Legal
Our commercial framework for project engagement, procurement, delivery, and professional relationships.
Last updated: April 2026
1. Our Business Relationship
Crown Building Limited ("Crown Building," "we," "us," or "our") is a main contractor providing comprehensive building and construction services. We work with developers, house builders, property owners, corporate clients, and public sector organisations to deliver projects of all scales and complexity.
Our business relationship is founded on transparency, professional standards, and clear communication. We establish a single point of contact for each project, ensuring accountability and efficient decision making throughout the engagement.
Crown Building is committed to operating as a responsible, compliant, and ethical contractor. We employ certified staff, maintain compliance with all UK construction industry standards, and adhere to modern slavery, data protection, and environmental legislation.
2. How We Work
No Template Approach: Each project is unique. We do not apply standardised contracts or pre set conditions to every engagement. Instead, we develop project specific terms, methodologies, and commercial arrangements tailored to your project's characteristics, complexity, timeline, and budget.
Early Engagement: We believe the best outcomes come from early collaboration. We engage with your team, architects, engineers, and advisors from the project inception to understand your vision, constraints, and objectives. This collaborative approach informs our quotations and delivery strategy.
Risk Management: We identify project risks early and develop mitigation strategies collaboratively. This includes site surveys, ground investigations, specialist reviews, and contingency planning. We share a "no surprises" ethos, unforeseen issues are escalated promptly with recommended solutions.
Quality Assurance: Quality is embedded throughout our process. Site management, material approvals, inspections, and handover protocols are integrated into the programme. We engage third party inspectors and certifiers as appropriate.
Site Compliance: We operate safe, professional, organised sites. All staff hold appropriate certifications (CSCS, CITB, Gas Safe, etc.). We maintain site health and safety standards, manage waste responsibly, and ensure minimal disruption to neighbouring properties.
3. Quotation & Tender Process
Quotation Preparation: Quotations are prepared following a detailed brief review and, where necessary, a site survey. We cost works based on specifications, drawings, and our understanding of project complexity. Labour, materials, plant, preliminaries, and profit are included unless explicitly separated.
Assumptions & Exclusions: Every quotation is accompanied by a schedule of assumptions and exclusions. These clarify what is and is not included in the price. Changes to assumptions may trigger price adjustments, discussed and agreed before we proceed.
Validity Period: Quotations are valid for 30 days from issue. Market conditions, supplier pricing, and labour availability may change. Should circumstances change materially, we reserve the right to revise the quotation or withdraw it after the validity period expires.
Tender Process: For formal tender processes, we provide detailed submissions including methodology, team CVs, accreditation evidence, references, and project plans. We comply with your tender requirements and timescales. Tender costs are borne by us and are not passed to unsuccessful tenders.
Quotation Acceptance: Acceptance is confirmed in writing by us. A contract is formed upon written confirmation or commencement of works, whichever is earlier. Verbal acceptances are not binding.
4. Contract Formation
Contract Options: Crown Building is experienced in working under multiple contract forms, including JCT (Design & Build, Design, Measured Term), NEC, RIBA, FIDIC, and bespoke contracts tailored to your requirements. We also deliver under simple letters of engagement and quotations for smaller works.
The contract form will be determined through discussion with your team, professional advisors, or employer's agent. We typically recommend industry standard forms (JCT, NEC, RIBA) for larger or more complex projects to provide clarity and protection for all parties.
Contract Documents: Our contracts are comprehensive, covering scope, time, cost, payment terms, warranties, liability, dispute resolution, and termination provisions. Precontract meetings ensure all parties understand the terms before signature.
Bespoke Arrangements: For projects with nonstandard requirements, we develop project specific contract documents in collaboration with your legal advisors. This ensures clarity and reduces disputes.
Signing Authority: Contracts are signed by our authorised representatives. We require equivalent authority from the client side to ensure binding commitments.
5. Programme & Delivery
Baseline Programme: We establish a detailed baseline programme with the client at project commencement. The programme includes all key activities, dependencies, milestones, and critical paths. Regular updates are issued (typically weekly or bi weekly) showing progress and forecasted completion.
Delays & Extensions: Delays arising from causes within our control (inadequate planning, labour shortages, poor site management) are our responsibility. Delays caused by client directed changes, approvals, supply constraints, or unforeseen ground conditions may be grounds for time extensions, discussed and agreed in writing.
Practical Completion: Practical completion is achieved when the works are substantially complete in accordance with the contract and sufficiently fit for purpose. Minor outstanding items are rectified on a snag list.
6. Variations & Change Control
Change Request Process: All changes to scope, specification, or design must be raised formally as change requests. We provide a written cost and time impact for each change, including labour, materials, plant, and overhead adjustments.
Approval Required: Changes are not implemented until formally approved in writing, including agreement on cost and time adjustments. Unauthorised changes are not the responsibility of Crown Building if they do not align with the original contract specification.
Impact Assessment: We assess the impact of each change on programme, cost, quality, and interfaces with other works. Cumulative changes may create dependencies that require re sequencing or phasing adjustments.
Variations Log: All approved changes are recorded in a variations log, provided to the client regularly. This ensures transparency and provides a clear audit trail for final account settlement.
7. Subcontractor & Supply Chain Management
Approved Subcontractors: Crown Building maintains a network of approved subcontractors and suppliers. All are vetted for competence, compliance, accreditation, and reliability. Subcontractors are engaged under back to back contracts aligned with the main contract terms.
Client Approval: Where the contract requires client approval of subcontractors, we provide details in advance. Approval should not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Once approved, we are responsible for subcontractor performance.
Transparency: We provide visibility of our supply chain, including material sourcing, labour deployment, and specialist sub contracts. This supports your compliance obligations and quality assurance.
Performance Management: We monitor subcontractor performance, including quality, safety, and programme compliance. Poor performance is escalated and remedied promptly.
Payment to Subcontractors: We pay subcontractors promptly and in accordance with agreed terms. We comply with the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) and statutory payment requirements.
8. Quality Assurance
Workmanship: We warrant that all works are executed in a professional and workmanlike manner, in accordance with good industry practice, and compliant with the contract specification.
Manufacturers' Warranties: Manufacturer warranties on materials, fixtures, and equipment are passed to the client. We support warranty claims where appropriate.
9. Termination
Termination for Cause: The contract may be terminated by either party for material breach not remedied within an agreed cure period (typically 14 to 28 days). Termination must be in writing, specifying the breach and cure period.
Termination for Convenience: Termination for convenience (without cause) may be permitted under certain contract terms. The terminating party is responsible for reasonable costs incurred by the other party, including demobilisation, redundancy, and professional fees.
Crown Building Termination: If Crown Building terminates due to non payment or client breach, we are entitled to recover all costs incurred, including materials on site, labour, plant, and overheads relating to the works. Payment must be made before we demobilise.
Succession & Completion: Upon termination, Crown Building cooperates with any successor contractor to facilitate continuity, subject to additional fees for coordination and knowledge transfer. We provide documentation and site induction support.
10. Governing Law
Jurisdiction: These Terms of Business and all contracts with Crown Building are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts for any disputes.
Statutory Compliance: All works are executed in compliance with relevant UK legislation, including the Building Safety Act, Environmental Protection Act, Health and Safety at Work Act, and relevant British Standards and Codes of Practice.
Dispute Resolution: Disputes shall first be addressed through negotiation between senior representatives. If unresolved, matters may be referred to adjudication (under the Scheme for Construction Contracts) or mediation before litigation. Legal proceedings must be initiated within six years of the alleged breach.
Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, that provision is severed, but the remainder remains in full effect.
Terms of Business Contact
For clarifications about these Terms of Business, or to discuss project specific arrangements, please contact us:
Crown Building Limited
Unit 324-B, The Wenta Business Centre
Colne Way, Watford
Hertfordshire WD24 7ND
020 3675 3999
enquiries@crown-building.com