Building Contract for Home Owner or Self Builder (B152)

Who can use this Building Contract?

A home owner, self-builder or developer. We originally prepared it as a user-friendly contract in collaboration with Self-Build Zone,  who arrange insurance for self-builders. It has become one of our best sellers and you can use it for a wide range of construction projects.

What is this Building Contract for?

While it was designed for use by someone wanting to build a new house, the format and wording allow the contract to be used more widely, including a custom build project, an extension, an office or some other building.   So, it is much more flexible than the JCT Homeowner contract which is only designed for a small building project such as an extension or alteration.  And unlike the JCT’s pdf form, you can download and use our B152 for more than one project.

This building contract can be used to appoint more than one contractor on a project, using essentially the same terms and conditions.  Or you can use this building contract for the main contractor and our short Trade Contract B153 for different trades with smaller portions of the work.

What are the main issues for a self-builder when preparing a Building Contract?

For free guidance on issues  to consider in the contracts for a building project,  download our  document Guidance Notes for a Home Builder

You can also watch our video explaining the key issues: Contracts for Self-Build Projects on You Tube.

What detailed terms does the building contract contain?

There is a one-page form of agreement to be signed plus a set of standard terms and conditions, an appendix with a list of specific items – completion date insurance, etc. – and schedules for price and specification to be inserted.  The T&Cs cover:

• contractor obligations
• client obligations
• planning and permits
•  representatives
• work at site
• price and payment
• change and delay
• acceptability of services
• completion, defects and liquidated damages
• insurance and indemnity
• ownership and risk
• termination and suspension
• client supplied materials and equipment guarantees
• third party rights
• a general clause addressing notice, assignment, subcontracting, the scope of the agreement, amendment, severance and waiver
• settlements of disputes and law
• definitions

For more information on each of these sections, see our Explanatory Notes  which you will  receive when you download the document from our website.

For information on signing documents see our Contract Signing page

When I download the document, can I change it and/or use it more than once?

Yes, all ContractStore’s templates are in MS Word and you can use the contract on more than one project. For more information, watch the video on this page of our website or see our FAQs

Legal support

ContractStore supplies templates and is not a law firm.  But all our templates are written by experienced lawyers, in this case by a construction lawyer.  So, we can arrange legal assistance for customers who need special terms in one of our documents or a bespoke template. . For more information see our Legal Services page.

And if you want to contact us see our Contacts page.

Contract Author : Giles Dixon, construction solicitor, in association with SelfbuildZone