Cooling-off period & withdrawal
Whether you have a statutory cooling-off period depends on how the agreement is concluded, the work agreed and any statutory exception. The rules are not identical for every renovation agreement. This page provides general information for consumers.
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When might a cooling-off period apply?
A statutory right of withdrawal may apply to a consumer distance or off-premises contract. For a services contract, the usual statutory period is 14 days after the agreement is concluded. The precise classification depends on the contracting process and circumstances.
Sending a contact enquiry or requesting information does not itself place a paid renovation order. A quotation accepted by email is not automatically a distance contract. A visit to measure or discuss a quotation followed by later acceptance requires a different assessment from an agreement concluded immediately during a sales meeting at home.
Exceptions require an individual assessment
The law includes exceptions for agreements for new construction and major conversion in the statutory sense. Not every extensive or whole-house renovation falls within that exception. The project name or quotation value alone does not determine the answer.
Special rules may also apply to urgent repairs or maintenance expressly requested by the consumer. Additional work and materials outside such an exception require separate consideration. A general reference to bespoke work does not automatically remove the right of withdrawal for an entire renovation service.
Starting work during an applicable cooling-off period
If you want a service to start during the cooling-off period, an express request and the required prior information are necessary. Following a valid withdrawal, a proportionate amount for work already performed may then be payable if the statutory conditions have been met.
The right of withdrawal for a fully performed service ends only if the statutory requirements for prior consent and acknowledgement of the loss of that right have also been met. A start date or a general term alone is not necessarily sufficient.
Giving notice of withdrawal
If you have an applicable statutory right of withdrawal and wish to use it, send a clear statement to info@unitn.nl within the applicable period. Include your name, contact details, the agreement you are withdrawing from and the date it was concluded. You do not have to give a reason.
You may use the model below, but this is not compulsory. Another unambiguous statement is also possible. Keep proof of sending. The model does not restrict your statutory rights or the ways in which they may be exercised.
Following a valid withdrawal, payments received are refunded under the applicable statutory rules. For services, work already carried out during the cooling-off period at your express request may be taken into account where the statutory conditions are met.
Model withdrawal notice
Complete and send this model only if you wish to withdraw from the agreement.
To: UNIT N, Koninginnegracht 46, 2514 AD Den Haag, the Netherlands, info@unitn.nl.
I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) agreement for the supply of the following service:
Description of the service and quotation or order reference, if available:
Agreement concluded on:
Name of consumer(s):
Address of consumer(s):
Signature of consumer(s), only if this form is submitted on paper:
Date:
(*) Delete as appropriate.
Cancellation outside a statutory cooling-off period
Withdrawal during a statutory cooling-off period differs from terminating or cancelling a project outside that period. The applicable statutory rules, the nature of the assignment and the validly agreed terms then matter. Contact us so the consequences in your circumstances can be established. This page imposes no fixed cancellation percentage or automatic charge.
Independent information
ACM ConsuWijzer explains when a cooling-off period applies and the rights available when cancelling work or an assignment. Obtain an assessment of your particular circumstances if the type of agreement or an exception is uncertain.
ACM ConsuWijzer: cooling-off period (Dutch) · ACM ConsuWijzer: cancelling work or an assignment (Dutch)
Content last reviewed: 17 October 2026. Mandatory statutory consumer rights continue to apply.
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