Frequently Asked Questions
Have you got a query? Check these common questions and if its not answered here, use the contact form to send us your query – click here. Look at the Explanatory Notes that are displayed on every contract’s description page. You need to scroll down a bit to see them or follow the ‘Read Explanatory Notes’ link. The Notes are very detailed, and supplied free to view on all our contracts. The Notes explain what each contract covers, clause by clause, so you can see exactly what you will be getting. TIP: You can also use them to compare the contents of simliar documents. Remember you can also tailor the documents after purchase, either yourself or with your lawyer’s help, and you can order tailoring services from ContractStore as well. You can use the search box on the top right of the Page – type in a brief description of what you are looking for – and here are some tips: Do not use a very long phrase – e.g. insert ‘subcontractor warranty’ rather than ‘standard form of warranty for subcontractor with design responsibility’ Try another combination of words – e.g. if ‘personal guarantee’ does not produce a result try ‘guarantee’ or ‘payment guarantee’ If a single word produces a very long list, you can refine the search by using two words – e.g. ‘conditions’ appears a lot in our list so try ‘sale conditions’ instead If a single word does not produce a result – try two words Alternatively you can browse our catalogue which is broken down into lists of different types of contract – have a look here. You do not need to Register before you can download the free documents. Simply select “Download Free” for the document in question, enter your email address and your document will immediately download. Immediately after completing the payment process, you will receive an email acknowledging your payment and you will be provided a link to download the documents you purchased. You will then be able to download the documents you purchased from a link in the confirmation email or by logging into the ‘My Account’ section of our website where you are provided links to all your purchased downloads and previous order details. If you entered your email address incorrectly this follow-up email will be lost. Contact us if you want help with accessing your documents. Please do! All our documents are in Microsoft Word format. They are designed to allow you (or your lawyer) to make whatever changes you need to make the right contract to meet your needs. All our documents are in Microsoft Word format. There are Apps for most mobile devices that will allow you to access and edit Word documents. Here are some examples: iPhone/iPad – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/microsoft-word/id586447913 Android – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.office.word Windows – https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/p/word-mobile/9wzdncrfjb9s The following details should help you use the JCT Homeowner Contracts. If you need any other information please view our JCT Problem Solving Document. I don’t have the software to open the contract PDF You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free here. Do not use other readers which can corrupt your file as the functionality was only designed for Adobe Acrobat Reader. I have downloaded the contract but I can’t open it Check that you have the latest version of Adobe® Reader® installed correctly. It must be Adobe® Reader® version 8.0.0 or later. You can download the latest version of Adobe® Reader® from the Adobe website here. Can I use the contract more than once? No, you can only use the contract for one transaction, i.e. for one builder and one job. Our terms and conditions strictly prevent you from using the contract for more than the number of purchased uses. Only you, the purchaser, can use the contract. You may not give the contract to anyone else. Can I use the contract for anything else? This contract is designed for use by the private consumer engaging a builder. It is not suitable for other purposes. How do I start using the contract? Download the PDF and save it to a location on your PC. Then key in the information in the required fields for your project. A minimum requirement is you must fill in the Customer and Contractor’s names and addresses in order to print your contract. You will not be able to print a blank contract. If you do not fill in the Customer and Contractor’s names and addresses you will receive a warning message that this needs to be done. How do I print a draft contract? Please complete the customer and contractor’s names and addresses on page 2 of the contract. Then scroll to page 6 and click the checkbox acknowledging use of the template for 1 contract. Click Save Form and then Print Draft Form. How do I print a final contract? When you have filled in your contract scroll to page 6 and save the form. Then click print final form which will remove the watermark, lock your document after which no further changes can be made. You will print out a customer copy and a contractor copy. As a web-based company it is more efficient to use email via our support form but we are very happy to speak to you – call 020 8783 9629. Sometimes you might have to leave a message, but usually there will be a member of the team available 9am-5pm weekdays, UK time.