Mercia Handyman – Terms & Conditions

Last updated: 2 December 2025

1. Definitions

“Contractor” / “Company” refers to Mercia Handyman.
“Customer” refers to the individual(s) or organisation commissioning work from the Contractor.

2. Scope of Agreement

The Contractor agrees to carry out labour and/or supply materials as specified in the agreed scope of work. All services will be performed professionally and in accordance with accepted industry standards.

Service Quality & Consumer Rights: The Contractor agrees that all services will be performed with reasonable care and skill, and in compliance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (where applicable). The Contractor is committed to resolving any defects or issues in workmanship promptly, in line with the Warranty section of this agreement.

3. Deposits & Payments

Jobs valued at £300 or more require a minimum 25% deposit, payable via bank transfer or cash.
All material costs must be paid in advance.
Labour payments are preferred via bank transfer or cash. Cheques incur a 20% processing fee.
Final payment is due within 48 hours of job completion, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Late payments will incur interest at 1.5% per calendar day, added to the outstanding balance.

4. Access & Site Conditions

The Customer must provide access to the job site between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
If access is restricted, the Customer must give 48 hours’ notice. Failure to do so will incur a charge of £50 per man-hour and £0.30 per mile per vehicle.

5. Customer Responsibilities

The Customer must remove all non-large items from the work area. Items left behind will be moved by the Contractor at £10 per man-hour.
Large furniture (e.g. sofas, beds) will be moved by the Contractor at no charge unless otherwise specified.
The Contractor is not liable for damage to any items not removed or moved during setup.
For safety and insurance reasons, no unauthorised persons (including children, pets, other contractors) may enter the work area unless agreed in writing.
If third-party interference causes damage or delays, the Customer will be charged £50 per man-hour to rectify issues.

6. Waste & Debris Removal

Unless explicitly agreed in the scope of work, all waste, debris, and refuse generated by the job (including packaging, removed fixtures, or construction material) remains the responsibility of the Customer.
The Contractor will bag or consolidate waste neatly, but assumes no responsibility for its removal or legal disposal, and this price is not included in the quote. If the Customer requests removal, a separate, third-party quote will be provided for this service.

7. Cancellation & Customer Rights

The Customer may cancel the agreement within 72 hours of acceptance, provided the job start date is at least 14 calendar days away.
Cancellations must be submitted via email or text.
If cancelled within the allowed period, 100% of the deposit will be refunded within 10 business days.
Cancellations after the 72-hour window will result in a 10% retention of the labour cost, plus any non-refundable materials (e.g. mixed paints).

8. Change Orders & Delays

Any changes to the scope of work must be agreed in writing or via email.
Additional work will be charged separately and must be approved by the Customer before commencement.
Timeframe as Estimates: Any stated start or completion dates are estimates only, and time is not of the essence for the performance of this agreement, unless expressly agreed upon in writing and signed by both parties.
If the Contractor arrives on-site and is unable to proceed due to Customer-related delays, a £250 minimum charge applies.
If a return visit is required to complete the job, a £200 minimum charge applies.
These charges may be waived if confirmed notice is given at least 48 hours in advance (via live conversation or timestamped message).
Exceptions apply for unforeseeable events (e.g. medical emergencies, bereavement, arson).
Hidden or Unforeseen Conditions: The Customer acknowledges that estimates are based on visible conditions. If the Contractor encounters unforeseen conditions (e.g., hidden water damage, structural defects, asbestos, or unmapped pipes/cables behind surfaces) that materially affect the scope or safety of the work, the Contractor will stop work immediately, notify the Customer, and issue a Change Order to cover the additional time and materials required to rectify the situation or make the area safe. The Contractor is not liable for any pre-existing conditions discovered during the course of the work.

9. Promotion & Advertising

The Customer grants permission for the Contractor to display signage during the job and use photographs for promotional purposes.
This clause is void if restricted by covenants or the Customer’s written request.

10. Inspection & Completion

Upon substantial completion, the Customer agrees to inspect the work with the Contractor.
Defects or outstanding items must be noted during this inspection, under normal lighting and viewing conditions, in line with industry standards.

11. Materials & Standards

All materials will be installed according to manufacturer specifications.
Workmanship will meet or exceed industry standards.
The Contractor is not liable for delays caused by material shortages or external disruptions (e.g. weather, theft, civil unrest).

12. Warranty

All materials will meet or exceed industry standards.
Product warranties will be passed to the Customer upon full payment.
Warranty claims must be made immediately upon discovery of defects.
The Contractor’s liability is limited to the original contract value.
The Contractor is not liable for failure of underlying substrates or previous coatings.
Failure to adhere to payment terms will void all warranties.

13. Painting-Specific Terms

All painting estimates include two coats of the specified product unless otherwise agreed.
If the Contractor supplies the paint, any additional coats required will be applied at no extra charge.
If the Customer supplies the paint, any additional coats required will be chargeable.
To avoid extra charges, Customers supplying paint are advised to use high-quality brands such as Dulux or Johnstones Trade.
Advice on suitable materials is available upon request.
All material prices are correct at the time of estimate but may be subject to change.

14. Exterior Work

Exterior work is scheduled assuming suitable weather conditions.
If weather prevents work from commencing, the job will be rescheduled at the earliest suitable opportunity.
The Contractor is not liable for delays due to adverse weather.

15. CCTV & Video Camera Installations

Cable Concealment: The standard price excludes chasing power cables into walls, running cables under floors, or installing decorative trunking to hide cables. This service can be quoted separately.
Specialised Electrical Work: The standard price excludes the installation of new electrical circuits, new external plug sockets, or installation/upgrade of a dedicated doorbell transformer if none is present (unless otherwise agreed).
Working at Height: The standard price assumes installation points are easily accessible using standard ladders or step ladders. It excludes the cost of hiring specialist equipment (e.g. scaffolding, tower) required for high-level work.
Hardware Malfunction: We are not responsible for the functionality or warranty of any customer-supplied devices.

16. Working at Height

All estimates assume installation points are easily accessible using standard ladders or step ladders.
The price excludes the cost of hiring specialist equipment (e.g. scaffolding, tower, cherry picker) required for high-level work.
If specialist access equipment is required, this will be quoted separately and must be approved by the Customer before work commences.

17. Legal & Governing Law

This agreement shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Any disputes shall be resolved through mediation before legal proceedings are considered.

18. Acceptance

By commissioning work from Mercia Handyman, the Customer acknowledges and agrees to these Terms & Conditions.