Parties involved in construction works often find that it is not commercially feasible to delay the commencement of works until a full contract has been agreed and signed. Instead, they choose to proceed on the basis of a letter of intent (or a preconstruction services agreement, as it is sometimes referred to) pending the completion of the full contract. ‘Letters of intent’ and ‘pre-construction services agreements’ are not legally defined terms, and in practice, such documents vary widely in their legal effect.