Company”, “We”, “Us”, “Our”

Refers to Essex Landscaping & Paving Ltd.

 

“Client”, “You”, “Your”

The person or organisation instructing us to carry out works.

 

“Contract”

The agreement between the Client and the Company, including the quotation, specification sheets, method statements, warranties and these Terms & Conditions.

 

“Works”

All labour, services, and installation activities carried out by the Company.

 

“Specification Sheets / Installation Specifications”

The detailed installation methods and standards provided for each service. These documents form a binding part of the contract.

 

“Practical Completion”

When the Works are completed except for minor snagging items.

 

“Substantial Completion”

When the Works are fit for intended use and the warranty period begins.

 

SECTION B — FORMATION OF CONTRACT

    1.    By accepting a quotation, paying a booking fee, or instructing works, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

    2.    All installation specification sheets (porcelain, resin, block paving, fencing, decking, brickwork, turf, etc.) are legally incorporated into this agreement.

    3.    In case of contradiction, these Terms & Conditions override verbal instructions.

 

SECTION C — QUOTATIONS, VARIATIONS & EXTRA WORK

    1.    Quotations are valid for 90 days unless stated otherwise.

    2.    Prices are based on visible conditions.

    3.    The Company reserves the right to charge additional fees for:

• Hidden rubble, concrete, roots or underground obstructions

• Ground instability or clay heave

• Extra excavation depth required

• Access restrictions

• Additional skips or haulage

• Customer-requested changes

• Drainage requirements not visible before excavation

    4.    All variations must be agreed verbally or in writing and are chargeable.

 

SECTION D — PAYMENT TERMS

    1.    A non-refundable £250 booking fee is required to secure a start date.

    2.    Payment schedule is outlined in the quotation.

    3.    Final balance is due on the day of completion.

    4.    Late payments incur 4% interest per month.

    5.    Materials remain the property of the Company until paid for in full.

    6.    Non-payment allows the Company to:

• Suspend work

• Remove unused materials

• Recover legal costs

 

SECTION E — CANCELLATION POLICY

    1.    If the Client cancels after accepting the quote, a 25% cancellation fee of the total contract value applies.

    2.    If materials were already purchased, the Client must pay their full cost.

    3.    If work has begun, all labour and materials to date become due immediately.

 

SECTION F — DELAYS & FORCE MAJEURE

 

The Company is not responsible for delays caused by:

    •    Weather (rain, frost, snow, heat, storms)

    •    Supplier delays

    •    Material shortages

    •    Access restrictions

    •    Customer delays or withheld instructions

    •    Events beyond our control (force majeure)

 

If delays occur, labour may be moved to other sites. Re-start charges may apply.

 

SECTION G — SITE CONDITIONS & UNDERGROUND HAZARDS

    1.    The Client must advise of any underground utilities or hazards.

    2.    The Company is not liable for damage to hidden services not disclosed in writing.

    3.    Extra charges apply if obstructions prevent normal installation.

    4.    Work may be refused if the site is unsafe.

 

SECTION H — MATERIALS & NATURAL PRODUCT DISCLAIMER

    1.    Natural stone, timber, sleepers, and aggregates vary in colour, texture, size, porosity and pattern.

    2.    These characteristics are not defects.

    3.    Timber may twist, warp, split or change colour due to weather.

    4.    Efflorescence in bricks, blocks, concrete and mortar is natural and not a defect.

    5.    Variations in composite products (batch colour, plank tolerance) are manufacturer-controlled and not covered by workmanship warranty.

 

SECTION I — CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Client must:

    1.    Provide access, parking, power, and water.

    2.    Remove obstacles, furniture, and stored materials.

    3.    Keep pets and children away from the working area.

    4.    Protect adjoining surfaces and property.

    5.    Follow all aftercare instructions provided.

    6.    Maintain:

• Turf (watering, mowing)

• Resin (cleaning, drainage)

• Porcelain (joint care, sealing where advised)

• Decking (cleaning, oiling for timber)

• Fencing (maintenance to prevent rot)

    7.    Keep drainage channels clear.

    8.    Not allow third parties to modify works — this voids warranty.

 

All installation work will be carried out in accordance with the Essex Landscaping & Paving Ltd Specification Sheets for each service. These Specification Sheets form a binding part of the contract and outline the required construction depths, materials, installation methods and best-practice standards for: patios, driveways, brickwork, decking, fencing, turfing and all other services provided.

 

 

SECTION J — WORKMANSHIP WARRANTY (3 YEARS)

 

Covers:

    •    Installation-related structural failure

    •    Sub-base failure due to workmanship

    •    Movement caused by incorrect installation

    •    Loose slabs/boards caused by poor bonding

    •    Faulty fixings or alignment issues

 

Warranty starts at substantial completion.

 

SECTION K — EXCLUSIONS (NO WARRANTY)

 

No warranty applies to:

    •    Natural turf (perishable product)

    •    Ground movement, soil shrinkage/expansion

    •    Clay heave

    •    Weather damage (frost, storms, heat)

    •    Customer misuse or lack of maintenance

    •    Third-party alterations

    •    Chemical damage, pressure-washing damage

    •    Wildlife, pet damage

    •    Efflorescence

    •    Material defects (manufacturer warranty only)

 

SECTION L — SERVICE-SPECIFIC INSTALLATION CONDITIONS

 

Each service is installed strictly according to the relevant specification sheet.

Below is the legal summary:

 

1. Porcelain Patios (BSI Compliant)

    •    Full wet bed 20–30mm

    •    SBR additive mandatory

    •    Primer slurry mandatory

    •    Expansion joints required every 4–5m

    •    Falls required 1:60–1:80

    •    No responsibility for ground movement

    •    No responsibility for grout cracking caused by movement

 

2. Natural Stone Patios

    •    Full wet bed

    •    Priming mandatory

    •    Joint width 10–15mm

    •    Stone variations not defects

    •    No warranty for natural colour changes or weathering

 

3. Block Paving

    •    MOT Type 1 installed in correct layers

    •    Kiln dried sand required

    •    No responsibility for efflorescence

    •    Settlement caused by ground conditions excluded

 

4. Resin Bound Driveways

    •    Installed on appropriate base

    •    Falls required for drainage

    •    No warranty for cracking due to movement

    •    UV-stable resin only guarantees colour, not structural ground issues

 

5. Concrete Imprint Driveways

    •    No vehicles for 5–7 days

    •    Reseal every 2–3 years

    •    Cracks caused by weather or ground movement excluded

 

6. Artificial Grass

    •    No warranty on wear, pet damage, burns or misuse

    •    Sand infill recommended

    •    Sub-base movement excluded

 

7. Natural Turf

    •    No warranty after installation

    •    Customer must water turf adequately

    •    All drying/shrinkage/disease/weather damage excluded

 

8. Composite Decking

    •    Installed with required expansion gaps

    •    Board movement due to temperature is normal

    •    Manufacturer warranty covers product, not installation

 

9. Timber Decking

    •    Timber may split, warp or fade

    •    Requires ongoing oiling/sealing

    •    Weathering not covered

 

10. Composite Fencing

    •    Expansion clearances required

    •    Storm/wind damage not covered

    •    Posts must not be modified after installation

 

11. Timber Fencing

    •    Timber is a natural product — movement expected

    •    Rot due to lack of maintenance excluded

    •    Storm/wind damage excluded 

 

12. Brick Walls & Foundations

    •    Natural settlement is not covered

    •    Retaining walls over 1m may require engineer

    •    Efflorescence not covered

 

SECTION M — LIABILITY LIMITATIONS

 

The Company is not liable for:

    •    Indirect or consequential loss

    •    Loss of income, profits or business

    •    Damage caused by pre-existing weaknesses

    •    Customer negligence or misuse

    •    Delays outside our control

 

Maximum liability is limited to the value of the contract.

 

SECTION N — DISPUTE RESOLUTION

    1.    Client must provide written notice of issues within 7 days.

    2.    The Company will inspect and provide a remedy where appropriate.

    3.    If unresolved, disputes may be escalated to mediation or small-claims court.

 

SECTION O — JURISDICTION

 

These Terms & Conditions are governed by UK law, and all disputes fall under the jurisdiction of UK Courts.