Minor works
The phrase ‘minor works’ refers to small, relatively straight-forward construction projects, typically less than £500,000 in value.
In particular the phrase is used in relation to the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) Minor Works Building Contract. This contract follows the traditional procurement route, where first the design is completed, and then a contractor is appointed to construct the works. JCT do not set a limit for the minor works building contract in terms of value, but typically it will be used on projects of less than £250,000.
More important than value in determining whether this is an appropriate form of contract is the nature of the project.
It can be used for projects where:
- The project is fairly simple.
- The project should last no more than 12 months.
- The client is responsible for procuring the design, including drawings, a specification, or work schedules.
- Or the contractor is responsible for designing specific parts of the works (Minor Works Building Contract with contractor’s design).
It is not suitable where:
- The project is more complex.
- The project design includes bills of quantities.
- The project has detailed control procedures.
- The project has multiple phases or sections.
- There are provisions to govern work carried out by named specialists.
The JCT Minor Works Building Contract is more straight forward to administer than many other forms of contract, however, the parties will still need to be very clear of their obligations and liabilities and the risks that they are accepting. Generally the client’s architect or contract administrator will administer the contract.
Other standard forms of minor works contract are available. The New Engineering Contract (NEC) states that its contracts can be used for minor works, and the Federation of Master Builders publishes a freely available suite of minor works contracts.
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Government Conditions of contract (GC Works) contracts have now been withdrawn in favour of NEC contracts.
NB Safety at Street Works and Road Works, A Code of Practice, published by Department for Transport in October 2013, defines minor works as: ‘works with a planned duration of three days of less, excluding immediate or major works.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Causes of construction disputes.
- Construction contracts.
- Contract claims.
- JCT.
- JCT Design and Build Contract.
- JCT Sub-subcontract.
- Modifying clauses in standard forms of construction contract.
- NEC contract.
- Procurement route.
- Repair and maintenance contract.
- RIBA Concise Building Contract.
- RIBA Domestic Building Contract.
- Standard Building Contract.
- Traditional contract.
Featured articles and news
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.
Construction contract awards remain buoyant
Infrastructure up but residential struggles.
Home builders call for suspension of Building Safety Levy
HBF with over 100 home builders write to the Chancellor.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2024/2025
CIOB names James Monk a quantity surveyor from Cambridge as the winner.
Warm Homes Plan and existing energy bill support policies
Breaking down what existing policies are and what they do.
Treasury responds to sector submission on Warm Homes
Trade associations call on Government to make good on manifesto pledge for the upgrading of 5 million homes.
A tour through Robotic Installation Systems for Elevators, Innovation Labs, MetaCore and PORT tech.
A dynamic brand built for impact stitched into BSRIA’s building fabric.
BS 9991:2024 and the recently published CLC advisory note
Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings. Code of practice.