Saffron Electrical: Terms and Conditions of Service
These Terms and Conditions apply to all electrical works, maintenance, installations, and repairs undertaken by Saffron Electrical ("the Company", "we", "us") for domestic, commercial, industrial, or agricultural clients ("the Client", "you").
By inviting Saffron Electrical to provide a quotation, or by accepting a quotation and instructing us to proceed with works, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
Saffron Electrical Limited
- Mobile: 07723 492874
- Email: info@saffronelectrical.com
1. Definitions
- 1.1 Company: Refers to Saffron Electrical Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with Company Number 13050715, and its registered office at 15 Hawkins Place, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 2GW.
- 1.2 Client: The business, organisation, or individual engaging Saffron Electrical Limited for the provision of electrical contracting services. The Company serves both commercial and individual clients, including but not limited to property developers, landlords, homeowners, and small-to-medium enterprises.
- 1.3 Services: The electrical contracting work provided by the Company as agreed in writing between the Company and the Client.
- 1.4 Agreement: The legally binding contract formed between the Company and the Client upon the acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. This may include a signed agreement, written confirmation (including by email), or other documented acceptance of the Company’s quotation or proposal.
2. Scope of Services
2.1 Service Areas
- 2.1.1 The Company provides electrical contracting services within a 20-mile radius of its registered office at 15 Hawkins Place, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 2GW.
- 2.1.2 The Company reserves the right to refuse services outside of this geographical area unless explicitly agreed in writing.
- 2.1.3 For work outside the 20-mile radius, the Company may include in its pricing the cost of facilities or accommodations necessary to enable its personnel to temporarily reside closer to the worksite. These costs may be communicated to the Client and agreed upon in advance.
2.2 Working Hours
- 2.2.1 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, standard working hours are 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
- 2.2.2 Any services requested or required outside these hours may be subject to premium rates, which will be communicated and agreed upon in advance.
2.3 Service Limitations
- 2.3.1 The Company will only perform electrical work that both falls within the scope and is in compliance with the requirements of BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations).
- 2.3.2 The Company will not undertake work that falls outside the scope of the training, qualifications, or expertise held by its employees.
- 2.3.3 Services are limited to electrical contracting work and expressly exclude any tasks involving structural work or hazardous materials.
2.4 Third-Party Involvement
- 2.4.1 The Company reserves the right to engage third-party subcontractors to deliver part or all of the Services.
- 2.4.2 The Company will ensure that all subcontractors are qualified and will remain fully responsible for the quality and compliance of their work.
2.5 Client-Supplied Materials
- 2.5.1 Any materials or equipment supplied by the Client or any third party must meet all applicable safety standards, laws, and regulations.
- 2.5.2 The Company accepts no liability for damage, costs, or issues arising from faulty, non-compliant, or substandard materials not supplied by the Company.
- 2.5.3 Should non-compliant materials affect the safety or quality of the work, the Company reserves the right to halt the work until the issue is resolved.
2.6 Timelines for Completion
- 2.6.1 All timelines provided for the completion of Services are estimates only and are subject to delays caused by factors beyond the Company’s control, including but not limited to:
- Delays caused by other trades not completing or partially completing their work.
- Material shortages or delivery issues.
- 2.6.2 The Company will communicate any anticipated delays as soon as practicable and endeavour to minimise their impact.
2.7 Variation of Work
- 2.7.1 Any changes to the agreed scope of Services must be confirmed in writing by the Client and the Company.
- 2.7.2 The Client acknowledges that such variations may result in additional costs or changes to the estimated timeline.
- 2.7.3 Variations will not be undertaken until both parties agree to the revised scope, cost, and timeline in writing.
3. Quotation and Pricing
3.1 Quotation Validity
- 3.1.1 All quotations provided by the Company are valid for a period of 30 days from the date of issuance, unless otherwise stated in writing.
- 3.1.2 After the validity period, the Company reserves the right to revise the quotation to account for changes in material or labour costs. In line with industry norms, these adjustments will reflect significant market changes and will be communicated to the Client before any changes are implemented.
3.2 What’s Included in the Quote
- 3.2.1 Unless otherwise specified, all quotations provided by the Company include the cost of materials, labour, and any additional costs such as permits or travel.
- 3.2.2 A breakdown of these costs can be provided upon request.
- 3.2.3 Subject to Revision:
- Quotations are based on the information provided by the Client at the time of issue. If conditions differ from those initially disclosed, the quotation may be subject to revision.
- Quotations completed without prior site assessment are provisional and may require adjustment upon inspection of the site.
- If no electrical design has been provided or included, the Company may need to create a design. This may delay or postpone the work and could result in additional costs. In such cases, a revised quotation will be issued after any design work and identification of potential shortfalls.
3.3 Additional Work or Variations
- 3.3.1 Any changes to the agreed scope of work must be confirmed in writing by the Client and the Company before the additional work commences.
- 3.3.2 The Company will make reasonable efforts to minimise disruption caused by variations, but the Client acknowledges that such changes may affect the timeline and cost of the project.
3.4 Payment Schedule
- 3.4.1 To ensure consistent cash flow for the Company, payments are required as follows:
- Deposit: A deposit of 25% of the total quotation amount is required upon acceptance of the quotation to secure the booking and cover initial costs.
- Interim Payments: For projects exceeding £5,000, staged payments will be required. These will be detailed in the quotation and agreed upon in advance.
- Final Payment: The remaining balance is due within 7 days of the completion of the work unless otherwise agreed in writing.
- 3.4.2 The Company reserves the right to suspend work if payments are not made in accordance with the agreed schedule.
3.5 Revisions to Pricing
- 3.5.1 The Company reserves the right to revise pricing in the event of unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to:
- Significant fluctuations in material costs.
- Delays caused by supply chain issues.
- Unexpected site conditions or additional requirements that were not evident during the initial assessment or quotation process.
- 3.5.2 Any revisions will be communicated promptly, and both parties agree to negotiate these changes in good faith to ensure fairness.
4. Payment Terms
4.1 Payment Due Date
- 4.1.1 All invoices are due for payment within 7 days from the date of issue unless otherwise agreed in writing.
- 4.1.2 Payment deadlines for deposits, staged payments, and final payments will be as follows:
- Deposit: 25% of the total quoted amount is due upon acceptance of the quotation.
- Staged Payments: For projects exceeding £5,000, staged payments will be required as outlined in the agreed payment schedule.
- Final Payment: The remaining balance is due within 7 days of the completion of work unless otherwise agreed.
4.2 Payment Methods
- 4.2.1 The Company accepts the following methods of payment:
- Bank Transfer - Preferred method.
- Payment Links - A surcharge of 2.5% will apply for transactions processed via SumUp payment links.
- Credit/Debit Card - A surcharge of 1.69% will apply for card transactions processed via SumUp.
- Cheque - Subject to clearance before work commencement or continuation.
4.3 Late Payments
- 4.3.1 Interest will be charged on all overdue payments at the statutory rate of 8% above the Bank of England base rate, in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
- 4.3.2 An administrative fee of £50 will be applied for pursuing overdue invoices to cover additional costs incurred.
- 4.3.3 The Client is responsible for all legal fees and recovery costs associated with overdue payments.
4.4 Work Suspension
- 4.4.1 The Company reserves the right to suspend all ongoing work if payments are not made in accordance with the agreed terms.
- 4.4.2 Work will resume only upon receipt of outstanding payments in full, including any applicable interest or fees.
4.5 Non-Payment
- 4.5.1 In the event of non-payment:
- The Company retains ownership of all materials supplied for the project until full payment is received.
- The Company reserves the right to remove materials or equipment supplied for the project from the Client’s premises if payment is not received within 14 days of the due date.
- The Company may pursue legal action to recover unpaid amounts, including interest and associated costs.
5. Cancellations
5.1 Client Cancellations
- 5.1.1 Clients must provide a minimum of 7 days’ written notice prior to the scheduled commencement of work to cancel the Agreement without incurring a cancellation fee.
- 5.1.2 If a Client cancels within 7 days of the start date, the Company reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee of 20% of the total quotation or a fixed fee, whichever is greater.
- 5.1.3 The Client will be liable for all costs incurred by the Company for materials already purchased or preparatory work completed up to the date of cancellation. Documentation of these costs will be provided upon request.
5.2 Company Cancellations
- 5.2.1 The Company reserves the right to cancel the Agreement under the following circumstances:
- The worksite is deemed unsafe or non-compliant with health and safety regulations.
- The Client breaches any terms of the Agreement, including but not limited to failure to make payments as agreed.
- Circumstances arise that prevent the Company from performing the agreed Services, including unforeseen logistical or regulatory issues.
- 5.2.2 In cases where the Company cancels the Agreement due to reasons outside the Client’s control and the Client is not in breach of contract, all deposits and advance payments will be refunded in full.
5.3 Non-Refundable Deposits
- 5.3.1 Deposits are non-refundable except in cases where the cancellation is due to the Company’s inability to deliver the agreed Services.
5.4 Force Majeure
- 5.4.1 The Company shall not be liable for cancellations or delays caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to:
- Natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, or other acts of God.
- Supply chain disruptions or shortages.
- Strikes, lockouts, or industrial actions.
- Government restrictions, regulations, or emergencies.
- 5.4.2 In the event of a force majeure, the Company will notify the Client promptly and work to minimise any impact on the project timeline or costs.
6. Liability and Warranty
6.1 Workmanship Warranty
- 6.1.1 The Company provides a warranty for its services for a period of 12 months from the date of completion.
- 6.1.2 This warranty covers:
- Workmanship: All work carried out by the Company or its subcontractors.
- Materials: Any materials supplied by the Company as part of the project.
- 6.1.3 The warranty does not cover materials or components supplied by the Client or any third party.
6.2 Exclusions to the Warranty
- 6.2.1 The warranty is void if:
- Damage is caused by misuse, neglect, or improper maintenance by the Client.
- Unauthorised modifications or repairs are made to the work performed by the Company.
- External factors such as adverse weather conditions, acts of God, or other unforeseen events cause damage.
- 6.2.2 The Company accepts no liability for faults arising from materials or equipment not supplied by the Company.
6.3 Limitations of Liability
- 6.3.1 The Company’s liability is limited to the total contract value unless otherwise required by law.
- 6.3.2 The Company shall not be liable for:
- Indirect or consequential losses, including but not limited to loss of profits, business, or goodwill.
- Costs or damages arising from delays caused by factors outside the Company’s control, including third-party or Client delays.
6.4 Defects or Complaints
- 6.4.1 The Client must notify the Company of any defects, issues, or complaints in writing within 14 days of the completion of the work.
- 6.4.2 The Company will investigate and, where necessary, rectify any issues covered under the warranty as promptly as practicable.
6.5 Third-Party Damage
- 6.5.1 The Company is not responsible for any damage or issues caused by other trades or third parties not contracted by the Company.
- 6.5.2 The Company assumes full responsibility for the work of its subcontractors engaged to complete any part of the Services.
7. Force Majeure
7.1 Scope of Events
- 7.1.1 Neither the Company nor the Client shall be held liable for any delay or failure to fulfil their contractual obligations caused by events beyond their reasonable control. Such events may include, but are not limited to:
- Natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, floods, storms).
- Extreme weather conditions.
- Fires or explosions.
- Acts of war, terrorism, or civil unrest.
- Government actions, restrictions, or changes in regulations.
- Strikes, lockouts, or industrial actions.
- Epidemics, pandemics, or public health emergencies.
- Supply chain disruptions or failures of utilities (e.g., power outages).
7.2 Liability and Obligations
- 7.2.1 The Company shall not be held liable for delays, non-performance, or additional costs arising from force majeure events.
- 7.2.2 Both parties agree to take all reasonable steps to mitigate the impact of such events on the performance of the Agreement.
7.3 Notification of Force Majeure
- 7.3.1 If a force majeure event occurs, the affected party must notify the other party in writing within 5 business days of becoming aware of the event. The notification must include:
- A description of the force majeure event.
- The anticipated impact on the performance of obligations.
- Proposed measures to mitigate or address the situation.
7.4 Termination or Suspension
- 7.4.1 If a force majeure event prevents the fulfilment of the Agreement for a continuous period of 30 days or more, either party may terminate or suspend the Agreement upon written notice to the other.
- 7.4.2 In the case of termination due to a force majeure event:
- The Client will remain liable for any work completed and materials supplied up to the termination date.
- The Company will refund any payments received for work not completed.
8. Dispute Resolution
8.1 Initial Resolution
- 8.1.1 In the event of a dispute or disagreement arising from this Agreement, both the Company and the Client agree to first attempt to resolve the matter through good-faith negotiation.
8.2 Mediation and Arbitration
- 8.2.1 If a resolution cannot be reached through negotiation within 14 days of the dispute being raised, the parties agree to refer the matter to mediation, with a neutral third-party mediator facilitating the resolution.
- 8.2.2 If mediation is unsuccessful or not agreed upon, the dispute may be referred to arbitration, where a binding decision will be made by an independent arbitrator in accordance with the rules of the Arbitration Act 1996.
- 8.2.3 Neither party may commence legal proceedings until mediation or arbitration has been attempted, unless the dispute is urgent and requires immediate judicial intervention.
8.3 Jurisdiction
- 8.3.1 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
- 8.3.2 Any disputes not resolved through mediation or arbitration shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
8.4 Cost Responsibility
- 8.4.1 The costs of mediation or arbitration shall be shared equally between the parties unless otherwise agreed in writing.
- 8.4.2 In the event of legal proceedings, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable legal fees and associated costs from the non-prevailing party.
8.5 Timeframe for Dispute Resolution
- 8.5.1 Any disputes or claims arising from this Agreement must be raised within 6 months of the issue arising. Claims made after this period will not be considered, except where required by law.
9. Confidentiality
9.1 Definition of Confidential Information
- 9.1.1 "Confidential Information" refers to all information, whether written, oral, or electronic, disclosed by either party to the other in connection with this Agreement, including but not limited to:
- Project details and specifications.
- Designs, plans, and drawings.
- Client data and contact information.
- Pricing and financial information.
- Any other information marked as confidential or that should reasonably be understood to be confidential due to its nature.
9.2 Mutual Confidentiality
- 9.2.1 Both the Company and the Client agree to keep all Confidential Information strictly confidential and not to disclose it to any third party without the prior written consent of the other party, except as permitted in this Agreement.
9.3 Permitted Disclosures
- 9.3.1 Confidential Information may be disclosed without prior consent in the following circumstances:
- Where required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
- To professional advisors, subcontractors, or employees of either party, provided they are bound by equivalent confidentiality obligations.
9.4 Duration of Confidentiality Obligations
- 9.4.1 The obligations of confidentiality shall remain in effect for a period of 5 years after the termination or completion of this Agreement, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
9.5 Exclusions from Confidentiality
- 9.5.1 Confidential Information does not include information that:
- Is already in the public domain or becomes publicly available through no fault of the receiving party.
- Was independently developed by the receiving party without the use of the disclosing party’s Confidential Information.
- Was known to the receiving party prior to disclosure by the disclosing party, as evidenced by written records.
9.6 Protection of Confidential Information
- 9.6.1 Both parties agree to take all reasonable steps to protect Confidential Information from unauthorised access, use, or disclosure.
10. Governing Law
- 10.1 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
- 10.2 Any disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
11. Renewable Technologies
- 11.1 All renewable energy works provided by Saffron Electrical Limited will comply with the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) standards, as well as the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) regulations.
- 11.2 Clients are entitled to a workmanship warranty provided through the IWA (Insurance Backed Guarantee) for a minimum period of 2 years from the completion date, covering the quality and durability of our installation services.
- 11.3 Deposits and advanced payments made by customers are protected through the IWA in accordance with their terms. This ensures that any deposits are safeguarded in the unlikely event that we are unable to complete the contracted work.
- 11.4 Customers will receive a comprehensive handover pack upon completion of renewable energy installations, including manufacturer warranties, maintenance instructions, and contact details for any necessary post-installation support.
- 11.5 Renewable energy systems will be commissioned to meet safety, efficiency, and performance standards. Detailed system performance documentation will be provided.
- 11.6 Customers have the right to a 14-day cooling-off period to cancel the contract without penalty, as per RECC regulations. For any cancellations after this period, reasonable costs incurred by Saffron Electrical Limited may apply.
- 11.7 Saffron Electrical Limited adheres to RECC’s complaint resolution procedure to address disputes promptly and fairly.
- 11.8 Saffron Electrical Limited will ensure all renewable technology installations align with industry best practices and provide guidance on maintenance to ensure optimal system performance over its lifespan.
- 11.9 Any rectifications required due to manufacturer defects or installation issues within the warranty period will be carried out at no cost to the customer, subject to the warranty terms.
Governing Law
These Terms, their subject matter, and their formation are governed by English law. You and we both agree that the courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes.will have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes, although if you are a resident outside England and Wales, you may also bring proceedings in the territory in which you reside.