Homeowners shouldn't have to pay blindly.HomeownersContractorsHomeownersContractorsshouldn't have
topayworkpayworkblindly.

Questions about Fort

How the stages, the money and the project record work.

What is Fort and how does it work?+

Fort is a platform for UK residential construction where Homeowners and Contractors agree work, manage the project and pay in milestones. You can post a project to find a Contractor, or invite a builder you have already chosen.

Once a contract is agreed on Fort, the work is split into milestones. The Homeowner pays each milestone before work on it begins, the Contractor completes it, and the Homeowner reviews the work and approves the payout. If there is a disagreement, Fort's dispute process applies.

Plans, messages, documents, photos and agreed changes are kept in one place, giving both sides a shared record of the project.

How do milestone payments work on Fort?+

Milestone payments split a project into agreed stages, each with its own scope of work and payment amount. Before a stage starts, the Homeowner pays its amount through Fort's payment provider, Stripe.

The Contractor completes the work and can upload photos as evidence. The Homeowner reviews the stage and approves the payout. If they disagree, Fort's dispute process decides whether the funds go to the Contractor, are refunded to the Homeowner or are divided between them.

Both sides can see what was agreed, what each stage costs and what must happen before money is released.

Learn how milestone payments protect HomeownersLearn how milestone payments protect Contractors

Does Fort hold my money or provide escrow?+

No. Fort does not hold customer funds in its own bank accounts and does not provide an escrow service. Payments are processed by Stripe, Fort's third-party payment provider.

When a Homeowner pays a milestone, the amount less Fort's service fee is credited to the Contractor's connected Stripe account. It is paid out to their bank account once the milestone is complete and the payout is approved, or as a dispute decision directs. Depending on the outcome, the funds can instead be refunded or divided between the parties.

Who processes payments on Fort?+

Payments are processed by Stripe, using Stripe Connect and Pay by Bank. Stripe Payments UK Ltd is listed on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Register under firm reference number 900461. That number belongs to Stripe, not Fort. Fort is not a bank and does not hold customer funds. Use of the payment services is also subject to Stripe's terms.

Can I use Fort with a builder I've already chosen?+

Yes. Invite your builder to join Fort, then agree the remaining work, milestones and payment amounts on the platform. You can also record changes and keep project documents together. The project does not need to start with a Contractor found through Fort.

Once the contract is agreed on Fort, all payments for that contract must be made through the platform. Payments made outside Fort are not covered by its payment services and are not taken into account in a dispute.

Find out how Fort works for HomeownersFind out how Fort works for Contractors

How does Fort verify and vet builders and Contractors?+

Contractors earn Fortified status by completing Fort's 15-point vetting process. The checks include proof of address, personal and business CCJ searches, director and Companies House records, financial history, qualifications, insurance evidence and customer references. Stripe separately verifies identity and monitors payments for fraud risk.

Fortified status gives Homeowners more information when choosing a Contractor. It does not promise workmanship, suitability or future conduct, so check qualifications, insurance, references and previous work before signing a contract.

Read our guide to vetting a builder

What happens if I have a dispute with my builder?+

Fort keeps a record of the agreed scope, messages, documents, photos, variations and milestone payments, so both sides have evidence to refer to. Parties are encouraged to resolve issues between themselves first. If they cannot, Fort follows a structured dispute process.

Where the dispute needs it, Fort can appoint an independent RICS-chartered surveyor or other expert to assess the work. Not every dispute is about workmanship, so one is not needed in every case. Fort then decides where the disputed funds go, using the evidence and the agreements in place. They can be released to the Contractor, returned to the Homeowner or divided between them.

Fort can ask the party at fault, or both parties equally, to cover the cost of the surveyor or expert.

Find out how Fort helps manage building disputes

How long can a Fort milestone last, and what are the payment limits?+

A milestone can last up to 45 days from when its funds are secured. Longer work should be split into smaller milestones or substages, which keeps projects moving and payments in line with progress.

Under Fort's Terms of Service, each secure payment is capped at £10,000 unless Fort says otherwise. The cap applies to a milestone without substages, or to each substage. A larger stage can therefore exceed £10,000 in total if it is split into substages that each stay within the cap.

Is Fort available throughout the UK?+

Yes. Fort is available across the whole of the United Kingdom for residential construction projects. Homeowners give a UK postcode when they post a project, and the Contractors and projects you see depend on how close they are to you.

How much does Fort cost for Homeowners and Contractors?+

Creating an account and browsing listings is free, and Fort takes no fees until a payment is made.

On projects agreed through Fort, a service fee applies to each milestone payment. The rate depends on the total agreed construction fees:

• 5% below £30,000
• 4% from £30,000 to under £100,000
• 3% from £100,000 to under £750,000
• 2% from £750,000 and above

The Homeowner pays the agreed milestone price. The fee comes out of that amount, so the Contractor receives the milestone less the fee. Service fees are generally non-refundable, with exceptions set out in the Terms. Contractors can also choose an optional fee discount on selected projects (see the For Contractors FAQs).

Find out more about Fort for Contractors