The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) publishes the standard building contracts most widely used in the UK, with the current 2024 Edition. NEC4 is the main alternative and is common in public sector and infrastructure work.
The main options
| Contract | Typical use | Design responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| JCT Homeowner contracts | Work on a consumer's own home, with or without a consultant | Client's designer, or as agreed |
| Minor Works Building Contract (MW) | Simple, short projects with a complete design | Client's design team |
| Minor Works with contractor's design (MWD) | As MW, with part of the design by the contractor | Shared, as stated in the contract |
| Intermediate Building Contract (IC / ICD) | Larger or more complex work with a detailed design and specialist trades | Client's team; ICD adds a contractor's designed portion |
| Design and Build Contract (DB) | Contractor completes and is responsible for the design from the Employer's Requirements | Contractor |
| NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) | Public sector, frameworks and projects needing active programme and risk management | Set by the chosen main option |
Points worth checking whatever the form
- How the contract sum is calculated and what happens to provisional sums.
- Payment provisions: due dates, final dates and notices that comply with the Construction Act.
- Retention, liquidated damages, insurances and any collateral warranties required by funders or purchasers.
- Bespoke amendments, which should be read carefully and priced for.
For smaller domestic projects we use our own terms and conditions, written for homeowners in plain English, and we are happy to work on the client's chosen JCT or NEC form on larger projects.