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, scope of work, and any documents we have issued or referenced in connection with the Work.

The Proposal may consist of one or more documents, including (where applicable): written quotations or estimates, service guides, specifications, drawings, schedules of work, operating conditions, payment schedules, exclusions, assumptions, and any other supporting or explanatory documents issued by us.

Together, these documents form the Contract between us. This Contract supersedes all prior discussions, correspondence, representations, or agreements (whether written or verbal). We are not responsible for any drawings, designs, or specifications not prepared by us.

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 11 and 12.

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.

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.
Note: 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 remains unpaid after 28 days, we reserve the right to apply interest from the date the invoice was issued at the following rates:
- For Business Customers: A daily interest charge of 0.1%.
- For Consumers: An annual interest charge of 8% above the Bank of England base rate.
Admin Fee: We may charge a £50 administration fee for each formal payment reminder or re-issued invoice necessitated by non-payment.
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, storage costs, or secondary trades’ costs resulting from such a suspension of work.

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. Certification of Work

All Work carried out under this Contract will be inspected, tested, and certified as required by applicable legislation, statutory regulations, and industry best practice.

Where certification is required, we will provide the appropriate electrical certification (including, where applicable, Electrical Installation Certificates, Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificates, or Electrical Installation Condition Reports) in accordance with the relevant British Standards and regulatory requirements.

Certification will relate only to the Work carried out by us under this Contract and does not extend to any existing installation or equipment not included within the agreed scope of Work.

9. Warranty, Defects, and Customer Responsibilities

9.1 Our Warranty

We are committed to ensuring your safety and satisfaction. Subject to the terms below:

Workmanship: All Work carried out by us is covered by a 12-month workmanship warranty from the date of completion.
Materials: All materials and equipment supplied by us are covered by a 12-month warranty, manufacturers may offer longer warranty periods on specific products which can be claimed directly with the manufacturer.

9.2 Customer-Supplied Equipment

Where equipment or materials are supplied by you or sourced through a third party, you remain responsible for liaising with the supplier regarding faults or warranty claims. We remain responsible for the installation of such items, but any additional time spent testing, removing, or refitting faulty customer-supplied equipment will be chargeable at our prevailing hourly or day rates.

9.3 Reporting Defects

If you believe there is a defect, deficiency, or issue with the Work:

You must notify us as soon as reasonably possible and, in any event, within 28 days of completion for initial issues, or within 14 days of discovering any later defect.
You must allow us reasonable access to inspect and, where appropriate, rectify the issue before instructing third parties.

9.4 Warranty Limitations

This warranty does not cover defects or damage arising from misuse, unauthorised alterations, third-party interference, or external factors beyond our control (including power surges where surge protection was declined).

9.5 Transfer

If the property is sold, this warranty may be transferred to a subsequent owner, subject to written notification to us.

10. Your Right to Cancel (Cooling-off Period)

10.1 The 14-Day Window

If you are a Consumer, you have a legal right to cancel this Contract within 14 days of entering into it, without giving any reason. This right arises under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.
To cancel, you must notify us in writing.

10.2 Starting Work Early

You may request that we begin the Work before the end of the 14-day cancellation period. If you do so, you acknowledge and agree that:

You will be liable to pay for the Work carried out up to the point of cancellation, calculated on a reasonable and proportionate basis.
You will be responsible for the cost of any materials ordered or purchased for your project that cannot be returned, together with any supplier restocking or cancellation charges.
By requesting an early start, you lose the right to a full refund once Work has begun or materials have been ordered.

Nothing in this section affects your statutory rights.

11. Termination of Contract by the Customer

11.1 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).

11.2 Termination for Convenience (Your Choice)

You may choose to end this Contract at any time. Because we have committed labor, resources, and scheduling to your project, the following financial charges will apply to ensure RGS is not left at a loss:

Work Completed: You must pay in full for all Work completed up to the date of termination, valued at the agreed Contract rates or, where not specified, our standard hourly/day rates.
Materials: You must pay in full for all materials delivered to the site or specifically ordered for your project. (Note: Title to these materials only passes to you upon full payment, as per Section 4.5).
Loss of Profit Fee: To cover our lost opportunity and the costs of sudden rescheduling, you agree to pay a fee equal to 20% of the value of the remaining (uncompleted) Work.
Site Safety & Securing: If the Work is terminated mid-project, we reserve the right to charge for the time and materials required to make the electrical installation safe (e.g., terminating live ends or installing temporary covers) before we withdraw from the site.
Total Liability: The total amount due under this clause shall not exceed the original total Contract price.

12. Termination of Contract by RGS

12.1 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.

12.2 Final Payment if RGS Terminates If we end the Contract for any of the reasons listed above, you will be liable for all costs as detailed in section 11.2.

13. General

13.1 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.

13.2 Handling Disputes and Complaints

We aim to resolve all concerns promptly and amicably through open communication.

If a dispute cannot be resolved informally:

ECA Conciliation: Where applicable, we will follow the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) Code of Fair Trading. The ECA’s free Complaint Conciliation Service may be used as an initial independent resolution route.
Consumers: If you are a Consumer and the dispute remains unresolved, you may refer the matter to an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider. Participation in ADR is voluntary for both parties, but a court may take conduct into account if proceedings are issued.
Businesses / Sub-contracts: Either party may refer qualifying disputes to adjudication under the Scheme for Construction Contracts.

This clause does not restrict either party’s right to refer a dispute to the courts.

13.3 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.

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

13.5 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.

14. Notices

14.1 Permitted Methods Any notice or formal communication required under this Contract must be made in writing and delivered by one of the following methods:

Email: Sent to the most recent email address provided by the Customer, or to legal@rgselectrical.com for RGS.
Recorded Delivery: Delivered by a “Signed For” or “Tracked” courier/postal service where a signature or proof of delivery is obtained.

14.2 Exclusions We do not accept service of formal notices by standard Royal Mail (untracked) or by hand-delivery unless a written receipt is provided by an RGS director or senior manager.

14.3 Deemed Receipt

Email: An email is considered received on the next day after transmission, provided no delivery failure notification is received.
Recorded Delivery: A physical notice is considered received on the date and time recorded by the delivery service’s tracking system.

14.4 Responsibility It is your responsibility to ensure our emails are not diverted to your “Junk” or “Spam” folders. You must notify us immediately in writing of any change to your contact details.