> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://meganharrisonconsulting.mintlify.site/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Create a Prime Contract > A Prime Contract records the agreement between the project and its owner. It is the ***financial starting point for the owner-facing construction lifecycle.*** The prime contract defines the agreed scope and value, supports owner billing, and keeps approved changes connected to the original agreement history. ## Watch the walkthrough ## Create the prime contract In the project, open the [**Prime Contracts Tool**](https://projects.alleatogroup.com/prime-contracts) from the sidebar or the tools dropdown in the header. Select **Create** to open the **Create Prime Contract** form. The Create Prime Contract form with General Information visible | Field | What to enter | | -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Contract #** | Accept the default number, or enter the number your team uses to identify this agreement. | | **Title** | A descriptive name that makes the contract easy to recognize in billing and reporting. | Contract number, title, and retainage fields on the Create Prime Contract form Click the dropdown to select the **Owner/Client**. If tghe company has n olt been added contact the accounting department to set up the company credentials. This field is not required to crfeate the contract and can be edited later. | Field | What to enter | | ---------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Owner/Client** | The project owner or client executing the owner-facing agreement. | | **Contractor** | The company managing the contracted work, when applicable. | | **Architect/Engineer** | The lead design professional, when applicable. | Open Owner Client menu showing available project companies Open **Status** to review the available lifecycle states. Use **Draft** while the SOV or supporting information is still under review. Move the agreement forward only when it is ready for your approval and billing controls. | Field | What to enter | | ------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Status** | Start in **Draft** while the contract and SOV are under review. Available states: **Draft**, **Out for Signature**, **Approved**, **Complete**, **Terminated**. A contract must be **Approved** or **Complete** before it can be used for change orders or owner invoices. | | **Contract is executed** | Select after all required parties have signed. | Open Status menu on the prime contract form Add a concise **Description** so the project team understands the owner-facing purpose and scope. Upload supporting documents if needed. | Field | What to enter | | --------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Default Retainage** | The retainage percentage to apply to SOV line items — e.g. `10` for 10%. | | **Description** | The owner-facing purpose and scope of the agreement. | | **Attachments** | The signed agreement, exhibits, or other contract files to keep with this record. | | Date | When to use | | ---------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | | **Start Date** / **Estimated Completion Date** | Establish the planned contract timeline. | | **Substantial Completion Date** | When work is sufficiently complete for its intended use. | | **Actual Completion Date** | When the work is complete. | | **Signed Contract Received Date** | When the executed agreement was received. | | **Contract Termination Date** | Only if the agreement is terminated. | Start Date and Estimated Completion Date fields on the prime contract Record **Inclusions** and **Exclusions** whenever the agreement needs explicit boundaries. This prevents scope assumptions from being confused with contracted work when invoices or changes are reviewed later. | Field | What to enter | | -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- | | **Inclusions** | The work, materials, or services included in the agreement. | | **Exclusions** | The work, materials, or services not included. | Inclusions and Exclusions fields populated on the prime contract Turn on **Private** when only project admins and specifically selected non-admin users should access the contract. Leave it off when the project team's normal access model is appropriate. When the contract is private, select the permitted project users in **Access for Non-Admin Users**. Select **Allow these non-admin users to view the SOV items** only for users who also need the contract's line-item values. Private contract setting enabled with non-admin access control available Select **Create Prime Contract**. The saved agreement opens on its detail page. Confirm the contract identity, owner/client, status, dates, SOV total, scope notes, and privacy setting before it enters approval or invoicing. Saved Prime Contract detail page showing the contract summary and Schedule of Values total ## Related Training * [Add Prime Contract SOV](/prime-contracts/prime-sov) * [Create an Owner Invoice](/invoicing/create-an-owner-invoice) * [Create a Prime PCO](/change-orders/create-a-prime-pco)