Terms and Conditions for Specialist Handyman Services
1. Parties, Definitions and Interpretation
1.1. In these Terms and Conditions (referred to as "Terms"):
- “I”, “Me”, “My” means Specialist Handyman Services
- "Client" or "Customer" means the individual(s), company, or organisation requesting services
- "Contract" means the agreement between Me and the Client
- “Estimate” shall be taken to mean both estimate and quotation
- "Works" means the services to be carried out as described and agreed in My estimate or quotation or during written communication between Me and the Customer
- "Additional Works" means any Works not included in the original estimate or quotation
- All references to writing include email and electronic communications
- Words inferring one gender shall be deemed to include all genders; singular includes plural and vice versa
2. General Provisions
2.1. These Terms govern all estimates, orders, and work authorisation
2.2. I reserve the right to refuse or decline work at My discretion
2.3. These Terms supersede any other terms and override any terms stipulated by the Customer, except where these Terms are a schedule to a signed Agreement
2.4. If any provision is held invalid by any authority, the validity of remaining provisions shall not be affected
2.5. These terms shall be deemed to be accepted upon authorisation of any Works
3. Estimates, Authorisation and Pricing Structure
3.1. Estimates and Authorisation of Works
- Estimates are valid for 30 days unless otherwise specified
- Estimates are not fixed price unless explicitly stated
- I will provide an Estimate for Works that includes a breakdown of Material and Labour costs
- I will also provide a copy of or link to these terms and conditions along with the Estimate
- Authorisation by the Customer to proceed with Material purchases and Works will also imply the Customer has accepted these Terms and Conditions and has entered in to a Contract with Me for the Works
3.2. Pricing Structure
- Charges consist of materials cost and labour time
- Material costs vary over time and include fluctuations in market pricing and delivery expenses. Material costs for items provided by Me will be stated in the estimates or quotations provided and are not negotiable. Any material costs will be confirmed with the customer prior to purchase. Upon acceptance of the material costs, the customer accepts responsibility for re-imbursement to Specialist Handyman Services should the work be cancelled after goods are procured.
- Labour is charged by hourly rates, half day rates or daily rates with hourly rates consisting of half-hour increments, with a minimum one-hour charge. See section 4 for more details
- Parking and congestion charges are additional costs for the Customer. I do have a Devon County Council Trade Parking Permit that usually manages to avoid Parking Charges. If additional charges will be incurred through the provision of the Works then these will be communicated to the Customer as soon as they become apparent
3.3. Material Collection
- Normal supply of materials is per delivery cost of suppliers or included as part of the material costs
- Time spent collecting materials will be charged at the relevant rate if that time is required during works or additional works
4. Rates, Fixed Price and Variations to Estimates
4.1. Rates. My rates for hourly work, half day and daily rates are those published on My website at https://specialisthandymanservices.co.uk/prices-payments-and-discounts For the avoidance of confusion the rates published at the time the Works are authorised by the Customer shall be the rates that apply.
4.2. Fixed Price Terms
- Half day or daily rates are discounted and apply regardless of actual time taken
- Additional time beyond fixed duration is charged at standard hourly rates
4.3. Variations to Estimates
Estimates may be adjusted for:
- Changes in scope of the Works
- Material price increases or decreases
- Hidden issues discovered during Works
- Additional Works as requested by customer either verbally or in writing and/or as required when discovered during Works
5. Deposits
5.1. Deposits are to cover Labour charges and are at the following rates
- For estimates of Labour over £400 deposit is 25%
- For estimates of Labour over £700 deposit is 35%
- For estimates of Labour over £1000 deposit is 50%
5.2. Deposits are Refundable, less costs, if works are cancelled by the customer with a minimum of 72 hours notice. For Cancellations with less than 72 hours notice refer to section 7.1.
5.3. Costs mentioned in 5.2. are any costs I incur in processing the deposit, such as card or contactless payment processing charges
6. Payment Terms
6.1. If I am purchasing parts/materials/hardware for your job then I will ask you to make payment for these before works commence
6.2. For my Labour time and any material/parts costs not already paid for I take payment on the day of the job, minus any deposits already paid
6.3. Accepted Payment Methods
- Cash
- Card & Contactless Payments are via the Zettle service that turns my phone in to a mobile billing and payment register. I can also take Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay this way
- Bank Transfer
- I can send a payment link so you can pay via a website like any other online payment
- I CAN NOT accept cheques
6.4. Late Payment
- Interest may be charged at 8% above Bank of England base rate
- Additional charges may apply for delayed payment
- Any charges incurred for recovery of late payments will also be deemed liable to the Customer
7. Cancellations / Rescheduling
I understand that sometimes life happens and circumstances arise that mean works need to be cancelled or postponed but I also reserve the right to impose the following charges depending on the circumstances involved
7.1. Notice Periods and Charges for Customer Cancellations
- 72 hours notice required to avoid charges
- Cancellation with less than 72 hours notice: £20
- Cancellation with less than 48 hours notice: £35
- Same-day cancellation: Full Estimate or time booked cost
- On-site cancellation: Full Estimate or time booked cost + £50
Where a deposit has been paid then this will be deducted from the charge, less costs and any refunds due to the customer will be paid as soon as I can. This is typically within 72 hours.
7.2. Notice Periods and charges for Customer Rescheduling of Works.
- 72 hours notice required to avoid charges
- Reschedule with less than 72 hours notice: £10
- Reschedule with less than 48 hours notice: £20
- Same-day reschedule: 25% of Estimate or time booked
- On-site reschedule: 50% of Estimate or time booked cost
7.3. Material Costs for cancellations or reschedules
- Client liable for materials purchased for the Works and/or Additional Works
- The Client will be able to retain materials already paid for if the work is cancelled. Materials that have been purchased for the job may not be fully refunded and will be determined based on the specific goods no longer required
8. Guarantees and Warranties
8.1. Standard Guarantee
- 12 month warranty on workmanship carried out by me and materials supplied by me
- You must notify me of defects in writing within warranty period and 48 hours of a fault occurring
8.1.1 Guarantee void if:
- Work is modified by others
- Payment not received in full
8.2. Exclusions
- Customer supplied materials (covered by manufacturer warranty only)
- Items or Systems not installed by me
- Blockages in waste and drainage systems
- Pre-existing conditions
- Misuse or negligence
- Work against my advice
9. Liability and Indemnity
9.1. My Liability Limited To:
- Repair of defects under warranty
- Direct damage from negligence
- I accept no liability for consequential losses to the customer
9.2. Customer Liability
- Safe access and working environment
- That you have necessary permissions and consents from any relevant third party eg landlord or authorities
- Protection of furniture and belongings that have not been removed prior to Works commencing
- Information about hazards or dangerous materials
10. Force Majeure
10.1. I shall not be liable for delays or inability to complete works due to:
- illness
- Strikes
- Industrial disputes
- Acts of God
- Events beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to things such as traffic delays or weather incidents
10.2 If anything prevents me from completing works as scheduled I will reschedule works to a mutually convenient time for both me and the customer or I will accept that the customer may cancel outstanding works with no penalty charge. Charges for completed works, less any deposits paid, will still be due.
11. Jurisdiction
These Terms shall be governed by English Law and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
12. Tool and Material Storage
12.1. Materials for use in the Works may be stored at site once Works commence. The security and protection of these materials remains the responsibility of the Client once Works commence.
If materials cannot be stored on site, Specialist Handyman Services needs to be informed prior to Works commencing.
Please note, materials may not need to be stored at site and will depend on the size and specific work being performed. Please seek clarity from Specialist Handyman Services should the storage of materials on site be a concern.
12.2. Tools for Works that occur over multiple days may be stored on site with the Customer’s agreement. This will aid efficiency and reduce the total time of the job.
Any tools left overnight will be left in a dry and secure location and the customer would be required to maintain security of the tools and for them to not be utilised to avoid risk of injury or liability on the customer for any damage caused.
If the work would benefit from tools being left overnight, this will be discussed with the customer prior to Works commencing.