We often approach contracts with the understanding that they are, or contain a lot of, “boiler plate” – that is, something that will protect you in case of an explosion. In the adversarial world of construction contracting, especially when the contract is for a lump sum awarded on the basis of the low bid, the parties to the contract may regard the engagement as dangerous. Construction projects are most successful when those who prepare the documents understand that the real goal of a contract is to make it very clear what everyone is agreeing to – that is, the contract should be designed not so much to protect the parties from inevitable conflicts as to prevent conflicts by preventing confusion.