Contracts & Disputes

Letters of intent in construction. When they bind you, when they don't, and the risks of starting work on an LOI.

What to put in writing for domestic building work. The basics that protect both you and the homeowner if things go wrong.

JCT contracts explained in plain English. What each type covers, how they handle money and time, and what to watch for.

NEC contracts explained in plain English. How the options work, what the notices mean, and what it means for your money.

Protect yourself when the scope changes. How to turn variation orders into paid, recorded work instead of free extras.

Liquidated damages explained. What they can and can't claim from you for late completion on a UK construction contract.

Mediation vs adjudication vs court for construction disputes. Which route suits your situation and what each one costs.

Small claims court for construction disputes under 10k. How to bring a claim without heavy legal fees in England and Wales.

Step-by-step guide to construction adjudication under the Construction Act. Smash and grab, payment notices, costs, enforcement, and whether it's worth it for a £10-30k dispute. Plain English for UK tradespeople.

Facing a professional negligence claim? What it means, who it hits, and how to respond if a client says your work fell short.

Performance bonds and parent company guarantees explained. What they cost, how they work and what risk they put on you.

Collateral warranties explained. What you are signing, who can sue you, and the key clauses to watch before you commit.

Client locked you out and won't let you fix the work? Your legal rights and what to do when they bring someone else in.

Retention of title for construction materials. How to protect your right to recover supplies you haven't been paid for.

Started work with no signed contract? You probably still have legal rights. Here is where you stand under UK law.

Defects and snagging disputes in UK construction. How to handle snag lists, limitation periods and liability after handover.

How to claim an extension of time on a UK construction contract. Deadlines, notices and what you need to prove.

Client agreed a deal then went back on it? When a settlement is legally binding and how to make your agreements stick.

Client threatening legal action? How to tell a bluff from a real claim and what the pre-action protocol expects from you.

Warranty and guarantee disputes in construction. Your legal duties when a customer comes back months or years later.

JCT vs NEC contracts compared in plain English. Which suits your job, how they handle risk, and what to pick if you choose.

When you can keep a deposit, how to write fair cancellation clauses, and what the Consumer Rights Act actually says. With copy-paste email templates.

What happens when the customer supplies their own kit. Legal split, warranty, insurance and how to write it into your quotes.

The legal difference between deposits and booking fees. What is non-refundable, how to structure payments, and what a judge would actually accept.

When to walk away from a job, what you can keep for work done, how to handle bad reviews, and email templates for ending it cleanly.

Party Wall Act from the tradesperson's perspective. When it applies, who serves notice, what happens if the client ignores it, and how to protect yourself.

The Defective Premises Act 1972 and Building Safety Act 2022 mean work you did up to 30 years ago could still lead to a claim. Limitation periods, insurance gaps, defences and what to do now. Plain English for UK builders.

After Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil, courts can now order mediation before hearing your case. What mediation costs, how it works, Small Claims Mediation Service, and when to use it vs adjudication. Plain English for UK tradespeople.