The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has unveiled a completely updated series of builder contract templates.

This refresh was specifically conducted to align the documents with the requirements introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022.

These new contract documents are notable for their ease of use, designed for straightforward comprehension by both builders and homeowners. The templates are provided to FMB members free of charge, offering a significant cost advantage over other commonly used construction contracts, which are currently seeing price increases.

The primary objective of the FMB contracts is twofold: to safeguard homeowners while simultaneously helping professional construction firms demonstrate their adherence to compliance and adoption of best industry practice.

Given that the FMB's 'License to Build' campaign previously calculated that a staggering £14.3 billion has been lost to rogue builders across the UK over the past five years, the importance of trust in the trade sector is paramount. These contracts establish a clear benchmark of professionalism, distinguishing FMB members in the market.

Research highlights that many homeowners are currently unaware of their legal obligations under the Building Safety Act 2022, including the critical duty holder roles that can directly impact a project's liability and compliance. Furthermore, many do not realise that using a written contract is not merely advisable but essential for legal protection.

Sarah Fox, FMB Contract Creator, commented on the necessity of these documents: "No-one ever thinks they need a contract, until a client fails to pay, a subcontractor disputes what their role was, or there's a defect at the property. Of course, the UK building sector is awash with complex contracts that really are hard for members to read, understand and use. But the FMB contracts are specifically designed with members' needs front and centre - easy to fill in the details, cover everything important and they shouldn't be off-putting for your clients or subcontractors. They only safeguard your business, though, if you use them! If you've avoided 'going down the legal route' previously, please give them a try. We want you to test them and feedback if there is room for improvement. But we really just want you to get the benefit from our hard work creating them."

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The new suite of FMB contracts is designed to bridge the existing knowledge deficit by explaining, in clear language, the precise responsibilities of each party. This level of openness and clarity assists homeowners in the following ways:

• Identifying professional, trustworthy builders who operate to agreed standards.

• Understanding their specific legal duties as defined by current building regulations.

• Avoiding disputes through clearly agreed terms set out at the beginning, and defined steps for resolution if issues arise.

• Verifying competence through integrated competency statements.

• Protecting their investment with legally sound agreements.

Brian Berry, FMB CEO, added: "Homeowners often don't know what questions to ask when hiring a builder. Our contracts do that work for them. When an FMB member presents a professional, comprehensive contract that explains duty holder roles and legal responsibilities, it immediately signals this is a trusted business operating to the highest standards. In an industry where licensing is being discussed and desperately needed - these contracts give homeowners the confidence they need."

At a manageable 14–15 pages, the FMB templates are considerably shorter than competing contracts, some of which exceed 80 pages. The templates were created through a collaborative process involving legal professionals, FMB members, and working groups from the Building Safety Regulator's Industry.

Key characteristics of the new contracts include:

• Explicit definitions of duty holder roles under the Building Safety Act, providing protection for both the builder and the client.

• Competency statement templates to document skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours (SKEB).

• Use of plain English throughout the entire document, eliminating confusing legal terminology or jargon.

• Flexible payment provisions alongside optional clauses for deposits or advance payments.

• Tailored versions applicable to all four UK nations.

• Compliance with the FMB Code of Conduct, which requires members to utilise written contracts for every job undertaken.

Recent consultations among FMB members revealed widespread confusion regarding the Building Safety Act, particularly concerning the Principal Designer role. Many architects and structural engineers are now declining to take on design liabilities due to restrictions in their insurance coverage, which potentially leaves both homeowners and builders exposed. The new contracts directly address this risk by clearly defining who is accountable for design elements, compliance, and construction management, ensuring that no party inadvertently assumes a role for which they are not qualified or adequately insured.