A TV reality programme that shows the nightmare of stressful building projects is only the 'tip of the iceberg', experts warned today.

'Don't Blame the Builder', screened on Channel 4, underlined anecdotal evidence that home construction projects can be a highly stressful experience for most householders.

Secretary-General of the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT), Professor Peter Hibberd, said: "The example illustrated on Tuesday night was a relatively easy case to sort out, because the couple involved had the good sense to have a contract with their builder.

"It would have been much worse if a contract had not been in place. JCT contracts, used in the majority of building work in the UK construction industry, and the agreement in place with the parties in Tuesday's programme, provide an important reference point should a misunderstanding occur, and a framework under which a resolution can be found."

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He agreed with programme presenter Jeff Howell, whose first question when he arrived at the scene of a building dispute was: "Is there a contract in place?"

Professor Hibberd continued: "The JCT contract illustrated in the first programme ensured that the featured couple's problems, although highly emotional, were relatively straightforward to resolve, because the contract was there to fall back on. The specific terms of the contract, signed by both parties, made barrister, Tony Bingham's job much easier - he was able to propose a solution to the issues highlighted in the programme very quickly.

"I know of many examples of real grief caused by there not being a contract, with a constant round of 'he said, she said' - which can make it very difficult for anyone, not least judges, to sort out. Some problems that I have encountered can go on for years, causing divorce, illness, and worse.

"I think the programme proved conclusively that a contract is the householder's best friend when it comes to building work."

(CD/JM)