Terms of trade

These terms apply to all design services and building work we provide. Where a signed building contract, such as a Registered Master Builders agreement, covers the same matter, that contract takes precedence.

A written quotation is valid for thirty days and is based on the drawings, specification and site information available at the time. It assumes normal ground conditions and reasonable access to the site.

Verbal estimates are indicative only and are not a quotation.

Design work is charged as a fixed fee for each stage, invoiced on completion of that stage. Ownership of concept drawings remains with us until the design fee is paid in full.

If you decide not to proceed to construction, you may use the drawings for the project they were prepared for once all fees are settled, but not for a build by another company.

Any change to the agreed scope is a variation. We will provide a written price for a variation before carrying out the work, and no variation is binding until you have approved it in writing.

Where a variation affects the programme, we will tell you what it does to the completion date at the same time as we price it.

Progress claims are issued in accordance with the building contract and are payable within seven days of the claim date unless the contract says otherwise.

Overdue amounts may attract interest at the rate set out in the contract, and we may suspend work on overdue accounts after giving written notice. Costs of recovery are payable by the client.

Our price assumes the site information provided to us is accurate. If conditions below ground differ materially from what was disclosed or reasonably expected, the additional work will be treated as a variation.

The client is responsible for providing accurate boundary information and for disclosing known services, contamination or existing structures on the site.

Completed homes carry a ten year Master Build Guarantee, along with the implied warranties under the Building Act 2004. We also carry out a maintenance visit approximately twelve months after handover.

Normal seasonal movement, shrinkage cracking in timber and plasterboard, and maintenance items caused by ordinary wear are not defects.

If you cancel after a contract is signed, you remain liable for work carried out, materials ordered and any unavoidable costs we have committed to on your behalf up to the date of cancellation.

If something goes wrong, raise it with your site manager first, then in writing with a director. We would rather fix a problem than argue about it. Where a dispute cannot be resolved directly, the dispute process in the building contract applies.