Terms and Conditions

1. Definitions

In these terms and conditions:

• "Company" means Shading Places, 7 Owen Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 9GF.
• "Customer" means the person(s) who places an order with the Company.
• "Goods" means the shutters, blinds, or other products as described on the Company's quotation form and any annexed specification sheet(s).
• "Working day" means Monday to Friday inclusive, excluding bank holidays in England and Wales.

Nothing in these terms and conditions will affect the Customer's statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 or any other applicable legislation.

2. Quotations & Orders

All prices referred to by the Company on its quotation form are valid for 30 days from the date of issue, unless otherwise stated in writing.

The Customer may place an order accepting the Company's quotation by:

1. Signing the customer declaration on the Company's quotation form (or confirming acceptance in writing, including by email); and
2. Paying to the Company the agreed deposit payment.

3. Right to Cancel

To exercise the right to cancel, the Customer must inform the Company by a clear written statement (e.g. a letter sent by post or email). The Customer may use the Cancellation Notice at the foot of these terms. It is recommended that cancellation by post be sent by recorded delivery.

If the Customer has requested that work begins within the 14-day cancellation period, the Customer will be liable for reasonable costs already incurred by the Company up to the point of cancellation.

Refunds will be processed within 14 days of the Company receiving notice of cancellation, using the same payment method originally used unless otherwise agreed.

4. Technical Survey

Once the Customer has placed an order, the Company will arrange for a technical survey to be carried out at the Customer's premises. If the survey shows that for any reason it is not possible for the goods to be installed, the Company will provide a full explanation to the Customer and will have the right to cancel the order, in which case it will refund all payments made by the Customer.

If the survey shows that installation is possible but the Company's costs will be higher than originally quoted, the Company will explain the reasons and provide a revised quotation. The Customer may then either:

1. Accept the revised price and proceed with the order; or
2. Cancel the order, in which case the Company will refund all payments made by the Customer.

5. Cancellation After the Cooling-Off Period

After the 14-day cooling-off period, the Company will have incurred costs including the technical survey and the manufacture of bespoke goods. If the Customer cancels the order after this period, the Company will be entitled to recover reasonable compensation for losses incurred, which may be deducted from payments already made by the Customer. The Company will provide a breakdown of these costs upon request.

6. Installation Timescales

The Company will progress the Customer's order as quickly as reasonably possible. Estimated dates for installation are provided in good faith but are not guaranteed. The Company will keep the Customer informed of any significant delays and will not be liable for failure to meet estimated dates.

7. Customer Obligations

The Company requires the Customer's co-operation to carry out the technical survey and installation. In particular:

1. The Customer must not alter any features of the premises as confirmed on the quotation form. Any changes may result in the Company being unable to carry out the installation or incurring additional costs, which will be added to the price.
2. The Customer is responsible for providing access to the site and a clear working area, with movable furniture, plants, ornaments, blinds, curtains and similar items removed from the immediate working area.
3. The Customer (or their appointed representative) must be present during the technical survey and installation to agree specifications and provide any instructions or assistance reasonably required.
4. The Customer is responsible for obtaining any planning permissions, consents, or approvals required for the installation.
5. The Customer is responsible for providing a safe and suitable electricity supply. The Company will not undertake any alterations to the mains circuitry.

If the Customer fails to comply with these obligations, preventing the Company from carrying out its survey or installation, the Company will be entitled to charge a reasonable call-out fee. The same charge applies if the Customer postpones an appointment without giving at least 3 working days' notice.

8. Payment Terms

The price of the goods is payable as follows:

• Deposit: 25% of the total price is payable on placing the order.
• Balance: The remaining 75% is payable on completion of installation, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Payment may be made by bank transfer, debit card, or credit card. Cheques require 5 working days to clear; card payments are considered cleared immediately.

If installation is delayed by the Customer, the balance becomes payable on receipt of the Company's invoice regardless of installation status.

Interest will be charged on any overdue amount at the Bank of England base rate plus 4% per annum, calculated daily.

The Company reserves the right to carry out credit checks where it deems necessary.

9. Non-Payment & Recovery

If the Customer becomes insolvent or fails to pay any overdue amount within 10 working days of a written reminder, the Company reserves the right to recover the goods. The Company will not be responsible for making good any damage to the Customer's property resulting from the removal of goods.

10. Product Specifications & Important Notices

1. Samples: Samples shown are for demonstration purposes only. The final specification will be as agreed with the Company's representative at the technical survey.
2. Colour matching: Due to the nature of the manufacturing process, exact colour matching against samples cannot be guaranteed. Minor colour variations may occur between items from different batches but will not affect functionality. The Company takes all reasonable care to minimise such variations.
3. Natural materials: Where goods are made from natural products, minor imperfections not readily apparent at a distance of two metres under normal lighting will not be accepted as defects.
4. Sunlight: The Company cannot guarantee goods against shade change caused by exposure to sunlight.
5. Reporting faults: The Customer must notify the Company of any faults or problems as soon as reasonably practicable after discovery.
6. Working area: The Company accepts no liability for damage to movable objects not removed from the working area as required under Section 7(ii).
7. Force majeure: The Company will not be liable for any delay or failure caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to illness or injury of surveyors or installers, supply chain disruption, extreme weather, or government restrictions.

11. Window Shutter Specifications

1. Dimensional tolerances: Overall dimensions are subject to a tolerance of ±2mm. Goods within this range will not be considered defective. Warp on any component shall not exceed 1mm per 300mm.
2. Recommended panel sizes: Panels over 1800mm in height should have a divider rail. Single-hung panel widths should not exceed 890mm. Double-hung panels should not exceed 660mm. Overall panel height should not exceed 3000mm. The Company may exceed these at the Customer's request, but accepts no liability for issues arising from doing so.
3. Tracking clearance: Where shutter tracking is used, there will be an operating clearance of approximately 20mm between the bottom of the panel and the floor or sill. There will also be clearance between the top of the panel and the fascia plate, which may allow some light infiltration.
4. Squareness of openings: Shutters are manufactured square and true. If the Customer's window openings are not perfectly square or level, this may become more apparent after installation. It is not the Company's responsibility to level shutters to openings that are not true as measured by a spirit level.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by law, the Company shall not be liable for:

1. Loss of anticipated profits, revenue, savings, or goodwill;
2. Lost earnings, time off work, or other inconvenience;
3. Any indirect or consequential loss.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits the Company's liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law.

Installation depends on the Customer's property being structurally sound. The Company will use reasonable care to identify defects during the survey, but hidden defects may not be identifiable. If a hidden defect is discovered during installation, the Company will be unable to continue until the Customer has rectified it. The Company will not be liable for injury or damage caused by hidden defects that could not reasonably have been identified.

13. Warranty

This warranty is subject to the following conditions:

• The Company must be given the opportunity to inspect the goods before any warranty claim is accepted.
• The warranty does not cover defects arising from fair wear and tear, accident, misuse, moisture damage, mould, neglect, or interference by the Customer or any third party.
• Any unauthorised alterations or modifications to the goods will invalidate the warranty.
• For goods installed in commercial premises, the warranty is limited to 12 months from the date of installation.

14. Data Protection

The Company collects and processes personal data in accordance with UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. For full details of how we handle your data, please see our Privacy Policy.

15. Complaints

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the goods or our service, please contact us as soon as possible:

• Phone: 07827 964 707
• Email: steve@shadingplaces.co.uk
• Post: Shading Places, 7 Owen Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 9GF

We aim to acknowledge complaints within 2 working days and to resolve them within 14 working days. If we are unable to resolve your complaint to your satisfaction, you may refer the matter to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider. Further information about ADR is available from the Citizens Advice Bureau at citizensadvice.org.uk.

16. Governing Law

These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Cancellation Notice

Contact

If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, please contact us:

Shading Places
7 Owen Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 9GF
Phone: 07827 964 707
Email: steve@shadingplaces.co.uk