Terms and Conditions: Terms of Business
Please review the processes, procedures, terms and conditions set out below. Any appointment that you make with Decorbuddi assumes that you accept and understand the information set out here. If you would like clarification on anything, please advise and we are happy to help.
Our Guarantee
Decorbuddi was created on the desire to provide a truly helpful and personal service for our clients. If for any reason you are dissatisfied with the service provided please contact us by email (hello@decorbuddi.com) within 7 days of the issue arising and we will endeavour to rectify the situation.
Payment Terms
Most projects begin with a Get Started package. Fees for this package are payable in advance, before the consultation takes place.
For some clients the Get Started session is all the help they need. Most clients require additional help. This can be arranged on an hourly basis or as a bespoke proposal, depending on the scope of work.
Bespoke proposals may be prepared for individual rooms and gardens, or complete home and garden renovations. Whatever the scope of work they are broken down into clear phases to enable you to access just the help you need and keep control of the timings and budget.
Invoices for bespoke projects, hourly rates, phases and packages of work are payable within 7 days of invoice issue or before work is due to commence, whichever date is earlier.
The first phase of work is paid in advance. The second phase is typically paid in two 50% instalments. The first payment before work commences and the second on completion of the phase. No work will commence without the agreed payment having been made.
Decorbuddi project quotes remain valid for 3 months from the date shown.
Quotes for product items and services purchased from third parties on your behalf are subject to supplier price increases in-line with their individual terms and conditions. These may be increased at any time. You will be notified in advance of the purchase being made and you are within your rights to cancel prior to purchase.
Invoices for product purchasing must be paid prior to Decorbuddi purchasing on your behalf. Supplier TRADE, terms and conditions apply and items may not be returnable or a restocking fee may be applied. If you have any questions regarding the terms and conditions of any purchase that you are making please email studio@decorbuddi.com, prior to purchase.
Direct bank transfer is the preferred method of payment for all products and services.
Decorbuddi does not accept credit card payments as standard. On occasion, special arrangements may be made for credit card payment. Business credit/debit card, international credit/debit card and international bank transaction fees incurred by Decorbuddi are payable to Decorbuddi as a surcharge, before the commencement of design work or product purchasing.
Fee payments will not be dependent on any third party.
Cancellation or Delay of Project
Get Started Appointment: In the event of cancellation of a Decorbuddi Get Started appointment by the client, a full refund will be made up to 48 hours before the appointment is due to take place. Full fees are still applicable if a cancellation is made within 48 hours of the appointment. Postponement of an appointment by the Client will lead to paid fees being held until the appointment can be rearranged. Any cancellation by Decorbuddi will lead to the fees being returned in full to the Client.
Bespoke Proposals: In the event of cancellation of any bespoke project by the Client, all outstanding hours worked are payable, together with all relevant expenses incurred or committed to. Should there be a delay of more than 4 weeks, to the completion of a phase of work, due to a change of client requirements, any outstanding fees for work already produced or committed to will be invoiced and payable within 7 days.
If Decorbuddi is unable to complete a phase of paid work, the fees for the remaining uncompleted work will be payable to the client within 7 days.
The client will not be beholden to make payment for any phase of work that has not yet commenced.
Bundles of Hours: If a project is cancelled or less hours than originally envisaged are required, the balance will be paid back to the client within 7 days of written notification of the cancellation/completion of the project.
Change to Scope of Work
The scope of work included in each phase of a bespoke project is clearly detailed in our proposal. On occasion the costs of the time and materials estimated for a project are exceeded for reasons that could not have been for-seen. This includes but is not limited to, additional design concepts, further design iterations, protracted decision-making, extra or extended client site or supplier meetings and/or sourcing. Any work that goes beyond the agreed scope will be advised in a timely fashion, estimated in writing and invoiced as an additional cost to the original agreement.
Change of Budget
A budget should be set and agreed at the beginning of the project.
If this budget changes and results in elements of the work already designed not being fulfilled, the agreed design fee still applies.
If the budget changes mean work has to be redesigned, additional design fees for this work will be applicable as this is a change in the agreed scope of work.
Drawings
Decorbuddi provides a full detailed measuring and drawing service for interior and garden design purposes. All drawings (when provided) are for illustration and design purposes only and should not be used for construction. Decorbuddi accepts no liability if drawings are used for anything other than the intended purpose of illustrating a design.
Travel
Travel time, expenses and parking are included for all initial Get Started consultations, unless agreed in writing in advance.
Travel time is included for all on site additional meetings, unless agreed in advance. Travel expenses will be charged at 45 pence (£0.45) per mile or the current rate of rail charges and parking tariffs and congestion charges as appropriate.
Travel time is charged at 50% of the hourly design fee for all off-site sourcing trips and contractor meetings, agreed in advance. Travel expenses will be charged at 45 pence (£0.45) per mile or the current rate of rail charges and parking tariffs and congestion charge as appropriate.
Purchasing
Decorbuddi, if needed, will advise on and select suitable suppliers for purchasable items. With purchased or bespoke items, the Client is responsible for checking all specifications are correct prior to purchase.
- Where Decorbuddi is processing an order on your behalf, the supplier’s terms and conditions apply, in addition to those of Decorbuddi. For trade product purchases, the supplier’s Trade terms and conditions apply.
- For bespoke orders, for example for curtains, blinds, soft furnishings, joinery or other bespoke items, the supplier’s terms and conditions of supply will apply, in addition to those of Decorbuddi.
Individual Suppliers Terms & Conditions are available on request, so please do let us know if you wish to receive a copy.
Decorbuddi is not responsible for issues of quality, defects in the design, material or craftsmanship of any purchases. Decorbuddi cannot be held responsible for suppliers making mistakes or supplying you with faulty goods. However, Decorbuddi will always endeavour to resolve any issue that does occur.
It is important that you ensure that you are happy to purchase an item, as often it cannot be exchanged or if it can there are often re-stocking charges (approximately 35% of the price of an item on average). If an item arrives and you are not happy with it, your Decorbuddi will help you to try to change it but any associated costs will be your responsibility. Therefore, it is important that you take the time at the design stage to ensure you are happy with the products suggested, that you have checked all samples and go and view them in showrooms whenever possible.
Plants
Once plants purchased on your behalf have been delivered in good condition, Decorbuddi is not responsible for the subsequent health of the plants.
Trade Discounts
We place the utmost importance on choosing the most appropriate product for the project rather than limiting ourselves to selected suppliers.
We have trade accounts with many suppliers. When we purchase from our trade suppliers on your behalf, we will pass on a share of the savings made so that you pay less than you would if purchasing for yourself. If it is your preference to purchase direct this is, of course, also an option.
If you would like Decorbuddi to purchase items from high street businesses where we do not have a trade account, an administrative charge of 10 – 20% is applied to cover our time and the associated risk.
In all cases quotes are prepared in advance for client approval. Purchases are made once payment has been received.
Delivery of Goods
Unless Decorbuddi has been employed to project manage delivery of purchases, it is the responsibility of the Client to ensure that all items are checked on arrival and that they are correct and undamaged. We strongly advise that every box is opened and all items checked carefully even if there is likely to be a delay before they are installed. All damages, defects or wrongly delivered items must be reported immediately for any issues to be rectified.
Trade Relationships
Decorbuddi, if needed, will advise on and connect you to suitable skilled tradespeople and craftsmen to carry out specific bespoke tasks if needed for your project. This could include joiners, curtain makers, electricians and ‘handymen’ to name a few. The client will pay these tradespeople directly and is responsible for all aspects of the works undertaken. Decorbuddi is not responsible for defects in the design, material or craftsmanship. Decorbuddi will not be obliged to accept the return of such bespoke items where the Client’s requirements are incorrect, whether in regard to measurements or otherwise. It is your responsibility to ensure the insurance provided by these third parties you are engaging is adequate. You are not obliged to use our preferred suppliers and we are happy for you to source your own tradespeople.
Trade Commission
We have built up strong relationships with an array of tradespeople from electricians, plumbers and painters to curtain makers, carpenters and builders. Our valued preferred trade partners meet our criteria for quality of craftsmanship, reliability and value for money. Please note, in line with our Supplier Terms and Conditions, Decorbuddi will typically receive a commission, paid directly to us by our contractors, and included in the fees that you are quoted and charged. Our preferred suppliers have an excellent track record and are therefore extremely busy and so do need to be booked in advance.
Building Services
Decorbuddi does not advise on building works should a project require them. The client will appoint a main contractor directly to provide services in connection to the project for all building works. The client and appointed contractors will be responsible for agreeing on an appropriate building contract and agreement. It is your responsibility to ensure the insurance provided by these third parties you are engaging is adequate.
Decorbuddi may make design suggestions requiring structural changes throughout the course of the project. Decorbuddi does not have the expertise to accurately assess the structural integrity of these ideas. It is your responsibility to employ a construction expert to verify any design suggestion provided, whether verbal or written, prior to commencing building works.
Covid 19 / War in Ukraine
There are global issues with the supply of product, delivery times and price increases since the commencement of Covid 19 and the war in Ukraine. We cannot be held accountable for unexpected delays or price increases, but will endeavour to keep you up to date and provide you with the best possible service.
GDPR
We strive to comply with the May 2018 GDPR regulations. Please review our Privacy Policy on our website www.decorbuddi.com
Photography
Decorbuddi may photograph aspects of any project as it progresses. Upon completion of any project Decorbuddi requests the right to photograph the interiors and/or gardens for use within our website, social media and marketing materials (online and print). Arrangements for our own professional photographer to visit the site will of course be made in agreement with the client. Your name will not be published unless you are happy to consent.
Project Portfolio
Upon completion of any project Decorbuddi requests the right to publish a ‘story’ or portfolio case study about the project on the website and by way of social media and marketing materials (online and print). Your name will not be published unless you are happy to consent.
Confidentiality
Decorbuddi has a Privacy Policy to protect your data but also understands that your home is your private space and will endeavour to keep all matters related to your project private in accordance with your wishes. In turn please treat the information in any correspondence as confidential, the information within is for the addressees only and should not be forwarded without permission from Decorbuddi to any other party.
Copyright
All designs and schemes created by Decorbuddi are the sole and exclusive property of Decorbuddi and may not be copied, reproduced or used in any capacity without the express permission of Decorbuddi. All the content of the pages on the website (including pictures, logos, photographs, copy and other materials) represent the copyright or registered trademark of Decorbuddi or its technology providers or their respective owners. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Insurance
Decorbuddi carries professional indemnity insurance cover to a limit of £500,000 and Product and Public Liability Insurance of £1m. These figures were renewed as of 25th May 2023.
For products and services purchased on your behalf, for example for curtains, blinds, soft furnishings, joinery or other bespoke items, the supplier’s insurance will apply, not that of Decorbuddi. This is also the case for any products or contractors suggested by Decorbuddi, which you purchase/engage directly. We strongly recommend that you request a copy of the insurance certificate and check that the level of cover is adequate for your individual project, before commencing work.
Disclaimer
Decorbuddi does not exclude or limit liability for personal injury or death arising from its negligence or that of its employees, agents, members or directors or for any misrepresentation that is fraudulent.
To the utmost extent allowed by law and save as provided above, Decorbuddi shall be liable to you by reason of any representation, or any implied condition, guarantee, or other term, or any duty at common law, or under the express terms of the contract, or in negligence (whether on the part of Decorbuddi or any of its employees, agents, members or directors or otherwise) for any indirect special or resultant loss or damage (including but not limited to loss of profit or loss of saving), expenses, costs, or other claims for compensation whatsoever which arise out of or in connection with the use of the Decorbuddi website, the supply of the products or their use of resale by you.
Decorbuddi makes all reasonable effort to ensure a fast and efficient service but we do not guarantee that your use of this website will be free from interruption or errors and cannot be held responsible for any disruption, loss of or corruption of any material in transit, or loss of or corruption of material or data when downloaded onto computer systems.
Force Majeure
The Company shall have no liability whatsoever for any failure to perform, or any delay in the performance of any of its obligations under the contract arising wholly or in part by reason of any factor beyond its direct control.
Any factor beyond our direct control means any act or event beyond our reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, lock-outs or other industrial action by third parties, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack, war (whether declared or not) or threat or preparation for war, fire, explosion, storm, flood, earthquake, subsidence, epidemic or other natural disaster, or failure of public or private telecommunications networks or impossibility of the use of railways, motor transport or other means of public or private transport.
If an event beyond our control affects the performance of our obligations under a Contract we will contact you as soon as reasonably possible to notify you; and our obligations under the contract will be suspended.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the Decorbuddi Terms and Conditions please email hello@decorbuddi.com