Piling Works – Terms and Conditions

Version dated 31st May 2025

General

1.1 These terms and conditions are applicable to all quotations, contracts and work (“Work”) undertaken by West Handyman Ltd (“the Installer”) for any customer or potential customer (“the Customer”), unless variations are specifically agreed in writing.

1.2 Headings are included for convenience only and shall not be deemed to alter the meaning of any clauses.

1.3 Any quotation marked as an ‘estimate’ or ‘budget’ quotation is intended to give a guide as to the cost but will not be binding on the Installer.

1.4 Any formal quotations provided by the Installer to any Customer are given on the understanding that they remain binding on the Installer for a period of 30 calendar days from the date of issue, unless stated otherwise.

1.5 Any genuine errors or omissions in a quotation may be corrected at any time by the Installer.

2. Dates, Times and Durations

2.1 Once a date for the work to commence has been agreed, the Customer will undertake to complete any preparatory works required by the Installer, in accordance with its quotation or specification of works.

2.2 Any loss resulting from the Customer’s failure to complete the preparatory works prior to the Installer’s commencement will be charged to the Customer.

2.3 The works may proceed without delay during the Installer’s normal working hours, Monday – Friday 08.00hrs – 17.00hrs, or, by arrangement with the Customer, outside these hours.

2.4 During the course of the proposed works, access to the site will be required at all times.

2.5 Any proposed timescales are provided for guidance only and will not be binding on the Installer. Failure to meet any deadline imposed by the Customer will not be deemed a breach of contract unless it is agreed in writing that ‘time is of the essence’ and no damages, charges or deductions will be accepted for late completion.

2.6 With agreement from the Installer in writing, the Customer may postpone an agreed start date and arrange an alternative without incurring additional costs.

2.7 In the event of work cancellation, postponement, or rescheduling request, the Installer reserves the right to apply additional charges to the initial quote to cover any related costs. Any deposit already paid is non-refundable.

2.8 If the Installer arrives on site and the work is not ready to proceed, a call – out charge of £1470 + VAT will apply.

3. Inclusions and Exclusions

3.1 For the avoidance of doubt, only items specifically detailed and agreed in writing are included within the quoted price. Any additional work required will be subject to additional charge.

3.2 Where the quotation or Work involves piling or other foundation work, unless specifically detailed, we have not included for supplying or installing any reinforcing, heave protection or concrete and have not included for any excavation.
Where this is required, it must be agreed in writing between the Customer and the Installer.

3.3 Unless specifically included within the quotation, the Installer will not carry out any works to plasterwork, rendering, pointing/repointing, plinths, floors, paving, steps, paths, driveways, roadways, gardens, lawns or replace any plants, shrubs or turf or any form of decoration where disturbed or damaged as a result of carrying out the works or access to the Work or otherwise, unless specified, included within the quotation

3.4 Pile positions and heights must be set out by the Customer on site prior to the Installer’s commencement. It remains the Customer’s responsibility to check the accuracy before piling begins.

3.5 Where we install piles, we will aim to install to finished positions within 50mm of those marked out and within 20mm of height, however, we cannot guarantee pile positions as these can be dictated by unforeseen ground conditions. If more accurate positioning is required, the Customer must inform the Installer prior to acceptance of the quotation.

3.6 Unless expressly stated in the quotation, no allowance is made for the removal and/or protection of any fixtures, fittings, furnishings and ground/floor coverings etc. within the area of the proposed works. These items are the responsibility of the Customer and no liability will be accepted by the Installer for damage occurring.

3.7 Unless expressly stated in the quotation, no allowance has been made for the removal or protection of any fixtures, fittings, furnishings, or ground/floor coverings within the area of the proposed works. These remain the responsibility of the Customer.

3.8 The GoliathTech Piles are particularly suited to use in clay soil but can equally be used in most soil types. Where installation proves impossible or impractical (such as if solid rock is encountered), we reserve the right to abort installation and charge for costs incurred up to that point.

3.9 All quantities, measures, sizes, lengths, volumes and the like are indicative only and subject to material, and manufacturing tolerances.

3.10 Where quantities are given the rates should be considered to apply to the whole or part. For example, ‘2m’ should be read as ‘2m or part thereof’.

3.11 The Installer reserves the right to alter their specification(s) as site conditions may dictate. Any further work may then be subject to an additional cost.

3.12 It is agreed that the structural condition of any property and the disposition of loads will not have significantly altered between the date of survey and the time the Work is carried out. The forces acting within the existing structure and/or the Installer’s work are those used when preparing the design.

3.13 Any remedial measures proposed, which do not involve foundation work, rely on the proviso that the foundations of the structure are capable of adequately transferring the applied loads to the supporting stratum. Any suggested remedial measures are based on the assumption that the foundations are not moving. In the remedial repair methods used, there is some resilience to small cyclic movements and it is likely that the design will restrain the building for some time. If large-scale slippage/differential movement occurs in the future, it is likely that major remedial work to the foundations will be required.

3.14 Prior to the commencement of the Work, all notices or negotiations with adjoining property owners, statutory authorities or third parties will have been served by the Customer or their agents. All fees and costs of disbursements are the responsibility of the Customer unless specifically specified as included in the quotation.

4. Access and Site Requirements

4.1 In preparing our pricing we assume that there will be clear parking space available for 1 Van at the location of the work and at no cost to us. Where this is not possible, we will use the nearest available paid parking facility, and the cost will be added to the final invoice.

4.2 Though the amount of waste arising from the Work is usually relatively small, unless agreed otherwise, the Customer is to provide access to a skip, suitable for mixed builder’s waste. Should a skip not be necessary, a nominal charge will nevertheless be made for the disposal of waste.

4.3 Where our work involves excavation or driving of piles (or the like) into the ground, we have assumed that all underground services will be exposed or clearly marked prior to our commencement. We accept no liability for damage to underground services where these have not been clearly marked or exposed.

4.4 The Installer will require access to a 13A, 230V electricity supply and pressure fed water supply. If this is not possible, the Customer must make this clear so alternative arrangements can be made accordingly.

4.5 The Installer will expect access to suitable sanitary facilities, including a toilet and washing facilities for the use of site operatives. If this is not possible, the Customer must make this clear so alternative arrangements can be made accordingly.

4.6 The Installer’s Representatives and Operatives will present themselves for any Health & Safety Inductions required by the Customer but notification of the Customer’s site rules will be required prior to commencement of work on site and any inductions will be proportionate to the Work to be undertaken and will be provided at no cost to the Installer.

5. Invoices, Payment Terms, Retention and Payments of Accounts

5.1 All invoices are payable on the date of invoice, unless agreed otherwise.
5.2 Unless otherwise agreed, our payment terms require:
30% advance payment, due 3 weeks prior to the scheduled start date;
25% payment payable on the first day of work on-site;
25% payment payable on the day when approximately 50% of the works are completed;
20% final payment together with any additional charges, payable on the day of completion of the piling works.

5.3 In the event of delayed advance payment, the Installer may remove the work from the schedule. A new commencement date will then need to be agreed.

5.4 In the event of a delayed first day or progress payment, the Installer may suspend the work and leave the site. Returning to complete the work may incur additional charges, and new return and completion dates will need to be agreed.

5.5 Late payments will incur interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, accruing daily from the due date until paid in full, plus fixed compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

5.6 Any costs incurred in securing late payment will be added to the total sum due before final settlement is complete.

5.7 Retention will not be deducted by the Customer unless specifically agreed in writing before acceptance of the quotation. Where a Retention is held (by agreement), guarantees/warranties (where applicable) will only be issued on receipt of all outstanding payments.

6. Ownership and Other

6.1 Title to the Goods (including piles, terminations, screws, and related materials) shall remain with the Installer until full payment has been received for both the Goods and the Installation Services.

6.2 In the event of delayed payment, the Customer grants the Installer and its agents an irrevocable licence to access and enter any premises where the goods are or may be stored, at any time, to inspect, repossess, and remove them. Where goods are held by a third party, the Customer shall procure equivalent access rights on behalf of the Installer.

6.3. Pile installation logs will be provided within 5 working days of receiving full payment.