Business Contracts Lawyers for Thornton, Colorado

Very easy to include this in your Terms of Service. Let me know how we can help.

Thank you for your question. The answer is going to sound a bit vague, but a retainer agreement is a type of contract - like any contract, the answer depends on the terms of the agreement itself. Please read the agreement very carefully, and see whether or not an increase in the retainer is allowed or not under the terms of the agreement as written. Also, please note that most often, a retainer is simply a down payment on hourly fees that will be charged - if that's the case, the attorney will have more flexibility in asking you to pay in advance. If, on the other hand, you are being charged a flat fee for a service, the attorney may have less flexibility in changing the terms. I suggest that you carefully read through this page of information from the Washington State Bar Association for additional information: https://www.wsba.org/for-the-public/concerns-about-a-lawyer

Hi there, No—a contractor cannot legally change the terms of a renovation contract without your consent. A contract is a mutual agreement, and any changes to the scope of work, payment terms, or timeline must be agreed upon by both parties to be valid and enforceable. That said, here is what you should consider: Your Rights as a Homeowner: No Unilateral Modifications Allowed: Contractors do not have the legal authority to raise prices or alter timelines without your express written consent. Any legitimate changes should be presented as a change order—a document detailing the proposed adjustments that you must approve before work continues. Assess Whether the Change Serves Your Best Interest: While unexpected changes can be frustrating, it is important to consider why the contractor is proposing modifications. Sometimes, issues arise during renovation that were not visible or discoverable when the original contract was signed—such as hidden structural damage, plumbing defects, or code violations. In these cases, completing the job correctly may require addressing these issues now, which can impact both the timeline and total cost. Though inconvenient, these adjustments may ultimately benefit you by ensuring the job is done thoroughly and avoids future complications. Contractor Must Clearly Justify the Change: If additional work is necessary, the contractor should be able to clearly explain: What was discovered Why it was not known initially Why the original scope of work cannot be completed without addressing it This explanation should be provided in writing along with an updated scope and pricing breakdown. You Still Control the Agreement: Even if the contractor makes a reasonable request, you are not obligated to accept. You can negotiate the terms, request a second opinion, or consult an attorney before moving forward. You May Have Legal Remedies if the Contractor Proceeds Without Approval: If the contractor insists on changing terms without your consent or threatens to stop work, they may be in breach of contract, and you may have legal grounds to: Withhold payment Terminate the contract Recover costs associated with hiring a replacement contractor A good contractor communicates openly, presents clear documentation, and works with you—not against you. If you need help reviewing the contract or assessing the proposed changes, I would be happy to assist. Best regards, Jerome Lucas Newell, Esq. Home Renovation & Consumer Protection Attorney

I am not licensed in Arizona, but feel comfortable providing a general answer about contract amendments, because the subject matter doesn’t require any specialized knowledge. Yes, you can amend nearly any agreement—including an asset purchase agreement (“APA”)—after it has been signed; provided, however, you must follow the requirements for a valid contract amendment. At minimum, you’ll need to obtain the other party’s written authorization for the amendment. Be sure to check for an “Amendments” clause in the APA (look for it under the heading “General Provisions” or “Miscellaneous Provisions”) which may introduce additional requirements, e.g., requiring that an amendment must be labeled and signed by the parties in order to be valid. Further, depending on whether you are seeking to materially alter the terms of the APA, your prospective amendment may require new “consideration”. In contract law, “consideration” generally means any type of bargained-for value that the parties exchange. Thus, if your prospective amendment would make the APA’s terms significantly more favorable to you relative to its terms pre-amendment, then such amendment might require that you give additional bargained-for value to the other party for the amendment to be legally effective. In conclusion, if you follow the requirements for a valid contract amendment, then yes, you can modify the APA and those modifications will be legally enforceable. I hope this has been helpful. If you have any specific followup questions or need a Contract Amendment drafted, I would encourage you to speak with a qualified attorney licensed in your state.

Hello. I appreciate your concerns about signing a Noncompete Agreement. It's essential to protect your rights and ensure the agreement is fair and reasonable given that a noncompete typically restricts competing activities during or after the term of engagement. Without knowing more about the business relationship and reviewing the actual terms, whether the non-compete is fair, reasonable, or even enforceable remains an open-ended question. Bearing this in mind, if the noncompete is preventing you from taking on other clients during or after the end of your relationship (or both), the scope of this restriction must be reasonable in terms of time, geographic area, and the specific activities it seeks to prevent. For example, does the noncompete specify the types of clients, industries, or geographic areas that are off-limits? What is the duration of the noncompete? If the client breaches your main agreement, will that render your noncompete void and unenforceable? These are just a few general questions that require a thorough review and analysis against Florida non-compete laws. Overall, the ultimate goal is to carefully review the terms to understand how they might impact your ability to take on new clients. If you don’t understand or are unsure about the contractual terms and their legal implications, it's highly recommended you consult with an attorney who can review the noncompete and provide you with personalized legal advice before you sign.