Terms and Conditions
Welcome to A&C Groundworks!
Welcome to A&C Groundworks
Thank you for choosing A&C Groundworks Ltd. These terms and conditions set out the basis on which we provide our services.
By accepting a quotation, instructing works, making payment or allowing works to begin, the Client agrees to these terms unless different terms are agreed in writing.
1. General Information
1.1 A&C Groundworks Ltd is a family run business based in London, providing focused small to medium groundworks and external works.
1.2 Our usual scope includes site preparation, excavation, trenching, sub base preparation, paving, private drainage, concrete bases, slab works, shallow foundation preparation and external reinstatement.
1.3 A&C Groundworks Ltd does not provide civil engineering design, structural engineering design, planning consultancy, building control approval or specialist civil engineering services unless expressly agreed in writing.
1.4 Where specialist works are required outside our direct scope, these must be carried out by suitably qualified contractors or appointed specialists.
2. Services Offered
2.1 Our services may include, subject to agreed scope:
Site preparation and excavation
Trenching and ground preparation
Sub base preparation and compaction
Concrete bases and slab works
Shallow foundation preparation to drawings or specification
Private drainage works
Chambers, manholes and soakaways where specified
Paving, kerbing, edging and external reinstatement
Fencing, boundary works and small external making good where specified
Internal slab repair, drainage trenching and reinstatement where agreed
Subcontract labour and site support where suitable
2.2 A&C Groundworks Ltd does not undertake piling, tunnelling, underpinning, adopted highway works, live utility connections, public sewer connections, civil engineering design, structural engineering design or specialist sewage infrastructure unless suitably qualified appointed specialists are engaged for that specific scope.
2.3 Each project scope will be confirmed in writing by quotation, email, message, purchase order, work instruction or other agreed written communication before works begin.
2.4 Any work not included in the agreed scope will be treated as additional work and may be subject to further cost and programme adjustment.
3. Quotes, Payments & Procurement
3.1.1 Quotations are valid for 14 days unless otherwise stated.
3.1.2 Free quotes may be provided for straightforward works with a clear scope, such as paving, fencing, slab laying, concrete bases, basic private drainage works and external reinstatement.
3.1.3 Larger, phased or more complex works may require a quote preparation fee where detailed estimating, site review, staged pricing, quantity take offs or a full breakdown is required. This will be discussed before the quotation is prepared.
3.1.4 Quotations are based on the information available at the time of pricing. If site conditions, access, measurements, drawings, material prices or client requirements change, the quotation may need to be revised.
3.1.5 Unless stated otherwise, quotations may include labour, materials, plant, equipment, waste removal, delivery, parking, access arrangements and operational costs relevant to the agreed scope.
3.1.6 Any exclusions, assumptions or provisional sums will be stated where applicable.
3.2 Payment Terms
3.2.1 To secure the booking and allow materials, labour and scheduling to be arranged, staged payments may be required.
3.2.2 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment stages may include:
Booking deposit due upon quote approval
Interim or mid stage payment at an agreed milestone
Final payment due on completion or before final handover
3.2.3 Payment terms will be stated on the quotation or invoice.
3.2.4 For smaller jobs, payment may be required within 3 days of invoice unless otherwise agreed.
3.2.5 For larger commercial works, payment terms will be agreed in writing before works begin.
3.2.6 Late or missed payments may result in works being paused until payment is received. Any delay, remobilisation cost, storage cost, material cost increase or programme impact caused by late payment may be chargeable.
3.3 Materials & Procurement
3.3.1 A&C Groundworks Ltd may source and supply materials required for the agreed works unless agreed otherwise.
3.3.2 Material costs are included in the quotation unless itemised separately or stated as provisional.
3.3.3 Where the Client supplies materials, the Client is responsible for ensuring those materials are suitable, available on time and delivered in the correct quantity.
3.3.4 Delays, defects, shortages or suitability issues caused by Client supplied materials are not the responsibility of A&C Groundworks Ltd and may result in additional charges.
3.3.5 Ordered materials, bespoke items, hire items, delivery charges and non refundable supplier costs may remain payable even if the Client cancels or changes the scope.
4. Client Responsibilities
4.1 The Client must provide:
Safe and clear access to the work area
Accurate site information
Relevant drawings, plans or specifications where available
Information about known underground services
Required permissions, approvals or licences
Parking, loading or access information
Any site rules, working restrictions or neighbour requirements
4.2 The Client is responsible for obtaining planning permission, building control approval, party wall agreements, landlord consent, freeholder consent, structural engineering details, utility provider approvals or other permissions unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing.
4.3 The Client must advise A&C Groundworks Ltd of any known risks, restrictions, underground services, fragile surfaces, hidden defects, drainage issues or access limitations before works begin.
4.4 Delays caused by lack of access, missing permissions, unclear instructions, undisclosed site conditions or Client supplied material issues may result in additional charges.
5. Contractor Responsibilities
5.1 A&C Groundworks Ltd will carry out the agreed works with reasonable skill and care.
5.2 Works will be carried out to the agreed scope, drawings, specification, RAMS and site requirements where applicable.
5.3 A&C Groundworks Ltd will aim to maintain a clean, safe and organised work area, communicate clearly and raise material site issues where they become apparent.
5.4 A&C Groundworks Ltd holds public liability insurance and employer’s liability insurance where applicable. Evidence is available on request.
5.5 RAMS and site documentation can be provided where required and relevant to the agreed scope.
6. Changes to Scope
6.1 Any change to scope, design, access, materials, measurements, working hours, site conditions or programme may affect cost and timescale.
6.2 Variations should be agreed in writing before the additional work proceeds where possible.
6.3 Where urgent or necessary works are required to make safe, prevent delay or respond to site conditions, A&C Groundworks Ltd will notify the Client as soon as reasonably possible.
6.4 Additional works, waiting time, remobilisation, extra labour, additional materials, plant hire, waste removal, parking or delivery costs may be charged where they fall outside the original agreed scope.
7. Cancellations & Refunds
7.1 Cancellations must be made in writing.
7.2 Booking deposits may be non refundable where labour has been reserved, materials have been ordered, plant has been arranged or other project costs have been incurred.
7.3 If cancellation takes place within 7 days of the agreed start date, A&C Groundworks Ltd may retain the deposit and recover any additional costs already incurred.
7.4 If works are cancelled after commencement, the Client will be charged for work completed, labour time, materials ordered, plant hire, supplier costs, waste costs and any other reasonable costs incurred up to the cancellation date.
8. Defects Guarantees & Liability
8.1 Any guarantee, warranty or defect period depends on the agreed scope, materials, ground conditions, existing structures and project type.
8.2 Any applicable guarantee or defect period will be confirmed in the quotation, invoice or project paperwork where applicable.
8.3 A&C Groundworks Ltd is not responsible for issues caused by:
Pre existing defects
Poor or unstable ground conditions not reasonably visible before works
Incorrect or incomplete information provided by the Client
Hidden or undisclosed underground services
Third party damage
Client supplied materials
Lack of maintenance
Wear and tear
Weather events, ground movement or water ingress outside our control
Works carried out by other contractors
Design, drawings, calculations or specification provided by others
8.4 A&C Groundworks Ltd is not liable for damage to unmarked, undisclosed or incorrectly located underground services.
8.5 Any concerns must be reported in writing as soon as reasonably possible, with photos and details of the issue.
9. Health, Safety and Site Conditions
9.1 A&C Groundworks Ltd will follow relevant site safety requirements, RAMS and safe working practices applicable to the agreed scope.
9.2 The Client must ensure the site is safe to access and must disclose known hazards before works begin.
9.3 If unsafe conditions are identified, A&C Groundworks Ltd may pause works until the issue is resolved.
9.4 Additional costs caused by unsafe access, hazardous conditions, undisclosed risks or required changes to working methods may be chargeable.
10. Disputes
10.1 We aim to resolve concerns through direct and respectful communication.
10.2 Any complaint should be raised in writing as soon as possible so that it can be reviewed properly.
10.3 If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, the parties may consider mediation, adjudication, arbitration, small claims or court action depending on the nature and value of the dispute.
10.4 These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
11. Use of Website
11.1 Website content is provided for general information only and does not constitute technical, engineering, legal or planning advice.
11.2 No website content may be copied, reproduced or used without prior written permission from A&C Groundworks Ltd.
11.3 Website enquiries do not form a contract until scope, price, programme and terms are agreed in writing.
12. Privacy
12.1 Personal data is handled in accordance with UK data protection laws.
12.2 Please refer to our Privacy Policy for further information.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 020 8067 8405