Letter to 'make time of the essence': services by Citizens Advice
Updated 17 October 2025
This document is a formal letter from a client to a trader, addressing significant delays in agreed-upon services. It serves as a notice to make time of the essence, setting a strict deadline for completion before the client terminates the agreement and seeks a refund for advance payments.
Letter to make time of the essence services
Sam Hoolin
8 Park Avenue
Arlton AL1 4CA
[email protected]
01632 960001
Giltham Traders
24 Station Road
Giltham GT16 3LP
12 September 2025
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to you about the delay to the following work: Replacing the broken fence at the back of my house.
We made the agreement about this work on 10 September 2022. We agreed that it would be finished on 15 October 2022.
As this work has not happened, I am therefore making time of the essence in this agreement. This means that if you do not finish the work within 14 days I will treat our agreement as at an end and find another trader to finish the work.
This also means that I will claim back from you the sum of £50, which is the amount that I have paid in advance for work not done.
Yours faithfully,
Sam Hoolin
About this template
What is this template?
Letter to 'make time of the essence': services by Citizens Advice is a free, ready-to-use Consumer law template you can open, customize, and download on GitLaw. It gives you a professionally structured starting point, so you never have to draft from a blank page. The wording is plain and modern, organized into clear sections that are easy to read, edit, and adapt to your own situation before you share or sign it.
When should you use it?
Reach for this Consumer law template whenever you need a reliable agreement quickly and want to be sure the essentials are covered. It suits individuals, freelancers, startups, and established businesses alike. Instead of paying for a document drafted from scratch, you can start here, tailor the details to your arrangement, and have a polished draft ready in minutes. Always review the final wording against the laws that apply where you live or do business.
What's typically included?
A well-drafted Consumer law usually sets out the parties involved, the scope of the agreement, and each side's rights and responsibilities. Expect sections covering key terms and definitions, how long the agreement lasts, how it can be ended, and what happens if something goes wrong. This template brings those building blocks together in a sensible order, so you can focus on the specifics rather than worrying about what to include. Open it to read the full document, then sign up to edit, negotiate, and e-sign it directly in GitLaw.