriate type, like Construction, from the dropdown menu.</li><li>Customization: If a relevant type isn’t listed, contact support to add new categories specific to your business needs.</li><li>Why important: Correct categorization ensures accurate template suggestions and legal clause alignment.</li></ul>

Select Contract Type

<ul><li>Pick the relevant industry, such as Decks, which tailors the contract templates to common industry practices.</li><li>Suggestion: If you frequently work across industries, keep track of which templates perform best for each.</li><li>Need more options? Use the feedback option to request additional industries.</li></ul>

Select Contract Industry

<ul><li>Input the start date for the contract, e.g., 2024-11-25.</li><li>Tip: For contracts without immediate start dates, leave this blank but communicate this to the client to avoid misinterpretation.</li><li>Warning: An undefined start date could lead to disputes if deliverables are prematurely expected.</li></ul>

Add Contract Start Date (Optional)

<ul><li>Define the contract’s end date.</li><li>Why it’s critical: Setting an end date helps establish clear boundaries, ensuring the client understands when the project is expected to finish.</li><li>Tip: Include buffer time in case of delays.</li></ul>

Add Contract End Date (Optional)

<ul><li>Click Next Step to save your progress.</li><li>Tip: Before proceeding, review all entered details. Corrections now can save time during client reviews.</li></ul>

Proceed to Next Step

<ul><li>Use the search bar to find existing clients in your user base.</li><li>Best Practice: Avoid creating duplicate entries by searching for partial matches of names or email addresses.</li><li>Warning: Duplicate client entries can lead to billing discrepancies.</li></ul>

Search for Existing User

<ul><li>If the client is new, enter their full name, ensuring accuracy and proper formatting.</li><li>Tip: Use official names from contracts or government IDs to maintain professional records.</li></ul>

Add Client Name

<ul><li>Input the client’s primary email address.</li><li>Why it matters: This email is used for sending contracts and obtaining digital signatures. Ensure it’s current and frequently checked by the client.</li><li>Tip: Double-check with the client if unsure about which email to use.</li></ul>

Custom Step Color

Add Client Email

<ul><li>Provide comprehensive client details, including address, and legal identification if required.</li><li>Pro Tip: Accurate data ensures smoother billing, legal compliance, and minimizes back-and-forth communication during the project.</li></ul>

Enter Client Information

<ul><li>Enter a specific service location if different from the client’s primary address.</li><li>Scenario: This is useful for projects requiring on-site work, such as renovations or deliveries.</li><li>Tip: Include precise details like floor number, unit, or building name for large sites.</li></ul>

Add Service Address

Check the box if the service address matches the client’s primary address.<ul><li>Tip: This streamlines the process for smaller projects with a single work location.</li></ul>

Use Client Address as Service Address

<ul><li>Click Next Step to save your entries.</li><li>Note: Regular saves ensure no data loss in case of connection issues.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Drag and drop relevant services or products from predefined lists.</li><li>Pro Tip: Tailor these lists to your business. Preloading common services reduces setup time.</li></ul>

Define Scope of Work

Use the search bar to filter scope items quickly, especially when managing lengthy service lists.<ul><li>Benefit: Enhanced organization improves clarity during client reviews.</li></ul>

Reorder and Filter Scope Items

<ul><li>For each scope item, input the required quantity (e.g., units, hours, or fixed costs).</li><li>Tip: Ensure accuracy as quantities directly influence pricing.</li></ul>

Specify Quantity

<ul><li>Click Next Step to continue.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Specify whether the contractor or client is responsible for providing materials.</li><li>Warning: Miscommunication here could lead to disputes over material delays or quality issues.</li></ul>

Choose Material Supplier

<ul><li>Attach your prepared estimate in supported file formats (PDF).</li><li>Advice: Always label your files with descriptive names like “ClientName_ProjectName_Estimate.”</li></ul>

Upload Estimate File

<ul><li>Include supplementary files such as permits, photos, or blueprints.</li><li>Tip: These enhance transparency and help the client understand the full project scope.</li></ul>

Attach Additional Files

<ul><li>Rename uploaded files for clarity, e.g., “Permit_ClientName_2024.”</li><li>Why it helps: Proper naming conventions ensure that files are easily distinguishable during audits or client reviews.</li></ul>

Rename Files

<ul><li>Select Permit Required if the project mandates legal permits.</li><li>Tip: Specify who is responsible for acquiring permits within the contract clauses.</li></ul>

Indicate Permit Requirements

<ul><li>Assign responsibility to the contractor or client for specific tasks (e.g., obtaining permits).</li><li>Pro Tip: Tailor these clauses to fit client agreements and mitigate liability risks.</li></ul>

Assign Responsibility Clauses 

<ul><li>Specify warranty terms agreed upon, e.g., “12-month warranty covering parts and labor.”</li><li>Clarification: Provide specific limitations or exclusions to avoid misunderstandings.</li></ul>

Add Warranty Details

<ul><li>Enable Deposit Required if upfront payment is mandatory.</li><li>Tip: Use this option for large projects to secure commitment and cover initial expenses.</li></ul>

Require Deposit

<ul><li>Input the deposit amount, e.g., “$10,000.”</li><li>Tip: Clearly state what percentage of the total project cost this represents.</li></ul>

Enter Deposit Amount

<ul><li>Provide a detailed description of the deposit, e.g., “Initial payment covering materials and labor mobilization.”</li></ul>

Describe the Deposit

<ul><li>Define the payment schedule, amounts, and applicable taxes.</li><li>Tip: Break the total amount into clear milestones to improve cash flow visibility.</li></ul>

Add Payment Details

<ul><li>Choose a payment method, e.g., E-Transfer.</li><li>Pro Tip: Offer multiple methods for client convenience</li></ul>

Select Payment Method

<ul><li>Ensure all pre-filled fields, like the e-transfer email, are correct to avoid delays.</li></ul>

Verify Payment Details

<ul><li>Click Next Step to advance.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Use the search bar or browse the clause library to add terms such as confidentiality, dispute resolution, and termination conditions.</li><li>Why it matters: Standardized clauses ensure compliance and reduce legal risks.</li><li>Tip: Filter clauses by relevance or industry for faster selection.</li></ul>

Add Contract Clauses

<ul><li>Click on the clause titled Adherence to By-Laws and Regulations to include it in the contract.</li><li>Importance: This ensures that the contractor and client agree to abide by local legal and regulatory standards.</li><li>Pro Tip: Customize the language to address specific jurisdictions or industries if needed.</li></ul>

Select "Adherence to By-Laws and Regulations"

<ul><li>Click the down arrow next to any clause to reveal the full proposed legal language.</li><li>Tip: Reviewing the expanded text allows you to ensure it covers your project’s requirements comprehensively.</li></ul>

Expand Clause Text

<ul><li>You can select multiple clauses that apply to the contract by checking the relevant boxes.</li><li>Why it’s useful: This step allows for a tailored contract that addresses unique project risks and conditions.</li><li>Pro Tip: Save frequently used clause combinations as templates for similar projects.</li></ul>

Select Multiple Clauses

<ul><li>Once all necessary clauses are added, click Next Step to continue.</li><li>Tip: Take a moment to review selected clauses for alignment with client expectations and project scope.</li></ul>

 Proceed to Next Step

<ul><li>The system compiles all sections, providing a full view of the draft contract.</li><li>Pro Tip: Use this opportunity to verify consistency in terminology, ensure client-specific details are accurate, and spot any incomplete fields.</li><li>Warning: Pay close attention to sections like payment terms and deliverables, as these are often scrutinized by clients.</li></ul>

Review the Entire Contract

<ul><li>If any section needs refinement, select it (e.g., “The warranty regarding provided services”) for further customization.</li><li>Tip: Use this feature to make quick changes based on client feedback or legal review without redoing the entire document.</li></ul>

Edit Specific Sections

<ul><li>Click Rewrite to regenerate the selected section using AI.</li><li>Benefit: This tool ensures the language is legally robust and aligned with industry standards while saving time on manual edits.</li><li>Note: Evaluate the rewritten content carefully to ensure it meets the specific needs of your contract.</li></ul>

Use the Rewrite Feature

<ul><li>The rewritten section will now reflect updated legal language, e.g., “The warranty shall remain valid for 12 months…”</li><li>Tip: Compare it with your original wording to ensure no critical details are lost.</li></ul>

Review AI-Generated Edits

<ul><li>If unsatisfied with the AI-generated content, use the Undo feature to revert to the original text.</li><li>Why this helps: It allows for trial-and-error adjustments without permanently altering key terms.</li></ul>

Undo Changes if Necessary

<ul><li>After reviewing all sections, you can either download the draft for offline review or proceed to finalization.</li><li>Pro Tip: Use downloaded drafts for internal reviews before sharing with clients to catch any last-minute errors.</li></ul>

Download or Finalize the Draft

<ul><li>Click Finish and Continue to finalize the contract.</li><li>Why it’s important: This action locks the contract for signature or further sharing, ensuring no unintended changes can be made.</li></ul>

Finalize and Continue

<ul><li>If the contract isn’t ready for finalization, use the Save as Draft option to return later for further edits.</li><li>Benefit: This feature ensures you can collaborate with team members or await client input before proceeding.</li></ul>

Save as Draft

<ul><li>Choose the Save, Sign, and Send option to initiate the digital signature process.</li><li>Best Practice: Inform the client beforehand about the signing method to avoid delays.</li></ul>

Save, Sign, and Send

<ul><li>After selecting your preferred action, click Finish to complete the process.</li><li>Outcome: You’ll be redirected to a confirmation page or the contract dashboard, depending on your action.</li><li>Tip: Keep a record of the contract ID for future reference.</li></ul>

Final Confirmation

<ul><li>Once finalized, the contract will be accessible from the Contract Dashboard.</li><li>What you’ll see: A summary of all your active, pending, and completed contracts.</li><li>Pro Tip: Regularly monitor this dashboard to stay updated on client actions, such as pending signatures or revisions.</li></ul>

Access the Contract Dashboard

This guide provides a detailed walkthrough of contract creation in ContractApp, from initial setup to finalization. Each step includes expanded instructions, tips for best practices, and warnings about common errors.