What to Include in a JCT Contract (and the Common Mistakes People Make)

Getting a JCT contract right from the start is one of the most important steps in protecting your project. Yet, it’s one of the areas people most often get wrong.

A JCT contract isn’t just a formality, it defines risk, responsibility, payment, and insurance for both the Employer and the Contractor. Even small errors or inconsistencies can lead to disputes, delays, and uninsured works.

At ONFORM Chartered Surveying & Construction Consultancy, we specialise in preparing and issuing JCT contracts for private clients, developers, and Architects. Every document we produce is fully coordinated, compliant, and ready for execution before works begin.

Why Getting the JCT Right Matters

A well-drafted JCT contract ensures the project runs smoothly and legally. It sets out:

• The obligations of each party

• The insurance responsibilities

• How and when payments are made

• The process for variations and delays

• The procedure for dealing with defects

💡 Tip: Even if your contractor says “we’ll use a standard JCT,” always have it professionally drafted. ONFORM can prepare your JCT contract to ensure it’s accurate and protects your interests.

Common Mistakes People Make

Even experienced professionals often make subtle drafting errors that can cause significant problems later.

1. Selecting the Wrong Insurance Option

This is one of the most frequent — and most costly — mistakes.

Choosing the wrong insurance clause (A, B, or C) can leave one party exposed if damage occurs during construction.

ONFORM always reviews the insurance position with you, ensuring the correct clause aligns with both your policy and the contractor’s cover.

👉 Get expert advice on JCT insurance clauses here.

2. Inconsistent Contract Particulars

It’s common to see mismatched information between sections of the contract.

If the contract particulars differ between appendices, it can make the document ambiguous or unenforceable.

We ensure all details are internally consistent and cross-referenced throughout.

✍️ Need help drafting Employer’s Requirements and JCT Contract?
Contact ONFORM prepare you contract documents

3. Unclear Payment Provisions

Leaving payment clauses vague or blank is a recipe for dispute.

Each JCT requires clear valuation intervals, payment periods, and final payment dates.

Without these, the process for payless notices and interim applications becomes uncertain.

ONFORM completes these sections precisely — ensuring compliance with the Construction Act.

👉 Request a quote for JCT contract drafting and we’ll make sure your payment terms are properly structured.

4. Poorly Defined Scope and Contract Documents

If the drawings, specifications, and Employer’s Requirements aren’t properly drafted and referenced, you’ll face problems when assessing variations or scope gaps.

We ensure the contract document list is explicit, coordinated, and aligned with your tender or design pack.

💼 ONFORM can also prepare your Employer’s Requirements to ensure they’re contractually robust and fully coordinated with your JCT.

5. Warranties and Collateral Agreements Not Referenced

Even when warranties are agreed verbally, they often don’t appear anywhere in the contract.

If they’re not referenced, the Contractor isn’t legally obliged to provide them.

We ensure all warranties and collateral warranties are clearly listed within the Employer’s Requirments and cross-referenced with your professional appointments.

👉 ONFORM will check your warranty requirements for you

6. Unattached or Incorrect Schedule of Amendments

Many projects use a Schedule of Amendments to adapt standard JCT clauses — but if it’s not clearly attached and cross-referenced, it has no effect.

We professionally format and integrate all amendments to ensure they are enforceable and legally valid.

📑 Get your JCT properly prepared and issued — speak with ONFORM today.

How ONFORM Helps

ONFORM’s Chartered Building & Quantity Surveyors combine legal understanding with hands-on construction experience.

Our JCT drafting service ensures every clause, appendix, and amendment is accurate and complete.

We:

• Review your procurement route and insurance setup

• Draft and complete the JCT Particulars and Appendices

• Cross-check all details for consistency

• Incorporate Employer’s Requirements, collateral warranties, and specifications

• Issue ready-to-sign digital or hard copy contracts

We also offer Contract Administration and Employer’s Agent services to manage the contract post-signature — providing full professional oversight from start to finish.

👉 Contact ONFORM to ensure your JCT contract is properly prepared and ready for execution.

The Bottom Line

Most JCT contracts fail not because the clauses are wrong — but because they’re filled out incorrectly.

A few mis-ticked boxes or missing details can make the difference between a smooth project and months of costly dispute.

A professionally prepared JCT contract protects your position, satisfies insurers and lenders, and ensures clarity for all parties involved.

✅ Start your project the right way.
Get your JCT contract professionally drafted by ONFORM Construction Consultancy.

📞 Contact ONFORM

Areas Covered: Nationwide