Writing a detailed scope of work is an important, often overlooked, step in any construction project. A detailed work scope is critical for establishing clear customer expectations and providing guidance for installers. If your company submits a work scope as a project invoice, it must include the details needed to qualify for Existing Homes incentives.

Customer expectations
A detailed work scope demonstrates the value of your services and your commitment to transparency by showing customers exactly what they will get for their investment. It can also distinguish your company from competitors who provide vague or incomplete work scopes.
When customers question individual costs, a detailed work scope can help you explain how each step contributes to safety and health benefits, home durability and long-term energy savings.

Installer guidance
For installers, a comprehensive work scope reduces confusion by clearly identifying tasks and services that must be performed. To ensure clarity, use the complete measure checklists in the Existing Homes Specifications Manual. Taking time to write a detailed work scope reduces return trips to perform additional work or correct problems, resulting in happier customers.

Incentive documentation
To meet Energy Trust requirements, the work scope must be itemized by specific measure, with detailed descriptions and prices. For example, a scope of work for an attic insulation project should look something like this: “Attic Insulation: We will install 1,600 square feet of cellulose insulation, baffle around heat-producing fixtures, correct the bathroom exhaust fan ducting and insulate/weatherstrip/dam the attic hatch. Cost: $1,200.”

Information on the invoice must be the same as information provided in the incentive application, including price and details such as square footage for insulation, heating seasonal performance factor for heat pumps, fireplace efficiency for gas fireplaces and energy factor for water heaters. For Savings Within Reach projects, make sure the final invoice reflects the discount you provided.