Construction Disputes and Claims

Should I insist on a Formal Building Contract for a small project?

I often get asked what size does a project need to be before the use of a formal contract. And my advice particularly, for working with private clients, is basically any size needs a formal contract if you want to avoid the headaches. Likewise when friends have having building work done I give them exactly the same advice that they should not employ a builder without any standard form of contract in place.