Construction contract engrossment
Contract engrossment is the process of preparing the final agreed form of a contract and its schedules and appendices so that it can be executed (signed). Historically, this may have involved hand-writing the contract on thick paper and having it bound. Today it is more likely to be printed and then bound.
Engrossment can be required for a wide range of legal agreements, such as; construction contracts, appointment agreements, conveyancing agreements, and so on.
Engrossed contracts are then either executed under seal (signed by the parties, witnessed and most importantly made clear that they are executed as a deed) or under hand (a 'simple contract' that is just signed by the parties). See Contracts under seal v under hand for more information.
Generally, two engrossed contracts will be prepared for execution, one for the client and one for the supplier. Alternatively, the client might retain one executed contract, with certified copies being issued to the supplier, this can avoid potential errors in preparing two contracts for execution.
NB The term engrossment can also be used in relation to the enactment of statutes, describing the process of printing the final form of an agreed Act ready for its enrolment (registration on the Parliament Roll).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Commercial close.
- Conformed contract.
- Contract award.
- Contracts under seal v under hand.
- Construction contract.
- Construing a contract.
- Contract conditions.
- Contract documents.
- Contract execution.
- ESignatures.
- Essentials of a contract.
- Financial close.
- Form of tender.
- Glossary of property law terms.
- Privity of contract.
Featured articles and news
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.