Get builder terms that match how you quote, vary work and get paid

They are usually worth putting in place once you are quoting regularly, taking deposits, dealing with customer changes mid-job or running several projects under the same trading model. At that point, relying on a quote and a few emails can leave important issues unclear. Builder terms can set the baseline for how work is accepted, when payment falls due, what counts as a variation and what happens if access, materials or timing become a problem. That makes them especially useful for businesses that want one consistent set of terms across repeat work.

Builder terms are often your standard customer-facing terms for repeat jobs, while a project-specific contract is usually negotiated for a particular build with its own detailed requirements. For example, your standard terms may cover quotation acceptance, deposits, staged payments, variation approval, delay events and site responsibilities across many jobs. A bespoke project agreement may go much further for a larger or more complex development. This page is about the core trading terms document, not a full contract strategy for a single major project.

Common topics include the scope of works, exclusions, pricing, deposit or progress payment rules, late payment, variations, delays, access to site, customer responsibilities, defects processes and termination rights. Depending on the business, the terms may also need to address subcontractors, supplied materials, storage, hidden site conditions or what happens if the customer changes instructions after work has started. The aim is to make the commercial ground rules clearer before the job gets underway, especially where scope and timing can shift during the build.

The drafting depends on the type of work you do, who your customers are and where issues usually arise in your workflow. A builder handling residential renovations may need different wording from a contractor doing commercial fit-outs or specialist trade work. Helpful details include whether you use deposits, stage invoices, provisional sums, customer-supplied materials or subcontract labour. Those practical points shape how the terms deal with variations, delays, access problems and extra costs. The more closely the document matches your real process, the more useful it is likely to be.

Once we have the key details about your business and the kind of jobs you take on, we prepare a draft or review your existing terms. Straightforward matters can often move within a few business days, although timing depends on complexity and how settled your preferred commercial position is. The service includes one round of amendments, which is commonly where wording on variations, payment stages or customer obligations is refined. After finalisation, you can use the terms with your quotes or customer acceptance process. Ongoing representation would need separate arrangements.

Working with us is simple. Start by submitting an enquiry through our website using the form at the top of this page or on our Get Started page. A legal project manager will review your enquiry within 1 business day and reach out to understand your needs.

They'll send you a fixed fee quote outlining costs, scope, and timing. If you're happy, you can accept and sign our engagement letter online. Once that's done, we'll connect you with an expert lawyer who will complete your project via email, phone, or video chat, with the timing confirmed in your quote.

If you're not looking for help with a specific matter, explore our platform, which offers free templates, tools to get your business set up, and even a free tier to get started. Whether you need legal support or just want to browse resources, we've got you covered.

At Sprintlaw, our pricing is transparent and designed for startups and small businesses. Many one-off legal services, including document drafting and reviews, are provided for a fixed fee with an upfront quote before you proceed.

Prices typically range from £100 to £1,500 depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

If your project is larger or more complex, we will provide a tailored quote after understanding what you need.

Sprintlaw UK operates fully virtually, with the team working online across the UK to provide support to startups and small businesses nationwide. Many of our team are based in London and often meet at co-working offices, but our operations remain fully digital, ensuring flexibility and efficiency for both our clients and team.