If you are thinking about signing a builder contract (and you should), you’ll need to be sure that it includes all the detail you need in order to make your project run smoothly. Here are some of the essential things you need to include:

The details of both parties

You should start with the name, address and contact details of both parties. This means that if there is any dispute, it will be clear who signed the builder contract.

The price

By the time you come to sign a builder contract, you should have accepted a quote from the builder. Use this price in the contract, making sure you have added on the appropriate VAT sum. The builder is signing to say that he will carry out the work listed in the contract for that price. Any additional cost will have to be agreed to by both parties before being added to the builder contract. You may also need to negotiate a deposit, which can either be a sum fixed by the builder, or a percentage of the total cost. You may also want to discuss circumstances in which you can withhold payment or the builder can withhold labour.

Timescale

Your builder should be able to give you an estimate of timescale. It is useful to have this in the builder contract. Not only does it give you a definite period to work to, it also allows the builder to quote for other jobs that can be started when your project is complete. If possible, give the project a start date and a completion date.

Project details

A builder contract should break the project down into easily identifiable and understandable elements. This means that, if you have a payment schedule, you can pay against each element, allowing you to keep control of the whole job. Ask your builder to make this breakdown as logical as possible, preferably following the order in which the work will be done. This allows both parties to refer to the builder contract at any time to see what progress is being made.

Materials

You can specify the types of materials to be used in your building project. Whether this is a particular type of brick or stone, plaster finishes or window frames, you can add these details to your contract. You may want to add that the materials should be new, unless you have agreed to use reclaimed materials.

Additional information

It is important to any extra information that you feel should be included in your builder contract. This could include the time of day the builders arrive at and leave your home, whether you allow them to use your kitchen and bathroom facilities, the state they leave your site in at the end of the day and the amount of notice they need to give you if they cannot attend your site or cannot obtain materials. From the builders’ point of view, it can also include the number of days from invoice to payment, the ways they are granted access to the site and whether they can leave tools or equipment at the site overnight.

If you are worried about signing a contract, or leaving out an important detail, it may be worth seeking legal advice, or speaking to a professional builders’ association for help. Most builders will be happy to sign a builder contract as it places conditions on both parties and helps to make the process function more easily.

The first step in your project is to hire the right builder. Use www.findalocal-builder.co.uk to get a list of builders in your area, and then look at our other advice articles to see how to make sure you choose the best builder for you.