How Covarah protects your project

From first conversation to final payment — every step is documented, every payment is protected, and both parties are treated fairly.

1

Create your project

Set up in minutes. Define the property, invite your builder or client, and bring your team together in one place.

  • Property type, address, and project scope
  • Invite team members by email — they get instant access
  • Both parties see the same information from day one
2

Sign a digital contract

Create a proper contract with clear milestones, payment schedule, and terms. Both parties review and sign digitally.

  • Pre-built templates for homeowner-builder agreements
  • Define payment milestones with amounts and conditions
  • Legally binding under the Electronic Communications Act 2000
  • IP address, timestamp, and identity captured for every signature
3

Fund milestones via escrow

Pay per stage — not a lump sum. Each milestone is funded into FCA-regulated escrow. Your money is protected until you approve the work.

  • Bank transfer to our FCA-regulated escrow partner's secure account
  • Money only moves when you approve each completed milestone
  • Builder can see the funds are secured before starting work
  • Full AML and KYC compliance on all parties
4

Track, approve, and release

Monitor progress in real time. When work is complete, the builder submits for approval. You review and release the payment.

  • Builder marks milestone complete with evidence and notes
  • Client has 5 working days to approve or raise concerns
  • Approved? Funds release to the builder immediately
  • Rejected? Builder reworks. Funds stay protected.

What if something goes wrong?

Disputes happen. What matters is how they're resolved. Covarah provides a structured path that's faster and cheaper than going to court.

1

Mediation

Covarah facilitates discussion. Free, informal, target 14 days.

2

Adjudication

Independent adjudicator via RICS/RIBA. Binding decision, 28 days.

3

Arbitration

Final binding decision. For complex or high-value disputes.

4

Courts

Last resort only. Your evidence trail is already documented.

During any dispute, funds remain protected in escrow. Neither party loses money until it's resolved.

Covarah provides structured dispute facilitation to help both parties communicate and work towards resolution. For formal adjudication or legal proceedings, independent professionals are appointed through recognised bodies (RICS, RIBA, CIArb). Covarah does not provide legal, financial, or construction advice.

Every conversation is on record

All project communication happens inside Covarah. Every message, approval, variation request, and milestone update is timestamped, attributed, and immutable. No more "I never said that".

Timestamped, immutable communication logs

Document and photo uploads attached to milestones

Evidence-grade audit trail for dispute resolution

Ready to protect your project?

Create your account in 2 minutes. Your first project is free.

Get Started