Homeowners · Contracts and scope

Quotes and contracts: what to get in writing

A common source of argument is “that wasn't in the price”. A clear quote and a written contract help prevent it.

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.

Quote or estimate?

A quote is a fixed price for the job described. An estimate is an educated guess and the final bill can be different (Citizens Advice). Always ask for a written quote.

What a good quote includes

Citizens Advice says a quote should include (Citizens Advice):

• a fixed total price
• a breakdown of the costs
• how long the quote is valid for
• whether VAT is included
• when, if ever, the price could go up

It also helps to list what is not included, such as skips, decorating, or items you are buying yourself.

What to put in the contract

• Both parties' full names and addresses, and the builder's company number if it has one.
• A clear description of the work (the scope), with drawings or a specification if you have them.
• The price, and the payment stages linked to finished work.
• Start date, expected finish date, and working hours.
• Who gets planning, building control and party wall paperwork, and who pays for it.
• How changes (variations) are agreed: in writing, with a price, before the work is done.
• Any retention (a small part of the price held back until snags are fixed), if you both agree to one.
• Guarantees, and any insurance-backed guarantee or deposit protection.
• For contracts agreed at your home, the 14-day cancellation information (Citizens Advice).

Your rights, even without a contract

If you are a consumer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you rights a trader cannot take away:

• The work must be done with reasonable care and skill (s.49).
• What the trader says or writes, and you rely on, can become part of the contract (s.50).
• If no price was fixed, you only have to pay a reasonable price (s.51).
• If no time was fixed, the work must be done within a reasonable time (s.52).
• If the work falls short, you can ask the trader to redo it at their cost, or in some cases ask for a price reduction, up to a full refund (ss.54 to 56).
• A trader cannot exclude liability for the reasonable care and skill duty (s.57). Unfair terms are not binding on you (s.62).

Changes during the job

Changes are normal on building jobs. Before any extra work is done, agree the change and its price in writing. A text or email that both of you reply to is far better than nothing. Keep a running list of agreed changes so the final bill has no surprises.