Electrical work terms

1. Who the agreement is with

“Haywards Electrical”, “we” and “us” mean the independent electrical contractor identified in the quotation or work order. “Customer” and “you” mean the person or business instructing the work. The agreement consists of the accepted quotation, estimate or work order, these terms and any later written variation.

A website enquiry, site visit or preliminary discussion does not by itself reserve a date, create a contract or fix a price.

2. Fixed-price quotations

A fixed-price quotation covers only the work, quantities, materials, assumptions and exclusions expressly stated. The price is fixed for that scope, but may change if you request a variation, information supplied is inaccurate, access or site conditions differ materially from what could reasonably have been identified, or additional work is required for safety or compliance.

Unless stated otherwise, a quotation is valid for 14 days. Acceptance may be confirmed in writing or electronically, by paying a requested deposit, or by clearly instructing us to proceed after receiving the quotation and these terms.

3. Estimates

An estimate is a good-faith indication, not a fixed price. The final charge is based on the work reasonably carried out, time spent, materials used and any agreed or necessary additional work. We will explain a material increase as soon as reasonably practicable and seek approval before continuing, except for limited action reasonably necessary to make an electrical danger safe.

4. Hourly, day-rate and call-out work

For time-based work, labour is charged at the hourly, day or call-out rate stated in the quotation, estimate, work order or other written agreement. A day rate pays for the agreed working day and is not a fixed price or a guarantee that a particular task will be completed in one day. Additional days, overtime or out-of-hours attendance are chargeable only at the applicable rate made known to you.

Chargeable time may include time reasonably spent on site, agreed or disclosed travel, obtaining or collecting job-specific materials, fault finding, inspection, testing, certification and necessary job administration. Any minimum attendance, call-out charge or different out-of-hours rate will be stated before work begins where reasonably practicable.

Time given for fault finding is an estimate only. Payment is due for competent investigation and work undertaken even where an intermittent or concealed fault cannot be found or permanently rectified within the initial attendance.

5. Scope, drawings and quantities

Only the described scope is included. Unless expressly stated, the price excludes design by others, specialist surveys, structural work, asbestos removal, groundworks, trenching, scaffolding or access equipment, fire stopping by specialists, builders’ work, plastering, decorating, flooring repairs, data-system programming and making good beyond the immediate electrical installation.

Plans, circuit schedules and quantities supplied by the customer or another contractor are relied upon as accurate. Re-measurement, redesign or extra work caused by errors or later revisions may be treated as a variation.

6. Electrical standards and compliance

Electrical installation work will be designed, selected, erected, inspected and tested with reasonable care and skill and, where applicable, in accordance with the edition and amendment of BS 7671 stated for the work or otherwise applicable at the relevant design and installation dates, including any official transition arrangements. Other applicable requirements may include the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Building Regulations, competent-person scheme rules, manufacturer instructions, fire-safety requirements and electricity-network operator requirements.

BS 7671 is not generally retrospective. Work to a new or altered circuit does not mean that every part of an existing installation has been upgraded to the current edition or is free from defects. Any departures, limitations or observations will be recorded where required.

7. Existing installations and unforeseen conditions

Prices assume that the existing installation, earthing and bonding, supply characteristics, cable routes and equipment are reasonably suitable for the quoted work unless stated otherwise. Concealed damage, unsafe wiring, borrowed neutrals, inadequate earthing or bonding, asbestos, inaccessible routes, failed equipment, network restrictions or other conditions not reasonably visible may require additional work and cost.

If testing or work reveals immediate or potential danger, we may stop the affected work and, where reasonably necessary for safety, disconnect or isolate the affected circuit or equipment. We will explain the issue and provide options for remedial work. Remedial work to the wider installation is not included unless agreed.

8. Variations and additional work

Customer-requested changes and additional work caused by site conditions, third-party designs, other trades or compliance requirements may change the price and completion date. Variations should be authorised in writing where practicable and may be priced separately or charged at the stated time-based rates plus materials.

Where immediate action is reasonably necessary to remove danger, protect people or prevent serious property damage, we may carry out limited making-safe work and notify you promptly. Any further remedial work requires agreement.

9. Materials and equipment

Materials supplied by us will be suitable for the agreed purpose and will remain subject to manufacturer availability and specification changes. Equivalent compliant products may be proposed where an item is unavailable, but a material change will be discussed with you. Special-order, made-to-measure or customer-specific items may require advance payment and may not be returnable, subject to statutory rights.

Where you supply equipment, you are responsible for ensuring it is complete, compatible and suitable unless we have agreed to select or verify it. Extra time caused by missing parts, defects or incompatibility is chargeable. We remain responsible for the standard of our installation work, but do not provide a warranty for goods we did not supply.

10. Access, services and customer responsibilities

You must provide safe and reasonable access at the agreed time, disclose known hazards and relevant information, protect or remove valuables, keep children and animals away from the work area, and provide electricity, water and welfare facilities where reasonably required. You must obtain landlord, freeholder, planning or other permissions allocated to you in the quotation.

You must allow reasonable electrical isolation and interruption of supplies for safe working and testing. Abortive visits, waiting time, parking or access charges, and delays caused by unavailable access, undisclosed hazards, other trades or incorrect information may be charged where the cost was reasonably incurred and explained.

11. Inspection, testing and certification

Inspection, testing, certification and Building Regulations notification are included only where applicable to and stated for the work. Safe isolation and testing may temporarily disconnect equipment, reset clocks or controls, and reveal existing faults. Please identify sensitive, life-supporting, security, IT or other critical equipment before work starts so suitable arrangements can be discussed.

Electrical Installation Certificates, Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificates, Electrical Installation Condition Reports and other records describe only their stated scope and limitations. An EICR is a report on the condition observed and tested at the time; it is not a guarantee against future failure. Sampling, inaccessible parts and agreed operational limitations will be recorded where applicable.

Existing defects and remedial work identified during testing are not automatically included. Required certificates and notifications will be issued within a reasonable time following completion. Payment obligations and any dispute about payment are dealt with separately and do not remove legal duties concerning certification.

12. Programme and delays

Start and completion dates are estimates unless expressly agreed as fixed. We are not responsible for reasonable delay caused by unsafe conditions, late customer decisions, unavailable materials, weather, illness, access restrictions, other trades, network operators, utility companies or events outside reasonable control. We will communicate significant delay and rearrange work where reasonably possible.

13. Price, deposits and staged payments

Prices are in pounds sterling. VAT will be shown where applicable. Deposits, material payments and stage payments will be identified in the quotation. A deposit may be used to reserve time and order materials, but any cancellation and refund will be dealt with according to work performed, costs reasonably incurred and your statutory rights.

Unless otherwise stated, invoices are due within seven days of the invoice date. If you dispute part of an invoice, please explain the reason promptly and pay any undisputed amount by the due date. For business-to-business contracts, we may claim statutory interest and recovery compensation under late-payment legislation where applicable. Consumer debts will be pursued only through lawful and proportionate recovery procedures.

14. Cancellation and postponement

Consumers entering certain distance or off-premises contracts normally have 14 days to cancel. Required cancellation information will be supplied with the contract where applicable. You may cancel by a clear statement sent to our contact details; no particular wording is required.

If you expressly request work to begin during the cancellation period and later cancel, you may have to pay a reasonable proportion for work performed and materials or services properly supplied before cancellation. The right may end after the service has been fully performed where the law’s requirements have been met. Emergency repair exceptions may apply. Nothing in this section removes a statutory cancellation right.

Model cancellation wording: “To Haywards Electrical at the email and business address shown in my quotation: I give notice that I cancel my contract for the following electrical work: [description]. Contract date: [date]. Customer name and address: [details]. Date: [date].” You may send this by email to haywardselec@gmail.com.

Outside any statutory cancellation right, reasonable costs already incurred for labour, administration, booked specialist resources and non-returnable materials may be payable. If you postpone at short notice, we will try to rearrange, but reasonable irrecoverable costs may be charged if clearly explained.

15. Workmanship and manufacturer warranties

Unless the quotation states a longer period, we provide an additional six-month workmanship guarantee from completion. Manufacturer warranties apply to materials we supply, subject to their conditions. This guarantee does not cover fair wear and tear, misuse, accidental or malicious damage, alterations by others, external supply events, pre-existing defects, customer-supplied goods, failure to maintain equipment or failure to follow instructions.

The guarantee is additional to statutory rights and does not replace the requirement that services be carried out with reasonable care and skill and supplied goods meet applicable legal standards.

16. Reporting problems and remedial access

Please report a suspected defect promptly, stop using anything that appears unsafe and allow reasonable access for inspection. Where we are responsible, we will be given a reasonable opportunity to put the work right. You should not instruct third-party remedial work at our cost before allowing that opportunity, except where urgent action is reasonably required for safety or to prevent further damage.

17. Suspension and termination

We may suspend work where payment is overdue, access is unsafe or unavailable, essential information is missing, the requested work would be unsafe or non-compliant, or continuing is prevented by circumstances outside reasonable control. We will explain the reason and, where capable of remedy, allow a reasonable opportunity to resolve it.

Either party may terminate for a serious breach that is not remedied within a reasonable period. Charges for properly completed work, committed materials and reasonable costs incurred up to termination remain payable, subject to statutory rights.

18. Liability and insurance

Nothing excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, breach of statutory consumer rights, or anything that cannot lawfully be excluded. We are not responsible for pre-existing defects, inaccurate information supplied by others, work outside the agreed scope, or loss that was not reasonably foreseeable when the contract was made.

You should maintain appropriate building, contents and business insurance. We will take reasonable care of the property, but opening walls, floors or ceilings and other agreed access work may cause unavoidable disturbance described in the quotation.

19. Complaints, law and severability

Please raise concerns directly so we have an opportunity to investigate and resolve them. If any term is found unenforceable, the remaining terms continue to apply. These terms and the contract are governed by the laws of England and Wales, subject to any mandatory consumer right to bring proceedings elsewhere.

20. Contact

Haywards Electrical · haywardselec@gmail.com · 07904 639711

Any geographical business address and other pre-contract information required for your particular contract will be supplied in the quotation or accompanying documents.