Written Contract Guide for Tradespeople

Quick Answer: A compliant written contract has 12 essential clauses: parties, scope, price, payment terms, start/completion dates, variations procedure, materials and risk transfer, warranty, cancellation rights, dispute resolution, insurance, and signatures. For consumer contracts, the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 require a 14-day cooling-off period and specific pre-contract information. The contract structure below satisfies both consumer and small commercial work.

Summary

Most UK tradespeople work on a verbal agreement or an accepted quote. Both are legally binding — there is no requirement that a contract for trade work be written. But verbal contracts are evidentially weak, and a one-page accepted quote leaves dozens of issues unresolved (when does payment fall due, what happens on cancellation, who insures the materials in transit, what is the warranty period). When something goes wrong, the silence in the contract is filled by default statutory positions, usually in the customer's favour.

This article is the contract structure itself — the 12 sections you need, what each one should say, and how to balance professional formality with the kitchen-table reality of UK trade work. It is the operational sibling to terms conditions, which covers the legal framework around standard T&Cs and the 14-day cooling-off period.

A good written contract should be 4-8 pages for a domestic job. Longer than that and customers won't read it; shorter and key issues are unaddressed. Provide it before work starts, get it signed, keep a signed copy for 6+ years.

Key Facts

Quick Reference Table

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Clause Purpose Required? Typical Length
1. Parties Identify who is contracting Yes 1 paragraph
2. Scope of works Define what's being delivered Yes 1-3 pages
3. Price State the contract sum Yes 0.5 page
4. Payment terms Stages, dates, methods Yes 0.5-1 page
5. Programme Start date, completion date Yes 0.25 page
6. Variations Process for changes Yes 0.5 page
7. Materials & risk Ownership and damage Yes 0.25 page
8. Warranty What and how long Yes 0.25 page
9. Cancellation 14-day right, charges Yes (consumer) 0.5 page
10. Disputes ADR, complaint procedure Yes 0.25 page
11. Insurance What you carry Yes 0.25 page
12. Signatures Both parties, dated Yes 0.25 page
Schedule A Drawings/specs Optional Variable
Schedule B Standard T&Cs Optional 2-4 pages

Detailed Guidance

Clause 1: Parties

Identifies the two contracting parties with enough specificity that the contract is enforceable.

Template:

THIS AGREEMENT is made on [DD/MM/YYYY] between:

(1) [Trader full legal name OR limited company name], trading as
    [Trading name if different], of [registered/business address]
    ("the Contractor")

and

(2) [Customer full legal name(s)], of [home address]
    ("the Customer")

(together "the Parties")

If the customer is a company, use the registered name, company number, and registered office.

If there are joint customers (e.g. married couple, joint owners), name both — this makes both jointly and severally liable for payment.

Clause 2: Scope of works

The single most important clause. Defines what you are contracted to do. Ambiguity here causes 80% of disputes.

Structure: overview paragraph, itemised list mirroring your quote, specifications (materials, brands, dimensions), reference to drawings or schedules, and exclusions.

Template:

2. SCOPE OF WORKS

The Contractor will carry out the following works at [property address] ("the Site"):

2.1  Strip out existing bathroom suite, including removal and disposal of bath, basin, WC, tile surrounds, flooring, and 1st-fix pipework.

2.2  Supply and install new bathroom suite as specified in Schedule A (drawings dated [date]) — Roca bath, Hansgrohe shower, Geberit WC, Villeroy & Boch basin, Porcelanosa tiles.

2.3  Renew 1st-fix plumbing in 15mm copper, soldered joints, pressure-tested to 6 bar.

2.4  Renew electrical circuit serving the bathroom, including IP-rated downlights, extract fan and shaver socket, in accordance with BS 7671:2018 (18th Edition).

2.5  Notify Building Control via the relevant Competent Person Scheme (NICEIC for electrical, OFTEC if applicable).

2.6  Make good plasterwork, decorate to mist + 2 coats emulsion in customer's chosen colour.

EXCLUSIONS — the following are NOT included:
- Asbestos removal (if discovered, work suspends; see clause 6)
- Structural alterations
- New flooring outside the bathroom
- Disposal of items not generated by the works
- Repair of pre-existing damage to surrounding areas

Exclusions are as important as inclusions. They prevent the customer claiming you should have done something you didn't quote for. See written quote template for the quote-stage exclusions list.

Clause 3: Price

State the contract sum clearly, with VAT separately if you're VAT-registered.

Template:

3. CONTRACT PRICE

3.1  The Contract Sum is £[X] excluding VAT.

3.2  VAT at the standard rate of 20% (£[X]) is payable
     in addition.

3.3  Total payable: £[X] inclusive of VAT.

3.4  The Contract Sum is fixed and may only be varied
     in accordance with clause 6 (Variations).

3.5  Materials prices are subject to supplier price
     changes between quotation date and order date.
     The Contractor will notify the Customer in writing
     of any change exceeding [5%] of the affected line
     item before proceeding.

The price clause should reference VAT explicitly. If you're below the VAT threshold (£90,000 from April 2024 — confirm current threshold) and not registered, state "VAT not applicable — Contractor is below the VAT registration threshold".

Clause 4: Payment terms

Define when payment is due, in what stages, and what happens if late.

Template (domestic example):

4. PAYMENT TERMS

4.1  Payment in three stages:
     Stage 1: Deposit £[X] (10-30%) on signing and at least 14 days before commencement.
     Stage 2: Interim £[X] on commencement of 2nd-fix (typically 50%).
     Stage 3: Final £[X] within 7 days of practical completion and snagging sign-off.

4.2  All payments by BACS to [Bank] / [Sort code] / [Account number] — Ref [Contract reference].

4.3  Overdue invoices accrue interest at 8% above Bank of England base rate per annum, accruing daily from due date.

4.4  The Contractor may suspend works if any payment is more than 7 days overdue, with written notice. Costs of suspension and remobilisation are the Customer's responsibility.

4.5  The Customer may withhold payment only by serving written notice within 5 working days of invoice receipt, stating amount and grounds.

Clauses 4.3 and 4.5 are deliberately strong — they create a clear payment cycle and avoid silent withholding.

Clause 5: Programme

Start and completion dates with caveats for what's reasonable.

Template:

5. PROGRAMME

5.1  Work commences on [date].
5.2  Estimated completion: [date].
5.3  Working hours: Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00, Sat 09:00-13:00. No Sundays/Bank Holidays without written agreement.
5.4  The programme is an estimate. The Contractor will work with reasonable diligence but does not warrant the completion date and will notify any expected delay promptly with reason.
5.5  Delays caused by customer-instructed variations, customer-caused delays (decisions, access), hidden conditions, statutory authority delays, or force majeure will extend completion by a reasonable period.

Note: do NOT promise a guaranteed completion date for residential work unless you mean it. Most domestic jobs over-run for legitimate reasons; promising a date and missing it triggers Consumer Rights Act 2015 s.52 (reasonable time) claims.

Clause 6: Variations

This is where most disputes originate. The clause must require written agreement and bind both parties.

Template:

6. VARIATIONS

6.1  Any change to the scope — additions, omissions, substitutions, or spec changes — is a "Variation".
6.2  No Variation is binding unless documented on a written Variation Order signed by both parties BEFORE the varied work commences.
6.3  Each Variation Order states description, cost impact, time impact and revised contract total.
6.4  Work performed without a signed Variation Order is at the Customer's risk unless separately confirmed in writing within 7 days.
6.5  Variations required for statutory compliance (e.g. Building Regulations) are not optional.

See variation order template for the variation order document itself.

Clause 7: Materials and risk

Ownership of materials and who insures them.

Template:

7. MATERIALS AND RISK

7.1  Materials supplied by the Contractor remain the Contractor's property until paid for in full (Retention of Title).
7.2  Risk in materials transfers to the Customer when delivered to and accepted at the Site.
7.3  The Customer is responsible for security of materials, plant and tools at the Site outside working hours.
7.4  The Contractor disposes of waste in accordance with Environmental Protection Act 1990 Duty of Care. Disposal of hazardous materials (asbestos, lead) is subject to separate quotation.

Clause 8: Warranty

What you guarantee and for how long.

Template:

8. WARRANTY

8.1  The Contractor warrants workmanship for 12 months from practical completion.
8.2  Materials carry the manufacturer's warranty (e.g. boilers 7-10 years, sanitaryware 25 years, tiles 10 years, paint 5 years).
8.3  Within the Workmanship Warranty Period, the Contractor will return to remedy any defect attributable to the Contractor's workmanship within a reasonable time at no cost.
8.4  Warranty does not cover fair wear and tear, customer-induced damage, third-party damage, settlement within BS 8000 tolerances, or defects that should reasonably have been raised at practical completion.
8.5  Nothing in this clause limits the Customer's statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, including the 6-year limitation period for latent defects.

The final sub-clause is critical — you cannot contract out of statutory consumer rights.

Clause 9: Cancellation rights (consumer contracts)

For "off-premises" or "distance" contracts (signed at customer's home, online, or by phone), the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 give the consumer 14 days to cancel.

Template:

9. CANCELLATION

9.1  Under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, where this Agreement is signed at the Customer's home or remotely, the Customer has 14 days from signing to cancel without giving reason.
9.2  To cancel, the Customer must notify the Contractor in writing within the 14-day period.
9.3  If the Customer wishes work to commence before the 14-day period ends, they must request this in writing and acknowledge liability for work completed up to any cancellation.
9.4  After the 14-day period (or after work has begun with consent), the Customer is liable for: work performed; materials ordered and not returnable; reasonable contribution towards the Contractor's irrecoverable costs (lost work, restocking, supplier deposits).
9.5  The Contractor may terminate for the Customer's material breach (including non-payment per clause 4) on 7 days' written notice.

A "Notice of the Right to Cancel" form must be provided separately at the time of contracting — this is a statutory requirement under the 2013 Regulations and failure to provide it extends the cancellation right by up to 12 months.

Clause 10: Disputes

Set out how disputes are handled.

Template:

10. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

10.1 Parties attempt resolution by direct discussion in good faith within 14 days.
10.2 If unresolved, parties may refer to ADR (TrustMark Dispute Resolution Service or relevant Competent Person Scheme).
10.3 The Customer's rights to refer to Trading Standards (via Citizens Advice 0808 223 1133) and County Court are preserved.
10.4 Governed by English law, subject to courts of England and Wales.

Clause 11: Insurance

What cover you carry.

Template:

11. INSURANCE

11.1 Public Liability £[X]m ([insurer], policy [X]).
11.2 Employer's Liability £10m where applicable (Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969).
11.3 Professional Indemnity £[X] if applicable.
11.4 Certificates available on request.
11.5 The Customer is responsible for maintaining buildings insurance during works and notifying their insurer where required.

Clause 12: Signatures

Both parties sign and date. If joint customers, both signatures required.

Template:

12. SIGNATURES

By signing below the Parties confirm they have read and agreed the terms, including Schedules.

Contractor: Signature ____ Printed name ____ Position ____ Date ____

Customer: Signature ____ Printed name ____ Date ____

(Joint customers — both sign)
Signature ____ Printed name ____ Date ____

Schedules and signing

Attach as schedules: Schedule A (drawings, specs, photos), Schedule B (standard T&Cs), Schedule C (Notice of the Right to Cancel for off-premises/distance), Schedule D (Health and Safety / RAMS), Schedule E (blank Variation Order).

Email the PDF at least 48 hours before site visit, walk through at the kitchen table, sign both copies. E-signatures (DocuSign, Adobe Sign, app-based) are binding under the Electronic Communications Act 2000 if intent is clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need a 6-page contract for a £2,000 bathroom?

For a £2,000 job, a 2-3 page contract is fine — but it still needs the 12 essential clauses, just more compactly. For jobs under £500, an accepted written quote with clear payment terms, exclusions and warranty may suffice — but only if you can absorb the loss if the customer disputes it.

Can the customer change the contract after signing?

Only by mutual written agreement — typically a Variation Order. A unilateral customer email "I want this instead" is not binding unless you accept it in writing.

What if the customer signs but the spouse who lives there didn't?

If both spouses are joint owners or paying, get both signatures. A contract signed by one spouse binds only that spouse — the non-signer can later claim they didn't agree.

Do I need a contract if I have an accepted quote?

An accepted quote is itself a contract — but a typical accepted quote is missing 8-10 of the 12 essential clauses. The statutory defaults that fill the gaps generally favour the customer. A formal contract closes the gaps in your favour. Strongly recommended for any job over £1,500.

Should I execute as a deed for longer limitation?

For domestic work, no — the extra formality (witnessed signatures, "executed as a deed" wording) is rarely worth the extra liability period (12 years under deed vs 6 years under simple contract — Limitation Act 1980 s.5 vs s.8). For 95% of trade work, simple contract is right.

Regulations & Standards