You've hired someone to do a job (a repair, a build, some design work) but the contract is silent on when it must be finished. Does that mean the provider can take as long as they like? In England and Wales, no: the law fills the gap with a "reasonable time" rule. Here is a plain-English guide.
The "reasonable time" rule
Where a contract for a service does not fix a completion date, the law implies that the service must be carried out within a reasonable time:
- for business-to-business contracts, under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 (s 14); and
- for consumer contracts, under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (s 52).
So a missing deadline does not give the provider unlimited time, it gives them a reasonable time.
What counts as "reasonable"?
"Reasonable" is a question of fact, judged by the circumstances, such as:
- the nature and complexity of the work;
- normal trade practice and how long such work usually takes;
- any cause of delay and whether it was within the provider's control;
- what the parties said or did, and any indications of urgency; and
- the resources reasonably needed for the job.
A simple repair that drags on for months is unlikely to be "reasonable"; a complex bespoke project legitimately takes longer.
Can you impose a deadline later?
If time was not originally "of the essence", and the provider is dragging on, you can usually make time of the essence by giving reasonable written notice setting a firm, realistic deadline. If they then miss it, you may be entitled to treat the delay as a breach and, depending on seriousness, terminate and/or claim damages. Take advice before terminating, as wrongful termination is itself a breach.
Your remedies for unreasonable delay
If the service is not completed within a reasonable time:
- Consumers (Consumer Rights Act 2015): the statutory remedies are repeat performance (where possible and appropriate to bring the service into conformity; for pure delay this may not be apt) and price reduction. Termination is not a general statutory remedy under the CRA for services; ending the contract depends on the general law of contract (repudiatory breach or a contractual right to terminate).
- Businesses (SGSA 1982): unreasonable delay is a breach of contract, and you can claim damages for losses caused, and terminate if the breach is serious enough (or after a valid "time of the essence" notice).
You must take reasonable steps to limit your losses.
Avoiding the problem
- Agree a completion date (or milestones) in writing up front.
- State whether time is of the essence.
- Put in a mechanism for delay (e.g. liquidated damages, or a right to terminate after notice).
Key takeaways
- If a service contract has no completion date, the law implies it must be done within a "reasonable time" (SGSA 1982 s 14 for B2B; Consumer Rights Act 2015 s 52 for consumers).
- "Reasonable" depends on the facts, complexity, trade norms and the cause of any delay.
- You can often make time of the essence by giving reasonable written notice of a firm deadline.
- For consumers, statutory remedies under the CRA are repeat performance (where possible) and price reduction; termination requires a repudiatory breach or contractual right; for businesses, damages and possible termination (SGSA), and avoid the issue by agreeing dates up front.
Sources
- Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, s 14 (reasonable time for B2B services)
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, s 52 (service to be performed within a reasonable time for consumers)
- Common law on "time of the essence" and termination for delay
--- This article is general information about the law of England & Wales as at 2026, not legal advice. For advice on your circumstances, consult a qualified solicitor.