I have this on the front of all estimates, which have my company details and contacts on them.
"This estimate is subject to This company terms and conditions stated overleaf.
Please sign for acceptance of this estimate (paper only)
......................................................................................................................
If you wish to cancel the contract you must do so before the cancellation period expires and inform (by e mail or equivalent) the company named below. You may (but do not have to) use this form.
To: This company.
Notice is hereby given of the cancellation of the contract for the goods/services identified in Estimate Number:_________________________________________________________________________
Signed (paper only):
Name and Address:
Date:"
I accept email confirmation of going ahead with the job
On the terms and conditions this is provided:
"Right to Cancel
You have the right to cancel within 14 days of accepting this estimate or, for sales only, the receipt of all goods. To do so you must clearly inform the company of your decision to cancel this contract (by email or equivalent) before the cancellation period expires.
If you cancel (apart from deductions for loss of value from handling beyond establishing the nature, characteristics and function of the goods and delivery charges above standard delivery) the company will reimburse all payments received from the customer within 14 days or less of the return of goods, if applicable, or the receipt of the cancellation notice, by the original method of payment unless agreed otherwise. Goods must be sent back by the customer within 14 days of the date of cancellation.
If service is requested to start during the cancellation period the customer will pay, in relation to the cost of the contract, a proportional amount relating to the work done until the cancellation took place."
This does not completely cover all the eventualities mentioned in the law or possible, however it should cover most of them. The actual requirements are far too long winded to be able to fit into one sheet of A4 with other information on it.
If the customer has agreed a date usually by email then I take this as accepting the terms and conditions and so agreeing the proportional cost if they cancel, but as you say this would be for limited cost jobs.