Do I Need a JCT Contract for My Building Project?
Starting a building project is exciting, but it’s also one of the riskiest times for a client or developer.
Many projects begin with nothing more than a quote, a handshake, or an exchange of emails. That might feel simple, but it leaves both parties unprotected when something goes wrong.
A JCT contract provides the legal and financial framework that governs how your project runs. It defines risk, responsibility, payment, and insurance, and without it, you have no clear protection.
At ONFORM Chartered Surveying & Construction Consultancy, we prepare and issue JCT contracts for developers, private clients, and design teams across the South of England - ensuring every project starts on a solid contractual foundation.
What Is a JCT Contract?
The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) produces the UK’s most widely recognised suite of building contracts. They’re used on everything from small residential refurbishments to multi-unit developments.
A JCT contract sets out:
The scope of works and project documents
Each party’s duties and responsibilities
Insurance and risk allocation
Payment terms and timing
Procedures for variations, extensions, and defects
In short, it’s the document that defines how your project will be delivered - legally and financially.
💡 Tip: If you’re working with a contractor, lender, or insurer, they’ll often expect a signed JCT contract before releasing funds or cover.
Contact ONFORM to have yours drafted and issued correctly before works begin.
When a JCT Contract Is Required
You’ll usually need a formal JCT contract when:
There’s significant value or complexity — such as a new build, conversion, or large extension.
Multiple trades or subcontractors are involved, with staged payments or provisional sums.
The contractor has any design responsibility (e.g. M&E, waterproofing, or structural details).
Lenders or insurers require proof of a formal building contract.
You’re acting as the Employer and need clarity over your rights, payment schedules, and warranties.
You’re working under a tender or negotiated contract where risk allocation must be clear.
If any of these apply, a JCT contract isn’t just advisable - it’s essential.
👉 Request a JCT drafting quote from ONFORM to protect your project before it starts.
What Happens Without One
Working without a JCT contract might seem quicker - but it’s a false economy.
Without a formal agreement, you risk:
Disputes over what’s included in the price
No agreed procedure for changes or delays
Insurance gaps if something goes wrong
No legal framework to recover costs or enforce quality
ONFORM’s professionally drafted JCT contracts remove those risks entirely — giving you clarity and security from day one.
⚖️ Avoid disputes later.
Let ONFORM prepare your JCT contract so your project starts with certainty.
How ONFORM Can Help
ONFORM is a Chartered Surveying and Construction Consultancy based in Bournemouth, serving Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Surrey, Berkshire and London.
We provide:
Professional JCT contract drafting — fully completed, consistent, and compliant
Advice on insurance, payment, and risk allocation
Employer’s Requirements drafting for Design & Build or Prime Cost projects
Contract Administration / Employer’s Agent services post-signature
We prepare and issue contracts ready for execution — digital or hard copy — so you can proceed confidently, knowing your agreement is watertight.
👉 Contact ONFORM to discuss your project and have your JCT contract professionally prepared.
The Bottom Line
If your contractor has provided a quote but not a contract, or if your project involves multiple trades, a JCT contract is essential.
It protects your investment, satisfies lenders and insurers, and ensures clear accountability between all parties.
✅ Before works start, make sure your JCT contract is in place.
Get in touch with ONFORM Chartered Surveying & Construction Consultancy to have yours professionally drafted and issued.
📞 Contact ONFORM
Areas Covered: Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey, London and surrounding areas.