The 14-day cancellation rules for tradespeople
Updated 1 October 2026 · UK rules · Not tax advice: check anything unusual with your accountant.
If you agree a job with a homeowner in their kitchen, over the phone or online, they usually have 14 days to change their mind. Get the paperwork right and you're protected. Get it wrong and you can lose the right to be paid for work you've done.
When the 14 days apply
| How the job was agreed | Right to cancel? |
|---|---|
| In the customer's home, or anywhere away from your business premises | Usually yes, 14 days |
| Online, by phone, email, text or WhatsApp (a distance contract) | Usually yes, 14 days |
| At your business premises, like a showroom or yard | No statutory 14-day right |
| For a business customer or contractor | No, the rules protect consumers only |
Small off-premises jobs under £42 and urgent repairs the customer called you out for are treated differently. Check the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 or get advice for these.
What you must give the customer
- Clear information about the right to cancel: that they have 14 days, and how to tell you.
- A cancellation form they can use (they don't have to use it).
- For off-premises contracts, this must be on paper or another durable medium, like an email or PDF they can keep.
Starting work within the 14 days
If the customer wants you to start straight away, get them to ask for it in writing. If they then cancel within the 14 days, they pay a proportionate amount for the work you've done. Once the job is fully finished, and they agreed they'd lose the right to cancel, they can't cancel.
If you get it wrong
If you don't give the cancellation information, the period is extended by up to 12 months, and a customer who cancels may not have to pay for work already done. That's why the paperwork matters.
BrewQuote adds the cancellation notice and form to every homeowner quote automatically. When the customer signs online, they can tick to ask you to start within the 14 days, and that request is saved with their signature. This is a summary, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to give homeowners a 14-day cancellation period?
Usually, yes, if you agree the job away from your business premises (for example in their home) or at a distance (online, by phone or by message). You must tell them about the right to cancel and give them a cancellation form.
What happens if I don't tell the customer about their right to cancel?
The cancellation period can be extended by up to 12 months. If they cancel, you may not be able to charge for work you've already done.
Can I start work within the 14 days?
Yes, if the customer asks you to in writing. If they then cancel, they pay a proportionate amount for the work done up to that point.
Do these rules apply to business customers?
No. The Consumer Contracts Regulations protect consumers. Work for businesses and contractors isn't covered.
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