Terms of Business

These terms apply to building and construction work carried out by Carter Cook Developments. Please read them before accepting a quotation. If anything is unclear, ask us — we would rather explain it up front.

1. Who we are

• Trading name: Carter Cook Developments
• Address: Cook Way, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 3US
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 07850 420 779
• Company registration: [TO CONFIRM — company number if a limited company, or state "sole trader"]
• VAT number: [TO CONFIRM — or state "not VAT registered"]

2. Quotations and estimates

A quotation is a fixed price for the work described in it. An estimate is our best assessment of likely cost and may change as work progresses. We will always make clear which we are giving you.

Quotations are valid for [TO CONFIRM — e.g. 30 days] from the date issued. A quotation covers only the work it describes. Anything not listed is not included.

3. When the contract starts

A contract is formed when you accept our quotation in writing (including by email or text) and we confirm acceptance. At that point these terms apply to the work.

4. Your right to cancel

Where you are a consumer and the contract was agreed somewhere other than our business premises — for example at your home, or at a distance by phone or email — you have the right to cancel within 14 days of the contract being formed, without giving a reason. This is your right under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

To cancel, tell us in writing at [email protected] before the 14 days are up. We will refund any payment you have made within 14 days of being told.

If you ask us in writing to begin work during the 14-day period, and you then cancel, you must pay for the work carried out up to the point you cancelled. If work is fully completed within the 14-day period at your written request, the right to cancel is lost.

We will not begin work during the cancellation period unless you ask us to in writing.

5. Prices and payment

• Deposit: [TO CONFIRM — amount or percentage, and what it covers]
• Stage payments: [TO CONFIRM — the schedule, tied to milestones not dates]
• Final payment: [TO CONFIRM — when due after completion]
• Late payment: [TO CONFIRM — any interest charged, and the rate]

Unless stated otherwise, prices [TO CONFIRM — include / exclude] VAT.

6. Changes to the work

If you want to change the work after it has started, tell us and we will confirm in writing what the change involves, what it will cost and how it affects the timescale. We will not carry out extra chargeable work without your agreement.

If we uncover something that could not reasonably have been seen when we quoted — for example hidden structural damage, asbestos, or unexpected services — we will stop, tell you, and agree how to proceed before continuing. Additional work of this kind is chargeable.

7. Access and site conditions

You agree to give us reasonable access to the property at the agreed times, and to provide a supply of water and electricity where the work requires it. Please clear the working area and move valuables and fragile items before we start.

If we cannot access the property at an agreed time and this causes delay or wasted attendance, we may charge for the time lost.

8. Timescales

We will give you a start date and an expected duration, and we will keep you informed of progress. Building work can be affected by weather, material availability, and third parties such as Building Control or utility providers. Where those delay us we will tell you as soon as we can, and we are not liable for delays outside our reasonable control.

9. Planning permission and building regulations

Unless we have agreed in writing to handle it, [TO CONFIRM — who is responsible: obtaining planning permission, building regulations approval, party wall agreements]. It is the property owner's responsibility to ensure the necessary permissions are in place before work begins.

10. Workmanship and guarantee

We will carry out the work with reasonable care and skill, using materials of satisfactory quality, as required by the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

In addition, we guarantee our workmanship for [TO CONFIRM — period, e.g. 12 months] from completion. The guarantee covers [TO CONFIRM — what is and is not covered]. It does not cover fair wear and tear, damage caused by others, or failure to maintain the work properly.

Manufacturers' guarantees on materials and appliances are passed to you and are subject to their own terms.

Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights.

11. Insurance

We hold [TO CONFIRM — public liability cover and amount; employers' liability if you have employees; whether contractors' all-risks is held]. A copy of our certificate is available on request.

12. Our liability

We are responsible for loss or damage you suffer that is a foreseeable result of us breaking these terms or failing to use reasonable care and skill.

We do not exclude or limit our liability in any way where it would be unlawful to do so. This includes liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud, and for any matter where the law does not allow exclusion.

13. If something goes wrong

Please tell us as soon as possible so we can put it right. Contact us at [email protected] or 07850 420 779. We will acknowledge your complaint within [TO CONFIRM — e.g. 5 working days] and set out how we intend to resolve it.

[TO CONFIRM — whether Carter Cook belongs to any trade body or dispute resolution scheme, e.g. FMB, TrustMark. If so it must be named here with details of how to escalate.]

14. Governing law

These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales, and disputes may be brought before the courts of England and Wales.