Terms & Conditions
1. Introduction
1.1 We are Erudite Emergency Plumbers Ltd, registered in England and Wales / Scotland under company number 17520605 at G1, 195 Wood Street, London, E17 3NU, trading as Erudite Plumbers (the Company, we, us, our).
1.2 These Terms and Conditions apply to all plumbing, heating, gas, drainage, and maintenance services provided by us to the Customer.
1.3 By requesting a quotation, booking an appointment, or permitting our engineers to commence work, you agree to this Agreement. If you do not agree, you must not instruct us to carry out Services.
2. Definitions
Agreement means these Terms and Conditions together with any written quotation or Service Agreement. Customer means any individual, homeowner, landlord, managing agent, or business entity aged 18 or over instructing the Company. Data Protection Legislation means applicable UK data protection and privacy laws, including UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and PECR 2003. Feedback means any review, rating, or public comment posted by a Customer. Service Agreement means any agreement reached by written contract, email, SMS, telephone, or verbal exchange. Services means all inspection, repair, installation, servicing, and emergency works carried out by our engineers.
3. Free Call-Outs, Inspections, and Quotations
3.1 We do not charge a call-out fee to attend your property and carry out an initial visual inspection.
3.2 Written quotations remain valid for 30 days unless withdrawn earlier. Quotes are based on visual inspection only and assume existing pipework, flues, and systems comply with current UK regulations.
3.3 The final price will not exceed the initial quote for the agreed scope. If concealed faults, corroded pipework, or separate issues are discovered, we will pause work, explain the variations, and obtain your approval before additional chargeable work.
4. Customer-Supplied Fixtures and Materials
4.1 We may install or repair customer-supplied fixtures and parts after inspection. We may refuse items that appear defective, incomplete, or non-compliant with UK Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations or Gas Safe standards.
4.2 We accept responsibility for our installation labour, but not for manufacturing defects, missing components, or failures inherent to Customer-supplied goods.
5. Site Access, Subcontractors, and Customer Obligations
5.1 You must provide safe, unobstructed access and reasonable access to water and electricity. Parking fees, permits, and congestion charges will be added to your invoice at cost.
5.2 If you fail to provide access for a confirmed visit without at least 24 hours notice, we may charge a reasonable abortive visit fee of £200.00.
5.3 Remove fragile items, ornaments, and valuables from the workspace. Unless accurate plans of concealed pipes, electrical cables, or underfloor heating are provided, we are not liable for accidental damage to hidden services during necessary drilling or lifting floorboards.
5.4 Subcontractors will meet our vetting, qualification, and insurance standards, and we remain responsible for their acts and omissions.
6. Health, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance
6.1 Services are carried out by trained, insured engineers registered with relevant UK bodies, including Gas Safe Register, WaterSafe, SNIPEF, APHC, CHAS, and CSCS.
6.2 Quotes exclude identification, handling, or removal of asbestos or hazardous substances. If suspected asbestos is uncovered, work will stop until safe removal by a licensed specialist at your expense.
6.3 Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, engineers must disconnect and label gas appliances deemed Immediately Dangerous or At Risk. You waive claims for loss of heating or hot water resulting from mandatory safety disconnections.
7. Your Right to Cancel
7.1 Domestic customers booking off-premises or at a distance have a statutory right to cancel within 14 days of entering into a Service Agreement.
7.2 If you request emergency attendance or work before the 14-day period expires, once Services are fully completed your right to cancel is lost and the full price is payable. If you cancel after work starts, you must pay proportionately for labour and non-returnable materials ordered.
8. Payment Terms, Retention of Title, and Failed Payments
8.1 Payment in full is due immediately upon completion and presentation of our invoice, unless agreed otherwise in writing.
8.2 For installations exceeding £1,000.00 we may request a deposit of up to 25% before ordering materials.
8.3 Ownership of boilers, radiators, fixtures, and materials supplied by us remains with the Company until cleared payment is received in full.
8.4 Unpaid commercial invoices may attract statutory interest at 8% above base rate, statutory compensation, and reasonable debt recovery costs.
8.5 Failed or unlawfully reclaimed payments must be repaid immediately. We may charge a £50 plus VAT administration fee and bank charges.
8.6 Payments are applied to the oldest outstanding invoice first unless required otherwise by law.
9. Workmanship Guarantee and Exclusions
9.1 In addition to statutory rights, we provide a 6-month workmanship guarantee for faults directly caused by our installation or repair.
9.2 The guarantee does not cover alterations or tampering by others, pre-existing defects, sludge or magnetite, limescale, inadequate pressure, misuse blockages including wipes, sanitary products, fats, grease or foreign objects, frost, freezing weather, power surges, or failure to maintain recommended servicing.
10. Liability and Indemnity
10.1 Nothing limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or liability that cannot be limited under UK law, including statutory rights.
10.2 Subject to clause 10.1, we are not responsible for unforeseeable loss, events outside our control, avoidable loss, or business and indirect loss including profit, goodwill, rent, or commercial opportunity.
10.3 We maintain Public Liability Insurance up to £2,000,000.00. Subject to clause 10.1, total liability is limited to the price paid for the relevant Services or the applicable insurance limit.
10.4 You indemnify us against third-party claims arising from missing permissions, inaccurate information or instructions, or your breach of this Agreement, including reasonable legal and professional costs.
11. Customer Feedback and Defamation
11.1 You may leave honest, lawful Feedback following completion of our Services.
11.2 You must not post false, misleading, or defamatory reviews, or use threats of negative Feedback to seek a refund, discount, or free work to which you are not legally entitled.
12. Data Protection and Confidentiality
12.1 We act as data controller and process personal data in accordance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, PECR, and our Privacy Policy for performing Services, issuing certificates, and meeting legal and tax obligations.
12.2 Both parties must protect confidential commercial and personal information unless disclosure is needed to perform Services or required by law.
13. Complaints and Alternative Dispute Resolution
13.1 Notify complaints or defects promptly at info@eruditeplumbers.com and give us a reasonable opportunity to inspect and put matters right before instructing another contractor. We are not liable for third-party costs where that opportunity was not given.
13.2 We aim to resolve complaints amicably. If unresolved, either party may refer the matter to an independent ADR provider such as APHC, SNIPEF, or CEDR before court proceedings.
14. Other Important Terms
14.1 Neither party is liable for delay caused by events beyond reasonable control, including severe weather, flooding, supply shortages, or utility outages. If delay lasts 30 days, either party may terminate the uncompleted portion on 10 days written notice.
14.2 This Agreement is the entire agreement between you and us. Neither party relies on statements not expressly set out here.
14.3 No third party has rights under this Agreement under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
14.4 If a provision is unlawful, invalid, or unenforceable, it will be severed and the remainder will continue in force.
14.5 A delay in enforcing a right or term does not waive that right.
14.6 This Agreement is governed by English law and disputes are subject to the English courts, except that residents of Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland may bring or defend claims in the courts of the country where they live.