Terms and Conditions Scope of Works, Expectations, Misconceptions.

Scope of Works, Dispelling Misconceptions and Myths, Terms and Conditions, and Expectations

Last Amended: 9th July 2023

This document is designed to be simple, straight to the point, and factual. Please do not take offense if some wording is quite direct, as no offense has been intended. - Paul.

Note: These terms are for domestic homeowners and are not intended for business-to-business (B to B) use, which would have more specific agreements in place. However, the principles outlined here would still largely be applicable.

Quotes (FREE to Attend Site, Look at Works, and Send Quote)

For most small works, we will send you a quote in the form of an email. This helps speed up the quoting process. If you require a formal quote, we can accommodate that, but it may take a few days longer to process, and it will be sent by Xero via email. For most works, we aim to provide a quote within 24 hours (same day). More involved quotes may take several days.

You can accept a quote within 1 month of its date of receipt.

Each item on the quote will have its own separate price. This means you are free to add or remove items and adjust the cost easily, giving you great flexibility. It also means we do not need to re-quote for every change, which is especially useful for rewires or new builds.

Some items on a quote may not be removable, particularly those related to safety, electrical testing, certification, or core parts required to complete the job.

The installation price, as quoted, is based on a continuous working period. If circumstances beyond our control necessitate a split in the program, we reserve the right to charge for additional time incurred, though all charges in line with the law must be reasonable.

If additional works are required due to exceptional circumstances not reasonably foreseeable or if a customer requests specification changes, an estimate will be provided based on the installer's hourly or daily rate.

Distribution Network Operator costs (DNO) or our time needed to liaise with the DNO are not included in this quote.

We make no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the suitability of the systems outlined in a quote for future additions or alterations by other tradesmen. We accept no liability for any use other than the purposes for which it was intended on completion or change of use at a later date.

Prices are based on current market prices and are valid for 30 days, after which we reserve the right to revise them. Where goods are supplied, delivery/transport to the site is included and will be arranged at your convenience.

If additional works are required due to exceptional circumstances not reasonably foreseeable or if you, the customer, request specific changes, an extras invoice will be issued on top of this quotation or estimation.

Estimates (FREE to Attend Site, Look at Works, and Send Estimate)

As a rule, we always try to provide a quote for work to give assurance that the price will not fluctuate and leave you with unexpected costs. However, sometimes this simply isn't possible, for example, if we are spending time fault-finding or if we take over a job that another electrician started. In such cases, we may have to estimate the costs and/or offer an hourly or day rate to give a ballpark figure of the cost.

The installation price, as quoted, is based on a continuous working period. If circumstances beyond our control necessitate a split in the program, we reserve the right to charge for additional time.

Distribution Network Operator costs (DNO) or our time needed to liaise with the DNO are not included in this quote.

We make no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the suitability of the systems outlined in an estimate for future additions or alterations by other tradesmen. We accept no liability for any use other than the purposes for which it was intended on completion or change of use at a later date.

Yes, we are. Our VAT no is 122325949.

I don't like paying VAT; other electricians don't charge me VAT? The VAT threshold is currently £85,000.00 (correct as of 2023). All businesses MUST charge VAT with a turnover exceeding this by law. Non-VAT charging electricians still charge you VAT elements within their price, on materials for example. They do not add VAT on labor, so this is the main difference. We started out in business non-VAT registered, but as you progress and work increases, you become VAT registered; it's a natural progression. You pay VAT on most purchases anyway, perhaps without the awareness of it, for example, on petrol and clothes.

Plans and Relevant Information

Please hand us any plans you have in relation to proposed works, kitchen plans, etc. This helps us give you a more accurate price. If you haven't provided sufficient information, it can cause problems at a later stage. Please make us aware of any and all relevant information. We cannot be held responsible for mistakes that arise from verbal instructions, so please get things written down. It does not have to be elaborate, just simple, understandable, and verifiable at a later stage if needed. Email is a fantastic tool for this purpose.

Changes to the Plan

Minor additions and changes can usually be agreed simply by adding on the additional component part of the job, charging the same as a like-for-like item on the quote, such as an additional socket. However, major alterations like new circuits will need to be quoted as a separate job. This could mean an additional site visit and requote, which will take time, and additional works may not be able to be carried out straight away. We may need to book in again in the future, as the time scale for the quoted job will probably be exceeded. All these points can be discussed as and when they arise.

Electricians are Expensive (£££)

Danger Electrical installation should be expensive. Electricians are highly qualified persons undertaking a dangerous job with danger and risk both to themselves and clients, public, pets, livestock, and property. The 2 main risks are 1: electric shock/death and 2: fire. Seriously, you want, and need, someone who knows what they are doing and takes their job seriously. Electricians who know what they are doing save you money.

Technical

The other aspect of this is the technical, training, and paperwork side. We, as electricians, are constantly being updated on regulation changes to BS7671. We have forms we have to fill in for certain work types, such as EV charge points for OLEV, DVLA, and ENA/WPD. We have notifications we have to do to building control for Part P, electrical certificates, smoke alarm certificates, landlord safety certificates, risk assessments, method statements, ongoing site assessments, zoom meetings, CPD, etc. The paperwork side is getting more and more detailed all the time, and this impacts on final costs. We have access to technical support when we need it from a range of sources, for example, manufacturers of products.

Test of Time

A properly installed electrical installation will stand the test of time and will be an invaluable asset. This saves you money in the future, minimizing breakdowns.

Look for Ways to Save

We try to look for ways that will save you money in the long term. This may mean a bigger upfront spend now. However, it is more cost-effective to get things right the first time than to add something later on. For example, if you're rewiring a house, it's far cheaper to install enough sockets before all the decorating, making good, carpets, and furniture are fitted than to think later on "if only I had more sockets."

There are so many factors that go into what an electrician does, and it's not just about this job today. What about aftercare and answering your questions? You want an electrician who is willing to return in the future and uphold their warranties, not just forever moving on to the next client for another quick buck.

If you think an electrician is expensive, try employing a bad one!

Tradesmen Do Not Like Small Jobs...

In many cases, this seems to be true; however, we do not mind. We will do any job, however small. Please bear in mind, relatively speaking, you will pay more for a small job compared to a big job, which can make small jobs seem expensive. We would urge customers to group as many small jobs together and get them all done together; this will help us and you keep costs down.

We prefer to be open and honest and simply say yes, we will charge the appropriate amount for small jobs to warrant our time. I think other traders just avoid having this potentially awkward conversation with clients and quit doing small jobs altogether. Ultimately, it boils down to the economy of scale; if you buy a one-off item, it will cost more per item than bulk buying, it's the same sort of thing.

Payment Terms

In most cases, we take money up front of 50%. We would appreciate payment as soon as possible on completion for the full amount.

If we require any money up front, it's usually to pay for materials, and we will state this amount on the quote, usually 50%.

You can pay by:

BACS bank transfer - our preferred method.

From the 1st April 2023, P.D. Electrical has become P.D. Electrical Services (SW) Ltd (company registration number 14688085).

Our new company UTR is: 8088305284

Our new bank details are as follows:

P.D. Electrical Services (SW) Limited

Account No: 63122138

Sort Code: 53-61-21

You can send a cheque to P.D. Electrical Services (SW) Ltd, 2b Portland Street, Ilfracombe, EX34 9NL.
You can pay by cash; however, we discourage this method for your protection and ours. We don't want to be carrying around quantities of cash in the van between jobs, and it's better for you that money you pay has traceability for any future reference.

We don't accept the following:

Card payment - we do not have the facility to accept payment by card. I feel this would add unnecessary cost to your invoice as vendors take a percentage cut for every payment made. Also, pulling a card machine out can make clients feel under pressure to pay there and then without having a reasonable grace period for inspecting and trying the work done.
We do not accept cash on the basis of undeclared income. Traders that do are doing you a disservice and putting you and your property and any home insurance at risk. So please do not ask me to reduce the cost of your invoice for a cash payment or to remove the VAT. Thank you for your understanding.

Unpaid Invoices

If our invoices are not paid within a reasonable amount of time (the due date will appear on the invoice, usually 7 to 14 days terms), then we will pursue them, however small, via reminders, debt collection, or small claims court, and thereafter enforcement. Please be aware that reasonable additional charges may be added to outstanding balances. Court action is always a last resort.

If invoices are not paid in a reasonable time, then this can also affect your warranty on the job

Team

We currently have a team of 4 active vans and 5 team members on the road, including myself (Paul), Charlie, Ken, Ryan, and Ross. Occasionally, we may use an additional contractor named Nic, who operates with his own van.

VAT registered? We are also VAT registered and have a lockup with stocked spare equipment. This allows us to have supplies even during weekends when suppliers are closed, which is beneficial for call-out emergency jobs that require immediate spare parts.

Each team member undergoes rigorous training and ongoing performance evaluations, and all their progress and training records are documented for inspection by the NICEIC.

Each van is equipped with a computer that provides full access to our certification software, reducing delays in generating paperwork and certificates. However, we request a 7-day allowance for sending out certificates.

Back at our base, my wife, Marianne, handles invoicing, certificate generation, and accounts, including VAT-related matters.

Please allow 7 days turnaround time for certificates, as during busy periods, it may take some time to process and sign off each certificate.

Rubbish As licensed waste carriers, we can handle rubbish removal as part of the works. In most cases, we will include rubbish removal in the overall price.

We are required to send waste to our approved recycle center, Newbury Recycle Center on Pottington Road, Barnstaple, where it is weighed in. We cannot use the local council tip like our domestic clients.

Other Trades If possible, try to avoid scheduling our visit at the same time as other trades. Simultaneous work from multiple trades may lead to unproductive situations or conflicts in accessing certain areas. While we are happy to coordinate with other trades, it is best to stagger the appointments for smoother operations.

Power At some point during our work, it may be necessary to turn off your power. We will always provide notice before doing so and estimate the duration the power will be off. We cannot be held liable for any loss due to the temporary switch off and on of power or for resetting clocks on appliances.

In certain situations, we may discuss the possibility of providing alternative power sources like generators or batteries and inverters, depending on the project requirements and circumstances.

By default, we assume that we can use your electrical supply to power our equipment and charge our batteries for use during the job. If you have any objections to this, please inform us in advance so that we can make alternative arrangements, such as using a generator, or discuss any reimbursement, especially in the case of tenants in rented properties.

Protection To limit damage and dust getting on furniture and carpets, we will use appropriate protection measures such as carpet protectors, polythene, and antiknock sheets in work areas. Although every effort is made to protect your property, some dust may inevitably travel through the air and later settle on furniture. Please consider protecting or removing your property to your satisfaction.

Declaring Expensive Equipment or Property If we will be working near any unusually expensive or irreplaceable property, kindly inform us as it may affect our liability insurance. If possible, remove the item to reduce any risk of damage.

Moving Furniture While we do our best to accommodate moving furniture when necessary, we are electricians, not removal specialists. If furniture needs to be moved, please make arrangements for its removal. If you request us to move an item, we will ask you to empty its contents to avoid any potential damage. We will try our best to move items safely, but we cannot be held liable for any damage. We also reserve the right to refuse moving items if they pose too much risk or are too heavy.

Access Equipment We provide all necessary access equipment such as ladders and steps, but in some cases, we may need to use your equipment, such as loft ladders. We cannot be held liable for poorly maintained equipment owned by homeowners that causes injury or property damage.

Floors / Carpets While we will endeavor to lift and replace floorboards, chipboard, and carpets to access certain areas, we cannot be held responsible if floors or carpets do not lay back perfectly. In some cases, professional tradesmen may be needed to re-lay floorboards or carpets to achieve the desired finish.

Ceilings and Walls Repairs etc. As electricians, we are not skilled plasterers or decorators. When making chases or channels in walls or ceilings for cables or access points, we will make good to the best of our ability using appropriate products such as filler or cement. However, we cannot be held responsible for the final finish of walls, ceilings, wallpaper, or artex. In most cases, a final sanding and filling may be required, and other skilled tradesmen may be necessary to complete the decoration works to your satisfaction.

Building Regulations and Part P We strictly comply with building regulations, particularly Part P, which is the electrical part of the building regulations. We also adhere to other relevant building regulations, including Part M for accessibility and Part L for energy conservation.

NICEIC Registration As an Electrical Contractor, we are registered with a competent persons scheme, NICEIC, as a domestic installer, and our registration number is D113341.

While there is no legal requirement to be registered, our NICEIC registration offers customers peace of mind for the following reasons:

NICEIC inspects us and a sample of our work every 12 months.
NICEIC has the authority to require us to rectify any non-compliant work.
NICEIC provides a complaints procedure for customers to raise concerns.
NICEIC is the most widely recognized competent persons scheme in the UK.
NICEIC ensures that we have all necessary procedures, insurances, and paperwork in place.

RECC and MCS We are in the process of registering with the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

Asbestos If you know that your house contains asbestos, please inform us, and if you have an asbestos report, we would appreciate a copy for reference. Our team undergoes asbestos training and awareness courses annually to stay updated on safety practices.

Regs BS7671: as amended 2020 We adhere to the regulations referred to as BS7671 2018, as amended, including any updates such as amendments 1 and 2. Complying with these regulations is essential to stay legally compliant and ensures the best practices for electrical installations in the UK, following the IET Wiring Regulations 18th edition.

Typical Installation Components

Downlighters: We supply and install KSR LED 8.8Watt/10Watt cool white/warm white with any color bezel of your choice. Our standard downlighters are fire-rated, complying with regulations.
Extractor Fans: We prefer to use high-quality extractor fans with high extraction rates. Our preferred option is the Vortex in-line 4-inch fan in loft ducting leading to external venting via the soffit or wall. For ceiling or wall-mount fans, we favor the Icon 15 timer model. Timer fans must have a minimum set point of 15 minutes as per regulations and should have a 3-pole fan isolator switch. If the fan appears to not work, check that the light has been turned on and the fan isolator is on.
Consumer Units: Our standard installation consumer unit includes a main switch, metal consumer unit, RCBOs on all circuits, and surge protection.

Consumer Units: Our standard consumer unit installation includes surge protection, but we do not fit AFDDs (arc fault devices) as standard due to their high cost. Rest assured, our consumer unit installations comply with the latest fire regulations.

Why Our Quote May Be Higher: If you receive a quote higher than that of another electrician, it's likely because we quote for Rcbos (residual current circuit breaker with overcurrent protection) instead of a dual RCD (residual current device) consumer unit. Trust me when I say that opting for anything other than an RCBO consumer unit is a false economy. In the near future, regulations may render dual RCDs and high integrity boards obsolete due to earth leakage issues with newer appliances and the rise in their usage.

Showers: We believe that Mira offers some of the best quality showers in the market. When wiring showers, we recommend a minimum 10mm cable size. We've encountered instances where a 6mm circuit was used for a new 9.5kw shower, which can overload the cable and lead to thermal damage and fire. High-power circuits like showers and cookers should only be installed by competent electricians, not plumbers.

Accessories: We use plain white switches and sockets from brands like Verve Hamilton, Verve, or Click. These accessories are of good quality, aesthetically pleasing, and relatively affordable. We advise against using very cheap brands, and double sockets should cost more than £1. Additionally, we like to use MK accessories, which are renowned for their quality and reliability, even though they come at a slightly higher cost than the standard options. For decorative accessories, we prefer CLICK's brushed chrome black insert range, especially in kitchen settings. While we are happy to install client-provided accessories, please note that we cannot provide a warranty for materials provided by clients.

Light Fittings: We are happy to install lights of your choice. If you opt for metal light fittings, it's essential to have an earth connection from the lighting circuit. In rare cases where older properties lack earth conductors on lighting circuits, there are three options: 1) fit only plastic or class 2 light fittings, 2) rewire the lighting circuit, or 3) run separate earth conductors.

EICR Condition Report Codings: We adhere to strict methods to determine defect codes for Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs). Codes are essential for identifying potential risks and safety issues. Please rest assured that we do not use codes to create more work, as this would be illegal and fraudulent. C1 and C2 defects must be fixed, while C3 defects are at the client's discretion. In our quotes, we usually only include C1, C2, and FI defects.

A single C1, C2, or FI defect will result in an UNSATISFACTORY outcome, while no C1, C2, or FI defects will lead to a SATISFACTORY outcome. It's essential to understand that a satisfactory EICR does not mean there are no possible faults or safety risks. Inspections are limited to what can be tested and accessed. For instance, a poor connection under the floor could pose a fire risk, but the inspector may not be able to detect such a fault.

Additional Notes: If you are a main contractor or subcontracting us for your project, please consider forwarding or incorporating this document into your own documentation for the benefit of the client.

This document is a work in progress, continually being reviewed, added to, and improved.

I hope this clarifies any questions you may have. However, if you require further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your continued support.

Kind regards and best wishes,

Paul

PDH Principle Duty Holder QS Qualified Supervisor Director

Lastly, I want to express my gratitude for your support. As a small local business, we truly appreciate your referrals to friends and family. If you need more business cards to share, please let us know, and we'll gladly provide them. Remember, we always try to show our appreciation for any additional business you bring our way.

If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to reach out to us at any time. Thank you again for your continued trust in our services.

Best regards,

Paul

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