Is a Quote Legally Binding in the UK?
Only if it’s backed up by the right terms.
Many UK tradespeople ask if a quote alone is enough to protect them legally. The short answer: yes, it can be — but only if the quote includes proper terms and conditions.
✅ When Is a Quote Legally Binding?
In the UK, a written quote becomes legally binding when:
- The client accepts it (verbally or in writing)
- There’s an intent to create a legal agreement
- There’s consideration (i.e., payment is expected)
So yes — a quote can form the basis of a contract. But there’s a big catch…
⚠️ Most Quotes Don’t Offer Real Protection
Just because a quote is accepted doesn’t mean it protects you properly. In fact, most of the quotes we review lack the basic legal terms needed to:
- Charge for late payments
- Handle cancellations fairly
- Limit your liability
- Stay compliant with consumer law
🛠️ What About Small Jobs?
We get it — for small, straightforward jobs, you’re not going to whip out a full contract every time. That’s real-world work. You’re in, out, done.
That’s why every Construction Companion contract template includes a set of pre-written quote terms and conditions — so even if all you send is a quote, it’s still working in your favour legally.
🧠 Experience That Works On Site
We've been supporting UK tradespeople since 2008, and we’re often asked to check quotes. In 90% of cases, we spot:
- Missing or incorrect payment terms
- No cancellation policy
- Wording that accidentally breaks consumer law
That’s why we built all our templates with help from real trades and legal experts — to cover your jobs big and small.
📄 The Bottom Line?
Yes, a quote can be legally binding — but unless it includes strong terms and conditions, it might not protect you when things go wrong.
For small jobs, smart quote terms are enough. For bigger projects, full contracts are essential. We’ve got you covered either way.
💡 Why Use Construction Companion?
We are Construction Companion — the number one store for construction contracts in the UK.
Our templates come with:
- Professionally written quote terms
- Full T&Cs where needed
- Built-in legal protection that works on-site, not just on paper
Don’t leave it to chance. Use the paperwork that protects your work.
