PLEASE READ THESE TERMS AND CONITIONS CAREFULLY - BY USING THE SERVICES OF DIRECT PAINTERS YOU ARE ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH US AND AGREEING TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
'We', 'us' and 'our' means Direct Painters. '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 quote represents a written contract for the exact work to be completed at the price quoted, excluding VAT. See quotation form for VAT details under (information about your quote, section 6). VAT will be added to the final invoice issued.
• The agreement is made between Direct Painters and the client. The client is identified as the person who requested the quotation.
• Direct Painters 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.
• The acceptance of the quote, electronically or by any other means signifies a full acceptance and commitment to accept these terms and conditions.
• Please check your quotation carefully.
1.2 Scope of quoted work
The quote written by Direct Painters 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 quote.
1.3 Electric and water
The client will be expected to provide electrical power, running water and toilet facilities where reasonably 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
1.5 Cancellation
In the event of cancellation by the client, the client agrees to notify Direct Painters in writing or by email 28 days before the project start date. In the event that Direct Painters are not notified of the cancellation, the client agrees to pay all of Direct Painters administration, lost work and scheduling costs amounting to no less than 15% of the total project cost. The 15% of the total cost is the original quoted total that is accepted, any amended quotes will not be included. In the event which our terms are broken, unpaid fees will be passed on to a dept recovery agent within 10 days from the date we request the payment. (section 2.4)
If the customer elects to cancel our services after we have begun work, the customer agrees to pay all of Direct Painters 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 only if the rescheduled date is bona fide and within 2 weeks of the initial date scheduled. Should further postponement occur, you will be deemed to have cancelled our services and the cancellation levy will apply as above.
1.6 Materials
All necessary materials can and will be provided by us unless otherwise agreed 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. Direct Painters are not responsible for the performance or suitability of any materials, parts or products purchased directly by the client and allow Direct Painters to use these at their own risk. Any agreed materials purchased by Direct Painters, which are faulty will be replaced by Direct Painters before applied, any materials that have been applied and are not to the satisfactory of you the customer, the customer will be responsible for the cost of any further materials required and or purchased.
1.7 Changes to your quote
Any quote or estimate is subject to revision, If a customer makes changes to their property or building after receiving a quote from Direct Painters, customers must let us know of all changes made as soon as possible, so that their quote 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. 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 still remain the same.
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 quotes
Quotes are valid for 28 days from the issue date.
1.11 Damages and sub-standard workmanship
It is the responsibility of the client:
• To remove valuable and/or fragile items from the areas to be decorated.
• To remove pictures and other wall-hangings.
• To remove electrical goods.
Assistance can be provided with the repositioning and/or removal of bulky furniture items and goods, but will incur an additional charge of £25.00 per hour per worker. 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.
In the event of breakage or damage to the property, Direct Painters will notify the client immediately and set out steps to remedy the situation. Similarly, if at the end of the job the client is dissatisfied with any aspect of the service, they must inform us as soon as possible. Clients must allow Direct Painters to effect a remedy using our own tradespersons and under no circumstances will we be held liable for the costs of reparations by third parties that we have not expressly agreed to in writing. The client must notify Direct Painters Ltd, in writing within 24 hours of an alleged breakage or damage caused by our employees.
1.12 Additional work
We are usually happy to do favours for our clients over and above our quotations however this is expressly done at your own risk and we will not accept any responsibility for any work undertaken that is not in your written quote, including loss or damage to persons or property.
1.13 Precautions
We will take every possible precaution to ensure that all vulnerable areas and any objects left in the work area are carefully and thoroughly covered and/or masked. However, there will always remain a very small risk of overspill or dust getting past these precautions. In the rare event of overspill, dust or other cosmetic damage, we will endeavour to ensure that it is satisfactorily cleaned.
1.14 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.
1.15 Payment of quoted and fixed price work
The client agrees to pay the invoice, plus VAT on completed of work, as stated on your signed quote form under (information about your quote, section 6) immediately after completion of your project. In the event that the client is unhappy with the standard of workmanship, the correct complaints procedure as show in these terms and conditions must be followed. All materials purchased for, or on behalf of the client, remain the property of Direct Painters until payment of the final invoice by the client to Direct Painters. In the event of dispute, the client agrees to allow access to the property to a representative of Direct Painters to retrieve all materials that remain the property of the company. 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 amended by Direct Painters Ltd, is fixed in the quotation. Therefore, the client is liable for payment, regardless of whether an invoice has been received. A second copy of an invoice can be issued at a cost of £15 per invoice to cover administration costs.
1.16 Deposits
• A deposit is required to cover material expenses.
• Deposits are refundable at the discretion of Direct Painters.
• The acceptance of a deposit or the request to begin the project by email confirmation signifies a full acceptance and commitment to be bound by the Terms and Conditions unless agreed to pay the deposit at a later stage, depending on if the project(s) are in two stages.
All deposits that have been made to us by Cheque or bank transfer must allow five working days for payment to clear before work can be carried out by Direct Painters.
1.17 Completion of the project
If Direct Painters deem it necessary, the client must make themselves available on the last day of the project for consultation and 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.
1.18 Termination of the contract by Direct Painters
Direct Painters 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.
SECTION 2 - PAYMENT
2.1 Payment methods
We accept Cash and Bank transfers for settlement of your account.
2.2 Payments to tradespersons
Our staff are not permitted to accept payment - to pay for your deposit or completed job, you must pay Direct Painters 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 as Direct Painters receives payment directly.
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(s) no later than the agreed date, which is stated on your signed quotation form and invoice. A small minority of clients choose to ignore calls, are evasive, request multiple invoices, obfuscate or are unavailable for contact after the project has been completed and payment is due. Direct Painters reserves the right to process the outstanding invoice and receive payment within 5 days of completion. Should the outstanding balance not be settled within 5 days, Direct Painters reserve the right to apply an administration charge of £80.00
2.4 Unpaid accounts
In the event that Direct Painters cannot recover any outstanding amount after 10 working days, 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 33% 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.
SECTION 3- DISCOUNTS AND PROMOTIONS
From time to time Direct Painters run promotions and offers - these promotions and offers come with the following conditions:
• Discount is limited to labour costs only on hourly rate jobs, half-daily rate jobs and daily rate jobs.
• Materials costs are not included in the promotion.
• Discounts cannot be combined - one promotional discount may be used per transaction.
• Offer periods are limited - refer to the specific promotion for validity period.
• Direct Painters reserve the right to withdraw any offer at any time.