E-signature

In the US, the federal ESIGN Act and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, adopted by most states, give electronic signatures the same legal effect as handwritten ones for most business and consumer contracts. A few kinds of documents have special rules, so check if you’re unsure.

What makes an e-signature hold up is the record around it: who signed, when, exactly what they saw, and evidence that the document wasn’t changed afterward. Good e-signature tools keep that record automatically.

For contractors, the main benefit is speed. A client can sign an estimate, contract or change order on their phone the day you send it, instead of waiting for the next site visit. That shortens the time from estimate to deposit and gets every change in writing before the work happens.

Some consumer laws require specific disclosures or consent before you use electronic records with a consumer, and some states have rules for home improvement contracts. Keep a copy of every signed document and send the client theirs.

BuildWell clients e-sign estimates, and revised estimates for changes, on their phone.