Chelmsford Gas Services Standard Conditions of Business

1. In these terms “client” shall mean the client whose name and details appear on any estimate, quotation, invoice or as set out in the agreement attached.
2. General
2.1. The client shall be treated as a commercial or domestic client according to our reasonable discretion based on the particular circumstances.
2.2. We intend to rely upon the written terms set out in this document. All services provided by us are subject to these terms
together with any previous written or oral representations given or made by us.
2.3. Any changes to this document and its terms by us or the client will need to be agreed between us both in writing.
3. Quotations
Quotations are subject to withdrawal at any time before receipt of confirmed instructions from the client and shall be deemed to be withdrawn unless so accepted within 90 days from their date.
4. The Work
The work to be performed (“The Work”) is specified in our quotation unless that is changed in accordance with the client’s written request or by us with the client’s written approval. If the client wishes to make a change to the services, please contact us and we will let the client know if the change is possible and, if so, if that change will have an effect on the price of the services, their timing or anything else which would be necessary as a result of the requested change. We will ask the client to confirm whether they wish to go ahead with the change based on these factors.
5. The Price
The price payable by the client is specified in our quotation unless change in accordance with clause 4 (or where done at Chelmsford Gas Services Ltd standard charging rates). We reserve the right to increase the price before carrying out the work by an amount equivalent to any increase to us in the cost of relevant materials since the date of our quotation save that if this would increase the price, we will give the client the opportunity to cancel the contract.
6. Cancellations
Subject to paragraph 5 the client may not cancel the contract without our consent which if given shall be deemed to be on the express condition that the client shall indemnify us against all reasonable loss, damage claims or action arising out of such cancellation unless otherwise agreed in writing.
7. Paying for Services
7.1. Payment
Payments can be made with bank transfer, we also accept card payments. If you pay by Credit Card your payment should be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. If you choose not to pay by Credit Card, it may not be protected. We no longer accept cash or cheque payments.
7.2. Domestic Clients
Invoices will be submitted to the client on completion of the work. When the work has been completed, we will notify you in writing and provide the commissioning certificate or similar document(s) and Payment should be made to us on completion of the work.
7.3. Domestic and Commercial Clients
Where a preventative maintenance agreement exists, the client will be invoiced on each servicing operation on a pro-rata basis unless stated otherwise in the contract agreement. Invoices remaining unpaid after 28 days from the invoice date will be subject to
a finance charge, equal to 3% per annum above the Bank of England base rate from time to time of the invoice value charged on that amount, for the period from the due date to and including the date of payment on a daily basis.
7.4 Non account customers who fail to settle accounts on completion of the work are liable, at the company’s discretion, to incur a finance charge equal to 3% per annum above the Bank of England base rate from time to time of the invoice value charged on that amount, for the period from the due date to and including the date of payment on a daily basis.
7.5 Deposits Domestic and Commercial Clients In some incidents we will require a deposit. Where quotations require a deposit, this needs to be paid before any work is scheduled. Please read our cancellation policy in respect of deposits.
8. Commencement and completion of orders
Dates specified for the commencement and completion of work are estimates only and shall not be the essence of the contract.
9. Inspection of Work
The client shall inspect the work as soon as is reasonably practical on following completion of it and shall give written notice to us in detail of any grounds on which the client considers that the work is not in accordance with the contract.
10. Indemnity
The client shall indemnify us against all actions, suits, claims, demands, losses, charges, costs and expenses which we may suffer or incur in connection with the claim by any third party alleging facts which if established would result in a breach of the clients obligation, undertakings, representations and warranties under this agreement.
*11. Whole Agreements and Exclusion Liability
These terms set out our entire liability in respect of the work, and our liability under them shall be in lieu and to the exclusion of all other warranties, conditions, terms and liabilities expressed or implied statutory or otherwise in respect of the work and quality thereof (all liability in respect of which, howsoever arising is expressly excluded) except any which by law cannot be excluded save as provided in these terms and except as aforesaid we shall not be under any liability whether in contract or otherwise, in respect of defects in the work or failure to correspond to specification or for any injury, damage or loss resulting from any such defects or failure or from carrying out of any work.
*12. Limitations of Liability
Our liability (if any) whether in contract or otherwise in respect of any defects in the work, or for any breach of this agreement of any duty of care or otherwise owed to the client in connection herewith shall be limited to the invoice value of the work.
*13. Dangerous Gases, Liquid, Materials
13.1. Prior to the commencement of the work, the client shall inform us of all dangerous gases, liquids and any other materials of any nature whatsoever (including but not limited to asbestos) which are present on the premises where the work is to be carried out by us and which could constitute a danger to us in carrying out the work or otherwise.
13.2. The client shall also ensure that we are in good time properly advised in writing of all precautions which need to be taken on account of the presence of such dangerous materials. The client shall provide suitable cleaning facilities and, if circumstance require it, a qualified and competent safety man to advise upon how the work can be safely done. The client shall also notify us in writing of any special requirements laid down by the factory inspector or similar authority. The client shall be responsible for all loss or damage whether direct, indirect or consequently due to client failure to fulfill any of the above obligations. If the client shall fail to comply with the above we shall be under no obligation to carry out the work.
14. Access
The client shall provide clear access to all work areas to enable us to carry out the work. The client shall provide if possible any site plans showing pipe locations, if this is not available we reserve the
right to render additional charges if necessary to trace unidentified pipes to complete the work. The client shall obtain permission for us to proceed over property belonging to third parties if it is necessary for the proper execution of the works and shall obtain any permission necessary to carry out work on property belonging to third parties. The client shall indemnify us against all claims of whatsoever nature made by third parties and arising out of our presence on their property save when such claims result directly from negligence on our behalf. The client shall be liable to us for all loss or damage whether direct, indirect or consequently suffered by us as a result or failure or delay by the client in prolonging the obligations referred to above.
14.1 The client shall allow access to the property to carry out the works. Any cancelled appointment requires 24 hours notice. If access is not available on the day of appointment a missed appointment fee will be charged to the account to cover any reasonable losses and costs the company suffer because of the cancellation.
15. Work Guarantee
Subject to clause 9. we guarantee completed plumbing, heating and gas work for a period of 365 days from completion provided that the guarantee shall not apply to defects resulting from misuse or faulty workmanship by the client, its employees and subcontractors or any other third party working for or on the direction of the client. This does not affect your statutory rights.
16. Majeure, Etc
We will use our best endeavours to carry out the works on the agreed dates but shall not be under any liability to the client if it should be either impossible or impractical to carry out the work on the agreed date or dates or by reason of strikes, lock out, industrial disputes, acts of God or any other event or occurrence beyond our reasonable control.
*17. Client’s Liability
The client shall be liable for all loss, damage or injury (whether direct, indirect or consequential) resulting from failure or delay in the performance of his obligations under these terms.
*18. Additional Labour and Equipment
The client undertakes at his own expense to provide such additional labour we may reasonably require to put us in a position to carry out the work. Such additional labour shall be suitably qualified and experienced to carry out the work as required by us. The client should also provide at our request such scaffolding, ladders or other equipment as may be necessary in order to reach access points.
19. Removal of Deposits
Unless otherwise agreed in writing the client will be responsible for the removal from site of deposits.
20. Materials
All Materials will remain the property of Chelmsford Gas Services Ltd until payment of any invoice is paid for in its entirety. Materials Supplied by Chelmsford Gas Services Ltd charged at trade price plus 20%.
21. Collection Fee
When carrying out a repair, we might have to collect a part not stocked on our vans, when this happens we will charge at 15 minute intervals to collect the item/s but no more than 45mins will be billed for this service.
22. Water and Power
The client will be responsible for providing all necessary power and clean water supply.
23. Following our work
The client may need to do some redecorating or ducting of pipework. The client will be responsible for this work.
24. Waiver Variation Etc.
No waiver by us of any breach shall operate as a waiver or any preceding or subsequent breach. No variation shall be effective against us unless sanctioned in writing by us. No forbearance or delay on our part shall prejudice our rights.
*25. Additional Work
Where all consideration is given as to the evaluation or work duration, every precaution will be taken to ensure that no additional costs are incurred by the client. It is however agreed and a condition of these terms that should further work be necessary to compete the contract and where no site representative is available, through site closure, to sanction the necessary extension, Chelmsford Gas Services Ltd has the client’s authority to, without reference, extend the working day to complete the prescribed works. Additional hours will be charged on a pro-rata basis or in accordance with our current rates.
26. Children and pets
It is the responsibility of the Client to ensure that all children and pets are kept away from the areas in which we are working
27. Parking
Unless otherwise agreed in writing the client will be responsible for any parking fees levied in Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ’s). Any such fees incurred will be passed onto the client at cost.
28. Gas Work
Prior to commencement of work involving gas appliances, the existing gas supply will be subject to a soundness test to check for compliance with Gas Safety Regulations. Any faults found will be advised to the client and any rectification works required may be subject to additional charges
29. Existing Pipework
Should the works include pressurising an existing heating system, the client should be aware that the higher pressures may find weaknesses in the existing system. Any repairs required in this respect are not included within our quotations
30. Other Trades
Where other trades are involved in the works and these trades are not under our control any delays that may be caused to our
progress by these trades may be subject to an extra charge and/or delay in completion
31. Re-instatement
Whilst all holes formed during the execution of the proposed works will be made good on completion, no allowance has been made
for re-instatement of decorations. We do not guarantee to match existing brickwork where boiler flue terminals have been removed
32. Powerflushing
It must be pointed out that, whilst this treatment is generally harmless, depending on the condition of the existing components the process may find weaknesses in the system. Should any such problems be encountered then any rectification works required may be charged at extra cost. The client will be asked to sign a damage waiver confirming this point.
33. Welfare Provisions: Client Responsibilities
The client acknowledges and agrees to provide basic welfare facilities for the duration of the work. This specifically includes the provision of clean and functioning toilet facilities, as well as access to clean hot running water. These facilities must be easily accessible and maintained in a hygienic condition at all times to ensure the well-being and safety of all individuals present on the premises. Failure by the client to provide or maintain these facilities to an acceptable standard may result in a pause or termination of the services and could lead to potential additional charges. The client understands that these provisions are a fundamental requirement and by agreeing to these terms, commits to upholding these welfare standards.
*Applies to commercial contracts only