What type of contract provides the owner with the total price for the project in advance?

A lump sum contract is an agreement in which the contractor agrees to complete a project for a fixed total price. This type of contract provides the owner with certainty regarding project costs since the total price is established upfront, allowing for better budget management and financial planning. The owner benefits from this arrangement as they know the maximum financial commitment they will need to meet for the project's completion.

In contrast, unit price contracts involve setting prices per unit of work, making it difficult to determine the total cost until the project progresses. Best shot and hard price do not represent standard contract types recognized in typical construction or project management frameworks, leading to ambiguity in understanding their implications in context. Thus, understanding the structure and purpose of a lump sum contract reveals its significance in project planning and cost management.