How to Write a Contract for Building Work in the UK

The word "contract" makes most tradespeople think of legal documents, solicitors and reams of small print. A contract for a building job doesn't need to be any of that. It's simply a written record of what was agreed — and that written record is what protects you when anything goes wrong.

Here's what a building works contract needs to cover.

Why a written contract matters

Verbal agreements are technically enforceable, but proving what was agreed is almost impossible when the customer remembers it differently. A written contract — even a simple one — establishes:

What work was agreed What price was agreed What's included and what's not When payment is due

What happens if things change

It doesn't guarantee you won't have a dispute. It means that if you do, you have something to point to.

What to include — the essentials

Parties to the contract Full names of both parties — your legal name (or business name if you trade as one) and the customer's name. If the customer is a business, get the company name and registered address.

Description of the works

Be specific. Not "building works at [address]" but a description of what you'll actually do — the scope, the specification, what's included. Reference any drawings, specifications or quotes that form part of the agreement.

The price The agreed contract sum, including VAT or explicitly stating whether VAT is included or added. If there are provisional sums — elements where the cost depends on what's found — list them separately.

Payment terms

When payments are due, how much each stage payment is, and what triggers each payment. For larger jobs, tie payments to defined milestones: foundations complete, watertight shell, first fix, second fix, practical completion.

Variations

How changes to the agreed scope will be handled. The standard approach: any variation to the works must be agreed and priced in writing before being carried out. No one should assume variations are included in the original price.

Start and completion dates

When work starts and an expected completion date. Include a caveat that the completion date is an estimate subject to weather, material availability, and anything found that differs from what was known at the time of quoting.

Defects liability period

Most building contracts include a period after completion — typically 6-12 months — during which you'll return to rectify any defects that emerge from your work. This is reasonable and normal. Define it clearly so there's no ambiguity about what you're responsible for after handover.

Dispute resolution

If there's a disagreement, how will it be resolved? For smaller domestic jobs, a simple statement that disputes will be attempted to be resolved by negotiation before any legal action is taken is sufficient.

For larger projects, consider referring to an adjudication or mediation process — particularly if the value is significant.

Does it need to be signed?

For it to be most useful, yes — both parties should sign and keep a copy. Even a signed PDF sent by email is sufficient. A contract neither party signed is harder to enforce.

For smaller jobs, a detailed written quote that the customer accepts in writing (email is fine) is functionally similar to a contract — it records what was agreed and that the customer accepted it.

Consumer Contracts Regulations — domestic customers

For work done in a customer's home or agreed off-premises (for example, at a trade show or online), the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 give the customer a 14-day cooling-off period before they're committed.

In practice, this rarely affects building work where you've visited the property and provided a quote — the regulations are primarily designed for doorstep and online selling. But if you're unsure, check whether the regulations apply to your specific situation.

Keep it simple

For most domestic building jobs, a one-to-three page document covering the points above is more than sufficient. You don't need a solicitor. You need it in writing, signed, with both parties keeping a copy.

Dayrates lets you create detailed quotes that can serve as the foundation of a simple contract — with scope of works, price, payment terms and exclusions all clearly documented.