A license holder who adds these terms to the contract in any manner, including drafting an escalation clause, is engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. An escalation clause is "whatever the highest offer is I'll pay you more." It presumes that price is literally the only thing that matters. An escalation clause is essentially a clause that you add to the contract either to your original contract or to a potential counter offer. An escalation clause is a real estate contract, sometimes called an escalator, that lets a home buyer say: "I will pay X price for this home. An escalation clause is wording in a contract that states the potential buyer is willing to go above a certain amount. An escalation clause is an addendum to your offer that you will increase your offer if necessary. Learn how an escalation clause works and if you need one. Tarrant County will not enter into any contract where the cost is provisional upon such clauses as "escalator" or "cost-plus" clauses. Original and One (1) Copy.