Client terms & conditions.

These Terms and Conditions apply to services provided by Design Four to private residential clients. By accepting a quotation, proposal or written agreement from Design Four, the Client agrees to these Terms and Conditions.

The specific services, fees, project scope and estimated programme will be set out in the individual proposal or quotation provided to the Client. Where there is a conflict between these Terms and the project proposal, the project proposal will take priority for the specific project details.

Depending on the agreed scope of work, Design Four may provide services including:

• Initial consultation and project assessment
• Concept design
• Architectural design
• Interior design
• Space planning
• Loft conversion design
• Rear extension design
• Residential renovation design
• Planning application support
• Technical design and drawings
• 3D visualisations and architectural imagery
• Design development
• Coordination with relevant consultants and contractors
• Design and build coordination where specifically agreed

The exact services provided will always depend on the individual project proposal.

The Client agrees to pay the fees set out in the accepted proposal or quotation. Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

• Fees are payable according to the payment schedule set out in the proposal.
• Work may not commence until the required initial payment has been received.
• Additional services outside the agreed scope may incur additional fees.
• Any additional fees will be discussed with the Client before the additional work is carried out wherever reasonably possible.

Design Four reserves the right to pause work where invoices remain unpaid.

We understand that design is a collaborative process. The Client will be given a reasonable opportunity to provide feedback and request refinements to the agreed design before the project proceeds to the construction stage. The number of included design revisions will be stated in the individual proposal. A typical project may include:

• Initial concept design: the first design direction is presented to the Client.
• Client feedback: the Client provides comments and requested changes.
• Design refinement: Design Four develops the design in response to the agreed feedback.
• Final design approval: the Client approves the design before the project proceeds to the next stage.

Important: Design refinements must remain reasonably within the original agreed brief and project scope. Requests that substantially change the original brief, require a completely new design direction or involve extensive additional work may be treated as additional services and may incur additional fees. Design Four will inform the Client before carrying out significant additional work.

Before a project proceeds to construction, the Client will be required to approve the relevant design stage. Once a design has been approved and the project proceeds to construction, any further changes requested by the Client may:

• Require additional design work.
• Cause delays.
• Require amendments to drawings or specifications.
• Result in additional professional or construction costs.

The Client is responsible for reviewing designs and informing Design Four of any concerns or required changes before giving approval.

Design services involve professional time, creative work, research, meetings, drawings, design development and project-specific preparation. For this reason, fees relating to work that has already been properly carried out are generally non-refundable. However, this does not affect any rights the Client may have under applicable consumer law.

Where a Client cancels a project, Design Four may charge for work completed and legitimate costs incurred up to the date of cancellation. Any advance payment will be assessed against work completed and legitimate costs incurred. Where the amount paid exceeds the value of work completed and legitimate costs incurred, any applicable balance will be considered in accordance with the Client's legal rights and the circumstances of the cancellation.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to remove or restrict any legal rights the Client has under applicable law. Design Four will provide its services with reasonable care and skill. Where a service does not meet the required legal standard, the Client may have rights to request appropriate remedies under applicable law.

Design Four may work alongside or recommend independent professionals and companies, including:

• Builders and contractors
• Structural engineers and surveyors
• Electricians and plumbers
• Kitchen and bathroom specialists
• Lighting designers
• Other specialist consultants and tradespeople

Unless specifically stated otherwise in writing, these third parties are independent businesses and are not employees or agents of Design Four. Where the Client separately enters into a contract with a third-party company or contractor, that contract is between the Client and the third party.

Design Four is not responsible for the independent contractor's workmanship, materials, pricing, delays, defects, health and safety obligations, failure to complete work, damage caused by their work or breach of their agreement with the Client. Any complaint relating to the third party's construction, installation or other services should generally be raised directly with that third party. However, this clause does not exclude liability for matters caused by Design Four's own acts, omissions, negligence or breach of contract.

Where Design Four is separately appointed to provide design services and a third-party contractor is appointed to carry out construction work, the construction contract should clearly identify the responsible contractor. Unless Design Four has expressly agreed in writing to act as the main contractor or construction manager, Design Four does not guarantee:

• The contractor's workmanship.
• The contractor's programme.
• The contractor's costs.
• The contractor's materials.
• The contractor's completion date.

Any construction guarantee, workmanship guarantee or construction warranty should be provided by the relevant contractor where applicable.

Design Four may assist with planning or building regulation matters where this is included in the agreed scope of services. However, planning decisions are made by the relevant local authority and cannot be guaranteed by Design Four. The Client understands that:

• Planning permission is not guaranteed.
• Planning conditions may be imposed.
• Design changes may be required.
• Building regulation requirements may affect the design.
• Additional consultants may be required.

The Client agrees to:

• Provide accurate information about the property and project.
• Provide access to the property when reasonably required.
• Provide relevant existing drawings and documents where available.
• Provide feedback within a reasonable period.
• Review designs carefully.
• Inform Design Four of any concerns promptly.
• Make payments when due.
• Obtain any permissions or information that are the Client's responsibility.

Delays caused by missing information, delayed decisions, lack of access or late feedback may affect the project programme.

Design Four will make reasonable efforts to meet agreed timescales. However, project dates may be affected by Client delays, planning authorities, building control, third-party consultants, contractors, suppliers, material availability, unexpected site conditions, changes requested by the Client or events outside Design Four's reasonable control. Where a delay occurs, Design Four will communicate with the Client and agree a revised programme where reasonably possible.

Design Four will rely on information provided by the Client and information reasonably available during the project. Unless specifically included in the scope, Design Four is not responsible for discovering concealed or unknown conditions, including structural defects, asbestos, damp, hidden services, unrecorded alterations, ground conditions or other concealed property defects. Where such issues are discovered, additional professional advice may be required.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Design Four retains ownership of its original design concepts, drawings, visualisations, documents and creative work. The Client receives permission to use the final agreed design for the specific property and project for which it was created. The Client must not reproduce, sell, distribute or use Design Four's design work for another property without written permission.

Design Four may use completed designs, photographs and visualisations for its portfolio, website and marketing purposes, subject to appropriate Client privacy considerations and any separate agreement regarding confidential information.

Once the Client has approved a design stage, any substantial changes may be treated as additional work. This may include changing the layout significantly, changing the project scope, adding additional rooms or areas, changing the architectural concept, changing materials after approval or changing the design after construction has started. Additional work will be discussed with the Client before it is undertaken wherever reasonably possible.

Design Four will not be responsible for losses caused by matters outside its reasonable control. Design Four will not be responsible for losses caused solely by an independent third-party contractor or supplier appointed separately by the Client. Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot legally be limited or excluded, including liability arising from Design Four's own negligence, fraud or other liability that cannot legally be excluded.

If the Client has a concern about Design Four's services, the Client should contact us as soon as possible. Complaints should be sent to Design.four.services@gmail.com. We will aim to acknowledge the complaint, review the relevant project information, discuss the concern with the Client and work towards a reasonable resolution.

Either party may seek to end the agreement where there is a serious breach of the agreed terms. Design Four may suspend or end services where invoices remain unpaid, the Client repeatedly fails to provide necessary information, the Client behaves abusively or threatens staff, or continuing the project would require Design Four to breach legal or professional obligations. Where the agreement ends, the Client remains responsible for fees properly due for work carried out up to the date of termination, subject to applicable law.

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the law of England and Wales. Any dispute will first be approached through good-faith communication and an attempt to resolve the issue informally.