JCT Design and Build Contract

The JCT Design and Build Contract is well established and widely used by those undertaking construction projects where the contractor is to design and build a project.

It offers tried and tested wording on which to base a solid contract. Occasionally there may be a need to amend this contract to suit a particular project. The employer will rarely use design and build in its purest form and will instead commonly specify their needs in considerable detail in the employer's requirements.

Take care to amend only what is completely necessary though and it could be that similar projects have encountered the same issues so it’s advisable to check whether an amendment exists that meets your particular requirement. (See Amending standard forms of contract.)

The JCT Design and Build Contract was previously updated in September 2016 and the latest version was released in April 2024.

Despite the emergence of the NEC, the JCT Design and Build form remains developers’ preferred choice of contract with the addition of contract amendments and novation.

This section is maintained by Danny Frost of SOCOTEC Advisory Ltd.

Please note: JCT contracts are being updated progressively during 2024. This section will be updated in due course to reflect the new versions.

Document template: JCT Design and Build Contract 2016 – PDF and Word

RICS journal article: What's new in the JCT 2024 Design and Build contract?