What it's for
A scope of work describes one job in enough detail that both sides can point to it later: what's included, what's not, who supplies materials, and when the work starts and finishes. This construction scope of work template lays it out on one form, ready to attach to a proposal.
PARTIES AND PROJECT names the OWNER OR GENERAL CONTRACTOR above the work and the SUBCONTRACTOR OR TRADE doing it. A general contractor can hand a sub its piece of the job on this form, and a sub can use it as a subcontractor scope of work template for its own piece. Our proposal template prices a job against six scope lines; this form writes the scope out in full, so both sides sign off on the same list.
Work the description doesn't cover, or a change after signing, goes on a change order, not a rewrite of this form. Our guide to change orders that get paid covers giving notice, pricing the change and billing it.
What's inside
Two Letter-size pages, with our logo, a credit link and the page number in each footer. The pale yellow boxes are yours to fill in, nothing calculates, and the form carries no payment, warranty, indemnity, lien or dispute wording.
Page 1 opens on your letterhead, with SCOPE OF WORK, Document no. and Date on the right, then:
- PARTIES AND PROJECT: PROJECT, OWNER OR GENERAL CONTRACTOR, SUBCONTRACTOR OR TRADE and CONTRACT OR BID REFERENCE.
- DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK: eight numbered lines.
- INCLUDED: five numbered lines, 1 to 5.
Page 2 starts with EXCLUDED, four numbered lines, 1 to 4, then:
- FURNISHED BY: MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT and PERMITS, each with a box for Contractor, Subcontractor and Owner.
- SCHEDULE: START and COMPLETION, then two lines labeled MILESTONE 1 and MILESTONE 2.
- STANDARDS AND DRAWINGS REFERENCED: two lines.
- ACCEPTANCE: "Signed below, both parties agree this describes the work." Then signature blocks for the Contractor and the Subcontractor, each with lines for signature, printed name and title, and date.
How to fill it in
- Replace YOUR LOGO and Your Company Name with your own, fill in the address and Phone · Email · License no., then enter Document no. and Date.
- Under PARTIES AND PROJECT, fill in PROJECT, OWNER OR GENERAL CONTRACTOR, SUBCONTRACTOR OR TRADE and CONTRACT OR BID REFERENCE (the related proposal or bid).
- Write the job under DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK, one piece of work per numbered line, short enough to point to as "item 4" later.
- Under INCLUDED, list what the price covers that a reader might not assume from the description, such as cleanup, a pulled permit, or a specific finish.
- Under EXCLUDED, on page 2, list what it doesn't cover. Anything a reader could take either way belongs on one list or the other, so it's settled going in, not argued about later.
- Under FURNISHED BY, mark one box, Contractor, Subcontractor or Owner, for each of MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT and PERMITS. The boxes are typed characters, not checkboxes you click: type an X over one, or tick it on paper. The form records the choice; it doesn't say who should furnish what.
- Under SCHEDULE, fill in START and COMPLETION, then use MILESTONE 1 and MILESTONE 2 for dates worth tracking on their own, such as a rough-in or a delivery. For more milestones, keep a construction schedule template alongside this one.
- Under STANDARDS AND DRAWINGS REFERENCED, list the codes, specs or drawing sheets the work has to follow, by number or title.
- Under ACCEPTANCE, each party signs its own block, CONTRACTOR or SUBCONTRACTOR, with a printed name and title and the date.
Using the scope of work on the job
Write each item under DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK as something a person could walk the site and check off, not a general phrase like framing. A specific line is a fair line: it's clear whether it's done.
Keep the signed copy where the crew can see it, not just filed in the office, so the person on site can check the work against it and the drawings.
If the work turns up a question the description doesn't answer, put it in writing rather than settle it out loud: an RFI template keeps the question, answer and date together, without reopening this form.
Frequently asked questions
Does it calculate anything?
No. Every field and line is blank; nothing on it adds or checks a number.
Does it work in Google Docs or Pages?
Both open .docx files, and this one has no macros, form fields or content controls. Each app lays out Word files its own way, so check that EXCLUDED still starts page 2.
Can I add lines?
Yes. Each yellow line is a row in an ordinary Word table: click in one and insert rows above or below it. The numbers are typed, not automatic, so number any line you add. EXCLUDED always starts a new page, so rows added to page 1 can push the form onto three pages. Check the print preview.
Can I put my logo on it?
Yes. Delete the words YOUR LOGO at the top left and insert your logo there.
Is it legal advice?
No. The form doesn't decide whether a signed scope of work binds either side or what your contract says about changes. If you want your terms reviewed, ask your attorney.