Phrase glossary
Ctrl-F the wording that usually hides the risk.
These phrases map to MillworkShield clause playbooks so a shop owner, estimator, or PM can spot the issue before a GC form blends into boilerplate.
condition precedent
The GC may be saying, 'We only owe you after someone upstream pays us.' That can turn your invoice into someone else's credit risk.
Read phrasePayment reviewpayment by owner
The GC may be saying, 'We only owe you after someone upstream pays us.' That can turn your invoice into someone else's credit risk.
Read phrasePayment reviewif contractor is paid
The GC may be saying, 'We only owe you after someone upstream pays us.' That can turn your invoice into someone else's credit risk.
Read phrasePayment reviewpay when paid
The GC may be saying, 'We only owe you after someone upstream pays us.' That can turn your invoice into someone else's credit risk.
Read phraseCash-flow reviewretainage
The GC keeps part of your money until some later milestone. The danger is when that milestone has nothing to do with your work.
Read phraseCash-flow reviewretention
The GC keeps part of your money until some later milestone. The danger is when that milestone has nothing to do with your work.
Read phraseCash-flow reviewfinal completion
The GC keeps part of your money until some later milestone. The danger is when that milestone has nothing to do with your work.
Read phraseCash-flow reviewowner acceptance
The GC keeps part of your money until some later milestone. The danger is when that milestone has nothing to do with your work.
Read phrasePayment paperworkunconditional waiver
You may be promising you have been paid, or giving up payment rights, before the money is actually in your account.
Read phrasePayment paperworkwaive lien rights
You may be promising you have been paid, or giving up payment rights, before the money is actually in your account.
Read phrasePayment paperworkupon execution
You may be promising you have been paid, or giving up payment rights, before the money is actually in your account.
Read phrasePayment paperworkall claims through
You may be promising you have been paid, or giving up payment rights, before the money is actually in your account.
Read phraseField-change controlprior written change order
The GC can ask for changes in the field, but the contract may say you only get paid if the paperwork is perfect first.
Read phraseField-change controlno extras
The GC can ask for changes in the field, but the contract may say you only get paid if the paperwork is perfect first.
Read phraseField-change controldirected work
The GC can ask for changes in the field, but the contract may say you only get paid if the paperwork is perfect first.
Read phraseField-change controlfield authorization
The GC can ask for changes in the field, but the contract may say you only get paid if the paperwork is perfect first.
Read phraseSchedule-risk reviewliquidated damages
If the project runs late, the GC may try to charge your shop a daily amount or pass down owner damages.
Read phraseSchedule-risk reviewtime is of the essence
If the project runs late, the GC may try to charge your shop a daily amount or pass down owner damages.
Read phraseSchedule-risk reviewno damages for delay
If the project runs late, the GC may try to charge your shop a daily amount or pass down owner damages.
Read phraseSchedule-risk reviewsole remedy
If the project runs late, the GC may try to charge your shop a daily amount or pass down owner damages.
Read phraseLiability reviewindemnify
The contract may say your shop has to cover the GC's losses, lawyers, or claims, even if the GC or another trade caused the problem.
Read phraseLiability reviewhold harmless
The contract may say your shop has to cover the GC's losses, lawyers, or claims, even if the GC or another trade caused the problem.
Read phraseLiability reviewdefend
The contract may say your shop has to cover the GC's losses, lawyers, or claims, even if the GC or another trade caused the problem.
Read phraseLiability reviewarising out of
The contract may say your shop has to cover the GC's losses, lawyers, or claims, even if the GC or another trade caused the problem.
Read phraseDocument-control reviewprime contract
The subcontract may say you owe the GC whatever the GC owes the owner, even when those obligations are buried in another document.
Read phraseDocument-control reviewincorporated by reference
The subcontract may say you owe the GC whatever the GC owes the owner, even when those obligations are buried in another document.
Read phraseDocument-control reviewflow down
The subcontract may say you owe the GC whatever the GC owes the owner, even when those obligations are buried in another document.
Read phraseDocument-control reviewsame obligations
The subcontract may say you owe the GC whatever the GC owes the owner, even when those obligations are buried in another document.
Read phraseDefault and deduction reviewbackcharge
The GC may be able to hire someone else, charge your shop, and deduct the amount from your invoice.
Read phraseDefault and deduction reviewsupplement
The GC may be able to hire someone else, charge your shop, and deduct the amount from your invoice.
Read phraseDefault and deduction reviewdeduct
The GC may be able to hire someone else, charge your shop, and deduct the amount from your invoice.
Read phraseDefault and deduction reviewcure
The GC may be able to hire someone else, charge your shop, and deduct the amount from your invoice.
Read phraseClaim-path reviewarbitration
The contract may choose the forum, rules, location, and process for any fight, usually in the GC's favor.
Read phraseClaim-path reviewvenue
The contract may choose the forum, rules, location, and process for any fight, usually in the GC's favor.
Read phraseClaim-path reviewjury trial
The contract may choose the forum, rules, location, and process for any fight, usually in the GC's favor.
Read phraseClaim-path reviewattorneys' fees
The contract may choose the forum, rules, location, and process for any fight, usually in the GC's favor.
Read phraseScope and exclusions reviewcomplete scope
The GC may say your price includes everything needed for a complete project, even if drawings, specs, or other trades are unclear.
Read phraseScope and exclusions reviewreasonably inferable
The GC may say your price includes everything needed for a complete project, even if drawings, specs, or other trades are unclear.
Read phraseScope and exclusions reviewincidental work
The GC may say your price includes everything needed for a complete project, even if drawings, specs, or other trades are unclear.
Read phraseScope and exclusions reviewall documents
The GC may say your price includes everything needed for a complete project, even if drawings, specs, or other trades are unclear.
Read phraseCancellation-risk reviewtermination for convenience
The GC may be able to end your contract without default, then limit what it owes you.
Read phraseCancellation-risk reviewwithout cause
The GC may be able to end your contract without default, then limit what it owes you.
Read phraseCancellation-risk reviewonly work performed
The GC may be able to end your contract without default, then limit what it owes you.
Read phraseCancellation-risk reviewno lost profits
The GC may be able to end your contract without default, then limit what it owes you.
Read phrase