Can I cancel a contract with a builder after signing at home?
Researched by the LokalMatch editorial team1 answer
A builder came round, we agreed a price at the kitchen table and I signed there and then. I have changed my mind two days later.
Answers (1)
LokalMatch EditorialLokalMatch editorial
Usually yes, within fourteen days — but an extension or a conversion may be the exception, so check which one you signed. The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 cover contracts agreed away from the trader's premises, which includes the one you signed in your own kitchen, and they give a fourteen-day cancellation period.
The exception matters here more than the rule. The Regulations carve out the construction of new buildings, and substantially new buildings created by converting existing ones, as the creation of immovable property. A large extension can fall on that side of the line while a repair, a rewire or a redecoration does not.
Two practical points. The trader is supposed to tell you about the cancellation right when you sign, and failing to do so extends the period rather than removing it. And if you asked for the work to begin inside the fourteen days, you can still cancel, but you may owe for what has already been done.
Answers come from pros and are reviewed by LokalMatch before they’re published. They’re general information — for regulated or safety-critical work, have a licensed professional assess your situation.
Sources
Where the facts on this page come from.
The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 — legislation.gov.uk (accessed 23 September 2026)
Problem with building work, decorating or home improvements — Citizens Advice (accessed 23 September 2026)