Consumer rights are not excluded. Nothing in these terms removes or restricts statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded, including the requirement that consumer services are carried out with reasonable care and skill.
1. Contract formation
A website enquiry, telephone conversation, WhatsApp message, site visit or estimate does not by itself create a construction contract. A contract normally arises when the customer accepts our written quotation/scope and we confirm acceptance or commence the agreed work.
2. Quotations and estimates
A quotation is based on the information and reasonably visible site conditions available when prepared. An estimate is an approximate indication of anticipated cost and is not a guaranteed fixed price. Anything not expressly included should not be assumed to be included. Unless stated otherwise, quotations remain open for acceptance for 30 days.
3. Deposits and payment
Where a deposit or staged payment is required, the amount and due dates will be stated in the quotation/invoice. Deposits may be used to reserve labour, purchase materials and cover legitimate pre-start costs. If an undisputed payment is overdue, we may give notice and, where lawful and reasonable, suspend further work until payment is made.
4. Variations
Changes requested after work begins may affect price and completion time. Significant additional work should, where practicable, be confirmed in writing by quotation, variation order, email or WhatsApp before it is carried out.
5. Hidden conditions
Additional cost or time may arise where work reveals conditions that could not reasonably have been identified beforehand, including concealed structural defects, rotten timber, unsafe services, unstable ground, undocumented utilities, damp, asbestos or contamination. We will normally discuss significant additional work before proceeding unless urgent safety action is reasonably necessary.
6. Customer responsibilities
The customer must provide safe and reasonable access, disclose known restrictions/defects, protect or remove vulnerable belongings when requested, keep children/pets away from work areas and obtain permissions allocated to the customer under the quotation.
7. Permissions and approvals
Responsibility for planning permission, Building Regulations approval, structural design, landlord/freeholder consent, Party Wall matters and other approvals will be as stated in the quotation. Unless expressly included, the customer remains responsible for obtaining approvals allocated to them.
8. Programme and delays
Start dates and durations are based on circumstances reasonably known at the time. Weather, drying times, hidden defects, customer variations, inspections, supplier shortages, access restrictions, utility failures and events outside reasonable control may affect the programme.
9. Materials
Natural materials such as timber, brick, stone, tiles and paving may vary in colour, grain, shade, pattern and texture. Minor natural variation is not necessarily a defect. Where a specified product becomes unavailable, we will discuss a reasonably comparable alternative where practicable.
10. Customer-supplied items
If the customer supplies materials/products, the customer is responsible for ensuring they are suitable, complete and available on time unless we expressly agree otherwise. Additional labour caused by unsuitable, damaged or incomplete customer-supplied items may be chargeable.
11. Subcontractors
We may use appropriately selected specialist trades or subcontractors to carry out parts of the work, while remaining responsible for our contractual obligations where required by law.
12. Existing property and concealed services
We take reasonable care around existing property and services. Customers should disclose known concealed pipes, cables, drains and other services. We are not responsible for pre-existing defects or concealed conditions that could not reasonably have been identified before work commenced.
13. Waste, making good and decoration
Waste removal, making good and decoration are included only where stated in the quotation. Construction work may cause reasonable dust, vibration and localised making-good requirements.
14. Snagging and defects
Customers should notify us promptly of alleged defects or incomplete items and allow reasonable access for inspection. Where we are responsible, we should normally be given a reasonable opportunity to rectify the issue before another contractor is instructed, except where urgent action is reasonably necessary.
15. Cancellation rights
Where a qualifying consumer contract is concluded online, by telephone or away from business premises, statutory cancellation rights may apply. If you expressly request work to begin during an applicable cancellation period, you may be required to pay a proportionate amount for work properly supplied before cancellation. See the Cancellation Notice.
16. Liability
Nothing excludes liability where exclusion would be unlawful, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud/fraudulent misrepresentation or non-excludable statutory consumer rights. Subject to law, we are not responsible for losses that were not reasonably foreseeable when the contract was made or losses caused solely by inaccurate customer information/instructions.
17. Project photographs and website imagery
Site photographs may be retained for project records in accordance with our privacy and retention policies. Gallery visuals on this website that are not identified as an actual Cressel project are illustrative design/project inspiration and must not be interpreted as a representation that Cressel completed the pictured property.
18. Website information
Website descriptions, photographs and examples are general information only. Individual projects vary according to site conditions, specification, materials, budget, customer requirements and regulatory requirements. Website content is not a binding quotation.
19. Complaints
Please raise concerns as soon as reasonably possible. Contact Cressel Construction Services on 07365 938630 or WhatsApp +44 7365 938630. We will aim to investigate and give both parties a reasonable opportunity to resolve the matter.
20. Governing law
These terms are intended to be governed by the law of England and Wales, subject to mandatory consumer protections and jurisdiction rights that apply to the customer.
21. Severability and entire agreement
If a provision is unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue so far as legally possible. The accepted quotation, incorporated specification, these terms and agreed written variations form the contractual record.
These website terms are a general starting point and are not a substitute for project-specific contractual documentation or advice from a qualified UK solicitor.