Terms and conditions

Welcome to RGS Electrical Ltd

These terms and conditions explain how we work and what you can expect from us. Together with our Proposal, they form the agreement (the “Contract”) between us.

For Homeowners: These terms ensure your statutory rights are protected.
For Businesses and contractors: While these terms provide our standard baseline, we recognise that in sub-contracting scenarios, a separate signed sub-contract or “Main Contractor” agreement may take precedence over specific parts of this document.

1. Definitions

To keep this Contract clear, the following words have specific meanings whenever they are used:

RGS / we / us: Refers to RGS Electrical Services Ltd, the contractor providing the services.
The customer / you: Refers to the person, firm, or company who accepts our Proposal or enters into this Contract.

The work: Refers to the electrical installation, materials, and services described in our Proposal (including any subsequent Variations).

Proposal: The offer of work provided by RGS. This may consist of a single document or a combination of documents, including but not limited to: our written quote or estimate, technical specifications, drawings, service guides, schedules of work, payment schedule and any specific exclusions or assumptions provided by us.

Contract: The agreement, including these terms and the accepted Proposal.

Variation: Any change, addition, or reduction to the original Work, or a change in the timing or sequence of the Work as described in Section 5.

Consumer: An individual acting for purposes that are wholly or mainly outside their trade, business, or profession (e.g., a homeowner).

Business: A person or entity acting for purposes relating to their trade, business, or profession (including Main Contractors and Commercial Clients).

Material Breach: A significant failure to perform a key obligation under this Contract (such as non-payment or refusal to carry out the agreed work).

Finishing Trade Ready: The point at which RGS has completed the installation and patched surfaces so they are ready for a specialist decorator to fill, sand, and paint, as described in Section 6.2.

2. Our agreement and the work

2.1 What we have agreed to do We will carry out the work as described in our Proposal. The Proposal is our formal offer to you and includes the price, the scope of work, and any specific documents we’ve attached (such as technical drawings or guides). Our price is based strictly on these documents. We aren’t responsible for any designs or specifications that we didn’t prepare ourselves.

2.2 Getting on-site and working hours To get the job done, we need your cooperation with the following:

Access: You agree to give us access to the work area at all reasonable times until the job is finished or the contract is ended. This includes providing keys if necessary and making sure there is a place for us to park. If we have to pay for parking, we will add that cost to your final bill.
Hours: Our standard working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, unless we agree on something different with you in advance. We will always aim to complete the work as efficiently as possible.
Termination reference: If the work needs to stop permanently, this is handled under the rules in Sections 9 and 10.

2.3 Extra work or unpriced tasks If you ask us to do extra work that wasn’t in the original Proposal, or if we find necessary work that couldn’t be priced beforehand, we will charge for it using the hourly or day rates shown on our website (https://rgselectrical.com/prices). If you need us to work “out of hours,” the rate may be higher, but we will always agree this with you before we start those extra hours.

This is an important addition. While Section 3.4 handles the expectation of the power being off, a specific exclusion of liability for “consequential losses” (financial or physical losses resulting from the power cut) should be explicitly stated.

It belongs right here in Section 3.4 because it directly relates to the “Alternative Plans” you are asking the customer to make.

Here are the updated Sections 3.4 and 3.5:

3. Your responsibilities

3.1 Permissions and approvals

You are responsible for ensuring that all necessary consents and administrative arrangements are in place. This includes:

Obtaining any required planning permission, Building Regulations approval, or other Local Authority consents.
Communicating with your electricity supplier or other statutory authorities regarding the work. While this remains your responsibility, we can provide technical information or assistance to help you with this process if required.
Arranging any required surveys or specialist inspections.
Paying all fees, charges, or disbursements not specifically listed in our Proposal.
Notifying anyone else with a legal interest in the property (such as a landlord, freeholder, or mortgage provider).
Managing communication with neighbours or the public if the work is likely to affect them.

3.2 Providing facilities

To work effectively, we need access to basic facilities on-site at no cost to us, including:

Electricity and water.
Toilet facilities.
Enough space for us to work safely and for our team to clean up. (Note: If these aren’t available, we may need to arrange mobile facilities and will discuss the extra costs with you first.)

3.3 Protecting your property and possessions

We will take all reasonable care to protect your home or site, including the use of dust sheets where appropriate. However, because we are altering the building’s fabric, you should expect dust, vibration, and noise.

Your responsibility: It is your ultimate responsibility to remove or protect your furniture, floor coverings, and fixtures. We do not accept liability for items that are not moved or protected.
Valuables: Any items of high financial or sentimental value must be removed from the work area by you.
Our role: We will talk to you before we start to explain where we will be working so you can clear the necessary areas.

3.4 Power interruptions

To allow us to alter the electrical system, the power will be turned off. Depending on the job, this could be for short intervals, several hours, or for the entire duration of the work.

Your agreement: By entering into this Contract, you agree that we may turn the power supply on and off as required to complete the Work.
Alternative plans: If you rely on a continuous electrical supply or internet connection (for example, for working from home, medical equipment, or security systems), you must make alternative plans.
Loss of power liability: RGS does not accept liability for any losses—including “consequential losses” such as loss of data, loss of business income, or damage to refrigerated/frozen goods—resulting from these power interruptions.
Communication: We will do our best to keep you informed about when the power will be off, but you accept that these interruptions are a necessary part of the work.

3.5 Insurance

Please let your building and contents insurance provider know that you are having electrical work done. You should also ensure that any other tradespeople you have hired to work on the site are properly insured.

4. Payment terms

4.1 The price and VAT

The price for the Work is set out in our Proposal and is subject to these terms.

What’s included: The price covers everything specifically listed in the Proposal. It doesn’t include items that weren’t identified or couldn’t have been reasonably predicted at the start.

Changes to the price: The final bill may differ from the original Proposal if the scope of work changes (see Section 5) or if unpriced work is required (see Section 2.3).

VAT: All prices exclude V.A.T., which will be added to your invoice at the current rate.

No proposal: If we carry out work without a formal Proposal, we will charge a fair amount based on our current day rates listed at https://rgselectrical.com/prices.

4.2 Deposits and invoices

Deposits: We usually require an initial deposit (typically 30%, though this may vary depending on the project) once you accept the Proposal and before we start work.

Interim and final invoices: For longer or higher-value projects, we will issue interim invoices at agreed stages. We will issue a final invoice once the Work is complete.

4.3 When to pay and how to raise questions

Due date: All payments are due immediately upon receipt of the invoice.

Questions or challenges: If you have a question about an invoice, please let us know in writing within 14 days of the invoice date. If we don’t hear from you within that time, the invoice is considered fully accepted.

Allocation: Any payments we receive will be applied to your oldest outstanding invoice first.

4.4 Late payments

We rely on timely payments to keep our business running and our team on-site.

Late interest: If an invoice isn’t paid within 28 days, we will apply a daily interest charge of 0.1% (compounded) from the date the invoice was issued.

Admin fee: We will also charge a £50 late payment fee for every re-issued invoice or formal payment reminder.

Stopping work: If an interim invoice is more than 14 days overdue, we reserve the right to stop work and withdraw from the site immediately. RGS is not liable for any delays or costs this causes to your project.

4.5 Ownership of goods

All goods and materials we supply remain the property of RGS until the Contract price has been paid in full. If payment is not made, we reserve the right to enter the site to recover our materials.

5. Variation to works (changes)

5.1 Identifying a variation A “Variation” is any change to the Work described in the original Proposal. To ensure the project runs smoothly, any new versions of drawings, designs, or specifications (whether they are electrical or not) must be supplied to RGS as soon as they become available. A Variation may include:

Adding or removing specific items from the Proposal.
Changing the sequence or timing of our work to accommodate other trades.
Changes necessitated by non-electrical factors, such as alterations to the building layout, plumbing, or design by third parties.
Changes to the design or specification made by you or your other contractors.

5.2 Requesting a variation If you wish to make a change, please provide us with written confirmation. While we will always try to be flexible, we need this written record to ensure our team is working to the correct plan.

5.3 Charging for variations We are entitled to charge for the direct and indirect costs of any Variation. These will be valued using the most appropriate method below, and payment is due immediately upon receipt of the invoice:

By agreement: We provide a quote for the Variation, which is agreed upon before the work starts.
Piece work: A fixed price per additional unit (e.g., a price per extra socket).
Hourly or day rates: Based on the time taken, using the rates found at https://rgselectrical.com/prices.

6. Quality, liability, and reinstatement

6.1 Work quality and our responsibility We take full responsibility for the accuracy and quality of the Work, including any work carried out by our subcontractors. We will follow the shortest practicable routes for laying cables and conduits. If we, or our subcontractors, cause direct loss or damage through negligence, we will pay to correct it.

6.2 Reinstatement (making good) We take great care while working, but our price does not include redecoration or other “making good” tasks.

Finishing trade ready: Where we disturb surfaces (such as walls or ceilings) to install cables or equipment, we will reinstate those surfaces to a ‘finishing trade ready’ standard.
What this means: The surface will be patched or closed, but it will not be ready for immediate painting. Redecoration is a separate process that usually requires professional filling, sanding, and priming. It remains your responsibility to hire the necessary finishing trades to complete this work.
Flooring and carpets: While we take all reasonable care when lifting floorboards or carpets, they can be fragile. We cannot guarantee that they can be relaid to their original condition, particularly in older properties where boards may be brittle or carpets may have been fitted for a long time.

7. Site safety, waste, and insurance

7.1 Site safety RGS is responsible for maintaining a safe working environment regarding our electrical installation and associated activities. We follow industry best practices and all legal health and safety requirements.

7.2 Site waste We aim to keep your site clean and professional.

Our waste: We own and are responsible for removing any rubbish or waste that naturally arises from our Work. This includes offcuts of cable, conduit, and packaging from materials we have supplied. We will ensure the site is left clean and tidy at the end of every working day.
Your waste: We are not responsible for removing waste created by other contractors, nor are we responsible for the packaging waste from fittings or materials that you have supplied.
Equipment: Any skips, rubbish bins, or disposal equipment we place on-site are for our exclusive use.

7.3 RGS insurance We maintain professional insurance cover to protect both parties:

Public liability: We maintain public liability insurance to cover injury to third parties or damage to third-party property caused by our negligence. Our contribution to any losses or claims is capped at £1 million, unless we have agreed a different limit with you in writing.
Professional indemnity: We maintain insurance to cover our professional advice and design work.
Materials on site: Once materials are delivered to the site, they are at your risk. You should ensure your building insurance covers materials and “work in progress” kept on the premises.
Evidence: We are happy to provide evidence of our insurance policies upon request.

8. Your right to cancel (cooling-off period)

8.1 The 14-day window If you are a consumer (a homeowner rather than a business), you have a legal right to cancel this Contract within 14 days of signing it or agreeing to our Proposal. You do not need to give a reason, but you must let us know in writing if you wish to cancel.

8.2 Starting work early You can ask us to start the Work before the 14-day cooling-off period has ended. However, if you do this, please be aware of the following:

Proportionate costs: If you subsequently cancel within the 14-day window, you will still be liable to pay us for any work we have already carried out up to the point of cancellation.
Wasted costs: You will also be responsible for the cost of any materials we have purchased for your project that cannot be returned, or any “restocking” fees we are charged by our suppliers.
Loss of full refund: By asking us to start early, you acknowledge that you lose the right to a full refund of any deposit if work has already begun or materials have been ordered.

9. Termination of contract by the customer

9.1 Termination for cause (RGS at fault) You may end this Contract only if RGS is in Material breach. You must first provide a written “Notice to Remedy,” giving us at least 21 days to fix the issue. You may only terminate if we fail to correct the breach within that period.

Payment condition: You may not terminate for cause if you are currently in breach of your own obligations (for example, if you have outstanding unpaid invoices).

9.2 Termination for convenience (your choice) You may choose to end this Contract at any time for any other reason. Because we commit labor and resources to your project in advance, the following will apply:

Work and materials: You must pay in full for all Work completed and all materials purchased (or committed to) up to the date of termination.
Cancellation fee: You agree to pay a cancellation fee equal to 20% of the total Contract value, or the full value of the remaining Work, whichever is the lesser.
Breach status: If you terminate while you are in breach of this Contract (e.g., overdue payments or failure to provide site access), the cancellation fee will be due immediately, alongside any outstanding balances.

10. Termination of contract by RGS

10.1 Grounds for termination We may end this Contract (or suspend the Work) by giving you written notice if:

Non-payment: You fail to pay any invoice within 7 days of a formal written reminder.
Site access / preparation: You fail to provide access to the site or fail to ensure the site is ready for us to work for a period of 14 days.
Interference: You, or your other contractors, significantly interfere with our ability to carry out the Work safely or efficiently.
Insolvency: You enter into bankruptcy, administration, or any formal arrangement with creditors.

10.2 Final payment if RGS terminates If we end the Contract for any of the reasons listed above, you will be liable for:

The full value of all Work completed and materials purchased or committed to.
The 20% cancellation fee (as detailed in Section 9.2) to cover our lost profit and the costs of sudden rescheduling.
Any additional costs we incur in securing the site or making the installation safe before we leave.

11. General

11.1 The whole agreement This Contract, along with our Proposal, is the entire agreement between us. It replaces any previous discussions, emails, or “handshake” agreements. No changes to these terms are valid unless they are written down and signed by both RGS and you.

11.2 Handling disputes We always aim to resolve issues through a friendly conversation. However, if a dispute cannot be settled:

B2B / sub-contracts: If this is a commercial project, either party may refer the dispute to Adjudication under the Scheme for Construction Contracts.
B2C (homeowners): If you are a consumer, you may refer the matter to an independent Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider or the courts.

11.3 Delays beyond our control (force majeure) RGS is not liable for any failure to perform our obligations if the delay is caused by events outside our reasonable control. This includes (but is not limited to) extreme weather, national strikes, material shortages across the industry, or government-mandated lockdowns.

11.4 Severability If a court finds that one part of this Contract is unfair or invalid, the rest of the Contract remains in full force.

11.5 Governing law This Contract is governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any legal proceedings will take place in the courts of England and Wales.