Terms and Conditions / 2024

Please read through our terms and conditions and feel free to voice any issues that may arise. It is also important to let us know of any Terms and Conditions, or expectations, of your own that you would wish to be included before work begins.

Terms and Conditions

1. All prices exclude VAT

2. We will provide all customers with a written quotation, which will include sufficient detail for the completion of the works. If any clarification is required, please contact us so that we can provide it. Extra works can be provided subject to a written confirmation including the cost.

3. A ‘contract’ with Staunton Building Contractors Ltd is an agreement by the client to have work undertaken based on a written quotation headed ‘Quote/Estimate’ submitted directly to the client on an official Staunton Building Contractors Ltd letterhead and is a clear and straightforward undertaking between the two parties to form a contract.

4. Once a quotation has been accepted (either verbally or in writing) then a contract has been entered into and these terms will come into effect. Quotes are valid for three months from the date on the quote.

5. All prices quoted are calculated on the basis of free unimpeded working during our normal working hours (7.30 – 4.30 Mon-Fri), unless otherwise agreed. Please note that we may be on site until 6pm or on a Saturday. We will get a prior agreement with the client should this happen.

6. It is the customers/architect’s responsibility to arrange planning permission, building regulations, structural calculations, building control, party wall agreements and any utility/build over agreements with the local water authority. Staunton Building Contractors Ltd will need to see these are all in place (if required) before we commence works.

7. Commencement of works is under the assumption of uninterrupted work for the duration of the contract and in accordance with planning permission where applicable.

8. Staunton Building Contractors Ltd will not be held liable for any costs incurred as a result of delays due to unforeseen circumstances. (e.g. planning permission delays resulting in work having to stop).

9. Staunton Building Contractors Ltd will agree all practical arrangements with regards to working methods with the client in order to provide minimum disruption to the client and allow work to be carried out efficiently by the contractor.

10. Free access is required for delivery of building materials, plant, machinery, skips etc.

11. All foundations are priced at a 1-meter depth unless indicated on architects’ drawings.

12. All used or removed materials on-site remain the property of Staunton Building Contractors Ltd and will be disposed of accordingly.

13. Access to and collection of used and unused building materials, equipment and plant etc remains in place until full and cleared final payment is received.

14. Staunton Building Contractors Ltd may directly employ or sub-contract labour to work on site. Each sub-contractor takes full responsibility for their own third-party liability. Plumbing sub-contractors are GAS SAFE registered. Electricians are Part P certified. Staunton Building Contractors will oversee all works to completion and takes full general and operational responsibility in the running of any contract agreed with the client.

15. In the event of unforeseen difficulties arising, or any other circumstantial changes, the quotation price or estimated cost may be revised to reflect the situation at hand before or after commencement of work.

16. Invoices will be sent out prior to relevant payment date and each invoice will serve as a receipt for payment. Payments must be made in a timely manner or work progress may be impeded or ceased (in the case of non-payment). Payments can be made by cheque or preferably bank transfer. All invoices include our bank details for bank transfers.

17. Interim payments and final payment on completion of a contract is not reliant on the presentation of completion certificates with respect to Gas Safe, Part P or Building Control Completion Certificates as they are subject to third party administration by the Local Authority etc.

18. Insurance – Public liability and Employers Liability: Staunton Building Contractors Ltd has Public Liability Insurance to the sum of £5,000,000, and Employers liability to the sum of £10,000,000. All usual general building practices are covered within our insurance policy. (Proof sent out on request).

19. All client information is retained in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and all personal and other client details will remain confidential.

20. Guarantees: All customers will benefit from a full guarantee on our workmanship for a period of 12 months. Guarantees on materials run in accordance with manufacturer’s warranty periods where applicable. No guarantee can be given on the use of Green Oak or any bespoke hardwood products due to internal/external conditions, moisture or heat can cause swelling or shrinkage. Our guarantee covers all new work and new materials (unless stated) used in construction or repairs but does not guarantee the integrity of any existing structures, materials or decorations. In the event of a failure beyond the guarantee period we will be happy to investigate the cause and negotiate a solution to the problem without delay and carry out any agreed repairs as soon as possible. Charges may apply for remedial work carried out beyond guarantee dates or to items not covered by our guarantee. Please note: Decorations are signed off on completion and not covered by guarantee. All warranties and guarantees become void/ not valid if payments to us are not made on full.

21. All decoration quotes are priced for the use of Dulux Trade range paints unless otherwise stated.

22. Any disturbance to existing aeas will be made good, either by plastering, filling or with new timberwork, but will not be included for re-decoration unless otherwise agreed prior to works.

23. No responsibility is taken by Staunton Building contractors Ltd for the presence of perished infested or rotten timber (or any other perished, rusty, infested or rotten materials) in existing structures such as doors, constructional or other timbers, windows and frames whether detected or undetected at the time of contract.

24. Extras will only be undertaken further to both full discussion with the client, and, verbal or written agreement, and charged at the agreed rate.

25. We will not be held responsible for the suitability of the existing boilers ability to provide for additional plumbing works. If the existing boiler is found to be unsuitable, this shall be discussed with the client and any parts required shall be supplied at trade cost. If we have to remove existing radiators for any reason (e.g. plastering) we will not be held responsible for their effectiveness once they are replaced.

26. When changing plumbing to a pressurized system, no guarantee can be given on the existing pipework and it may leak. Fixing of leaks on existing pipework will be chargeable.

27. No cost for a new boiler or cylinder (mega flow) will be included, unless requested beforehand.

28. Electrics: We are guided by our electrician that if he finds any faults to the existing wiring or fuse board it is our due diligence to inform the client. This shall then be discussed with client and be costed out accordingly.

29. All electrical fittings priced in white plastic unless specified.

30. No cost for a new fuse board will be included, unless requested beforehand.

31. Protection of existing surfaces (floors, carpets, curtains, doors, and furniture etc). Whilst we endeavour to protect existing surfaces with the use of dust sheets and loose plastic sheeting etc along with care in our working practice, responsibility for protection from damage of any existing surface or fabrics etc is the responsibility of the client. Arrangement can be made to put in place protection of existing surfaces, over and above our basic cover, at a negotiated additional cost. We strongly recommend the client moves any expensive or sentimental item before work commences. If we are required to move furniture etc to undertake our work (a charge for our time will be incurred) we will not be held responsible for any breakages or stains that may occur.

32. Building Control: Inspections and other related issues concerning the Local Authority Building Control Department will be managed by Staunton Building Contractors Ltd.

33. Contract Duration: An approximate duration time for the work to be carried out can be found on our quotations. The ‘Contract Duration' is to be used as a guide only and will not effect the agreed contract price i.e. if a contract takes longer than expected no extra charges will be levied unless previously agreed and conversely if good progress is made and a contract takes less time to complete than expected, the client should not expect to receive a discount.

34. Builders waste is deemed to be waste generated by the contractor whilst carrying out building works and includes materials taken down or demolished by the contractor, this material can be used by the contractor or client for hardcore or masonry infill etc if suitable for the purpose. All on site or Road skip contents remain the property of Staunton Building Contractors Ltd until collection by the skip company.

35. We will endeavour to employ a helpful attitude at all times and will always attempt to bring the building works to a satisfactory conclusion as soon as possible taking into account weather conditions, availability of specialist materials and unforeseen circumstances etc.

36. Staunton Building contractors Ltd take pictures of the progress of our projects. We reserve the right to use these pictures in our portfolio of work, on our website. Please let us know via email at the start of your work if you are not happy with this.

37. If there is no costing for working/ liaising with clients directs i.e. kitchen fitter etc or if the client has materials collected by us or received by us their will be a charge for our time. Our daywork rates are: Site Manager £45 ph. Driver: £29 ph. Labourer £22.50 ph.