Terminology

Services means the electrical services that we are providing to the client as specified in the quotation. We, us, our and ourselves means LB Electrical Services. Client, you and your mean the person(s) or company to whom we are providing electrical services. First-fix means the installation, routing and preparation of cables, and the positioning and securing of accessory mounting boxes. Second fix means the connection of conductors to accessories such as sockets, switches, light fittings and switchgear such as consumer units. Second fix also includes the testing commissioning and certification of the installation.

Conditions

a) By accepting a quotation, whether verbally or in writing, the client thereby confirms to have read and understood our terms and conditions. The client also confirms to have accepted our terms and conditions and agrees to be bound by them. b) Any contract or agreement to carry-out electrical installation work made between the client and us shall be subject to these terms and conditions. Any revised terms and conditions put forward by the client shall not apply. c) All other terms and conditions which might be implied by conduct or from a previous contract, or by trade custom are excluded. d) No amendment or change shall be made to any of these conditions by the client. e) We reserve the right to change these terms and conditions at any time without prior notice. f) These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and are subject to the jurisdiction of the English Courts.

Quotations

A quotation is a fixed-price proposal that will not change, but which covers only the work as specified by the schedule of works as listed within the quotation. They are provided free of charge. (a) With the sole exception of Electrical Installation Condition Reports, we will not issue quotations to clients without having first arranged to visit the client's home, business premises or trade premises and made an assessment of the client's electrical installation as per the requirements of BS 7671:2018, and confirmed that the installation is in a safe condition for the work to proceed. (b) Quotations are made on the assumption that the work requested by the client is reasonably capable of being carried-out and that the client's electrical installation is in a safe condition and free from any known defects. If, however, during inspection or testing of the client's installation, or during the course of work being carried-out on the installation this is found in our professional opinion to not be the case, we will advise you to this effect as soon as is reasonably practicable. (c) Quotations are valid for 30 days only. (d) When a quotation for electrical installation work is accepted by the client, either in writing or verbally, an agreement is then established between the client and LB Electrical Services. (e) No addition or alteration will be made to, and no repair work will be undertaken on rubber insulated (VIR) or lead-covered cables. (f) This agreement will constitute a legally binding contract between both parties.

Basis of Quotations and Estimates

(a) Quotations are based on work being carried-out during our normal working hours of 08:30 - 17:30 Monday to Friday. Work that is carried-out during evenings and weekends or on bank holidays at the client's specific request will be charged for at a rate higher than our usual hourly rate. (b) Variations to quotations or additional work added by the client after a quotation has been accepted shall be charged separately on a time and materials basis. (c) Associated work required from other trades such as plasterers, plumber, joiners and carpet-fitters do not form part of any quotation, along with any charges for associated electrical work carried-out by electricity supply companies, distribution network organisations, or by local authorities. (d) While all reasonable care will always be taken, our quotations do not include incidental redecoration costs or remedial plastering. (e) Estimates are a guide price and provide only an indication of what the likely cost will be. (f) Free quotations are offered on the basis of the premises address being located within 10 miles of Coventry. Outside this area, the minimum fee applies. (g) Free quotations are offered on the understanding that no actual work will be carried out other than basic visual inspection. Fault finding is NOT included.

Cancellation

(a) After we have visited a client in their home or business premises to survey work, we will subsequently send a written quotation. Should the client then decide to accept the quotation and proceed with the work the client will be entering into an on-premises contract. (b) You have the right to cancel work and not have to pay anything only if you have not entered a contract with us. For off-premises contracts (e.g. where a quotation was accepted remotely), you have a 14-day cooling-off period from the date of acceptance. (c) If for any reason the client cancels the work prior to commencement we reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee of up to 25% of the quotation value to cover administration, survey and material costs. (d) Should you decide to cancel after work has commenced, we may ask you to pay a cancellation fee of up to 50% of the quotation value, plus the full cost of any materials already purchased.

Terms of Payment

(a) Unless otherwise specifically agreed, we will raise an invoice for immediate payment upon completion of the work. (b) Payment is required on any outstanding invoices prior to the continuation of any further works. (c) Where the contract period exceeds four weeks, invoices may be submitted on a weekly basis. (d) Should an invoice remain unpaid after seven days we will send reminders. If an invoice remains outstanding after thirty days we will then take immediate action to obtain payment, which may include: (i) sending a Letter Before Action, (ii) issuing court proceedings through the County Court, (iii) making a statutory demand, and (iv) claiming interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. (e) New clients may be asked to make an advance payment. (f) All goods supplied shall remain the property of LB Electrical Services until all sums due have been paid in full.

Pricing

(a) There is a minimum fee of £60, which covers the first hour's labour. (b) The normal hourly rate of £40/hr (£70/hr for electrician and assistant) applies for work done between 08:00 and 17:30, Monday to Friday. Work between 17:30 and 08:00 charged at 1.5x. Saturdays at 1.5x. Sundays and bank holidays at 2x. (c) Some services may be priced on a per item or price-per-point basis.

Consequential Loss or Damage

(a) We undertake to use reasonable skill and care. (b) We accept no liability whatsoever for any damage caused to furniture, fixtures and fittings which have had to be moved, including carpets and flooring that may need to be lifted or worked around. (c) We accept no responsibility for electrical accessories supplied by the client. (d) Our responsibility shall be limited to the fulfilment of the contract. (e) Where projects involve third-party trades, any damage caused remains the responsibility of the client. (f) Our public liability insurance covers our workmanship; however, we cannot accept liability for consequential loss arising from delays or from the failure of the electrical supply.

Warranty and Guarantee

(a) We shall pass to the client the benefit of manufacturer guarantees. (b) We undertake to repair or replace free of charge any materials or workmanship found to be defective within twelve months of completion, provided that any remedial work is carried-out exclusively by LB Electrical Services. (c) No warranty applies to items purchased and supplied by the client. (d) Liability for defective work is limited to the invoice value. (e) Any work carried-out by third parties or unauthorised persons on installations we have provided will invalidate the warranty.

Termination of Contract

We may terminate the contract should you fail to comply with your obligations within seven days of notification. We may also terminate the contract immediately if you are the subject of a petition for a bankruptcy order or become insolvent. Should the contract be terminated, you will remain liable for all sums due.

Complaints and Disputes

Complaints should be made in the first instance to the proprietor of LB Electrical Services in writing or by email. Complaints will be formally acknowledged within two working days. We will investigate and respond in full within five working days. If the client feels the problem has not been satisfactorily resolved, they may request the complaint be referred to NICEIC for arbitration. As a Which? Trusted trader we use Dispute Resolution Ombudsman for dispute resolution. Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights.

Building Control Notification (Part P)

Certain types of electrical installation work carried-out in dwellings may require Building Control notification. LB Electrical Services is registered to self-certify under the Competent Persons Scheme operated by the NICEIC. The cost of such notification is included and absorbed by us within the quotation.

Waste Removal

LB Electrical Services are not registered or licensed for the transportation of controlled waste. Removal of waste from clients' premises is the client's responsibility.

Asbestos

Should asbestos be discovered while work is being carried-out, we will cease work immediately and undertake a risk-assessment. If we are forced to cease work, the client will have the option of postponing or cancelling the work.

Dangerous Installations

(a) We will determine the condition of a client's electrical installation prior to commencement of work. (b) We reserve the right to cease work immediately in the event of defective or dangerous wiring being discovered, in accordance with Regulation 132.16 of BS 7671. (c) We will issue a Dangerous Electrical Installation Notice and, where required, notify the NICEIC of the danger. (d) The client will be advised that the installation must not be used until the danger has been remedied by a qualified electrician.

Consumer Unit Changeovers and Upgrades

(a) We will always inform you in advance if a replacement consumer unit is required. (b) We strongly advise an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) prior to installation of a consumer unit upgrade so that the existing installation can be fully assessed. (c) Should any dangerous condition be discovered during the work, the client will be advised that immediate remedial works are necessary. (d) A minimum charge applies for consumer unit changeovers which covers the initial survey, isolation and disconnection of the existing unit. (e) Where the existing consumer unit contains rewirable fuses, a full risk assessment will be carried out before work proceeds. (f) Where the installation contains PVC insulated cables with no circuit protective conductor (earth), we may advise that a full rewire is a safer alternative to a consumer unit upgrade.

Electrical Installation Condition Reports

(a) EICRs for domestic dwellings are priced on a flat-fee basis. (b) Properties with outbuildings incur an additional charge of £30 per outbuilding. (c) Portable appliance testing is £3 per item. (d) Non-domestic premises are quoted individually. (e) An EICR is a report on the condition of an installation at the time of testing. (f) An unsatisfactory rating does not entitle the client to withhold payment. (g) Additional charges may apply where: (i) circuits are inaccessible due to floorboards being covered, (ii) the consumer unit is in a restricted location, or (iii) extensive investigation is required to identify circuit arrangements.

Certificates

We will issue the relevant certificates within thirty days following completion of certifiable work. The following certificates may be issued depending on the nature of the work: (a) Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), (b) Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC), (c) Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), (d) Building Regulations Compliance Certificate (Part P), (e) NICEIC Domestic Installation Certificate. We reserve the right to withhold any or all certificates for unpaid work.

Client Participation

For safety and insurance reasons we will not under any circumstances permit clients to install or connect switchgear or any electrical accessories. An adult apprentice will often be on site as part of their training. LB Electrical Services is committed to training adult trainees to help them become professional electricians.