[header] How to draft a contract clause dealing with delay in performance [title] Specify deadlines for performance of all stages of the agreement. [step] Many courts won't award damages for delay if your contract doesn't have a specified end date, or particular deadlines for each phase of the project. [substeps] In the absence of specific dates of completion, contract law requires work to be completed in a reasonable amount of time. 
However, what is considered " reasonable " could vary widely from person to person. For each deadline, you should detail exactly what you expect to be finished by that date.