Heritage Flooring UK - Standard Terms and Conditions of Sale


GENERAL SUPPLY


1)
a) In these terms we or "us" means Heritage Flooring UK specified in the contract for the sale of goods to you and "you means the buyer, and "our" and "your" shall be construed accordingly.
b) These conditions apply to all sales of goods by us and shall prevail over any other terms and conditions or referred to in your order or in correspondence or elsewhere implied by trade, practice or course of dealing unless such other terms or conditions are specially agreed in writing by one of our directors. No variation or exclusion of these conditions shall be effective unless agreed in writing in advance by one of our Directors. No terms or conditions of any main building contract or sub-contract shall affect these conditions whether or not we have notice of them.
c) A person who is not a party to a contract with us has no rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of the contract. You may not assign the contract or any other part of it without our prior written consent.
d) If any provision of the contract is found by any court or other competent body to be wholly or partly illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, it shall to the extent of such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability be deemed severable and the remaining provisions of the contract shall continue on full force and effect.
e) The heading above each condition is for reference only and shall not affect or limit the interpretation and effect of these conditions.
f) Any typographical error or clerical omission in any sales literature, quotation, price list, or other document issued by us may be corrected without liability on our part


QUOTATIONS AND ESTIMATES


2) A quotation given by us is an invitation to treat and not offer. We may withdraw or amend any quotation at any time prior to our acceptance of your order, which will occur when we issue a written acknowledgement or when we begin to process your order, whichever is the earlier
3) You acknowledge that you do not rely on any representations made by our employees or agents. Any estimate or quantities needed or advice as to the suitability of any goods for any particular purpose given by our employees or agents is given without liability on our part. You are responsible for ascertaining the quantities required and the suitability of the goods for their purpose.


PRICE


4)
a) Subject to clause 4(c), the price payable shall be as published in our current price list at the time of delivery, even if this differs from the price stated in any quotation given by us, unless the price quoted was not a list price current at the time of quotation.
b) Subject to clause 4© if there is no list price for the goods sold, or if the price quoted was not a list price current at the time of quotation, the price payable shall be the price stated in the quotation, provided that we have accepted the order within the period stated in the quotation
c) We may make such alterations to our price lists as we think fit. In particular we may at any time and without notice to you revise the price payable for the goods sold to take account of increases in costs including. Without limitation, costs of any goods or materials carriage labour or overheads the increase or imposition of any tax or duty or other levy and any variation in exchange rate since the date of preparation of the current price list or (in cases falling within clause 4(b)) acceptance of the order.
d) Prices are exclusive or "Value Added Tax" which shall be payable at the rate prevailing at the tax point.
e) Unless we otherwise agree in writing we may charge you the cost of transport of the goods to the destination requested by you.


TERMS OF PAYMENT


5)
a) You may open a credit account, subject to satisfactory credit references being obtained at our discretion. Payment for goods supplied on a credit account shall be due not later than the last day of the month, following the month of delivery of the goods. If you default in making payment, the entire balance of your account shall be payable forthwith and we may charge you interest on the account, together with costs and expenses, in accordance with clause 5(d).
b) For all other transactions payment shall be in cash with the order or, at our discretion, on delivery.
c) You may not withhold or set off payment of any amount due to us.
d) If you do not make any payment on the due date then, without prejudice to any other right or remedy available to us, and whether or not any part of your account is subject to query, we may:-
i) Cancel the contract or suspend any further deliveries to you
ii) Appropriate any payment made by you to such of the goods (or the goods supplied under any other contract between you and us) as we may think fit and
iii) Charge you interest at the rate of 6.5% above the base rate from time to time of HSBC BANK PLC on the unpaid balance, to accrue on a day to day basis from the due date for payment until receipt by us of the full amount whether before or after any judgement; and
iv) Be indemnified by you against all costs and expenses incurred by us in recovering sums due or in exercising our rights pursuant to clause 5.
e) If you are an existing credit account customer and intend, being a company, to alter your constitution or, being a sole trader or partnership, to become incorporated or amalgamated with others, you must give prior written notice to us of the intended change if you wish to continue credit account facilities following the intended change. Continuance of trading after the change shall be at our discretion and only deemed undertaken by us if a written acknowledgement is issued by our credit controller or one of our directors. You agree that we may obtain, retain, and provide to third parties, references as to your financial standing.


DELIVERY


6)
a) Delivery will occur when the goods are ready for unloading at the delivery address, or when you take possession of the goods at our premises, whichever is the earlier. Delivery dates or times mentioned in any quotation or elsewhere are approximate and not part of any contract and we shall not be liable to you if we do not deliver on or at any particular date or time, nor shall time be of the essence of any contract.
b) We will deliver to site on the understanding that there is a suitable road to the point where delivery is requested. If no such road exists delivery will be made to the nearest point to which, in the opinion of the driver, the vehicle can safely proceed and unload. Except for use of a vehicle mounted crane, you will provide all necessary labour and equipment required to unload materials promptly, and will indemnify us against any cost claim loss or damage arising from unloading.
c) If you do not take delivery of good tendered in accordance with the contract we shall be entitled to immediate payment in full for such goods. We may store such goods at your risk and you shall in addition to the purchase price pay all costs of storage and any additional costs incurred as a result of you not taking delivery.
d) On your request, we will within 3 months of delivery, provide evidence of delivery of goods ordered, such as a copy of a delivery note. If you do not raise any query about delivery within such period, the goods shall be deemed to have been delivered in accordance with your order.


RISK AND TITLE TO GOODS


7) The risk in the goods shall pass to you upon delivery.
8) a) Until we have been paid in full the price of the goods and all other goods agreed to be sold by us to you for which payment is then due together (where applicable) with the costs of packaging and delivery plus any interest and charges thereon:-
i) We shall retain ownership of the goods, but you shall if required by us store the goods in such a way as clearly to show our ownership of them and you shall tell us immediately where the goods are situated. ii) You shall afford us access to the goods during normal business hours whether they are upon land occupied by you or your customers and you shall deliver the goods up to us at our request and allow us to remove them. For this purpose you hereby grant an irrevocable right to licence to our employees or agents to enter upon the said land with or without vehicles during normal business hours.
iii) You may sell and deliver the goods to third parties in the ordinary course of your business, acting towards such third parties as principle and not as our agent, but you shall hold all proceedings of sale on trust for us in a separate bank account, you hereby assigning to us all rights and claims which you may have against your customers arising from such sales until full payment is made as aforesaid.
b) The authority given to you under clause 8(a)(ii) will continue until we notify you otherwise or until the happening of any of the following events (whichever is earlier):-
i) Any notice to you that an administrative receiver or other receiver or manager is to be or has been appointed in respect of your undertaking or a material part thereof or other property or assets;
ii) Any notice to you that a petition to wind you up is to be or has been presented to you under Section 124 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or otherwise or any notice to you of a proposal to pass a resolution to wind you up (including any proposal by you so to do);
iii) A decision by you to make a voluntary arrangement or composition with your creditors or any notice to you and/or any of your creditors that a proposal for the same is to be or has been made.
iv) You becoming unable to pay your debts as such expression is defined by the Insolvency Act 1986: or
v) Any notice to you that you are to be the subject of a petition for an administration order or the making of any administration order in respect of you; and you shall immediately notify us in writing upon the happening of any such event.
c) On receipt of written notice from us or on the happening of any of the events set out in clause 8(b), your authority to sell our goods shall immediately be withdrawn and all such goods and products made there from shall immediately be delivered to us at your cost and risk.


LIABILITY


9) a) You shall inspect the goods upon delivery. We will make good at our option by repair or replacement any defects in the goods due solely to defective workmanship or materials which are notified in writing to us; in the case of any defect discoverable upon reasonable examination, such notification must be made within 1 working day from the date of delivery and, in the case of any defect not discoverable upon reasonable examination, such notification must be made within 1 working day of the date such defect is actually discovered provided that:
i) Our above obligations do not extend to defects caused by wilful damage, negligence (other than by our employees or agents), fair wear and tear, alteration or repair of the goods without our prior written approval, or incorrect storage, application, movement or installation;
ii) We are not responsible either for the cost of removing any defective goods from any place where they are installed or fixed (or making good the place after removal) or for the cost of installing or fixing any repaired or replacement goods unless this cost has been previously agreed in writing by one of our Directors; and
iii) Our above obligations only apply for twelve months from the date of delivery.
b) We will not accept liability for shortages in quantities delivered unless you notify us of any claim for short delivery within 1 working day of delivery. Our liability shall be limited to making good the shortage.
c) Save as set out in these conditions and save for liability for death or personal injury resulting from our negligence and save for breach of our undertakings as to title implied by statute, all express or implied conditions, representations or warranties as to description, quality or fitness of the goods or otherwise are expressly excluded. We shall not be liable for any consequential, indirect or economic loss or any loss of profits, business, revenue, goodwill or anticipated savings (whether arising from breach of contract, tort, breach of statutory duty, misrepresentation or otherwise).
d) Where fine or special tolerances are required in the goods supplied beyond those generally accepted in the building trade, no liability shall attach to us unless such tolerances are notified in writing to us at the time of order and we have acknowledged in writing that we are prepared to accept such order.
e) If you are a consumer (as defined by the Consumer Transactions[Restrictions on Statements] Order 1976) your statutory rights are not affected by these conditions.
f) On request, we will provide information about any guarantee offered by a manufacturer and available to you in respect of the goods.


MEASURES


We may supply goods in either metric or imperial sixes in the nearest equivalent measure and goods may be charged in metric measure allowing conversion
.


PACKAGING AND WASTE


11)
a) We may charge for any special packaging to cover the cost of labour and materials. We will charge for pallets, crates and cases but charges will be credited in full if terms are returned to us carriage paid and in good condition, within 7 days of delivery.
b) You will be responsible for the disposal of any waste arising from the goods and will comply with all applicable laws, regulations and waste management licences relating to such waste. You will indemnify us against all costs, claims, liabilities and expenses arising from such breach by you of this clause.


CANCELLATION OF ORDERS


12)
a) Subject to clause 12(b) we may at our discretion accept or reject the cancellation of any order after we have accepted it. If we decide to accept the cancellation of such order, this acceptance shall be on such terms as we specify. We will not accept the cancellation of an order for goods which are to be specially made or obtained nor will any allowance be made in respect of such goods where they are subsequently returned.
b) Where you are a "consumer" under a "distance contract", both as defined in the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000, you may cancel the order within 7 working days after the day after the goods are delivered. You must then wither return the goods to the branch from which they were delivered or request us to collect the goods; in the latter case you will be liable to pay our costs of collection. You will not have a right of cancellation where the goods are made to your specification or are personalized or are liable to deteriorate or expire rapidly.


RETURN OF GOODS


13) Subject to clause 12)b), we may at our discretion accept or reject the return of any goods which have been incorrectly ordered. If we decide to accept the return of such goods, this acceptance shall be on such terms as we specify and in particular we may charge you for the carriage and handling of such goods. We will not accept the return of such goods which are liable to deteriorate or expire rapidly.


FORCE MAJEURE CLAUSE


14) We shall be under no liability for any loss, damage, delay or expenses caused wholly or in part by Act of God, outbreak of war, civil commotion, governmental policies or restrictions or control, including restrictions of export or import or other licences, trade or industrial disputes of whatever nature, whether or not such dispute involves us, our employees or agents, or by any other event whatsoever which is beyond our control, and in any such circumstances, we may omit goods from, or cancel, or postpone delivery of the goods ordered.


BANKRUPTCY OR INSOLVENCY


15)
. If,
a) you make a proposal for or enter into a scheme of arrangement or a composition with your creditors or fail to comply with a statutory demand for the repayment of a debt within the time allowed or become apparently insolvent, or
b) (where you are an individual or, where you are a partnership, in the case of any individual partner) an application is made to the court under Part V111 of the Insolvency Act 1986 for an interim order for the purpose of a voluntary arrangement or an order is made for the administration of your estate pursuant to part V1 of the County Courts Act 1984 or a bankruptcy petition relating to you is presented to the court or you are adjudged bankrupt, or
c) (where you are a company) a petition for an administration order is presented to the court pursuant to Part II of the Insolvency Act 1986 or you pass a resolution or the court makes an order that you shall be wound up (otherwise than for the purpose of amalgamation or reconstruction) or a receiver or administrative receiver is appointed of any of your assets or undertakings or circumstances arise which entitle the court or a creditor to appoint a receiver or administrative receiver, or
d) (where you are either a company or a partnership) circumstances arise which entitle the court to make a winding-up order, or
e) (Whether you are a company, a partnership or an individual) you take or suffer any similar action in consequence of debt, we may stop any goods in transit and suspend further deliveries any may forthwith terminate the contract without prejudice to the continuation of our rights hereunder and to any existing claims.


NON-WAIVER OF RIGHTS


16) The failure of either you or us to exercise or enforce any right conferred by the contract shall not be a waiver of any such right nor bar the exercise or enforcement of such right at any time thereafter.


HEALTH & SAFETY


17) Certain products supplied to us could, if incorrectly used, give rise to health and safety. Information in respect of such products is available from us. You undertake that you ensure compliance so far as is reasonably practicable by your employees, agents, and customers with any instructions given by us or the manufacturer and will take any other safety precautions, having regard to the nature of the goods, as are necessary to preserve the health and safety of any person handling, using or disposing them.


NOTICES


18) Any notices hereunder shall be in permanent readable form and shall be deemed properly delivered if addressed to the party concerned at its principle place of business or last known address. Any notice hereunder shall be deemed to have been delivered, if sent by post, 2 days after posting, and if sent by fax, on the next working day after transmission.

APPLICABLE LAW


19)
a) Subject to clause 19(b) the contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
b) If you are domiciled in Scotland within the meaning of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982, or the goods are delivered to your place of business or at your direction in Scotland, then the contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Scottish Law and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish Courts.


Fitting terms


20)
The Customer's signature on the Contract constitutes as a legally binding order by the Customer


21)
Only the work detailed in the Contract will be carried out by the Company. Any additional works carried out will be at an additional cost agreed with the customer prior to wood floor installation.


Price


22)
The Customer shall agree to pay the Company the Price as mutually agreed on the written Contract. The price shall remain fixed for 30 days from the date of the Contract. The Company reserves the right to change the prices of its services from time to time to reflect the change in costs.
23)
The price quoted is on the agreement that the Fitter will find no faults or hindrances before fitting takes place. Any unforeseen obstacles could result in the termination of the Contract or new Pricing. The Company reserves the right to amend the Contract by the net amount of any extra costs arising or incurred by the Company occurring before completion of the works as specified in the Contract.
24)
All Services shall be paid for in 2 instalments. 50% at the time of ordering to secure the fitting date and the final 50% immediately upon wood floor installation completion.
Should the Fitter deem that the wood floor installation cannot be completed because of structural problems or damp etc either i. a full refund will be given
ii. Heritage flooring uk will recommend how to rectify the problem and, negotiations in order to rectify the problem will take place this may mean additional costs to the working practice.
On agreement with the Customer, the deposit will be kept until a time when the floor can be fitted.
In the event that any of the instalments shall not be paid within seven days of the due date, the whole of the balance of the Price shall become immediately due together with interest thereon. Interest shall accrue on any outstanding balance at the rate of 8 % accruing above the current base rate until payment in full is made.
25)
Installation of the Goods shall be undertaken by the Company strictly in accordance with the Contract and these terms and conditions.
26)
The Customer must ensure all rooms are cleared prior to woodfloor installation unless costed for. If rooms are not cleared, the Company takes no responsibility for damage that may occur to furniture, walls, doors etc as a result of the Fitter having to clear the rooms. The Fitter reserves the right to refuse to fit the floor due to the rooms not being cleared. The Company will then arrange another time for the Fitter to return to fit the floor. This will therefore incur an additional cost to the Customer for wasted time and wages.
27)
Completion of the Contract shall take place on completion of the wood floor installation and the Customer will Sign off the work. Once sign off has occurred you are legally binded by these Terms and Conditions. If there are any disputes with the work carried out by the Fitter, the work must not be signed off. Sign off is at the Customer discretion. Any scratches and marks found in the floor that have been caused by the fitter will only be rectified if pointed out to the Fitter before the Customer has signed off the work. Any scratches notices after this time i.e. the following day will be assumed to be the fault of the Customer and will not be rectified.
28)
Any changes to the original Contract will be agreed and signed off by the Customer before they are carried out. Any disputes after this Sign off will not be rectified.
29)
Due to the cost of loading and landfill tax, carpets and old flooring that is uplifted in order for the new floor to be laid will not be removed by the fitter. It is up to the Customer to dispose of his/her own waste. Rubbish will only be removed if this has been costed into the Contract.
30)
It is the Customers responsibility to make sure the sub floor is in the correct condition to lay on. It is recommended a full survey of the floor is carried out by a qualified surveyor prior to wood floor installation. If a survey is not carried out the Company accepts no responsibility for any movement etc to the floor as a result of damp or uneven flooring.


Company's and Customer's rights to cancel


The Customer has the rights to cancel the Contract within 7 days of the date of signing without any penalty.
32) Any cancellations received after 7 days of the date on the Contract are at the discretion of the Company. Should any cancellation be accepted, deposits are non refundable.

Warranties and Liabilities


33)
All Services are guaranteed for 1 year from the date of wood floor installation. Material is only guaranteed against any fitting faults and not any faults in the wood.
34)
The Company shall be under no liability whatsoever in respect of any defect arising from subsidence or building movement. Nor shall the Company be under any liability for movement due to damp. It is the Customers responsibility to get the sub floor checked by a qualified surveyor prior to wood floor installation and to make sure the sub floor is in the correct condition to lay on.
35)
The Company shall be under no liability under the above warranty, condition or guarantee if the Price of the Contract is not paid on the due date from the date that the payment is due until such a time as the Price is paid in full. The Customer´s statutory rights are not affected. If the Customer has any doubts as to their statutory rights they should seek independent legal advice.
36)
No other trades, especially wet trades are allowed to walk across the floor or be in the same room as the floor until the work has been signedoff, due to the fact that they may damage the floor i.e dropping tools, grit on shoes, should the customer allow this to occur then Heritage flooring uk will not be liable to costs incurred by this action.

General


37)
This Contract shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the U.K courts and constructed according to relevant UK law.


Changes of specification.


Should the customer change their mind of the contract agreed or decide to alter any specifications. once works have been commenced, then additional costs to the customer may occur.
A new contract will have to be agreed and signed.
38)
The company reserves the rights to change these Terms and Conditions from time to time. This will not affect the Terms and Conditions that are agreed by the Customer at the time the wood floorinstallation service was purchased.


March 2004