A general contractor agreement is, as the name implies, generally an agreement between the owner of real estate and a building contractor for services to manage the construction (and sometimes the design) of a residential or commercial building according to certain specifications or plans provided by the owner.

A general contractor agreement includes a description of the scope of the work to be performed; the materials to be used; the general contractor’s obligations to hire and manage subcontractors to construct the various components of the building; the payment terms for the construction of the building and the management of the construction; the time for completion of the work; insurance requirements; and the filing and removal of mechanic’s and materialmen’s liens (also known as construction liens or contractor liens) for labor and materials provided to improve the real estate.

In Arkansas, a general contractor agreement is a legally binding contract that outlines the relationship and obligations between a property owner and a general contractor who is hired to manage and execute the construction of a building. This agreement typically includes detailed provisions regarding the scope of work, materials to be used, the hiring and oversight of subcontractors, payment schedules, timelines for project completion, insurance obligations, and the handling of mechanic's and materialmen's liens. Arkansas law requires that certain construction contracts must be in writing to be enforceable, especially when they involve residential property. Additionally, Arkansas has specific statutes governing the filing and enforcement of mechanic's liens, which are found in the Arkansas Code Title 18, Subtitle 2, Chapter 44 (Construction and Home Repair - Liens). These laws dictate the process for filing a lien, the time frame in which a lien must be filed, and the requirements for enforcing a lien against a property owner for unpaid labor or materials.