The Builder's Blog: Five times a winner - ContractsXpert includes a sub-contractor contract

ContractsXpert has now gone from four contracts to five contracts all authored by the Federation of Master Builders.

The latest version of this important piece of software now provides added security. And HBXL has also taken the opportunity during this update to make a number of changes to all the contracts to ensure that users of the software are completely up-to-date with legislative changes.

The sub-contractors contract is designed to secure the legal rights of builders who sub-contract some of their work to another company. For example, if the builder is doing a loft conversion and his company cannot install windows, then he will sub-contract that particular part of the work to windows installers. It then becomes his responsibility regarding pay and workmanship. Therefore, he should sign a sub-contractors contract with the window company - unless of course the client chooses otherwise and appoints their own window installer.

The contract outlines:

the subcontractor’s responsibilities
the contractor’s responsibilities
access to site details
interest owing for late payments to subbies
when the work will start
details of any payments withheld (stage payments are used to pay the subbie)
details of the supply of materials for the project - who is supplying and of what quality
insurance and who has what
who has what liabilities
who has what responsibilities for H&S
defects
liability periods
what happens if there are disputes - and so on.

Written in Plain English and with the Crystal Mark, the building contracts in ContractsXpert are thorough without being daunting. And it’s not just the builder who wants to know where they stand – so does the customer. A signed contract before a job commences ensure that no-one is left in doubt about the work covered, its value, obligations, payment timings, defects, termination, warranties, insurance, dispute resolution and more.

Consumer organisations now encourage home owners to be wary of any builder who is unwilling to enter into a contract. HBXL have found that contracts impress customers - showing professionalism and improving the chances of winning the work.