TERMS & CONDITIONS
1. Parties, Definitions and Interpretation
In these terms and conditions (which are referred to in this document as “these terms”), “Customer” means the customer for whom the Works are to be carried out by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD, “ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD” means Adam Renovations Ltd (“AR”) or, as the case may be, a franchisee of AR carrying on business pursuant to a Franchise Licence Agreement entered into with AR, “Contract” means the agreement between the Customer and ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD to carry out the Works of which these terms form a part and (where these terms are a schedule to a signed agreement between the Customer and ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD) that agreement, “Works” means the works described in ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s estimate and/or as referred to in ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s Work Detail Sheet or any other document or email issued by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD, as may be varied by agreement in writing between the parties. For the purposes of these terms, “in writing” and “written” include by email and any document which is set out in a hand held device and any signature on a hand held screen shall be treated as in writing. In these terms words importing the masculine gender also include the neuter and the feminine gender and words importing the singular number include also the plural number, where the context so requires.
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2. General
2.1 The Customer will be treated as an Account Customer or a Non-Account Customer, according to ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s reasonable discretion.
2.2 All estimates given by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD, all orders and instructions given by the Customer, and all work authorisations, are governed by these terms. They supersede any other terms appearing elsewhere and override and exclude any other terms stipulated or incorporated or referred to by the Customer, whether in the order or instructions or in any negotiations or in any course of dealing established between ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD and the Customer, except where these terms are a schedule to a signed agreement between the Customer and ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD, in which event these terms apply only to the extent not inconsistent with that agreement.
2.3 The Customer acknowledges that ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD has not made any representations (other than any expressly stated in the Contract and/or in ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s estimate) which have induced it to enter into the Contract and the Contract shall constitute the entire understanding between the Customer and ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD for the performance of the Works.
2.4 No modification to the Contract shall be effective unless made by an express written agreement or email exchange between the parties. The signing on behalf of ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD of any documentation of the Customer shall not imply any modification of the Contract.
2.5 Nothing in this Contract is intended to confer on any person any right to enforce any term which that person would not have but for The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. Accordingly, a person who is not a party to this Contract shall have no rights under that Act to enforce any of its terms, but this does not affect any right or remedy of such person which exists or is available apart from that Act.
3. The Price, Estimates and Variations
3.1 Unless ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD provides the Customer with a written estimate which is accepted by the Customer in accordance with its terms, all Works will be charged on the basis of ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s standard Rate Card applicable at the time the Works are carried out.
3.2 Any estimate by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD is subject to withdrawal by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD at any time before receipt of an unqualified acceptance from the Customer and shall be deemed to be withdrawn unless so accepted within 28 days from its date.
3.3 Where ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD provides the Customer with an estimate which is accepted by the Customer in accordance with its terms, that estimate is a firm, fixed price quotation unless otherwise specified by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD in the estimate and also except as follows:
3.3.1 an estimate is based on the information made available to ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD by the Customer. If during the conduct of the Works it becomes apparent to ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD that that information was either incorrect or insufficient in any respect that ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD considers to be material, ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD reserves the right to inform the Customer and to increase the estimated price to take account of the revised information; and
3.3.2 if prior to carrying out the Works, there is an increase to ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD of more than 10% in the cost of any relevant parts, materials or other items, equipment hire or transport since the date upon which ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s estimate was provided, ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD reserves the right to inform the Customer and to provide a revised estimate incorporating that increase. In this event, the revised estimate will apply unless the Customer cancels the Contract before the Works are begun or, if earlier, within 48 hours of the revised estimate being provided.
3.4 For materials, parts or other items that are not carried as part of ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s standard van stock, unless it is with respect to Works for which there is an estimate which includes all collection fees, ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD charges a fixed collection fee of £50 plus VAT. Where an item is not easily sourced or generally held by the major suppliers used by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD and it considers that significant time will need to be spent tracing and then collecting it, ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD will inform the Customer in advance and, unless the Customer sources the item itself, this will be charged on a time basis as per ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s standard Rate Card. It should be noted that this is an infrequent occurrence.
3.5 ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s standard Rate Card is available for inspection both on ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s website (www.adamrenovationsltd.co.uk) and at ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s premises during normal business hours. The Rate Card specifies half hourly rates. There is a minimum charge of one hour. Subject to that, charges are made by the half hour, rounded up to the next half hour.
3.6 Unless otherwise stated, the price and all estimates provided by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD are shown exclusive of Value Added Tax which will be payable in addition, where properly chargeable.
3.7 If the Works involve a diagnostic process to ascertain the cause or source of a fault or breakdown and during that process an item is ascertained by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD to be faulty and is replaced, the Customer will be liable to pay for that replacement even if the breakdown was caused in whole or in part by a different fault.
3.8 Adam Renovations Ltd will be entitled, in accordance with market practice, to charge a mark-up on any parts, materials and other items supplied by it, subject to a maximum mark-up of 65% of the actual cost paid by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD for the relevant item. The mark-up will reflect, at ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s sole discretion, the level of trade or other discount that ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD was able to obtain from the relevant supplier.
4. Payment and Title
4.1 Non-Account Customers: Payment by the Customer is due on completion of the Works. Payment must be made on such completion.
4.2 Account Customers: ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD will seek to submit invoices to the Customer within 14 days of completion of the Works and, subject to paragraph 11 below, payment must be made by the Customer within 30 days after the date of issue of the invoice.
4.3 Snagging: Where the Works have been completed subject to snagging, 95% of all amounts outstanding must be paid on such completion and the Customer must provide access to ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD without delay to enable the snagging to be finalised. The balance of 5% will become payable upon the finalisation of the snagging or, if access has not been made available to carry out the snagging within 14 days of completion, at the expiry of such 14 day period.
4.4 Where the Customer is represented by a third party (such as a managing agent, tenant or other occupier, contractor or other representative), in the event of non-payment by the Customer, the third party will be responsible for payment unless ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD has agreed otherwise in writing.
4.5 In the case of consumer Customers, ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD shall be entitled to interest on a daily basis on any amount not paid on the due date for payment from such due date until payment in full at 4% above the Bank of England base rate at the relevant time together with such charges as may be incurred by any collection agent appointed by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD (with a minimum of £40 plus VAT in the case of amounts below £1,000 and a minimum of £75 plus VAT in the case of amounts of £1,000 or more). In the case of commercial Customers, ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD will apply all relevant interest and charges as applicable under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 as amended and supplemented from time to time by Government legislation or regulation.
4.6 ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates, guarantees or other similar documents regarding the Works until payment has been made in full.
4.7 Title in all parts, materials and other items supplied by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD shall not pass to the Customer until payment for the Works has been made in full.
5. The Works
All descriptions, illustrations, etc. contained in any catalogues, price lists or advertisements, or otherwise communicated to the Customer, are intended merely to present a general idea of the Works and nothing contained in any of them shall form a part of the Contract.
6. Commencement and Completion Dates
Dates specified for the commencement and completion of the Works are estimates only. ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD shall use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that it will attend on the date and time agreed. However, it accepts no liability in respect of non attendance or late attendance on site or for the late or non-delivery of materials. Time shall not be of the essence of the Contract except as provided in paragraph 15 below.
7. Permits, Licences, other Consents and Access
7.1 It is the responsibility of the Customer to obtain all permits, licences and other consents in connection with the Works unless ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD agrees otherwise in writing. The Customer shall provide clear access to enable ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD to undertake the Works and will make all necessary arrangements with the proper persons or authorities for any traffic controls and signals required in connection with the carrying out of the Works.
7.2 The Customer will at all times provide a safe working environment for ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD and its employees, agents and sub-contractors for the purposes of carrying out the Works. ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD will not be required to enter any property when they are occupied but the only occupant is a minor.
7.3 The Customer will provide all necessary power and a clean water supply for ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s use in the execution of the Works.
7.4 Where applicable to drainage works, the Customer will provide, if possible, a plan showing drain layouts. If this is not available, ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD reserves the right to render additional charges at the relevant applicable rate in accordance with paragraph 3 above if a blockage occurs in drains not covered by the specifications or if it is necessary to trace unidentified drains to complete the Works.
7.5 The Customer must obtain any permission for ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD to proceed over property belonging to third parties if this is necessary for the proper execution of the Works and shall obtain any permission necessary to carry out work on property belonging to third parties. The Customer shall indemnify ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD against all claims of whatsoever nature made by such third parties arising out of the presence of ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD its employees, agents or sub-contractors on the Customer’s or such third parties’ property save where such claim results directly from negligence on ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s part. The Customer shall be liable to ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD for all loss or damage whether direct, indirect or consequential which is suffered by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD as a result of failure or delay by the Customer in performing the obligations referred to in this paragraph.
7.6 All fixtures and fittings in working areas shall be removed by the Customer before commencement of the Works at the Customer’s expense. ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD may remove at the Customer’s expense any fixtures and fittings not so removed but it will not be responsible for any damage to any fixture or fitting so removed other than damage proved to be caused by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s negligence.
8. Frozen Pipes
ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD will not be liable for any fracture found in frozen pipes attended by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD. ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD will not guarantee to clear blockages occurring in a frozen pipe or drain.
9. Removal of Waste Materials
Unless agreed in writing between the parties, the Customer will be responsible for the removal from site of all waste materials resulting from the Works.
10. Force Majeure
ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD will use all reasonable endeavours to carry out the Works on the agreed dates but shall not be under any liability to the Customer if it should be either impossible or impracticable to carry out the Works on the agreed dates or at all, by reason of strike, lock out, industrial dispute, act of God or any other event or occurrence beyond ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s control.
11. Inspection of Works and Complaints Procedure
11.1 The Customer shall inspect the Works as far as it is reasonably possible to do so immediately upon their completion (though failure to countersign the relevant Works Detail Sheet shall not imply rejection of the Works) and, if it considers that the Works or any part thereof are not in accordance with the Contract, it shall within 7 days from the date of inspection give detailed notice in writing thereof. In the absence of any such notice, the Works shall be conclusively presumed to be complete and free from any defect which would be apparent on reasonable examination.
11.2 If the Customer gives ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD a notice that the works or any part thereof are not in accordance with the Contract, as per paragraph 11.1 above, ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD shall be given access the site to examine the complaint and, if ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD agrees that the Works were not completed in accordance with the Contract, to make good, at ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’S own cost and expense, any defect. If ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD does not agree with the Customer’s complaint, the Customer shall be entitled to refer the matter to the relevant trade accreditation body (of which a list is maintained on ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s website), with a view to mediation in accordance with the recommendations of the body, failing which the Customer shall be deemed to have withdrawn its complaint and shall be obliged to make payment in full for the Works in accordance with paragraph 4 above. If the Customer involves a third party contractor prior to giving ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD a reasonable opportunity to correct any agreed defect or prior to exhausting the procedure recommended by the relevant accreditation body, any such involvement shall be at the Customer’s own cost and expense and ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD shall be entitled to payment in full in accordance with paragraph 4 above.
12. Defects
12.1 Subject to paragraph 11 above and the exclusions listed in paragraph 12.4 below, ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD undertakes to repair or make good any defect in completed work which appears within 12 months of completion of the same to the extent that such defect arises from a breach of ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s obligations under the Contract and provided that details of the defect are notified by the Customer to ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD in writing within such period and that ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD and its insurers are given the opportunity of inspecting the work and the alleged defect. This undertaking shall only apply to work carried out and completed and invoiced by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD and which is paid for by the Customer by the due date for payment ascertained in accordance with paragraph 4 above.
12.2 If ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD returns to the site at the Customer’s request to review a claim under this undertaking and it transpires that the defect had not arisen as a result of a breach of the Contract on the part of ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD, ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD reserves the right to charge the Customer for the visit at its standard rate as per paragraph 3 above.
12.3 ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD reserves the right not to carry out any work under this paragraph 12 where the Customer cannot evidence that the work was originally carried out and completed by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD or where payment has not been made in full for such work.
12.4 The exclusions referred to in paragraph 12.1 above are:
– Parts, materials and other items will be provided only with the benefit of the manufacturer’s and/or supplier’s guarantee, to the extent available and are not guaranteed by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD.
– Systems or structures not installed by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD.
– Any recall arising from circumstances or factors known to the Customer but not notified or disclosed to ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD prior to the work having been undertaken.
– Defects resulting from misuse, willful act, or faulty workmanship by the Customer or anyone working for or under the direction of the Customer (other than ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD).
– Structural defects encompassing but not limited to subsidence and its resultant effect.
– Damage to drainage systems caused by root penetration or any other outside force.
– Any roofing work where ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD advises that the overall condition of the roof is poor and is in need of more extensive work and the work to be undertaken involves less than 20% of the area of the roof.
– Any work to repair an existing lock, or to fit any lock not supplied by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD.
13. ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s Liability
13.1 These terms set out ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s entire liability in respect of the Works and ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s liability under them shall be in lieu and to the exclusion of all other warranties, conditions, terms and liabilities, expressed or implied, in respect of the Works and the quality thereof.
13.2 ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s liability shall be limited to:
– The repair or making good of any defect pursuant to its undertaking in paragraph 12 above and subject always to paragraph 11 above.
– Liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence in the course of carrying out ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s duties.
– The reasonable costs of repair or reinstatement of any loss or damage to the Customer’s property if such loss or damage results from ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s negligence or that of its employees, agents or sub-contractors and the Customer incurs such costs.
13.3 ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD will not be responsible for damage suffered to a part of the Customer’s property (whether or not ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD is working on that part) where that damage is in whole or in part a consequence of a defect or weakness in that part of the property.
14. Customer’s Liability
14.1 The Customer shall, in addition to its liability under paragraph 7.5 above and paragraph 15.1 below, be liable for:
– Any loss, damage or injury, whether direct, indirect or consequential, resulting from failure or delay in the performance of the Customer’s obligations in connection with the Contract.
– The safety of both plant and machinery belonging to or hired in by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD or its employees, agents or sub-contractors and shall indemnify ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD against its loss, theft or damage.
14.2 The Customer shall indemnify ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD against all actions, suits, claims, demands, losses, charges, costs and expenses which ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD may suffer or incur resulting from a failure or delay in the performance of the Customer’s obligations, undertakings, representations or warranties in connection with the Contract.
15. Cancellation
15.1 If the Customer cancels the Contract without ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s agreement other than pursuant to paragraph 3.3 above, subject to paragraph 15.3 below, the Customer shall indemnify ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD against all loss, damage, claims or actions arising out of such cancellation unless otherwise agreed in writing, and for the avoidance of doubt any such cancellation is without prejudice to ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s right to payment in accordance with paragraph 4 above or to the cancellation charges pursuant to paragraph 15.4 below.
15.2 If the Customer wishes to cancel an appointment for a visit by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD, the Customer will incur a cancellation fee of £50 (plus VAT) if the cancellation is made 2 hours or less before the scheduled appointment time unless the Adam Renovations Ltd engineer has arrived on site before notice of the cancellation is received by Adam Renovations Ltd, in which event the Customer will be liable to pay a charge for one hour at the appropriate Adam Renovations Ltd rate.
15.3 The Customer will be entitled to the following cooling off period: The period will apply with respect to planned non-emergency Works for which ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD has provided a written estimate which has been accepted by the Customer in writing and the contract price of the estimated Works exceeds £1,000. The period will be for a period of 14 days following the day of the Customer’s acceptance of the estimate, and the Customer may at any time during that period by written notice to ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD cancel the Works without any charge or penalty, subject to the cancellation charges referred to in paragraph 15.4 below and to the Works not having already commenced (with the agreement of the Customer).
15.4 When the Customer cancels Works, unless the cancellation is pursuant to paragraph 3.3 above, the Customer will be liable for (i) as a contribution to the bank and credit card charges incurred by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD, 5% of any amount already paid to ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD and which is to be refunded by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD, and (ii) as a contribution to the administration, demobilisation and other costs incurred by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD, a charge of £50 (plus VAT) except that if greater, the charge is 5% of the estimate price if the cancellation is made less than 14 days prior to the specified commencement date for the Works, 10% of the estimate price if the cancellation is made less than 7 days prior to the said specified commencement date and 20% of the estimate price if the cancellation is made less than 2 days prior to the said specified commencement date.
16. Waiver, Variation etc.
No waiver by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD of any breach by the Customer shall operate as a waiver of any preceding or subsequent breach by the Customer. No variation shall be effective against ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD unless sanctioned in writing by ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD. No forbearance or delay on ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s part shall prejudice ADAM RENOVATIONS LTD’s rights and remedies under this Contract.