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Construction contract template

Construction contract: A construction contract sets the terms for building or renovation work: scope, price, programme, payments, variations, defects and delays.

Last reviewed 6 November 2026 · 7 clauses · General guidance, not legal advice

Upload yours for a review and e-signature, or save it as a team template.

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When to use a construction contract

  • Commercial fit-outs and renovations
  • Small building projects
  • Engaging a contractor for works on a property

Construction contract template: clause-by-clause outline

Sample starting wording for each clause. Replace the text in [brackets] with your details.

  1. Works

    The Contractor will carry out the works in the drawings and specification in Schedule 1.

  2. Contract sum

    The price is [amount], adjusted only for approved variations.

  3. Programme

    Work will start on [date] and reach completion by [date].

  4. Payments

    The Contractor will apply for payment [monthly]. The Client will pay certified amounts within [30] days, less [5]% retention.

  5. Variations

    No variation will be carried out without a written instruction stating its price and time impact.

  6. Delay

    If completion is late for reasons within the Contractor’s control, it will pay [amount] per week as liquidated damages.

  7. Defects

    The Contractor will fix defects notified within [12] months of completion, after which retention is released.

What to check before you sign

  • Do statutory payment rules apply (for example construction payment acts)?
  • Are variations priced before work starts?
  • Is there a defects period and retention release date?

How to send a construction contract for e-signature

  1. Draft or upload it. Use the outline above with your own wording, upload an existing document, or save it as your organisation’s template.
  2. Check it against your playbook. Points outside your positions are flagged, and approval rules route it to Legal when needed.
  3. Send it by email. Signers get a plain-language review and a secure link, sign on any device in the order you set, and can suggest changes as tracked changes.
  4. Keep the signed PDF. Everyone receives it with a certificate of completion, and key dates go to Upcoming with reminders.

Construction contract template: frequently asked questions

What is retention in a construction contract?

A percentage of each payment held back to cover defects, released after completion and the defects period.

Should I use a standard form construction contract?

For larger projects, standard forms (for example JCT, FIDIC or local equivalents) are widely understood and reduce disputes.

Is an electronically signed construction contract legally binding?

In most countries, yes. E-signatures are recognised for commercial contracts under laws such as the ESIGN Act (US), eIDAS (EU), the Electronic Communications Act (UK) and the Information Technology Act (India). econtracts.ai adds a certificate of completion with each signer’s identity check and a fingerprint of the signed content.

Can I get a construction contract I received reviewed?

Yes. Upload it to econtracts.ai and you get a plain-language review: key dates, money and points to check, each quoting the clause it comes from.

Related contract templates

Subcontractor agreement templateSubcontractor agreementMaintenance agreement templateMaintenance agreementCommercial lease agreement templateCommercial lease agreement

This outline is a starting point for discussion, not legal advice, and it is not a complete contract. Laws differ by country and sector; have a qualified lawyer review contracts that matter.