Guides for builders and homeowners
By Alex Williams, director of Ty Parc Construction, a building contractor in Newport, South Wales · Last reviewed 21 October 2026
Letter before action for unpaid building work
What a letter before action must say, how long to give, the interest you can claim, and a free template.
Read moreJCT, FMB or a simple written agreement: which contract for a home job?
The main contracts for extensions, lofts and renovations in plain English, and what any contract must cover.
Read moreCowboy builders: what the 2026 crackdown means for you
The Approved Code, Trusted Payments, the warning signs, and how to protect your money on a building job.
Read moreIn a dispute with your builder over money? What to do
Your rights and the steps to take when you disagree about the bill, extras or the quality of work.
Read moreStage payments for an extension or renovation
A fair payment schedule: deposit, stages, holding money back until snagging, and a free schedule builder.
Read moreWhat is a final account in building?
How the final figure is worked out, how to check a builder’s final bill, and what to do if it’s higher than the quote.
Read moreNeed to write a letter now? Try the free tools.