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1. These terms
1.1 What these terms cover. These are the terms and conditions on which we supply products to you, whether these are goods or services.
1.2 Why you should read them. Please read these terms carefully before you submit your order to us. These terms tell you who we are, how we will provide products to you, how you and we may change or end the contract, what to do if there is a problem and other important information. If you think that there is a mistake in these terms, please contact us to discuss.
2. Information about us and how to contact us
2.1 Who we are. We are Whitton Electrical Limited a company registered in England and Wales. Our company registration number is 06859145 and our registered office is at Morgan Rose, 37 Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 1LD. Our registered VAT number is 981253609. 2.2 How to contact us. You can contact us by telephoning our customer service team on 0800 4488 593 or by writing to us at [email protected] or Unit 2 Maylands Business Centre, Redbourn Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 7ES.
2.3 How we may contact you. If we have to contact you we will do so by telephone or by writing to you at the email address or postal address you provided to us in your order.
2.4 “Writing” includes emails. When we use the words “writing” or “written” in these terms, this includes emails.
3. Our contract with you
3.1 How we will accept your order. Our acceptance of your order will take place when we call, write or email you to accept it, at which point a contract will come into existence between you and us.
3.2 If we cannot accept your order. If we are unable to accept your order, we will inform you of this and will not charge you for the product. This might be because the product is out of stock, because of unexpected limits on our resources which we could not reasonably plan for, because we have identified an error in the price or description of the product or because we are unable to meet a delivery deadline you have specified.
4. Our products
4.1 Making sure your measurements are accurate. If we are making the product to measurements you have given us you are responsible for ensuring that these measurements are correct. You can find information and tips on how to measure by contacting us.
5. Our rights to make changes
5.1 Minor changes to the products. We may change the product:
a) to reflect changes in relevant laws and regulatory requirements; and
b) to implement minor technical adjustments and improvements, for example to address a security threat. These changes will not affect your use of the product.
6. Providing the products
6.1 Delivery costs. The costs of delivery will be told to you in the course of email / letter exchanges.
6.2 When we will provide the products. During the order process we will let you know when we will provide the products to you:
a) If the products are goods. If the products are goods we will deliver them to you as soon as reasonably possible and in any event within 30 days after the day on which we accept your order.
b) If the products are one-off services. We will begin the services on the date set out in the order. The estimated completion date for the services is as told to you during the order process.
6.3 We are not responsible for delays outside our control. If our supply of the products is delayed by an event outside our control then we will contact you as soon as possible to let you know and we will take steps to minimise the effect of the delay. Provided we do this we will not be liable for delays caused by the event, but if there is a risk of substantial delay you may contact us to end the contract and receive a refund for any products you have paid for but not received.
6.4 If you are not at home when the product is delivered. If no one is available at your address to take delivery and the products cannot be posted through your letterbox, we will leave you a note informing you of how to rearrange delivery.
6.5 If you do not re-arrange delivery. If you do not collect the products from us as arranged or if, after a failed delivery to you, you do not re-arrange delivery or collect them from a delivery depot we will contact you for further instructions and may charge you for storage costs and any further delivery costs. If, despite our reasonable efforts, we are unable to contact you or re-arrange delivery or collection we may end the contract and clause 9.2 will apply.
6.6 If you do not allow us access to provide services. If you do not allow us access to your property to perform the services as arranged including the use of the lavatory within the property (and you do not have a good reason for this) we may charge you additional costs incurred by us as a result. If, despite our reasonable efforts, we are unable to contact you or re-arrange access to your property we may end the contract and clause 9.2 will apply.
6.7 Your legal rights if we deliver goods late. You have legal rights if we deliver any goods late. If we miss the delivery deadline for any goods then you may treat the contract as at an end straight away if any of the following apply: (a) we have refused to deliver the goods; or (b) delivery within the delivery deadline was essential (taking into account all the relevant circumstances).
6.8 When you become responsible for the goods. A product which is goods will be your responsibility from the time we deliver the product to the address you gave us or you.
6.9 When you own goods. You own a product which is goods once we have received payment in full.
6.10 What will happen if you do not give required information to us. We may need certain information from you so that we can supply the products to you, for example, details of the works required to be carried out. If so, this will have been told to you in the course of email / letter exchanges. We will contact you to ask for this information. If you do not give us this information within a reasonable time of us asking for it, or if you give us incomplete or incorrect information, we may either end the contract (and clause 9.2 will apply) or make an additional charge of a reasonable sum to compensate us for any extra work that is required as a result. We will not be responsible for supplying the products late or not supplying any part of them if this is caused by you not giving us the information we need within a reasonable time of us asking for it.
6.11 Reasons we may suspend the supply of products to you. We may have to suspend the supply of a product to:
a) deal with technical problems or make minor technical changes;
b) update the product to reflect changes in relevant laws and regulatory requirements;
c) make changes to the product as requested by you or notified by us to you (see clause 5).
6.12 Your rights if we suspend the supply of products. We will contact you in advance to tell you we will be suspending supply of the product, unless the problem is urgent or an emergency. If we have to suspend the product for longer than 28 days from the order date, we will adjust the price so that you do not pay for products while they are suspended. You may contact us to end the contract for a product if we suspend it, or tell you we are going to suspend it, in each case for a period of more than 28 and we will refund any sums you have paid in advance for the product in respect of the period after you end the contract.
6.13 We may also suspend supply of the products if you do not pay. If you do not pay us for the products when you are supposed to (see clause 11.4) and you still do not make payment within 7 days of us reminding you that payment is due, we may suspend supply of the products until you have paid us the outstanding amounts. We will contact you to tell you we are suspending supply of the products. We will not suspend the products where you dispute the unpaid invoice (see clause 11.6). We will not charge you for the products during the period for which they are suspended. As well as suspending the products we can also charge you interest on your overdue payments (see clause 11.5).
7. Your rights to end the contract
7.1 Ending the contract because of something we have done or are going to do. If you are ending a contract for a reason set out at (a) to (d) below the contract will end immediately and we will refund you in full for any products which have not been provided and you may also be entitled to compensation. The reasons are:
a) we have told you about an error in the price or description of the product you have ordered and you do not wish to proceed;
b) there is a risk that supply of the products may be significantly delayed because of events outside our control;
c) we have suspended supply of the products for technical reasons, or notify you we are going to suspend them for technical reasons, in each case for a period of more than 28 days; or
d) you have a legal right to end the contract because of something we have done wrong.
7.2 Exercising your right to change your mind (the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013). For most products bought by exchange of letters / emails, you have a legal right to change your mind within 14 days and receive a refund. These rights, under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, are explained in more detail in these terms.
7.3 When you don’t have the right to change your mind. You do not have a right to change your mind in respect of:
a) services, once these have been completed, even if the cancellation period is still running;
b) any products which become mixed inseparably with other items after their delivery.
7.4 How long do I have to change my mind? How long you have depends on what you have ordered and how it is delivered.
a) Have you bought services (for example, for us to install electrical works)? If so, you have 14 days after the day we email you to confirm we accept your order. However, once we have completed the services you cannot change your mind, even if the period is still running. If you cancel after we have started the services, you must pay us for the services provided up until the time you tell us that you have changed your mind and further, if you cancel the requested services within 24 hours of the scheduled start date of providing such services, you will incur and pay to us a cancellation fee of £114.00.
b) Have you bought goods? if so you have 7 days after the day you (or someone you nominate) receives the goods, unless your goods are split into several deliveries over different days. In this case you have until 7 days after the day you (or someone you nominate) receives the last delivery to change your mind about the goods.
7.5 Ending the contract where we are not at fault and there is no right to change your mind. Even if we are not at fault and you do not have a right to change your mind, you can still end the contract before it is completed, but you may have to pay us compensation. A contract for goods is completed when the product is delivered and paid for. A contract for services is completed when we have finished providing the services and you have paid for them. If you want to end a contract before it is completed where we are not at fault and you have not changed your mind, just contact us to let us know. The contract will end immediately and we will refund any sums paid by you for products not provided but we may deduct from that refund (or, if you have not made an advance payment, charge you) reasonable compensation for the net costs we will incur as a result of your ending the contract.
8. How to end the contract with us (including if you have changed your mind)
8.1 Tell us you want to end the contract. To end the contract with us, please let us know by doing one of the following:
a) Phone or email. Call customer services on 0800 4488 593 or email us at [email protected]. Please provide details of what you bought, when you ordered or received it and your name and address.
b) By post. Simply write to us at Unit 2 Maylands Business Centre, Redbourn Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 7ES including details of what you bought, when you ordered or received it and your name and address.
8.2 Returning products after ending the contract. If you end the contract for any reason after products have been dispatched to you or you have received them, you must return them to us. You must either return the goods in person to where you bought them, post them back to us at Unit 2, Maylands Business Centre, Redbourn Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 7ES or (if they are not suitable for posting) allow us to collect them from you. Please call customer services on 0800 4488 593 or email us at [email protected] for a return label or to arrange collection. If you are exercising your right to change your mind you must send off the goods within 7 days of telling us you wish to end the contract.
8.3 When we will pay the costs of return. We will pay the costs of return:
a) if the products are faulty or misdescribed; or
b) if you are ending the contract because we have told you of an upcoming change to the product or these terms, an error in pricing or description, a delay in delivery due to events outside our control or because you have a legal right to do so as a result of something we have done wrong. In all other circumstances (including where you are exercising your right to change your mind) you must pay the costs of return.
8.4 What we charge for collection. If you are responsible for the costs of return and we are collecting the product from you, we will charge you the direct cost to us of collection. The costs of collection will be the same as our charges for standard delivery as detailed in the order.
8.5 How we will refund you. We will refund you the price you paid for the products including delivery costs, by the method you used for payment. However, we may make deductions from the price, as described below.
8.6 Deductions from refunds if you are exercising your right to change your mind. If you are exercising your right to change your mind:
a) We may reduce your refund of the price (excluding delivery costs) to reflect any reduction in the value of the goods, if this has been caused by your handling them in a way which would not be permitted in a shop. If we refund you the price paid before we are able to inspect the goods and later discover you have handled them in an unacceptable way, you must pay us an appropriate amount.
b) The maximum refund for delivery costs will be the costs of delivery by the least expensive delivery method we offer. For example, if we offer delivery of a product within 3-5 days at one cost but you choose to have the product delivered within 24 hours at a higher cost, then we will only refund what you would have paid for the cheaper delivery option.
c) Where the product is a service, we may deduct from any refund an amount for the supply of the service for the period for which it was supplied, ending with the time when you told us you had changed your mind. The amount will be in proportion to what has been supplied, in comparison with the full coverage of the contract.
8.7 When your refund will be made. We will make any refunds due to you as soon as possible. If you are exercising your right to change your mind then:
a) If the products are goods and we have not offered to collect them, your refund will be made within 14 days from the day on which we receive the product back from you or, if earlier, the day on which you provide us with evidence that you have sent the product back to us.
b) In all other cases, your refund will be made within 14 days of your telling us you have changed your mind.
9. Our rights to end the contract
9.1 We may end the contract if you break it. We may end the contract for a product at any time by writing to you if:
a) you do not make any payment to us when it is due and you still do not make payment within 7 days of us reminding you that payment is due;
b) you do not, within a reasonable time of us asking for it, provide us with information that is necessary for us to provide the products;
c) you do not, within a reasonable time, allow us to deliver the products to you or collect them from us;
d) you do not, within a reasonable time, allow us access to your premises to supply the services; or
9.2 You must compensate us if you break the contract. If we end the contract in the situations set out in clause 9.1 we will refund any money you have paid in advance for products we have not provided but we may deduct or charge you reasonable compensation for the net costs we will incur as a result of your breaking the contract.
10. If there is a problem with the product
10.1 How to tell us about problems. If you have any questions or complaints about the product, please contact us. You can telephone our customer service team on 0800 4488 593 or write to us at [email protected] or Unit 2, Maylands Business Centre, Redbourn Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 7ES.
10.2 Summary of your legal rights. We are under a legal duty to supply products that are in conformity with this contract.
10.3 Your obligation to return rejected products. If you wish to exercise your legal rights to reject products you must either return them in person to where you bought them, post them back to us or (if they are not suitable for posting) allow us to collect them from you. We will pay the costs of postage or collection. Please call customer services on 0800 4488 593 or write to us at [email protected] or Unit 2, Maylands Business Centre, Redbourn Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 7ES for a return label or to arrange collection.
11. Price and payment
11.1 Where to find the price for the product. The price of the product (which includes VAT) will be the price as set out in the order. We take all reasonable care to ensure that the price of the product advised to you is correct. However please see clause 11.3 for what happens if we discover an error in the price of the product you order.
11.2 We will pass on changes in the rate of VAT. If the rate of VAT changes between your order date and the date we supply the product, we will adjust the rate of VAT that you pay, unless you have already paid for the product in full before the change in the rate of VAT takes effect.
11.3 What happens if we got the price wrong. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the products we sell may be incorrectly priced. We will normally check prices before accepting your order so that, where the product’s correct price at your order date is less than our stated price at your order date, we will charge the lower amount. If the product’s correct price at your order date is higher than the price stated to you, we will contact you for your instructions before we accept your order. If we accept and process your order where a pricing error is obvious and unmistakeable and could reasonably have been recognised by you as a mispricing, we may end the contract, refund you any sums you have paid and require the return of any goods provided to you.
11.4 When you must pay and how you must pay. We accept payment by cash, cheque or bank transfer. When you must pay depends on what product you are buying:
a) For goods, you must pay for the products before we dispatch them.
b) For services, we will invoice you weekly in arrears for the services until the services are completed. You must pay each invoice within 7 calendar days after the date of the invoice.
11.5 We can charge interest if you pay late. If you do not make any payment to us by the due date we may charge interest to you on the overdue amount at the rate of 3% a year above the base lending rate of the Bank of England from time to time. This interest shall accrue on a daily basis from the due date until the date of actual payment of the overdue amount, whether before or after judgment. You must pay us interest together with any overdue amount.
11.6 What to do if you think an invoice is wrong. If you think an invoice is wrong please contact us promptly to let us know. You will not have to pay any interest until the dispute is resolved. Once the dispute is resolved we will charge you interest on correctly invoiced sums from the original due date.
12. Our responsibility for loss or damage suffered by you
12.1 We are responsible to you for foreseeable loss and damage caused by us. If we fail to comply with these terms, we are responsible for loss or damage you suffer that is a foreseeable result of our breaking this contract or our failing to use reasonable care and skill, but we are not responsible for any loss or damage that is not foreseeable. Loss or damage is foreseeable if either it is obvious that it will happen or if, at the time the contract was made, both we and you knew it might happen, for example, if you discussed it with us during the sales process.
12.2 We do not exclude or limit in any way our liability to you where it would be unlawful to do so. This includes liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence or the negligence of our employees, agents or subcontractors; for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; for breach of your legal rights in relation to the products.
12.3 We are not liable for business losses. We only supply the products for domestic and private use. If you use the products for any commercial, business or re-sale purpose we will have no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity.
13. How we may use your personal information
13.1 How we may use your personal information. We will only use your personal information as set out in our Privacy Policy. You can find our Privacy Policy on our website www.whittonelectrical.co.uk
14. Other important terms
14.1 We may transfer this agreement to someone else. We may transfer our rights and obligations under these terms to another organisation. We will contact you to let you know if we plan to do this. If you are unhappy with the transfer you may contact us to end the contract within 28 days of us telling you about it and we will refund you any payments you have made in advance for products not provided.
14.2 You need our consent to transfer your rights to someone else (except that you can always transfer our guarantee). You may only transfer your rights or your obligations under these terms to another person if we agree to this in writing.
14.3 Nobody else has any rights under this contract (except someone you pass your guarantee on to). This contract is between you and us. No other person shall have any rights to enforce any of its terms, except as explained in clause 14.2 in respect of our guarantee. Neither of us will need to get the agreement of any other person in order to end the contract or make any changes to these terms.
14.4 If a court finds part of this contract illegal, the rest will continue in force. Each of the paragraphs of these terms operates separately. If any court or relevant authority decides that any of them are unlawful, the remaining paragraphs will remain in full force and effect.
14.5 Even if we delay in enforcing this contract, we can still enforce it later. If we do not insist immediately that you do anything you are required to do under these terms, or if we delay in taking steps against you in respect of your breaking this contract, that will not mean that you do not have to do those things and it will not prevent us taking steps against you at a later date. For example, if you miss a payment and we do not chase you but we continue to provide the products, we can still require you to make the payment at a later date.
14.6 Which laws apply to this contract and where you may bring legal proceedings. These terms are governed by English law and you can bring legal proceedings in respect of the products in the English courts. If you live in Scotland you can bring legal proceedings in respect of the products in either the Scottish or the English courts. If you live in Northern Ireland you can bring legal proceedings in respect of the products in either the Northern Irish or the English courts.
The Customer’s attention is particularly drawn to the provisions of clause 12 (Limitation of liability).
1. Interpretation
The following definitions and rules of interpretation apply in these Conditions.
1.1 Definitions:
Business Day: a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in England, when banks in London are open for business.
Commencement Date: has the meaning given in clause 2.2.
Conditions: these terms and conditions as amended from time to time in accordance with clause 16.8.
Contract: the contract between the Supplier and the Customer for the supply of Goods and/or Services in accordance with these Conditions.
Customer: the person or firm who purchases the Goods and/or Services from the Supplier.
Deliverables: the deliverables set out in the Order produced by the Supplier for the Customer.
Delivery Location: has the meaning given in clause 4.2.
Force Majeure Event: has the meaning given to it in clause 15.
Goods: the goods (or any part of them) set out in the Order.
Goods Specification: any specification for the Goods, including any relevant plans or drawings that is agreed in writing by the Customer and the Supplier.
Intellectual Property Rights: patents, rights to inventions, copyright and related rights, trade marks, business names and domain names, rights in get-up, goodwill and the right to sue for passing off, rights in designs, database rights, rights to use, and protect the confidentiality of, confidential information (including know-how), and all other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all applications and rights to apply for and be granted, renewals or extensions of, and rights to claim priority from, such rights and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection which subsist or will subsist now or in the future in any part of the world.
Order: the Customer’s order for the supply of Goods and/or Services, as set out in the the Customer’s purchase order form, or the Customer’s written acceptance of the Supplier’s quotation, or overleaf, as the case may be.
Services: the services, including the Deliverables, supplied by the Supplier to the Customer as set out in the Service Specification.
Service Specification: the description or specification for the Services provided in writing by the Supplier to the Customer.
Supplier: Whitton Electrical Limited registered in England and Wales with company number 06859145.
Supplier Materials: has the meaning given in clause 8.1(h).
1.2 Interpretation:
(a) A person includes a natural person (who is not acting as a consumer), corporate or unincorporated body (whether or not having separate legal personality).
(b) A reference to a party includes its personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.
(c) A reference to a statute or statutory provision is a reference to it as amended or re-enacted. A reference to a statute or statutory provision includes all subordinate legislation made under that statute or statutory provision.
(d) Any words following the terms including, include, in particular, for example or any similar expression shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words, description, definition, phrase or term preceding those terms.
(e) A reference to writing or written includes email but not fax.
2. Basis of contract
2.1 The Order constitutes an offer by the Customer to purchase Goods and/or Services in accordance with these Conditions.
2.2 The Order shall only be deemed to be accepted when the Supplier issues written acceptance of the Order at which point and on which date the Contract shall come into existence (Commencement Date).
2.3 Any samples, drawings, descriptive matter or advertising issued by the Supplier and any descriptions of the Goods or illustrations or descriptions of the Services contained in the Supplier’s catalogues or brochures are issued or published for the sole purpose of giving an approximate idea of the Services and/or Goods described in them. They shall not form part of the Contract or have any contractual force.
2.4 These Conditions apply to the Contract to the exclusion of any other terms that the Customer seeks to impose or incorporate, or which are implied by law, trade custom, practice or course of dealing.
2.5 Any quotation given by the Supplier shall not constitute an offer, and is only valid for a period of 30 Business Days from its date of issue.
2.6 All of these Conditions shall apply to the supply of both Goods and Services except where application to one or the other is specified.
3. Goods
3.1 The Goods are described in the Goods Specification.
3.2 The Supplier reserves the right to amend the Goods Specification if required by any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement, and the Supplier shall notify the Customer in any such event.
4. Delivery of Goods
4.1 The Supplier shall ensure that:
(a) each delivery of the Goods is accompanied by a delivery note which shows the date of the Order, the contract number, the type and quantity of the Goods, special storage instructions (if any) and, if the Order is being delivered by instalments, the outstanding balance of Goods remaining to be delivered; and
(b) it states clearly on the delivery note any requirement for the Customer to return any packaging material to the Supplier. The Customer shall make any such packaging materials available for collection at such times as the Supplier shall reasonably request. Returns of packaging materials shall be at the Supplier’s expense.
4.2 The Supplier shall deliver the Goods to the location set out in the Order or such other location as the parties may agree (Delivery Location) at any time after the Supplier notifies the Customer that the Goods are ready.
4.3 Delivery of the Goods shall be completed on the completion of loading of the Goods at the Delivery Location.
4.4 Any dates quoted for delivery of the Goods are approximate only, and the time of delivery is not of the essence. The Supplier shall not be liable for any delay in delivery of the Goods that is caused by a Force Majeure Event or the Customer’s failure to provide the Supplier with adequate delivery instructions or any other instructions that are relevant to the supply of the Goods.
4.5 If the Supplier fails to deliver the Goods, its liability shall be limited to the costs and expenses incurred by the Customer in obtaining replacement goods of similar description and quality in the cheapest market available, less the price of the Goods. The Supplier shall have no liability for any failure to deliver the Goods to the extent that such failure is caused by a Force Majeure Event or the Customer’s failure to provide the Supplier with adequate delivery instructions for the Goods or any relevant instruction related to the supply of the Goods.
4.6 If the Customer fails to accept delivery of the Goods within three Business Days of the Supplier notifying the Customer that the Goods are ready, then except where such failure or delay is caused by a Force Majeure Event or by the Supplier’s failure to comply with its obligations under the Contract in respect of the Goods:
(a) delivery of the Goods shall be deemed to have been completed at 9.00 am on the third Business Day following the day on which the Supplier notified the Customer that the Goods were ready; and
(b) the Supplier shall store the Goods until delivery takes place, and charge the Customer for all related costs and expenses (including insurance).
4.7 If ten Business Days after the day on which the Supplier notified the Customer that the Goods were ready for delivery the Customer has not accepted delivery of them, the Supplier may resell or otherwise dispose of part or all of the Goods and, after deducting reasonable storage and selling costs, charge the Customer for any shortfall below the price of the Goods.
4.8 The Supplier may deliver the Goods by instalments, which shall be invoiced and paid for separately. Each instalment shall constitute a separate contract. Any delay in delivery or defect in an instalment shall not entitle the Customer to cancel any other instalment.
5. Quality of Goods
5.1 The Supplier warrants that on delivery, and for a period of 12 months from the date of delivery (warranty period), the Goods shall:
(a) conform in all material respects with their description and any applicable Goods Specification;
(b) be free from material defects in design, material and workmanship.
Such warranty is only provided by the Supplier if the Goods are manufactured by it, in any other case, only the manufacturer’s warranty will be passed on to the Customer in relation to the relevant Goods and following the warranty period, the Customer must contact the manufacturer directly to exercise its warranty.
5.2 Subject to clause 5.3, the Supplier shall, at its option, repair or replace the defective Goods, or refund the price of the defective Goods in full if:
(a) the Customer gives notice in writing during the warranty period within a reasonable time of discovery that some or all of the Goods do not comply with the warranty set out in clause 5.1;
(b) the Supplier is given a reasonable opportunity of examining such Goods; and
(c) the Customer (if asked to do so by the Supplier) returns such Goods to the Supplier’s place of business at the Customer’s cost.
5.3 The Supplier shall not be liable for the Goods’ failure to comply with the warranty in clause 5.1 if:
(a) the Customer makes any further use of such Goods after giving a notice in accordance with clause 5.2;
(b) the defect arises because the Customer failed to follow the Supplier’s oral or written instructions as to the storage, installation, commissioning, use or maintenance of the Goods or (if there are none) good trade practice;
(c) the defect arises as a result of the Supplier following any drawing, design or Goods Specification supplied by the Customer;
(d) the Customer alters or repairs such Goods without the written consent of the Supplier;
(e) the defect arises as a result of fair wear and tear, wilful damage, negligence, or abnormal working conditions; or
(f) the Goods differ from their description as a result of changes made to ensure they comply with applicable statutory or regulatory standards.
5.4 Except as provided in this clause 5, the Supplier shall have no liability to the Customer in respect of the Goods’ failure to comply with the warranty set out in clause 5.1.
5.5 The terms of these Conditions shall apply to any repaired or replacement Goods supplied by the Supplier.
6. Title and risk
6.1 The risk in the Goods shall pass to the Customer on completion of delivery.
6.2 Title to the Goods shall not pass to the Customer until the Supplier receives payment in full (in cash or cleared funds) for the Goods and any other goods that the Supplier has supplied to the Customer in respect of which payment has become due, in which case title to the Goods shall pass at the time of payment of all such sums.
6.3 Until title to the Goods has passed to the Customer, the Customer shall:
(a) store the Goods separately from all other goods held by the Customer so that they remain readily identifiable as the Supplier’s property;
(b) not remove, deface or obscure any identifying mark or packaging on or relating to the Goods;
(c) maintain the Goods in satisfactory condition and keep them insured against all risks for their full price on the Supplier’s behalf from the date of delivery;
(d) notify the Supplier immediately if it becomes subject to any of the events listed in clause 13.2(b) to clause 13.2(d); and
(e) give the Supplier such information relating to the Goods as the Supplier may require from time to time.
6.4 Subject to clause 6.5, the Customer may resell or use the Goods in the ordinary course of its business (but not otherwise) before the Supplier receives payment for the Goods. However, if the Customer resells the Goods before that time:
(a) it does so as principal and not as the Supplier’s agent; and
(b) title to the Goods shall pass from the Supplier to the Customer immediately before the time at which resale by the Customer occurs.
6.5 If before title to the Goods passes to the Customer the Customer becomes subject to any of the events listed in clause 13.2(b) to clause 13.2(d), then, without limiting any other right or remedy the Supplier may have:
(a) the Customer’s right to resell Goods or use them in the ordinary course of its business ceases immediately; and
(b) the Supplier may at any time:
(i) require the Customer to deliver up all Goods in its possession which have not been resold, or irrevocably incorporated into another product; and
(ii) if the Customer fails to do so promptly, enter any premises of the Customer or of any third party where the Goods are stored in order to recover them.
7. Supply of Services
7.1 The Supplier shall supply the Services to the Customer in accordance with the Service Specification in all material respects.
7.2 The Supplier shall use all reasonable endeavours to meet any performance dates for the Services specified in the Order, but any such dates shall be estimates only and time shall not be of the essence for the performance of the Services.
7.3 The Supplier reserves the right to amend the Service Specification if necessary to comply with any applicable law or regulatory requirement, or if the amendment will not materially affect the nature or quality of the Services, and the Supplier shall notify the Customer in any such event.
7.4 The Supplier warrants to the Customer that the Services will be provided using reasonable care and skill.
8. Customer’s obligations
8.1 The Customer shall:
(a) ensure that the terms of the Order and any information it provides in the Service Specification and the Goods Specification are complete and accurate;
(b) co-operate with the Supplier in all matters relating to the Services;
(c) provide the Supplier, its employees, agents, consultants and subcontractors, with access to the Customer’s premises, office accommodation, welfare facilities and other facilities as reasonably required by the Supplier to provide the Services;
(d) provide the Supplier with such information and materials as the Supplier may reasonably require in order to supply the Services, and ensure that such information is complete and accurate in all material respects;
(e) prepare the Customer’s premises for the supply of the Services;
(f) obtain and maintain all necessary licences, permissions and consents which may be required for the Services before the date on which the Services are to start;
(g) comply with all applicable laws, including health and safety laws;
(h) keep all materials, equipment, documents and other property of the Supplier (Supplier Materials) at the Customer’s premises in safe custody at its own risk, maintain the Supplier Materials in good condition until returned to the Supplier, and not dispose of or use the Supplier Materials other than in accordance with the Supplier’s written instructions or authorisation; and
(i) comply with any additional obligations as set out in the Service Specification and the Goods Specification.
8.2 If the Supplier’s performance of any of its obligations under the Contract is prevented or delayed by any act or omission by the Customer or failure by the Customer to perform any relevant obligation (Customer Default):
(a) without limiting or affecting any other right or remedy available to it, the Supplier shall have the right to suspend performance of the Services until the Customer remedies the Customer Default, and to rely on the Customer Default to relieve it from the performance of any of its obligations in each case to the extent the Customer Default prevents or delays the Supplier’s performance of any of its obligations;
(b) the Supplier shall not be liable for any costs or losses sustained or incurred by the Customer arising directly or indirectly from the Supplier’s failure or delay to perform any of its obligations as set out in this clause 8.2; and
(c) the Customer shall reimburse the Supplier on written demand for any costs or losses sustained or incurred by the Supplier arising directly or indirectly from the Customer Default.
9. Charges and payment
9.1 The price for Goods:
(a) shall be the price set out in the Order; and
(b) shall be exclusive of all costs and charges of packaging, insurance, transport of the Goods, which shall be invoiced to the Customer.
9.2 The charges for Services shall be calculated on a time and materials basis:
(a) the charges shall be calculated in accordance with the Supplier’s daily fee rates, as set out in the Order;
(b) the Supplier’s daily fee rates for each individual person are calculated on the basis of an eight-hour day from 8.00 am to 4.30 pm worked on Business Days;
(c) the Supplier shall be entitled to charge an overtime rate in addition to the daily fee rate for any time worked by individuals whom it engages as follows;
i. Monday to Friday – 50% of the daily fee rate for any time worked before 6:00 am and any time worked after 6.00 pm subject to the Supplier’s workforce working from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm on the day.
ii. Saturday – 50% of the daily fee rate for any time worked.
iii. Sunday & Night Shift – 100% of the daily fee rate for any time worked.
(d) the Supplier shall be entitled to charge the Customer for any expenses reasonably incurred by the individuals whom the Supplier engages in connection with the Services including travelling expenses, hotel costs, subsistence and any associated expenses, and for the cost of services provided by third parties and required by the Supplier for the performance of the Services, and for the cost of any materials.
9.3 The Supplier reserves the right to:
(a) increase the price of the Goods, by giving notice to the Customer at any time before delivery, to reflect any increase in the cost of the Goods to the Supplier that is due to:
(i) any factor beyond the control of the Supplier (including foreign exchange fluctuations, increases in taxes and duties, and increases in labour, materials and other manufacturing costs);
(ii) any request by the Customer to change the delivery date(s), quantities or types of Goods ordered, or the Goods Specification; or
(iii) any delay caused by any instructions of the Customer in respect of the Goods or failure of the Customer to give the Supplier adequate or accurate information or instructions in respect of the Goods.
(b) charge the Customer a cancellation fee of £95 plus VAT if the Customer cancels the requested Services within 24 hours of the scheduled start date of providing such Services.
9.4 In respect of Goods, the Supplier shall invoice the Customer on or at any time after completion of delivery. In respect of Services, the Supplier shall invoice the Customer on completion of the Services unless the duration of providing such Services are greater than a week in which case the Supplier shall invoice the Customer weekly in arrears.
9.5 The Customer shall pay each invoice submitted by the Supplier:
(a) Within 7 days of the date of the invoice or in accordance with any credit terms agreed by the Supplier and confirmed in writing to the Customer; and
(b) in full and in cleared funds to a bank account nominated in writing by the Supplier,
and time for payment shall be of the essence of the Contract.
9.6 All amounts payable by the Customer under the Contract are exclusive of amounts in respect of value added tax chargeable from time to time (VAT). Where any taxable supply for VAT purposes is made under the Contract by the Supplier to the Customer, the Customer shall, on receipt of a valid VAT invoice from the Supplier, pay to the Supplier such additional amounts in respect of VAT as are chargeable on the supply of the Services or Goods at the same time as payment is due for the supply of the Services or Goods. 9.7 If the Customer fails to make a payment due to the Supplier under the Contract by the due date, then, without limiting the Supplier’s remedies under clause 13 (Termination), the Customer shall pay interest on the overdue sum from the due date until payment of the overdue sum, whether before or after judgment. Interest under this clause
9.7 will accrue each day at 4% a year above the Bank of England’s base rate from time to time, but at 4% a year for any period when that base rate is below 0%.
9.8 All amounts due under the Contract shall be paid in full without any set-off, counterclaim, deduction or withholding (other than any deduction or withholding of tax as required by law).
10. Intellectual property rights
10.1 All Intellectual Property Rights in or arising out of or in connection with the Services (other than Intellectual Property Rights in any materials provided by the Customer) shall be owned by the Supplier.
10.2 The Supplier grants to the Customer, or shall procure the direct grant to the Customer of, a fully paid-up, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence during the term of the Contract to copy the Deliverables (excluding materials provided by the Customer) for the purpose of receiving and using the Services and the Deliverables in its business.
10.3 The Customer shall not sub-license, assign or otherwise transfer the rights granted by clause 10.2.
10.4 The Customer grants the Supplier a fully paid-up, non-exclusive, royalty-free non-transferable licence to copy and modify any materials provided by the Customer to the Supplier for the term of the Contract for the purpose of providing the Services to the Customer.
11. Confidentiality
11.1 Each party undertakes that it shall not at any time during the Contract, and for a period of five years after termination of the Contract, disclose to any person any confidential information concerning the business, affairs, customers, clients or suppliers of the other party, except as permitted by clause 11.2.
11.2 Each party may disclose the other party’s confidential information:
(a) to its employees, officers, representatives, subcontractors or advisers who need to know such information for the purposes of carrying out the party’s obligations under the Contract. Each party shall ensure that its employees, officers, representatives, subcontractors or advisers to whom it discloses the other party’s confidential information comply with this clause 11; and
(b) as may be required by law, a court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental or regulatory authority.
11.3 Neither party shall use the other party’s confidential information for any purpose other than to perform its obligations under the Contract.
12. Limitation of liability: THE CUSTOMER’S ATTENTION IS PARTICULARLY DRAWN TO THIS CLAUSE.
12.1 The limits and exclusions in this clause reflect the insurance cover the Supplier has been able to arrange and the Customer is responsible for making its own arrangements for the insurance of any excess loss.
12.2 The restrictions on liability in this clause 12 apply to every liability arising under or in connection with the Contract including liability in contract, tort (including negligence), misrepresentation, restitution or otherwise.
12.3 Nothing in the Contract limits any liability which cannot legally be limited, including but not limited to liability for:
(a) death or personal injury caused by negligence;
(b) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; and
(c) breach of the terms implied by section 12 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 or section 2 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 (title and quiet possession).
12.4 Subject to clause 12.3, the Supplier’s total liability to the Customer shall not exceed £10 million 12.5 This clause
12.5 sets out specific heads of excluded loss and exceptions from them:
(a) Subject to clause 12.3, the types of loss listed in clause 12.5(a) are wholly excluded by the parties, but the types of loss and specific losses listed in clause 12.5(c) are not excluded.
(b) The following types of loss are wholly excluded:
(i) loss of profits;
(ii) loss of sales or business;
(iii) loss of agreements or contracts;
(iv) loss of anticipated savings;
(v) loss of use or corruption of software, data or information;
(vi) loss of or damage to goodwill; and
(vii) indirect or consequential loss.
(c) The following types of loss and specific loss are not excluded:
(i) sums paid by the Customer to the Supplier pursuant to the Contract, in respect of any Goods or Services not provided in accordance with the Contract;
(ii) additional costs of procuring and implementing replacements for, or alternatives to, Goods or Services not provided in accordance with the Contract.
(iii) losses incurred by the Customer arising out of or in connection with any third party claim against the Customer which has been caused by the act or omission of the Supplier.
12.6 The Supplier has given commitments as to compliance of the Goods and Services with relevant specifications in clause 5 and clause 7. In view of these commitments, the terms implied by sections 13 to 15 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 and sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 are, to the fullest extent permitted by law, excluded from the Contract.
12.7 Unless the Customer notifies the Supplier that it intends to make a claim in respect of an event within the notice period, the Supplier shall have no liability for that event. The notice period for an event shall start on the day on which the Customer became, or ought reasonably to have become, aware of the event having occurred and shall expire one month from that date. The notice must be in writing and must identify the event and the grounds for the claim in reasonable detail.
12.8 This clause 12 shall survive termination of the Contract.
13. Termination
13.1 Without affecting any other right or remedy available to it, either party may terminate the Contract by giving the other party not less than three months’ written notice.
13.2 Without affecting any other right or remedy available to it, either party may terminate the Contract with immediate effect by giving written notice to the other party if:
(a) the other party commits a material breach of its obligations under the Contract and (if such breach is remediable) fails to remedy that breach within 28 days after receipt of notice in writing to do so;
(b) the other party takes any step or action in connection with its entering administration, provisional liquidation or any composition or arrangement with its creditors (other than in relation to a solvent restructuring), being wound up (whether voluntarily or by order of the court, unless for the purpose of a solvent restructuring), having a receiver appointed to any of its assets or ceasing to carry on business or, if the step or action is taken in another jurisdiction, in connection with any analogous procedure in the relevant jurisdiction;
(c) the other party suspends, or threatens to suspend, or ceases or threatens to cease to carry on all or a substantial part of its business; or
(d) the other party’s financial position deteriorates to such an extent that in the terminating party’s opinion the other party’s capability to adequately fulfil its obligations under the Contract has been placed in jeopardy.
13.3 Without affecting any other right or remedy available to it, the Supplier may terminate the Contract with immediate effect by giving written notice to the Customer if the Customer fails to pay any amount due under the Contract on the due date for payment.
13.4 Without affecting any other right or remedy available to it, the Supplier may suspend the supply of Services or all further deliveries of Goods under the Contract or any other contract between the Customer and the Supplier if the Customer fails to pay any amount due under the Contract on the due date for payment, the Customer becomes subject to any of the events listed in clause 13.2(b) to clause 13.2(d), or the Supplier reasonably believes that the Customer is about to become subject to any of them.
14. Consequences of termination
14.1 On termination of the Contract:
(a) the Customer shall immediately pay to the Supplier all of the Supplier’s outstanding unpaid invoices and interest and, in respect of Services and Goods supplied but for which no invoice has been submitted, the Supplier shall submit an invoice, which shall be payable by the Customer immediately on receipt;
(b) the Customer shall return all of the Supplier Materials and any Deliverables or Goods which have not been fully paid for. If the Customer fails to do so, then the Supplier may enter the Customer’s premises and take possession of them. Until they have been returned, the Customer shall be solely responsible for their safe keeping and will not use them for any purpose not connected with this Contract.
14.2 Termination or expiry of the Contract shall not affect any rights, remedies, obligations and liabilities of the parties that have accrued up to the date of termination, including the right to claim damages in respect of any breach of the Contract which existed at or before the date of termination.
14.3 Any provision of the Contract that expressly or by implication is intended to have effect after termination shall continue in full force and effect.
15. Force majeure
Neither party shall be in breach of the Contract nor liable for delay in performing or failure to perform, any of its obligations under the Contract if such delay or failure result from events, circumstances or causes beyond its reasonable control (a Force Majeure Event).
16. General
16.1 Assignment and other dealings
(a) The Supplier may at any time assign, mortgage, charge, subcontract, delegate, declare a trust over or deal in any other manner with any or all of its rights and obligations under the Contract.
(b) The Customer shall not assign, transfer, mortgage, charge, subcontract, delegate, declare a trust over or deal in any other manner with any of its rights and obligations under the Contract.
16.2 Notices.
(a) Any notice given to a party under or in connection with the Contract shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or by pre-paid first-class post or other next working day delivery service at its registered office (if a company) or its principal place of business (in any other case).
(b) Any notice shall be deemed to have been received:
(i) if delivered by hand, on signature of a delivery receipt; and
(ii) if sent by pre-paid first-class post or other next working day delivery service, at 9.00 am on the second Business Day after posting or at the time recorded by the delivery service.
(c) This clause 16.2 does not apply to the service of any proceedings or other documents in any legal action or, where applicable, any arbitration or other method of dispute resolution.
(d) A notice given under the Contract is not valid if sent by email.
16.3 Severance. If any provision or part-provision of the Contract is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal and enforceable. If such modification is not possible, the relevant provision or part-provision shall be deemed deleted. Any modification to or deletion of a provision or part-provision under this clause 16.3 shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the rest of the Contract.
16.4 Waiver. A waiver of any right or remedy under the Contract or by law is only effective if given in writing and shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent right or remedy. A failure or delay by a party to exercise any right or remedy provided under the Contract or by law shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor shall it prevent or restrict any further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy provided under the Contract or by law shall prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy.
16.5 No partnership or agency. Nothing in the Contract is intended to, or shall be deemed to, establish any partnership or joint venture between the parties, constitute either party the agent of the other, or authorise either party to make or enter into any commitments for or on behalf of the other party.
16.6 Entire agreement.
(a) The Contract constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes and extinguishes all previous agreements, promises, assurances, warranties, representations and understandings between them, whether written or oral, relating to its subject matter.
(b) Each party acknowledges that in entering into the Contract it does not rely on, and shall have no remedies in respect of any statement, representation, assurance or warranty (whether made innocently or negligently) that is not set out in the Contract. Each party agrees that it shall have no claim for innocent or negligent misrepresentation or negligent misrepresentation based on any statement in the Contract.
(c) Nothing in this clause shall limit or exclude any liability for fraud.
16.7 Third party rights.
(a) Unless it expressly states otherwise, the Contract does not give rise to any rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of the Contract.
(b) The rights of the parties to rescind or vary the Contract are not subject to the consent of any other person.
16.8 Variation. Except as set out in these Conditions, no variation of the Contract shall be effective unless it is agreed in writing and signed by the parties (or their authorised representatives).
16.9 Governing law. The Contract and any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales.
16.10 Jurisdiction. Each party irrevocably agrees that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with the Contract or its subject matter or formation.
Complaints
We always endeavour to provide the best service and products for our customers. However, on rare occasions, we recognise there may be times where our customers may not be completely satisfied. To ensure we are able to put things rights as soon as we can, please read our complaints procedure below and we will respond promptly to ensure complete satisfaction.
As soon as possible after the completion of the works, please inspect the work to ensure everything has been carried out to our usual high standards. By either calling, writing or emailing us. We aim to respond within 7 days of receiving your complaint and where possible, will provide you with a date to remedy any issues raised.
In the unlikely event there is anything you are not completely satisfied with, please contact us as soon as you can in order that we can rectify any problems as soon as possible.
Where we cannot resolve any complaints using our own complaints procedure, as a Which? Trusted trader we use Dispute Resolution Ombudsman for dispute resolution. In the unlikely event of a complaint arising and you wish to refer the complaint to them please contact Which? Trusted Traders in the first instance on 0117 456 6031.
Dispute Ombudsman
Where we cannot resolve any complaints using our own complaints procedure, as a Which? Trusted trader we use Dispute Resolution Ombudsman for dispute resolution. In the unlikely event of a complaint arising and you wish to refer the complaint to them please contact them on 0117 456 6031 or via their website https://www.disputeresolutionombudsman.org/which-trusted-traders-partnership.