Terms of Business

1. Who these terms apply to

These terms apply to every survey, quote and job carried out by Invicta Construction Finishes ("we", "us") for a customer ("you") in Leeds, West Yorkshire and the surrounding area. Accepting a quote, in writing or by asking us to start, is acceptance of these terms. Where a written quote sets out something different for a particular job, the quote takes precedence for that job.

2. Surveys and quotes

We survey before we price. A survey is a visual and non-destructive inspection: we tap walls, meter for moisture, inspect ceilings and look at the outside of the building. We do not open up walls, lift floors or take samples at a survey unless agreed with you, and a survey cannot find what is hidden behind existing finishes.

A quote is a written document listing the work we will do, in stages, with a price. It is valid for thirty days from its date unless it says otherwise. Work not listed on the quote is not included. If, once work starts, we find something the survey could not have seen (for example, blown plaster behind a sound-looking surface, asbestos-containing materials, structural defects, or hidden services), we will stop, tell you, and agree any additional work and cost in writing before continuing.

3. Booking and access

A start date is offered once a quote is accepted and, where relevant, once materials, scaffold or test results are in hand. Dates depend on weather for external work and on drying times for internal work; we will tell you as soon as a date has to move. You agree to give us access to the property on the agreed dates, to clear the rooms being worked on of furniture and belongings as far as is reasonable (we will move and sheet what remains), and to provide water and electricity.

4. Materials and workmanship

We use materials fit for the wall and the job, applied in accordance with the manufacturer's published guidance. Where a manufacturer offers a product warranty, its terms are the manufacturer's and are passed to you as they stand; we will tell you what applies to the product specified for your job. Our workmanship is carried out with reasonable skill and care and to the standards of the trade.

Plaster, render and screed are natural materials that dry, cure and shrink. Hairline cracks at board joints and corners during drying are normal and are filled at the snagging visit. Colour and texture of through-coloured renders and polished plasters vary slightly by batch and by hand; samples are indicative.

5. Drying, decoration and aftercare

We give you drying times and mist-coat advice in writing at handover. Painting, papering or fixing to new plaster before it is dry, or with unsuitable products, is outside our control and can cause the finish to fail. Damage caused by that, by leaks or damp occurring after our work, by structural movement, or by other trades is not a defect in our work.

6. Snagging and defects

Tell us about anything you are not happy with as soon as you notice it. We return to inspect and put right any defect in our workmanship reported within a reasonable time of completion, at no charge, provided the defect is not caused by any of the matters in section 5 or by damage after handover. This does not affect your statutory rights.

7. Payment

Payment terms are set out on the quote. For larger jobs we may ask for a deposit to cover materials and scaffold, with the balance on completion or in stages as the quote describes. Invoices are due within fourteen days unless the quote says otherwise. We may charge interest on late payment at the statutory rate, and we may pause further work until overdue amounts are settled.

8. Changes and cancellation

You can change or add to the work at any time; changes are priced and agreed in writing before they are carried out. You can cancel a booking by telling us in writing. If you cancel after materials have been ordered or scaffold booked for your job, we may charge the costs we cannot recover. If you cancel with less than two working days' notice, we may charge for the time set aside.

If you are a consumer and the contract was made away from our premises (which, as a service-area business, is usual), you have a right to cancel within fourteen days of accepting the quote without giving a reason, unless you asked us to start within that period, in which case you pay for the work done up to cancellation.

9. Health, safety and hazardous materials

We do not disturb textured coatings, boards or other materials that may contain asbestos until they have been tested. If a test is positive, we will discuss the options with you, which may include work by a licensed removal contractor. You agree to tell us about anything you know of in the property that could affect the safety of our team, including asbestos surveys, live services and structural concerns.

10. Liability

Details of our insurance cover are available on request. We are responsible for loss or damage caused by our negligence. We are not responsible for pre-existing defects, for damage that could not reasonably have been avoided in carrying out the agreed work (for example, disturbance to decoration adjoining a wall being replastered), for consequential loss, or for matters listed in section 5. Nothing in these terms limits liability for death, personal injury or fraud.

11. Your information

The details you give us are used to survey, quote and carry out the work and for nothing else, as described in our privacy notice, which is linked in the footer of every page.

12. Complaints and the law

If something goes wrong, contact us first: 0000 000 0000 or info@invictaconstructionfinishes.co.uk. We will acknowledge a complaint within five working days and aim to resolve it within twenty-eight. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales.