For homeowners, a Cost Plus Contract Example may shed light on the payment process for construction. If you're updating your home, your overall project budget is $50,000. Your contractor requires an up-front $5,000 fee. In this instance, the payment would be $55,000. Additional work may be added, causing the total amount to go up depending on contract terms. This is why it is important to see the payment information before embarking on a project. Have copies of the invoices and receipts and seek clarification from your contractor on any extra costs. Here are some easy things you can do to help keep your budget in check.