Home owners building contract - anyone ever used one?

PaulJM

Hello all,

We're having our loft converted soon, and just in the lengthy process of finding a builder/joiner.
Our architect has mentioned using a "homeowners' building contract" - which not only could protect us legally should something go wrong, but tends to make the bad 'uns leg it.

Has anyone out there used one of these? I've searched ont he internet, and they appear to be documents that you have to pay for - looks like they £20, which, in the scheme of things, is ok.
But I'm sure there will be somewhere you can download them free - anyone know?

MX5huggy

If you add the letters JCT to the front of the name then every builder that is any good should be happy to use it.

Not to pay the £20 would be theft and or breach of copyright.

PaulJM

MX5huggy wrote: »

If you add the letters JCT to the front of the name then every builder that is any good should be happy to use it.

Not to pay the £20 would be theft and or breach of copyright.

Thanks for this....
What's JCT? What does that mean?

Fair enough re the £20. It's just finding a legitimate site - I could be paying someone who's getting it for free anyway.

PaulJM

Found JCT - that answers all questions. TY

ormus

ive used the JCT small works contract many times.
any decent builder will know about it and be happy to concure.

PaulJM

Just bought it and read through it, it's a fantastic form, and protects the contractor as much as the customer, by the looks of things.
I'm also getting the architect to review the work against the drawings every week too - about £150 extra, but worth it I think.

For anyone reading this and interested, I don't think I'm spamming by including the legitimate link I found below, for this contract. Get rid if it is.
It was £22.50, and looks like it's pretty easy stuff.

http://www.homeownercontracts.com/

Cheers all.

iamcornholio

There is nothing special about the JCT or FMB Home Owner contracts

You can make your own up by just writing the things down and both signing - start and finish dates, payments, dispute resolution procedure and what is to be done.

If you google you will find at least two free homeowner contracts to download - not JCT but the content is very similar

PaulJM

iamcornholio wrote: »

There is nothing special about the JCT or FMB Home Owner contracts

You can make your own up by just writing the things down and both signing - start and finish dates, payments, dispute resolution procedure and what is to be done.

If you google you will find at least two free homeowner contracts to download - not JCT but the content is very similar

Thanks.
Where were you 6 hours ago when I was asking if there were any free to download?
:T
Anyway, someone will be along shortly to go on about the rights of the copywriter, etc, so at least I feel slightly smug, with my much lighter wallet.

iamcornholio

And to add insult to injury

https://www.building-contract.co.uk

https://www.fmb.org.uk/find-a-builder/free-contracts

:cool:

PaulJM

iamcornholio wrote: »

And to add insult to injury

www.building-contract.co.uk

www.fmb.org.uk/find-a-builder/free-contracts

:cool:

Enough now, or I'll report you all for being smart-****s.

:eek: