Legal

Terms and Conditions

Last updated: 15th November 2025

1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern the relationship between B. Thompson Joinery Ltd ("we," "us," "our," or "the Company") and you ("you," "your," or "the Client") in relation to all joinery services, construction work, and related services provided by us.

By engaging in our services, requesting a quotation, or accepting a quotation from us, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not proceed with our services.

These Terms apply to all work carried out by B. Thompson Joinery Ltd, whether for domestic or commercial clients, and supersede any previous terms and conditions.

We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. The Terms applicable to your contract will be those in force at the time you accept our quotation.

2. Definitions

"Services" means all joinery, construction, installation, and related services provided by us, including but not limited to:

  • Home extensions and renovations
  • Kitchen fitting and installation
  • Attic conversions
  • Bespoke joinery and custom storage solutions
  • Commercial office fit-outs
  • Fire door installation and inspection
  • Complete property refurbishment
  • Any other joinery or construction-related services

"Quotation" means a written estimate or proposal provided by us detailing the scope of work, materials, and pricing.

"Contract" means the agreement between you and us for the provision of Services, formed when you accept our Quotation.

"Works" means the specific work to be carried out as detailed in the Quotation and any subsequent variations.

"Site" means the location where the Works are to be carried out.

3. Quotations and Estimates

All Quotations are valid for a period of 30 days from the date of issue, unless otherwise stated.

Quotations are based on:

  • Information provided by you at the time of quotation
  • Our assessment of the Site (where a site visit has been conducted)
  • Current material and labour costs
  • Assumed site conditions and accessibility

Quotations are estimates and may be subject to variation if:

  • Site conditions differ from those assumed
  • You request changes to the scope of work
  • Unforeseen circumstances arise (e.g., structural issues, hidden defects)
  • Material costs change significantly between quotation and commencement
  • Planning permission or building regulations requirements differ from initial assessment

We reserve the right to withdraw or amend any Quotation before acceptance.

All Quotations are exclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated. VAT will be added at the applicable rate.

Quotations do not include:

  • Planning permission fees (unless specifically stated)
  • Building regulations approval fees (unless specifically stated)
  • Any third-party services not explicitly included
  • Removal of existing fixtures and fittings (unless specified)
  • Making good of existing surfaces beyond the immediate work area (unless specified)

4. Acceptance of Work

A Contract is formed when you accept our Quotation in writing (including email) or by making a payment as specified in the Quotation.

Once a Contract is formed, both parties are bound by these Terms.

You must ensure that:

  • All necessary planning permissions and building regulations approvals are obtained before work commences (unless we have agreed to obtain these on your behalf)
  • The Site is accessible and safe for our team to work
  • Any existing fixtures, fittings, or belongings are removed or protected as necessary
  • You have obtained any necessary consents from neighbours, landlords, or other third parties

We will not commence work until:

  • The Contract has been accepted
  • Any required deposit has been paid (if applicable)
  • All necessary permissions and approvals are in place
  • The Site is ready and accessible

5. Pricing and Payment Terms

All prices are quoted in British Pounds Sterling (GBP).

Payment terms are as follows:

  • Deposit: A deposit may be required upon acceptance of the Quotation, typically 30-50% of the total contract value, unless otherwise agreed
  • Stage Payments: For larger projects, stage payments may be agreed and will be detailed in the Quotation
  • Final Payment: The balance is due upon completion of the Works and your acceptance of the completed work

Payment is due within 7 days of invoice date, unless alternative payment terms are agreed in writing.

We accept payment by:

  • Bank transfer (preferred)
  • Cheque
  • Cash (for smaller amounts)

If payment is not received by the due date:

  • We reserve the right to suspend work until payment is received
  • Interest may be charged on overdue amounts at a rate of 8% per annum above the Bank of Scotland base rate
  • We may recover any costs incurred in recovering overdue payments
  • We reserve the right to exercise a lien over materials and work completed until payment is received

All invoices are due for payment in full. You may not withhold payment for any reason without our prior written agreement.

If you dispute any invoice, you must notify us in writing within 7 days of the invoice date, providing full details of the dispute. We will investigate and respond within 14 days.

6. Variations to the Works

If you wish to change the scope of the Works after acceptance of the Quotation, you must request a variation in writing.

We will provide a written quotation for any variations, including:

  • Additional costs
  • Any impact on the completion date
  • Any impact on other aspects of the Works

Variations will only be carried out after:

  • You have accepted the variation quotation in writing
  • Any additional deposit or payment has been made (if required)

Variations may affect the original completion date and pricing.

If we identify the need for additional work due to unforeseen circumstances, we will:

  • Notify you immediately
  • Provide a quotation for the additional work
  • Seek your approval before proceeding

7. Commencement and Completion

We will use reasonable endeavours to commence work on the agreed start date, subject to:

  • Weather conditions (for external work)
  • Availability of materials
  • Site readiness
  • Any delays caused by third parties or circumstances beyond our control

We will provide an estimated completion date, but this is an estimate only and not a guarantee. Completion dates may be affected by:

  • Variations to the Works
  • Unforeseen circumstances
  • Delays in delivery of materials
  • Weather conditions
  • Delays caused by third parties
  • Your failure to provide necessary information or access

We will keep you informed of progress and any factors that may affect the completion date.

Time is not of the essence unless specifically agreed in writing.

8. Materials and Workmanship

We will use materials of good quality and in accordance with the Quotation and any specifications agreed.

Unless otherwise agreed, we will select materials that are:

  • Fit for purpose
  • Of appropriate quality for the intended use
  • Compliant with relevant British Standards and building regulations

All work will be carried out:

  • In a professional and workmanlike manner
  • In accordance with good industry practice
  • In compliance with all applicable building regulations and standards
  • By qualified and competent personnel

We will ensure that all work complies with:

  • Building Regulations
  • Planning permissions (where applicable)
  • Health and Safety regulations
  • Any other relevant legislation

Materials remain our property until full payment is received, unless otherwise agreed.

9. Site Access and Conditions

You must provide:

  • Safe and unobstructed access to the Site
  • Adequate parking facilities for our vehicles (where required)
  • Access to electricity and water (where required for the Works)
  • Suitable facilities for our team (toilet facilities, where possible)

You must inform us of:

  • Any hazards or risks on the Site
  • Any restrictions on access
  • Any specific requirements or restrictions (e.g., working hours, noise restrictions)
  • Any existing defects or issues that may affect the Works

We will take reasonable care of your property and belongings, but you are responsible for:

  • Removing or protecting valuable or fragile items
  • Ensuring adequate insurance for your property and belongings
  • Securing the Site when work is not in progress

We will maintain the Site in a reasonably clean and tidy condition during the Works, but some disruption and mess is inevitable during construction work.

We will remove waste materials from the Site, unless otherwise agreed. Any materials you wish to retain must be clearly marked.

10. Health and Safety

We are committed to maintaining high health and safety standards.

We will:

  • Comply with all applicable health and safety legislation
  • Take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of our team and others on the Site
  • Provide appropriate personal protective equipment for our team
  • Maintain public liability insurance

You must:

  • Comply with any reasonable health and safety instructions we provide
  • Keep children and pets away from the work area
  • Not enter restricted or unsafe areas during the Works

If we identify any health and safety risks, we may suspend work until the risks are addressed.

11. Warranties and Guarantees

We warrant that:

  • All work will be carried out with reasonable care and skill
  • Materials will be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose
  • Work will comply with all applicable building regulations and standards

We provide a warranty period of 12 months from completion of the Works for defects in workmanship, subject to:

  • The defect being reported to us promptly
  • The defect not being caused by:
    • Normal wear and tear
    • Misuse, neglect, or damage by you or third parties
    • Failure to follow our maintenance instructions
    • Modifications made by you or third parties
    • Damage caused by events beyond our control

Our warranty does not cover:

  • Defects in materials supplied by you
  • Work carried out by third parties (unless we have specifically warranted it)
  • Cosmetic issues that do not affect functionality
  • Issues arising from your failure to maintain the work properly

Any warranty claims must be made in writing and we will investigate and respond within a reasonable time.

This warranty is in addition to your statutory rights and does not affect them.

12. Liability and Insurance

We maintain public liability insurance with a minimum cover of £5,000,000, and employer's liability insurance as required by law.

Our liability to you is limited to:

  • The contract value for any single claim
  • Direct losses only (we are not liable for indirect or consequential losses)

We are not liable for:

  • Loss or damage to your property or belongings that you have not adequately protected or removed
  • Delays caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control
  • Any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with these Terms
  • Any loss or damage arising from defects in materials supplied by you or third parties
  • Any loss of profit, business, or other indirect or consequential losses

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for:

  • Death or personal injury caused by our negligence
  • Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
  • Any other liability that cannot be excluded by law

You are advised to maintain adequate insurance for your property and belongings during the Works.

13. Cancellation and Termination

Cancellation by You:

  • You may cancel the Contract within 14 days of acceptance without penalty, provided work has not commenced
  • If work has commenced, you may cancel but will be liable for:
    • All work completed to date
    • All materials ordered or purchased (which will become your property)
    • Any costs we have reasonably incurred
    • Loss of profit on the cancelled portion of the contract

Termination by Us: We may terminate the Contract immediately if:

  • You fail to make payment when due and fail to remedy this within 7 days of written notice
  • You breach any material term of the Contract and fail to remedy this within 14 days of written notice
  • You become insolvent or enter into administration, liquidation, or bankruptcy
  • It becomes impossible or impractical to complete the Works due to circumstances beyond our control

Upon termination:

  • You must pay for all work completed and materials supplied
  • We will remove our equipment and materials from the Site
  • Any materials we have purchased will become your property upon payment

14. Force Majeure

We are not liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

  • Natural disasters, extreme weather conditions
  • War, terrorism, civil unrest
  • Government actions, changes in law or regulations
  • Strikes, lockouts, or other industrial action
  • Failure of suppliers or subcontractors (despite reasonable efforts)
  • Pandemics or public health emergencies
  • Fire, flood, or other major incidents

If such circumstances arise, we will:

  • Notify you as soon as reasonably possible
  • Use reasonable efforts to minimise the impact
  • Resume performance as soon as reasonably possible

If the delay continues for more than 30 days, either party may terminate the Contract by written notice, and you will pay for all work completed to date.

15. Intellectual Property

All designs, drawings, specifications, and other documents we create remain our intellectual property, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

You may use such documents only for the purposes of the Works and not for any other purpose without our written consent.

We retain the right to use photographs of completed work for marketing and promotional purposes, unless you specifically request otherwise in writing.

16. Data Protection

We will process your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection legislation, including the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

We may use your information to:

  • Provide and manage our services
  • Communicate with you about your project
  • Process payments
  • Comply with legal obligations
  • Send you marketing communications (with your consent)

For full details of how we handle your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.

17. Complaints Procedure

If you have any concerns or complaints about our services, please contact us immediately:

We will:

  • Acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days
  • Investigate thoroughly
  • Provide a response within 14 working days
  • Work with you to resolve any issues

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may refer the matter to an alternative dispute resolution scheme or seek independent legal advice.

18. Third Parties

We may engage subcontractors or third-party suppliers to assist with the Works. We remain responsible for their work and will ensure they are competent and appropriately insured.

We will coordinate with other trades (e.g., electricians, plumbers) where necessary, but we are not responsible for their work unless we have specifically agreed to manage or warrant it.

You are responsible for:

  • Obtaining any necessary consents from neighbours, landlords, or other third parties
  • Any costs or delays arising from third-party requirements or restrictions

19. General Provisions

Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with the accepted Quotation, constitute the entire agreement between us and supersede all previous agreements and understandings.

Variations: Any variations to these Terms must be agreed in writing and signed by both parties.

Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

Waiver: Failure by either party to enforce any right under these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that right.

Assignment: You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under the Contract without our written consent. We may assign or subcontract the Works with your consent (not to be unreasonably withheld).

Notices: All notices must be in writing and sent to:

  • To Us: B. Thompson Joinery Ltd, 55 Bonnybridge Drive, Edinburgh, EH15 3FB or by email to info@bthompsonjoinery.com
  • To You: The address or email address provided when accepting the Quotation

Governing Law: These Terms are governed by the laws of Scotland and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish courts.

20. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us:

B. Thompson Joinery Ltd

21. Your Statutory Rights

These Terms do not affect your statutory rights as a consumer. For more information about your statutory rights, please contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or visit the Citizens Advice website.