if I have an arbitration clause, do I have to have an arbitrator set up before having the contract signed?

Question

if I have an arbitration clause, do I have to have an arbitrator set up before having the contract signed?

Answer

Without reviewing the contract, it's hard to tell what you are obligating yourself to do. Nonetheless, it would be highly unusual that a contract would require you to "set up" an arbitrator prior to "having the contract signed."