A Scope of Work is a description of the work that a trade contractor will perform for a builder. Every contract, including those executed with only a handshake, incorporates a Scope of Work, even if only implied. After all, if a builder did not need a task accomplished and did not describe that task to the trade contractor; there would be no basis for initiating an agreement. However, without a clear, detailed, written agreement between the builder and trade contractor, both parties can have significantly different expectations of the work.
Yet despite the problems caused by vague scopes of work, many documents in use today meet only the minimal legal and production requirements for the day-to-day new home construction operation. In addition, many builders and trade contractors often view revising scopes of work as more trouble than it is worth. However, the cost of the status quo can be high. Small mistakes that must be found and corrected before progressing to the next trade cause inefficiency, expensive delays, and increased cycle time. Other mistakes, if left undiscovered, can be concealed in a closed assembly and create long-term consequences, which are often insidious and very costly.