THE IMPORTANT STUFF
Terms & Conditions
PLEASE READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY – BY USING THE SERVICES OF ESSEX PAINTING AND DECORATING SERVICES LTD YOU ARE ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH US AND AGREEING TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
‘We’, ‘us’ and ‘our’ means Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltd. ‘You’, ‘the client’, ‘the customer’, ‘your’ means the person who requested our services and enters into this contract.
SECTION 1 – FIXED RATES AND QUOTATIONS
1.1 Contract
The agreed final quotation represents a written contract for the exact work to be completed at the price stated in the quotation,
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The agreement is made between Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltd and the client. The client is identified as the person who requested the quotation.
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Essex Painting and Decorating Services will not enter into any dialogue, accept any requests or communicate in any way with anyone other than the client except where the client has provided written permission that allows them to do so.
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The acceptance of the quotation, electronically or by any other means signifies a full acceptance and commitment to accept these terms and conditions.
1.2 Scope of quoted work
The quotation written by Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltd for the client represents the requests of the client. It is not a builder’s survey and we will not be held liable for any task that is not included in the written quotation.
1.3 Electric and water
The client will be expected to provide electrical power, running water and toilet facilities where possible.
1.4 Condition of existing walls and ceilings
Unless specifically mentioned, no provision is made for repair of plastering beneath papered walls or ceiling surfaces, as it is assumed that such plastering is in good condition, and is suitable to take treatment specified. Similarly, the costs of the repairs and renewals of any defects which are not visible at the time of estimating will be chargeable, unless allowance for such items is included.
1.5 Cancellation
In the event of cancellation by the client, the client agrees to notify Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltd in writing via email 28 days before the project start date. In the event that Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltd are not notified of the cancellation, the client agrees to pay all of Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltds administration, lost work and scheduling costs amounting to no less than 15% of the total project cost.
If the customer elects to cancel our services after we have begun work, the customer agrees to pay all of Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltds administration, lost work and scheduling costs amounting to no less than 50% of the total project cost. Postponement of scheduled works rather than cancellation is acceptable however Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltd will allow for one postponement of work and thereafter will be treated as a cancellation.
1.6 Materials
All necessary materials can and will be provided by us unless otherwise agreed and will always be of high quality and used in an appropriate manner as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. Where it is necessary to match existing decor, our work will be carried out with this in mind, using appropriate materials that provide an exact match where possible. If an exact match will not be achievable, the client will be consulted. Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltd are not responsible for the performance or suitability of any materials, parts or products purchased directly by the client and allow Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltd to use these at their own risk. We are only able to advise colours , we will not choose colours for our customer and therefore will not be liable if the colour is not right.
1.7 Changes to your quote
Any quotation is subject to revision, if a customer makes changes to their property or building after receiving a quotation from Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltd, customers must let us know of all changes made as soon as possible, so that their quotation can be revised. Any changes made without notifying us, may cause a delay in the work until a price has been agreed for any changes.
1.8 Completion timescales
Estimated completion times are guidelines and although we will endeavour to complete the work in the time frame intimated, we will not be held liable for failure to complete the scheduled works within the estimated time frame, this may be due to weather. Similarly, it may be that by employing extra resources we can finish a project more quickly than estimated. In which case the price of the quote will not change.
1.9 Storage of tools
We may on occasion request that tools be left on site overnight. The client reserves the right to decline such requests.
1.10 Validity period of quotations
Quotations are valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
1.11 Damages and sub-standard workmanship
It is the responsibility of the client:
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To remove valuable and/or fragile items from the areas to be decorated.
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To remove pictures and other items hanging from the wall.
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To remove electrical goods from the areas where works will be carried out.
Assistance can be provided with the repositioning and/or removal of bulky furniture items and goods. We reserve the right to decline to move goods if the condition is at risk of damage to the equipment or the property. We reserve the right to decline to move particularly heavy or bulky items if they present a higher than accepted health and safety risk. Where items cannot be covered or protected, but could easily have been removed, we will request that they are removed before work commences. We cannot be held liable for damage to such items if they are not removed.
Where any doubt exists as to the suitability and or structural soundness of any working platform such as balcony, flat roof etc. the client may be asked to provide professional evidence such as structural engineers report prior to works commencing. Where a roof of any type / style is to be used to gain access for external decoration works to Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltd accept no liability for any damage to have been caused as a result of utilising for access during the works. Essex Painting and Decorating Ltd accept no liability for any damages after the job has been completed. Any damages caused by ‘acts of God’, structural issues or tradesmen ie electricians etc, can be repair however this will be chargeable at day rate.
1.12 Additional work
We are in most cases happy to do additional works for our clients over and above our quotations however this will be at an additional cost and will be agreed with the client prior to additional works being carried out.
1.13 Pre-existing damage
We may take photographs of your property or complete a pre-existing damage form prior to the start of the project. In the unlikely event that we do damage your property and this is a result of our negligence, you will be covered by our insurance for the full amount. However, claims that we can dispute with photo evidence or written agreement will incur a £50 charge per complaint to cover administration costs.
1.14 Payment of quoted and fixed price work
The client agrees to pay the invoice for completed work within 7 days after completion of the project. In the event that the client is unhappy with the standard of workmanship, we require a written complaint to be sent to info@essexpainting.co.uk and we will resolve the issue as soon as possible. We are happy to provide invoices for businesses and individuals. However, payment is due within the time-scales as stated in the Terms and Conditions and the amount, unless we have agreed in writing different payment terms.
1.15 Completion of the project
If Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltd deems it necessary, the client must be available on the last day of the project for final sign-off for the project. In the event that the client is unavailable, unless otherwise agreed in writing, the client accepts that the project has been completed to their satisfaction and payment in full is due.
1.16 Termination of the contract by Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltd
Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltd will not tolerate aggressive or rude behaviour, racism, nationalism; sexism, homophobia or ageism directed towards any of its staff or tradespersons and reserves the right to terminate the project at any time in this event and put in an invoice for the full amount.
SECTION 2 – PAYMENT
2.1 Payment methods
We accept Cheques and/or Bank transfers
2.2 Payments to tradespersons
Our staff is not permitted to accept payment – to pay for your deposit or completed job, you must pay Essex Painting and Decorating Services Ltd directly unless you have been given permission from one of our directors in the office through email or our contact number otherwise your account will remain outstanding until such time payment is received.
If you pay any member of staff for either a deposit or completion of work, you will be in breach of your terms and conditions and an administrative charge of £50.00 will be charged.
2.3 Payment time scales
The client agrees to pay the invoice a maximum of 7 Days after submission of the project invoice.
2.4 Unpaid accounts
In the event that Essex Painting and Decorating Service Ltd cannot recover any outstanding amounts after a reasonable amount of time, we will employ the services of a debt collection agency. The client accepts that the debt collection agency will increase the outstanding amount to cover their costs – this fee is applied as soon as the debt is passed from us to them and usually amounts to 35% of the cost of the invoice – it is therefore strongly in your interests to settle your invoice as soon as possible to avoid these extra costs. Once the debt passes from us to the debt collection agency, we have no further involvement in the account and cannot reverse the process or any associated fees.