Most disputes over renovation or maintenance work start with the same sentence: "that's not what we agreed." The way to avoid it is to rely on a written contract rather than a verbal understanding. Even for a small painting job, a short document protects both sides. The points below are a general framework to agree on before signing anything — this is not legal advice, and for a complex or high-value job it is worth having a legal adviser look at the contract.
1. Parties and scope of work
The contract should name both parties, with address and contact details; a company should also give its tax number. The scope should describe, room by room and surface by surface, exactly what work will be done. Asking for a list broken down by task — rather than a single line such as "paint the villa" — avoids a later argument about what was supposedly included.
2. Timing, start date and delays
The start date and the expected completion date should be in writing. It should also state how the schedule can shift for reasons outside either party's control, such as weather or a delayed material delivery. Spelling out what happens if there's a delay — how much notice is given, and how a new date is agreed — sets clear expectations from the start.
Planning painting or renovation work?
Send a few photos of the wall, facade or bathroom on WhatsApp. We'll talk the job through with you and, if needed, come for a free site visit and prepare an itemised written quotation.
3. Payment plan and progress payments
The contract should state clearly which stage the deposit, each progress payment (sometimes called a "hakediş" in Turkey — a payment tied to a measured amount of completed work) and the final payment are tied to. Paying the full amount before the job is finished is risky; a payment plan linked to actual progress is fairer to both sides. Whether an invoice will be issued, and whether the price includes VAT (KDV in Türkiye) or not, should also be written down.
4. Materials and quality of work
Measurable details — the brand and model of the materials, the number of coats of paint — should be written in. It should be clear who is responsible for supplying materials, the tradesman or the homeowner. It also helps to add a line covering what happens if delivered materials arrive damaged or short.
5. Change orders and extra work
Something unexpected can turn up once work starts — hidden damp, faulty wiring, cracked plaster. The contract should set out the order of steps for this: first you're informed, then you give written approval, then the work proceeds. Without this clause, the price and scope can change without your agreement.
6. Liability, insurance and damage
It should be clear who is responsible if something gets damaged during the work — a scratched floor, a broken window. For larger jobs, it's worth asking whether the tradesman or company carries liability insurance, and noting the answer in the contract. Covering and protecting furniture and floors before work starts belongs under this heading too.
7. Guarantee scope and length
A workmanship guarantee and a materials guarantee can be different things; what defects are covered, and for how long, should be spelled out. If you supplied the materials yourself, the guarantee's scope may change, and that distinction should be written in. A verbal guarantee is the hardest thing to prove if a dispute arises later.
8. Ending the contract and resolving disputes
The conditions under which either side can end the contract at any stage — how much notice, and how the work done so far is paid for — should be written down. Agreeing to a step before going to court, such as a direct conversation or mediation, gives both sides a chance to resolve a disagreement without it escalating.
Frequently asked questions
Is a contract really necessary for a small job? Yes — even a short document covering scope, timing and price protects you on the smallest job. A verbal agreement is the hardest thing to prove if something goes wrong.
Does the contract need to be notarised? For most home renovation work, that isn't required; a written document signed by both parties is usually enough. For a large-budget or structural job, having it notarised or reviewed by a legal adviser is worth considering.
Who should draft the contract? Either side can draft it; what matters is that both parties read the clauses together and agree on them. Even with a ready-made template, the job's own details — scope, materials, dates — still need to be filled in.
For the points to check when comparing quotations, see the guide on 8 things every renovation quotation should include; for the scope of our work, see the painting and renovation page.
Planning painting or renovation work?
Send a few photos of the wall, facade or bathroom on WhatsApp. We'll talk the job through with you and, if needed, come for a free site visit and prepare an itemised written quotation.
This guide is for general information. Every home is different; for your own home, ask a company that has seen the work on site for a written quotation.