What should a tradesperson contract include?

A tradesperson contract should, as a minimum, describe who the parties are, what is to be done, which materials are to be used, what the work costs, when it is to be finished and how payment is to be made.

The contract should also explain how changes, additional work, delays, documentation and any faults are to be handled.

The bigger the project, the more important the details. A contract that only says "bathroom renovation - 250,000 kr" gives too little information if the parties later disagree about tiles, electrical work, fittings, the schedule or waste handling.

A good contract protects both the customer and the tradesperson. The customer gains control over what is to be delivered, while the tradesperson gets a clear description of what the business has actually committed to.

The Norwegian Consumer Council (Forbrukerrådet) recommends that you always use a written contract when you order tradesperson services. That makes it easier to establish what you have agreed if a disagreement arises. See the Consumer Council's guidance on using a tradesperson.

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for individual legal advice.

In short

A tradesperson contract should include:

Names and contact details of both parties
The business's organisation number
The address where the work is to be carried out
A detailed description of the work
Drawings, measurements and other attachments
The chosen materials and products
Work that is not included
Fixed price, price estimate or hourly rate
Total price including VAT
Start and completion dates
Milestones and payment plan
Responsibility for materials, applications and subcontractors
Rules for changes and additional work
Consequences of delay
Requirements for quality and workmanship
Documentation to be delivered
Procedure for the final inspection
Handling of faults and complaints
Insurance and liability for damage
How any dispute is to be handled
Date and signature of both parties

Why is a written contract important?

Oral agreements can be binding, but are often difficult to document.

The customer may remember that the price included materials, while the tradesperson believes the materials were to be invoiced separately. The tradesperson may believe the customer ordered extra work orally, while the customer understood the work to be part of the original agreement.

A written contract reduces the risk of such misunderstandings.

The contract answers four basic questions:

What is the tradesperson to deliver?
When is it to be delivered?
What is the customer to pay?
What happens if something does not go as agreed?

The contract should be drawn up before the work starts. Quotes, drawings and later change orders should be attached and treated as part of the agreement.

Which law applies?

When a private individual buys repairs, maintenance, installation, conversion or other tradesperson services from a business, the Consumer Craftsman Services Act (håndverkertjenesteloven) normally applies.

Among other things, the Act regulates:

How the work is to be carried out
The tradesperson's duty to give guidance and to advise against work
Additional work
Delay
Faults and defects
Price and price estimates
Itemised bills
Payment
Complaints

The Act cannot simply be departed from to the consumer's disadvantage. The contract can give the customer better rights than the Act, but normally cannot remove mandatory consumer rights.

When a new home is built or bought, the Housing Construction Act (bustadoppføringslova) and other contract forms apply as a general rule. You should therefore choose a contract that suits the specific type of project. See the relevant consumer contract forms from Standard Norge.

1. The parties to the agreement

The contract must clearly identify the customer and the tradesperson's business.

For the customer, the contract should include:

Full name
Address
Telephone number
Email address
Any co-customer or co-owner
Who is authorised to approve changes

For the tradesperson, the contract should include:

The business's legal name
Organisation number
Business address
Telephone number and email
Contact person
Project manager
Any main contractor
Any subcontractors

The business name and organisation number should match the information in the business register of the Brønnøysund Register Centre (Brønnøysundregistrene).

It should also state who has authority to enter into agreements on behalf of the business. This is particularly important if several employees, project managers or subcontractors are involved.

2. Address and project information

The contract should identify the project clearly.

Include:

The address where the work is to be carried out
Type of home
Apartment number or section number
Which rooms or areas the work covers
Any property designation
Contact person on site
Access, key arrangements and parking
Rules from the co-ownership association (sameie) or housing cooperative (borettslag)
Permitted working hours
Practical limitations

If the customer will not be living in the home during the work, the contract should describe how keys, access, the alarm and supervision are to be handled.

3. Detailed description of the work

The description of the work is usually the most important part of the contract.

Avoid general wording such as:

"Renovate bathroom"
"Paint the apartment"
"Build a terrace"
"Install kitchen"
"Carry out carpentry work"

Instead, describe the work step by step.

For a bathroom renovation, the description of the work may include, among other things:

Removal of existing fittings and surfaces
Removal and sorting of waste
Inspection of the subfloor and walls
Building up the floor and walls
Plumbing work
Electrical work
Membrane
Tiling
Painting the ceiling
Installation of fittings
Installation of the shower and toilet
Ventilation
Grouting
Cleaning
Testing and final inspection
Documentation

Also describe what the customer expects as the finished result. "Plasterboard wall installed" is not the same as a finished wall that has been filled, painted and fitted with trim.

4. Drawings, measurements and attachments

Drawings, photos, quotes, product lists and descriptions should be numbered and attached to the contract.

Example:

Attachment 1: Description of the work
Attachment 2: Floor plan
Attachment 3: Product and material list
Attachment 4: Price quote
Attachment 5: Progress plan
Attachment 6: Payment plan
Attachment 7: Requirements for final documentation

The contract should also explain which documents take precedence if they contradict each other.

One example of an order of precedence could be:

The signed contract
Approved change orders
The description of the work
Drawings
The product and material list
The original quote
Other written communication

The order must be adapted to the project. The point is that the parties should know which document applies if two attachments contain different information.

5. Work that is not included

The contract should describe both what the tradesperson is to do and what is not included.

Examples of work that may be left out:

Electrical work
Plumbing work
Painting
Filling
Application to the municipality
Technical design
Calculations by a structural engineer
Demolition
Removal of waste
Scaffolding or lift
Moving furniture
Final cleaning
Delivery of materials
Repair of hidden damage

A clear list of exclusions reduces the risk of the customer believing something is included when it is not.

6. Materials and products

The contract should explain which materials and products are to be used.

Include:

Manufacturer
Product name
Model
Item number
Dimensions
Colour
Finish
Quality grade
Quantity
Price
Who orders
Who pays
Who receives the delivery
Who is responsible for incorrect orders
How surplus materials are handled

Avoid wording that only says "standard materials" or "tiles as agreed".

If the product has not been chosen when the contract is signed, you can agree on a budget or a price range.

Example:

The contract price includes tiles with a purchase price of up to [amount] kr per m². If the customer chooses more expensive tiles, the price difference and any additional installation costs must be approved in writing before ordering.

It should also state whether the tradesperson may switch to an equivalent product if the agreed product is not available. Such a switch should be approved in writing.

7. Who buys the materials?

If the tradesperson buys the materials, the contract should describe:

Any mark-up on materials
Costs for ordering and transport
Who handles complaints
When the materials become the customer's property
What happens on cancellation
How unused materials are handled

If the customer buys the materials, the contract should explain:

Who takes the measurements
Who prepares the material list
Who checks the product
Who bears the cost of incorrect orders
What happens if the materials are delivered late
Whether the tradesperson guarantees materials chosen by the customer

Incorrect or late delivery of the customer's materials can affect both progress and price. This should be clarified in advance.

8. Price and pricing model

The contract must state whether the work is carried out at:

Fixed price
Price estimate
Hourly rate
Unit price
A combination of several pricing models

Fixed price

For a fixed price, the contract should state:

Total price including VAT
Which work the fixed price covers
Which materials are included
Which costs come in addition
The assumptions the fixed price is based on

Example:

The agreed fixed price is [amount] kr including VAT. The fixed price covers the work and materials described in attachments 1 and 3. Additional payment can only be claimed for changes approved in writing or other price additions that follow from the agreement and applicable law.

Price estimate

A price estimate is an estimate, not a fixed price. Under the Consumer Craftsman Services Act, the price should normally not exceed the estimate significantly - and not by more than 15 percent - unless otherwise expressly agreed or the customer has approved additions.

Example:

The expected total price is [amount] kr including VAT. The amount is a price estimate under the Consumer Craftsman Services Act. The tradesperson must give written notice if circumstances arise that may affect the estimate.

Hourly rate

For work by the hour, the contract should state:

Hourly rate including VAT
Hourly rate for apprentices or assistants
How hours are recorded
Expected number of hours
Whether travel time is invoiced
Price for the service vehicle
Minimum billing
Mark-up on materials
Price for administration
When the customer receives timesheets
A cost ceiling that requires new approval

Example:

The work is invoiced at [amount] kr per hour including VAT. The tradesperson sends a weekly timesheet. If the expected total price exceeds [amount] kr, the work must be stopped until the customer has approved further work in writing.

Ready to find a tradesperson?

Describe your job, compare quotes and pay securely through Fikso.

Find a tradesperson

Free to use · No hidden fees · Payout only after approval

9. Total price and other costs

The contract should show the total amount the customer is expected to pay.

Clarify whether the following are included:

VAT
Call-out
Travel time
Service vehicle
Parking
Toll charges
Transport of materials
Tool hire
Scaffolding
Lift
Waste container
Waste fees
Cleaning
Subcontractors
Application fees
Technical design
Documentation

If certain costs cannot be determined in advance, the contract should explain how they are calculated and whether an upper limit applies.

10. Start and completion

The contract should have specific dates.

Include:

Start date
Expected completion
Key milestones
Working hours
Planned breaks
Delivery time for materials
Deadlines for the customer's product choices
Deadlines for other trades
How changes to the schedule are notified

Avoid wording such as "start as soon as possible" or "finished as agreed".

A clearer wording is:

The work starts no later than [date] and must be completed no later than [date], subject to changes approved in writing and documented circumstances outside the tradesperson's control.

Clear deadlines are important if you later need to make a claim because of delay. The Consumer Council points out that it becomes harder to establish a delay if the parties have not agreed when the work is to be finished. See the Consumer Council's guidance on a delayed tradesperson.

11. Delay and daily penalties

In the event of delay, the customer may under the Consumer Craftsman Services Act, among other things, have the right to:

Withhold payment
Demand that the service be performed
Terminate the agreement if the conditions are met
Claim compensation for documented financial loss

For ordinary renovation and refurbishment jobs, a daily penalty for delay (dagmulkt) does not follow automatically from the Consumer Craftsman Services Act. A daily penalty must therefore be agreed in advance if it is to apply.

The contract can, for example, state:

The amount per calendar day or working day
When the daily penalty starts to run
Which delays the tradesperson is responsible for
The maximum total amount
How extensions of the deadline are to be notified
How delays caused by the customer are handled

Example:

If completion is delayed by circumstances the tradesperson is responsible for, an agreed daily penalty of [amount] kr per calendar day is payable, limited to [maximum amount or percentage]. The daily penalty does not apply where an extension of the deadline has been approved in writing.

It is a good idea to use a recognised standard contract if a daily penalty is to be included.

12. Payment plan

The payment plan should follow documented progress, not just calendar dates.

A plan can, for example, be linked to:

Ordering and delivery of special materials
Completed demolition
Completed hidden construction
Completed technical installations
Completed surfaces
Final inspection and documentation

The contract should describe:

The amount of each payment
Which milestone triggers the payment
Which documentation is required
Invoice deadline
Payment deadline
How disputed amounts are handled
When the final amount can be paid out

A large advance should be justified by documented costs, for example specially ordered materials.

If the time of payment has not been agreed, the starting point under the Consumer Craftsman Services Act is that payment is made when the tradesperson demands it after the service has been performed. For large projects it is therefore better to agree a clear payment plan.

13. Secure payment

The contract should state how payment is to be made and who the payee is.

Check that:

The payee matches the contracting party
The organisation number is on the invoice
The invoice is itemised
Changes are shown separately
The payment can be documented
The full amount is not paid out before the work starts
The final amount is linked to inspection and documentation

Fikso has been developed to make paying for services safer. The customer secures the payment before the work starts, and the money is paid out in line with the agreed process.

If a disagreement arises, the payment can be withheld while the parties' documentation is assessed. The agreement should refer to the applicable payment and dispute terms if the job is carried out via Fikso.

A payment solution does not replace the description of the work. What is to be delivered and when the money can be paid out must still be clearly agreed.

14. Additional work and changes

Additional work is one of the most common causes of conflict.

The Consumer Craftsman Services Act has rules on additional work. If the tradesperson discovers a need for work outside the job that it would be practical to carry out at the same time, the tradesperson must as a general rule contact the customer.

The contract should nevertheless have a clear change procedure.

A change order should include:

Number and date
Description of the change
The reason for the change
Photos or other documentation
Price for labour
Price for materials
Consequences for the schedule
Any consequences for other trades
The customer's written approval

Example:

Changes and additional work costing more than [amount] kr must be approved in writing by the customer before the work is carried out. The change order must show the price and any change to the completion date.

Such a threshold should not be interpreted as meaning that the tradesperson is free to carry out all additions below the limit. The purpose is to establish a practical written procedure. The rules of the Act may still apply.

15. Hidden and unforeseen conditions

During a renovation, conditions may come to light that were not visible during the site inspection:

Rot
Damp
Asbestos
Uneven structures
Missing insulation
Illegal electrical installations
Old or damaged pipes
Faults in load-bearing structures
Previous work without documentation

The contract should describe what happens if such conditions are discovered.

Example:

If the tradesperson discovers hidden conditions that may affect price, quality or progress, work on the affected part must be stopped as far as is prudent. The customer must be notified in writing and receive documentation, a proposed solution, the price and the consequences for the schedule before further work is approved.

It should also state who pays for investigations, a surveyor or other expert assistance.

16. The customer's responsibilities

The contract should also describe the customer's obligations.

These may include responsibility for:

Access to the home
Moving furniture and belongings
Electricity and water
Parking
Approval from the co-ownership association or housing cooperative
Product choices within set deadlines
Delivery of materials bought by the customer
Information about known damage
Information about previous work
Access to drawings and documentation
Payment according to the agreed milestones

If the customer does not fulfil their obligations, this can affect price and progress. The tradesperson should document the consequence and give notice before claiming additional payment or an extension of the deadline.

17. Applications and public permits

The contract should explain who checks whether the project requires an application.

Clarify:

Who checks the zoning plan
Who prepares the drawings
Who sends the neighbour notification
Who is the responsible applicant
Who does the technical design
Who carries out work that requires an application
Who pays the municipal fees
Who applies for the certificate of completion
Who registers the completed works

Do not settle for the wording "the tradesperson sorts out the paperwork". The tasks and costs should be specified.

The Norwegian Building Authority (Direktoratet for byggkvalitet) has guidance on work on existing buildings and which works may require an application.

18. Subcontractors and other trades

The contract should state whether the business may use subcontractors.

Include:

Which trades are subcontracted
Which businesses are to be used
Who coordinates them
Who checks registration and qualifications
Who invoices the customer
Who is responsible in the event of faults
Who collects the documentation

For electrical work, the business carrying out the work must be registered with active status in the Register of Electrical Contractors (Elvirksomhetsregisteret). You can check this with the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection, DSB.

The contract should not give the main business an unclear right to transfer the entire job to unknown parties without the customer being informed.

19. Quality requirements and professional workmanship

The work must be carried out in a professional manner. The contract can make the quality requirements more specific.

It can, for example, refer to:

The manufacturer's installation instructions
Drawings and descriptions
Relevant parts of the Building Technical Regulations (byggteknisk forskrift)
Agreed industry standards
Tolerances
Surface quality
Falls and positioning
Sound or fire requirements
Chosen product ranges
Approved sample area or reference

Avoid writing that "high quality" is to be delivered without defining what that means.

For visible work, it can be useful to approve a sample area, a colour sample or a detail solution before the rest is carried out.

20. Documentation during the work

The contract should require documentation before structures are closed up.

This may include photos of:

Pipe runs
Electrical cable runs
Insulation
Membrane
Falls in wet rooms
Reinforcements in walls
Foundations
Damp proofing
Fire stopping
Hidden repairs

Agree:

What is to be photographed
When the photos are to be taken
Who stores the documentation
How the customer gets access
Whether a milestone must be approved before the work is closed up

Photos are not always sufficient professional documentation, but they can be an important supplement.

21. Final documentation

The contract should include a separate list of what is to be delivered when the project is finished.

This may include:

Invoices and payment overview
Product and material list
Colour codes
Maintenance instructions
FDV documentation (management, operation and maintenance)
Photos of hidden structures
Declaration of conformity for electrical work
Circuit directory and final inspection
Documentation of the membrane
Documentation of plumbing work
Guarantees
Drawings
Approved change orders
Municipal decisions
Certificate of completion
Documentation for the home file (boligmappen)

It should state that the final documentation is part of the delivery, and preferably that part of the final payment only falls due when the documentation has been received.

22. Final inspection and handover

Before the final payment, the customer and the tradesperson should carry out a joint inspection.

The contract should describe:

When the inspection is to take place
Who takes part
How faults are recorded
Deadline for rectification
Whether minor faults prevent handover
When the risk for the work passes
When the final invoice can be sent
When the project is considered completed

Draw up a written record.

The record can include:

Completed work
Remaining work
Recorded faults
Deadline for rectification
Missing documentation
Any amount withheld
Date and signature

An oral walkthrough is harder to document afterwards.

23. Faults, defects and complaints

The contract can explain how the customer is to report faults, but normally cannot limit statutory consumer rights.

For work on real property, the Consumer Council states that the complaint period can be five years. The customer must still complain as soon as possible after the fault was discovered or should have been discovered.

In the event of a defect, the customer may, depending on the circumstances, among other things:

Withhold the necessary payment
Demand that the tradesperson rectifies the defect
Claim a price reduction if the defect is not rectified
Terminate the agreement if the conditions are met
Claim compensation for financial loss

The tradesperson normally has both the right and the duty to attempt to rectify the defect. The customer should therefore not immediately engage another business without first notifying the original tradesperson and giving them a reasonable opportunity to investigate and rectify.

24. Insurance and liability for damage

For larger projects, the contract should describe the tradesperson's insurance and liability.

Ask for information about:

Liability insurance
Which business the insurance applies to
What the insurance covers
Any limitations
Liability for damage to the home
Liability for damage to the neighbour's property
Liability for water damage, fire or other incidents
The customer's duty to notify their own insurance company

Insurance does not replace the tradesperson's contractual liability, but can be of great practical importance if extensive damage occurs.

25. Cancellation and stopping the project

The contract should explain what happens if the customer cancels all or part of the work.

Clarify:

How cancellation is to be notified
Payment for work already carried out
Costs for materials already ordered
Cancellation fees from suppliers
Handling of special-order products
Documented financial loss
Securing and clearing the site
Handover of materials and documentation

The Consumer Craftsman Services Act has rules on cancellation. A contract should therefore not set arbitrary fees unrelated to the agreement and the financial loss.

26. Disputes and disagreements

The contract should describe an orderly process if the parties disagree.

One possible sequence is:

The party gives written notice of the problem.
Both parties submit relevant documentation.
The tradesperson is given the opportunity to investigate and propose rectification.
The parties try to agree on a solution and a deadline.
An independent professional can inspect the work if necessary.
Disputed payment is withheld to the extent necessary.
The matter can be taken further to mediation or legal proceedings if the parties cannot agree.

If the job is carried out through Fikso, the contract can refer to the platform's applicable process for documentation, assessment and handling of payment in the event of a disagreement.

Such a process should not be described in a way that removes the parties' mandatory rights under the law or the right to take the matter further.

Example of a simple contract overview

Item	What should be filled in
Customer	Name, address, telephone and email
Tradesperson	Legal name, organisation number and contact person
Project	Address and description
Scope of work	Detailed list and attachments
Exclusions	Work that is not included
Materials	Product, quality, quantity and responsibility
Pricing model	Fixed price, estimate or hourly rate
Total price	Price including VAT
Start	Specific date
Completion	Specific date
Payment	Milestones and amounts
Extras	Written change order
Documentation	Specific list
Final inspection	Date, record and rectification deadline
Delay	Notification, extension of the deadline and any daily penalty
Dispute	Notification, documentation and further handling
Signature	Date and signature of both parties

Common mistakes in tradesperson contracts

The description of the work is too short

"Kitchen renovation" does not explain who demolishes, installs, paints or coordinates the electrician and plumber.

The materials are not specified

"Parquet included" does not say which parquet, quality or price is included.

The completion date is missing

That makes it harder to establish when the work is actually delayed.

Extras are agreed orally

Oral changes carry a high risk of disagreement about price and content.

Payment follows dates instead of progress

The customer may be obliged to pay even if the work is behind schedule.

Documentation is not agreed

The customer only discovers after the final payment that necessary papers are missing.

Responsibility for subcontractors is unclear

The customer does not know who is to handle faults or delays.

The contract refers to attachments that are not included

Check that all attachments are included and are the correct version before signing.

Checklist before signing the contract

Both parties are correctly identified.
The organisation number has been checked.
The project address is correct.
The work is described in detail.
Work that is not included is listed.
The materials are specified.
The pricing model is clear.
The total price includes VAT.
Transport, waste and other fees are clarified.
Subcontractors are clarified.
Responsibility for applications is clarified.
The start date is stated.
The completion date is stated.
Payment follows milestones.
Changes must be approved in writing.
The consequences of delay are described.
The final documentation is listed.
Final inspection and handover are agreed.
Insurance and liability have been checked.
Dispute resolution is described.
All attachments are included.
Both parties have signed the same version.

Frequently asked questions about tradesperson contracts

Does a tradesperson contract have to be in writing?

An oral agreement can be binding, but a written contract is far easier to document. The Consumer Council recommends that you always draw up a contract.

Who should draw up the contract?

Both the customer and the tradesperson can propose a contract. The most important thing is that both read, understand and approve the content.

Can the tradesperson use their own contract?

Yes, but the customer should check that the contract gives a balanced and clear picture of the work, price, schedule and responsibilities. Terms that conflict with mandatory consumer rules are not necessarily valid even if the customer has signed.

Is an accepted quote a contract?

A quote that the customer accepts can form a binding agreement. Nevertheless, the parties should gather the quote, the clarifications, the attachments and the payment terms in a clear contract.

What is the difference between a fixed price and a price estimate?

A fixed price is an agreed price for a defined piece of work. A price estimate is an estimate that normally cannot be exceeded significantly, and not by more than 15 percent, unless otherwise expressly agreed or there are approved additions.

Can the tradesperson carry out additional work without approval?

The general rule is that the tradesperson must contact the customer if a need for additional work arises. The Act has some exceptions, including for minor additions and work that cannot be postponed without risk of significant damage.

Should the contract include a daily penalty?

For ordinary renovations, a daily penalty does not follow automatically from the Consumer Craftsman Services Act. It must be agreed if it is to apply. For large projects or a critical completion date, it can be useful.

How much should be paid in advance?

You should normally not pay the full amount before the work starts. A limited advance for documented special materials can be reasonable. The rest should follow progress and documented milestones.

What should be stated about materials?

State the manufacturer, product name, model, quality, quantity and who is responsible for measuring, ordering and complaints.

What do I do if the project becomes more expensive?

Ask for written documentation, an explanation, an updated price and the consequences for the schedule. Do not approve major changes orally only.

What should I receive when the work is finished?

You should receive the agreed final documentation, the invoice, product information, photos, guarantees and relevant professional declarations.

Can I withhold payment?

In the event of delay or a defect, you can, depending on the circumstances, withhold as much as is necessary to secure your claim. The amount should be proportionate to the problem.

How long can I complain?

For work on real property, the complaint period can be five years. You must still complain within a reasonable time after you discovered or should have discovered the fault.

Can a contract remove the right to complain?

A tradesperson normally cannot contract out of the mandatory rights you have as a consumer under the Consumer Craftsman Services Act.

Which contract should be used when building a new home?

When a new home is built, the Housing Construction Act (bustadoppføringslova) applies as a general rule. You should then use a contract developed for that Act, not an ordinary renovation contract.

Conclusion: A good contract begins with a clearly defined job

A tradesperson contract should make it easy to understand what is to be delivered, when it is to be delivered and what the customer is to pay.

The most important points are:

A detailed description of the work
A clear pricing model
Specified materials
A specific schedule
Payment according to progress
Written handling of extras
Clear quality requirements
Agreed final documentation
A joint final inspection
An orderly process for faults or disagreements

A long contract is not necessarily a good contract. The most important thing is that it is precise, understandable and adapted to the project.

It is a good idea to use a recognised standard contract as a starting point. Then attach the description of the work, the product list, the progress plan and the payment plan.

That gives both the customer and the tradesperson a clear map of the project - before the first wall is opened or the first invoice is sent.

Method and sources

This article is based on Norwegian consumer legislation and guidance from public and established professional sources. The rules must be assessed in each specific case, particularly for large or complex building projects.

Sources used as a basis: