You are not legally required to have a written contract with a tradesperson, but Citizens Advice strongly recommends getting one for any medium or large job. A contract does not need to be in legal language - it just needs to set out what work will be done, the agreed price, the payment schedule, timings and materials. If something goes wrong, a written record is your clearest evidence of what was agreed.
A verbal agreement is still a contract
Many homeowners assume that if nothing is signed, nothing is binding. That is not how UK law works. According to Citizens Advice, a contract is formed even if it is not written down, for example if you have signed an agreement, agreed to a quote verbally, fixed a starting date, paid a deposit, or verbally told a trader to go ahead with the work. That means both you and the tradesperson have legal obligations from that moment, whether or not a single word has been put on paper.
Because verbal agreements are harder to prove, Citizens Advice advises that you should get a quote in writing before you commit, and get a written contract before work starts. If the trader does not do what you agreed, a written contract can help you get what you paid for, or at least recover some of your money. Browse local trade services on GetBrent to find firms you can request written quotes from directly.
What a written contract should cover
Citizens Advice sets out that written contracts do not need to be in legal language. They just need to outline exactly what you are paying for and everything you have agreed on. Citizens Advice advises that a contract should describe the work in as much detail as possible, including:
- The materials the tradesperson will use and what you will supply
- A payment schedule, including any stage payments and the final payment
- Agreed start and finish dates
Citizens Advice also warns: be wary of traders who will not put anything in writing, as this is a sign they might be dishonest.
Quotes versus estimates: an important difference
Before any contract is signed, understand what type of price you have been given. Citizens Advice explains that after you say yes to a quote, it is a binding agreement between you and the trader, whether it is written down or not. A quote is a fixed price for a defined job. An estimate, by contrast, is a guide figure that can change.
Citizens Advice explains that a quote is a fixed price, so you will know what you are getting and how much it will cost, while an estimate is just a rough guess, so you might end up paying more. Always ask which one you are being given, and request that it is confirmed in writing before you commit.
Citizens Advice also flags a specific risk with day-rate pricing: if a trader is paid by the day rather than for a fixed job, there is a risk they may string out the work. To protect yourself, Citizens Advice recommends getting them to put in writing how many days the work will take, how many hours count as a day, and when they need your go-ahead to work additional days.
Your cooling-off rights
If a tradesperson visits your home to price up and agree a job - which is the typical situation - Citizens Advice notes that you may be able to cancel the contract if you change your mind within 14 days. The 14 days begin the day after you give the go-ahead for the work. However, Citizens Advice notes that if you asked for the service to be provided during the cooling-off period and the business provided the cancellation information, you will have to pay a part of the agreed price depending on how much was completed when you asked to cancel.
This cooling-off right applies because most domestic jobs are agreed at your home rather than at the trader's own premises. If the business does not provide details of how to cancel, Citizens Advice states the cooling-off period is extended by 14 days from the date you receive these details, up to a maximum of one year. Ask the tradesperson to confirm your cancellation rights in writing when you receive the contract.
How to protect your money before work begins
Cornwall Council's Trading Standards Team advises homeowners to agree a clear schedule of works and a payment schedule before any work begins. Their guidance also states that you should not have to pay large deposits unless you know exactly what the money is being used for.
Citizens Advice offers the following practical steps on payment:
- Pay in stages as work is completed, rather than everything upfront
- Get receipts for any deposit or stage payment made
- Keep a copy of the written contract and any photos of the work at each stage
Cornwall's Trading Standards also warn that a trader being keen to start immediately can raise concerns. Good tradespeople are usually in high demand, so waiting several weeks for a reputable firm to become available is often worth it.
If a dispute does arise after work is completed, Citizens Advice recommends contacting their consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 if you need help, and the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline takes all enquiries on behalf of Trading Standards across England and Wales. You can also use the trade body's own complaints scheme where the firm belongs to one. Firms listed in trade services in London or trade services in Birmingham on GetBrent can be asked about their trade body membership and complaints procedures before you commit.
GetBrent lets you find and compare local tradespeople, handymen, cleaners and landscapers across the UK - and ask them for a written quote directly. Search trade services near you on GetBrent to get started.
