1. Scope of Work
1.1 The Contractor shall carry out and complete the landscape work described in the estimate document in a good and workmanlike manner. They shall have no obligation to execute any further work unless agreed in writing between the parties of the contract. If there is any discrepancy between any original specification then the description contained in the specification shall prevail over the drawing.
1.2 The client is responsible for obtaining any necessary planning permission for the works and for the fulfilling of statutory requirements.
2.1 The quotation is valid for a period of thirty days from the date shown in the quotation and thereafter lapses automatically.
2.2 The Contractor reserves the right to increase the contract should the date for completion of the contract become impossible to attain for reasons wholly or partly beyond their control.
2.3 The quotation is based on conditions known at the time of viewing. The client will pay any extra works, or costs due to unknown difficulties or changes, which are not within the estimate.
2.4 Acceptance of the estimate involves acceptance of these terms and conditions and will lead to a binding contract between the parties. It should be noted that any attempted or any actual cancellation thereof by the Client may involve the Client in a claim for recovery by the Contractor of any loss or expense incurred as a result, including a claim for loss of profit.
3.1 Variations to the Works as specified in the quotation will only be undertaken when agreed between the Contractor and the Client and upon instructions given in writing by the Client to the Contractor. Oral instructions will not be accepted. It should be noted that site personnel have no authority to alter the contract in any way. The price of any additional work will be based upon costs prevailing at the date of the instruction.4. Payment
4.1 The client accepts that they will pay to the contractor the agreed contract sum.
4.2 All accounts do not provide for any discounts or retention’s unless otherwise agreed.
4.3 All accounts are payable on receipt of invoice.
4.4 The payment schedule shall be as follows;
For quotations above £15,000 in value –
A non-refundable deposit of 10% of the original quotation shall be paid by the Client to the Contractor upon acceptance of the quotation by the Client.
A stage payment of 30% of the original quotation shall be made by the Client to the Contractor 7 days prior to the commencement of work.
A payment of 30% is due when good progress has been made on the project and will become due when the client is satisfied with the project to date.
The balance is payable on completion of works.
4.5 All materials remain the property of Rural Landscapes Cumbria until the account has been settled in full.
5. The Site
5.1 The client warrants that the site is free from springs, flooding, rock, tree stumps not specified to be removed, mine workings, covered wells or other cavities, running sand, service pipes and cables, sewage or land drains, foundations or other hazards or obstructions which have not been discovered upon visual inspection of the surface of the site or made known in writing to the Contractor prior to the submission date of the quotation. The Contractor shall be entitled to make a reasonable charge for all additional work necessary resulting from the discovery of such hazards.
5.2 Timely possession of the site and proper and adequate access to it must be made available by the Client to the Contractor to enable the work to be carried out in a regular and economic manner.
5.3 The Client will provide access to water, electricity and toilet facilities wherever possible for use by the Contractor in carrying out the work agreed. The provisions of these services and facilities shall be at the sole cost of the client.
5.4 The client shall be responsible for ensuring the safety of their children, family members, pets, animals and visitors at all times whilst work is being carried out on their premises.
5.5 The Contractor shall be free from any liabilities, structural or accidental, when using machinery, except for accidents caused by improper use.
6. Delay or Disruption
6.1 The Contractor undertakes to use all reasonable endeavours to complete the work within a reasonable time or by a specified date if agreed. Under no circumstance shall the Contractor incur any liability to the Client for any untimely performance or delays arising from force majeure, adverse weather conditions or events beyond his reasonable control.
7. Materials on Site
7.1. Materials delivered to site become the responsibility of the Client and the Contractor accepts no loss, damage or expense after delivery of the materials.
7.2 All materials brought to site which prove to be in excess to the Contractor’s requirements shall remain the property of and shall be removable by the Contractor who shall have the right to enter the site for that purpose.
7.3 The contractor shall not be liable for any loss or theft of materials from site. Any additional materials required following damage, loss or theft shall be at the Client’s expense.
8. Maintenance
8.1 The responsibility for the proper maintenance of the site passes to the Client upon completion of the Works unless otherwise agreed in writing.
9. Warranties
9.1 The Contractor guarantees that all plants and trees supplied are inherently healthy when planted. Responsibility cannot be accepted for loss after planting since subsequent site conditions are beyond the Contractor’s control.
9.2 The Contractor guarantees that grass seed supplied has been tested and conforms with current EC regulations. It should be understood that a sward cannot be made in one season and seed cannot be eradicated when the Contractor undertakes to cultivate land. The Contractor cannot therefore take responsibility for subsequent weed growth.
9.3 The Contractor accepts no liability for any negligent act or omission or any default under this contract, save for injury or death caused by the negligence of the Contractor.
10. Law
10.1 This contract shall be regarded as an English contract and shall be construed and the rights of the parties and all matters arising hereunder determined in all aspects according to the Law of England and Wales.
