Home visits, off-premises contracts and cancellation rights
Contracts agreed in a customer’s home can trigger specific information and cancellation requirements.
Applies to: Primarily England, Scotland and Wales under the Consumer Contracts Regulations; check current rules and exemptions.
Last checked: 3 October 2026
Key points
• Distance and off-premises consumer contracts can carry a 14-day cancellation period.
• Required pre-contract information must be given correctly.
• Starting a service inside the cancellation period needs careful handling and an express consumer request where the rules apply.
• Exceptions exist, so do not treat every job identically.
Put the advice to work in your business
Discover BuildPair tools for quotes, customers and organising jobs.
Why this matters to trades
A contract agreed at a customer’s home, online or by phone can fall within the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. That can create information duties and cancellation rights.
Starting work quickly
Business Companion explains that where cancellation rights apply, a consumer generally has 14 days to cancel and a trader should not begin supplying the service during that period unless the consumer requests this. The precise consequences depend on the contract and work completed.
Use the right paperwork
Do not rely on a generic “no refunds” clause. Use current Business Companion guidance and appropriate contract wording for the way you sell and agree work.
Official sources
Use these official sources for the current detail that applies to your job, contract or location.
BuildPair provides general information and signposting, not legal, structural, electrical, gas or building-control approval. Requirements can change and the right answer depends on the work, contract, location and facts.
Related BuildPair guides
One project. Both sides connected.
A fairer UK marketplace and project platform for homeowners and tradespeople, from first search to finished job.
BuildPair is a marketplace and project platform, not a building contractor or building-control body. See Payments, Terms and Disclaimer for full details.