Homeowners · Cancelling

Cancelling building work

The rules depend on where and how you agreed the contract. This is the short version, with the law linked.

Information, not legal advice. This guide explains official rules in plain words for England, with links to the sources. Rules change and every job is different, so check the source or get advice for your situation. Last checked 24 October 2026.

When the 14-day right applies

If you agreed the contract somewhere other than the trader's business premises (for example at your home), or by phone or online, you usually have 14 days to cancel (Citizens Advice; CCR reg. 5). For services, the 14 days start the day after the contract is made (CCR reg. 30).

If the trader did not give you the cancellation information, the period is extended. It ends 14 days after you get the information, or up to 12 months after the original period if you never get it (CCR reg. 31).

If work starts in the 14 days

A trader should not start during the cancellation period unless you expressly ask them to. For off-premises contracts, that request must be on a durable medium, such as paper or email (CCR reg. 36). If you asked them to start and then cancel, you may have to pay for the work done up to that point. You pay nothing if the trader did not give you the required cancellation or cost information, or you did not make that request (CCR reg. 36).

Exceptions

• Goods made to your specification, such as made-to-measure items (CCR reg. 28).
• Urgent repairs or maintenance you asked the trader to visit for. But extra work or goods sold on that visit can still be cancelled (CCR reg. 28).
• Contracts to build new buildings, or substantially new buildings by conversion, are excluded from these rules (CCR reg. 6).

Outside the 14 days

You may still be able to end the contract if the trader has broken it, for example by not doing the work with reasonable care and skill. Citizens Advice explains the options (Citizens Advice). See if things go wrong.