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JCLI Landscape Contracts

Who regularly contracts for work under the various JCLI forms (inc domestic variants) ?

If not, do you contract under other formal contracts - if so which ones do you find relevant, acceptable (from client prospective) and in which marketplace are these normally used ?

If you do not use formal contracts, what do you use ?

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  • PRO

    Researching a little more, it seems there is no electronic version available, only a physical A4 booklet version costing ~£27.50 (?).

    So you have to buy a copy for every contract from LI or SGD ?.

    The partial reason for asking is we are formalising a project for one of our commercial clients who uses their own contracts. I asked if ever they used JCLI contracts and there answer was no.

  • I've just had a read up as I'm looking to get a contract in place. The JCLI contract is just a standard form, that arrives fully published, then the client and contractor go through the standard form and initail and sign any relevant changes to the document. More info can be found HERE

  • PRO

    Hi, yes I saw that from Colin - he's the driving force behind it via the SGD.

    However, researching further shows that even SGD members are perplexed. I am confused at its complexity and the number of different contracts available, along with sets of guidance notes.

    I want to hear from those that use it and its relevance in today's market when clients will often have and dictate their own preferred contract types.

    In all my working life, I have only once come across any mention/requirement to use a JCLI contract ..and this was at the request of an SGD Designer.

    I am aware of the all the "Heather" specifications and their input to this.

  • PRO

    Hi Sue,

    good points. I am no expert, but I think it shows there is a 'confused' landscape out there when it comes to contracts.....

    From the Client's prospectives they need to be totally fair, legal,  simple and easy to understand - that's the 'guide' they are given by organisations like Which?, CAB and a multitude of other sources.

    From the industry prospective, "we/contractors" are looking for a belt & braces contract that while fair, is to based around "our" needs, ie JCLI etc. Put a JCLI 'style' contract is front of a client and they often freak believing it too complex and looking for hidden traps. They won't initially recognise/accept it may actually be in their interests. Also they often do not know the organisations from which these come from (LI/SGD etc).

    These contracts are complex with all their guidance notes, various appendices, completion sheets. They maybe fine for those well versed in formal business contracts etc.....?

    As I understand it, many BALI/APL members do not use them for those reasons - any comments from BALI/APL members would be good to hear......

    I have copies of the JCLI contracts purchased from the LI and they have been shown & discussed to clients, but have never used them in anger, nor had them supplied for jobs.

    Domestic wise, we use a simple contract, backed up with T&Cs (checked by trading standards).

    Commercially (most of our work), we play "contract wars", but ultimately role-over and accept the Client contract otherwise...no job

    In answer to your last point, I don't specifically know the answer - It depends on the business agreement between Designer/Landscaper & end client.

    That's why I raised this subject. It's an area in our industry that would benefit from some clarity, rather than the smoke and mirrors effect that currently exists.

  • PRO

    I've got to ask.. are formal/JCLI Contracts just not used sufficiently and thus one of those 'elephants in the room' that no one wants to talk about ?

    Even some colleagues in the 'esteemed' associations go quiet on this one ......

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