Answer:
sign a contract with the contractor that includes the project start date and payment plan.
Step-by-step explanation:
A contract can be defined as an agreement between two or more parties (group of people) which gives rise to a mutual legal obligation or enforceable by law.
Mutual assent is a legal term which represents an agreement by both parties to a contract. When two parties to a contract both have an understanding of the parameters, terms and conditions surrounding a contract, it ultimately implies that they are in agreement; this is generally referred to as mutual assent.
Hence, before work can begin on the project, the customer must sign a contract with the contractor that includes the project start date and payment plan.