This contract is made between Vialii Gardens, whose principal address is at 57 Churchill Drive, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, FK9 4TJ (“we” or “us”), and the Client as stated in the Proposal (“you”). The terms of this contract will override terms that you may have sent or may send to us or any other written correspondence or verbal communication including any advice or recommendation made before we accept the order. Any typographical, clerical or other errors or omissions in the Proposal, Design or any other document may be changed without us incurring any liability.
“Design or Designs” means all designs including drawings produced by us when performing the Services;
“Fee(s)” means the fees set out in the Proposal or any variation to the Fee;
“Project Inspection” has the meaning given to it in Clause 4;
“Proposal” means the written document(s) that we send to you together with these terms and conditions for the execution of the Services, which will be agreed by both of us;
“Services” means the set of services to be provided by us under this contract as set out in the Proposal;
“Site” means the location where the Works are to be carried out as set out in the Proposal;
“Works” means all the hard and soft landscaping including preparation, construction and planting work undertaken at the Site to implement the Design(s).
3.1 Once the contract is accepted by you, we will provide the Services set out in the Proposal using reasonable skill and care in accordance with standards expected of a reasonable garden designer / landscape gardener. We will provide the Services in a timely fashion but any time deadline set out in the Proposal is only an estimate.
3.2 This is a design, consultancy, build and garden maintenance agreement. We may also assist you in communicating with third parties but it is your responsibility to contract directly with third parties to carry out additional Works. We will not be responsible for the work undertaken by third parties, the manner in which the Works are being carried out nor any other aspect of their progress.
3.3 All specifications, figures, sizes and other descriptions in the Design are approximations only and should not be relied upon.
3.4 You may suspend the Services at any time, but all sums due at the date of suspension will become due for immediate payment. Once we receive your further instructions we will use reasonable endeavours to reschedule the Services as soon as is practicable. This rescheduling will not be guaranteed to be at a time requested by you. Any additional cost incurred by us in complying with these instructions will be added to the total Fees unless such suspension was due to something we had done or failed to do.
4.1. If we have specified in writing in the Proposal that we will carry out Project Inspection then the following Clause 4 will apply.
4.2. In consideration of payment of the fee specified in the Proposal, we will carry out Project Inspection.
4.3. Project Inspection means that we will conduct site inspections at appropriate intervals of any third party Works as agreed in the Proposal. We shall notify you of any discrepancies that we have noted between the Design and the actual Works being delivered in order that you may take steps to rectify such changes as you see fit.
4.4. We will not supervise or manage the third party Works. We may if agreed in the Proposal assist you in communicating with third parties but you will contract directly with the third parties and by undertaking Project Inspection we will not take responsibility or liability for their work or the Works, and we will not accept any liability in respect of either the execution or performance of such third party contractor, or the delivery or performance of the Works once completed.
5.1. Either party will be entitled to vary or amend the scope of the Services or the Proposal upon the prior consent of the other party. Any variation will only be effective once the details of the variation (which may take the form of a further Proposal) together with an additional Fee or any variation to the Fee have been put in writing or agreed verbally by both parties, whereupon this will form a binding contract between the parties. We will then carry out the varied contract as if the variation was originally included in the Proposal. We may refuse to accept a variation if it reduces the value of the contract by ten per centum or more.
5.2. If you require services outside of the scope of the Proposal or at a higher level of service than that currently subscribed, then we will try to carry out such service at our convenience and for a fee that we will set at that time.
5.3. We may vary these terms and conditions by giving you 14 days’ prior written notice if we are required to do so for reasons beyond our reasonable control.
The Fees for the Services are set out in the Proposal and will become fixed on the acceptance of the Proposal by both parties unless varied in accordance with these terms, or unless the Fee is based on the value of the project, or on the size of the Site and this is found to be larger once the Site has been measured. The Fees will be payable in instalments in accordance with the payment schedule or in the circumstances set out in the Proposal. All invoices shall be paid by you upon receipt of the invoice. If sent by post, the invoice shall be deemed to have been received two working days after posting. We reserve the right to charge interest at 8% per annum above the base rate of the Bank of England on any outstanding amounts (calculated on a daily basis) that remain payable after the due date. If you fail to pay an invoice by the due date, we may, after seven days’ prior notice, suspend the performance of the Services until payment in full is received.
7.1. You have certain obligations under this contract. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in us suspending or terminating the contract. If we incur any damages or fines through your failure to carry out your obligations, then you will repay us all such monies on a full indemnity basis.
7.2. You will provide us at the time of asking with the necessary information in order to carry out the Services. You will warrant the accuracy of this information and that the information is not subject to any third party rights that would prevent us from using this information. You will be liable for any costs that we may suffer if this warranty is not true.
7.3. You will allow us reasonable access to both you and the Site at the agreed times in order to carry out the Services.
7.4. You will notify us in writing of any issues which may affect the Services as soon as possible to enable us at the earliest opportunity to investigate and rectify where necessary; and notify us as soon as possible of any structural alterations that may affect the Works.
7.5. If as part of the Works there is a requirement that any remedial work is required to trees at the Site (including but not limited to cutting down or lopping), then you will make the necessary checks and arrangements that such tree is not subject to any type of protection order. You will also be responsible for the arrangement of any planning permission or licences in respect of the Works. You will cover any fines or damages that are incurred by either party as a result of failing to make such arrangements and you will indemnify us from and against any costs, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses incurred by us arising from any breach of planning permission or licences in respect of the Works.
7.6 Nothing in this contract shall require us to provide advice or services in connection with the presence of or risk of contamination or pollution by harmful substances. You will be solely responsible for determining what investigations and actions should be taken in relation to such substances and shall commission such professional third party advice as you consider necessary.
8.1. We are the owner of all intellectual property rights in the Designs together with the rights in any developments and modifications in such Designs. We assert the moral rights that we may have in any Designs.
8.2. We will grant you a non-exclusive, perpetual, non-transferable and personal licence to use the Designs for your own internal business or residential purposes at the location set out in the Proposal, but for no other purpose. You may not allow any third party to use any of those Designs; use those Designs on behalf of or for the benefit of any third party; sub-license the use of the whole or any part of those Designs; recreate the Design at a different location or transfer them to anyone else without our prior written permission.
8.3. We will be allowed to refer to you in any publicity after the Services have taken place including the taking and publication of photographs of the Works and the Site.
8.4 The provisions of this clause 8 shall remain in full force and effect after termination of this contract for whatever reason.
9.1 In the event of any fault or defect arising in the Services, we shall have the right to remedy such fault where possible by resupplying the Service. In the event that you do not advise us of any defect in the Services within thirty days after completion of the Services or the provision or delivery of the relevant part of the Services, you shall be deemed to have accepted the Services or part thereof.
9.2 If plants or other goods are provided to you by a separate supplier, those supplies will be provided under a separate contract with your supplier and we can accept no responsibility for that contract or the supplies under it.
9.3 We will not be liable in any way whatsoever whether that be under contract, tort or otherwise, for any indirect or consequential loss or damage, loss of revenue, loss of profit, loss of goodwill, costs, expenses or other claims for consequential compensation (even if due to our negligence, such loss being reasonably foreseeable or if you had been advised of the possibility of suffering such loss) that you may suffer as a result of the Services provided under this contract.
9.4 Nothing in this contract shall affect the statutory rights of a consumer.
9.5 Nothing herein shall limit either party’s liability for death or personal injury arising from the proven negligence by itself or its employees.
9.6 We will use reasonable endeavours to comply with any specified delivery dates but no such dates are guaranteed and we exclude liability for any loss (whether direct, consequential or otherwise) resulting from any delay in the delivery of the Services.
9.7 The provisions of this clause 9 shall remain in full force and effect after termination of this contract for whatever reason.
10.1 We will be entitled to transfer all or any of our rights or obligations under this contract and to use sub-contractors. You will need our prior written permission before transferring any or all the rights to a third party.
11.1 The Services will start on the date specified in the Proposal. Either party may terminate this contract at any time by giving the other party advance written notice if the other becomes insolvent or bankrupt, makes any arrangement or composition with its creditors, has any petition filed against it for compulsory liquidation or bankruptcy, has a receiver appointed over any or all of its assets, is unable to pay its/his/her debts as and when they fall due or otherwise ceases to carry on business.
11.2 If either party is in breach of any significant provision of this contract (a material breach) then that party will give the other party not less than fourteen (14) days’ written notice to allow them to correct that breach. If that party fails to remedy the breach within the notice period, then the other party will be entitled to terminate the contract with immediate effect at the end of that notice period.
11.3 You may cancel this contract at any time by giving us at least one month’s advance written notice but you will have to pay for the Services carried out up to the date of expiry of the notice. We may also assist you in the cancellation of any third party contracts but we cannot guarantee that you will not have to pay such fees in full subject to the terms of any third party contracts. Any licence that we have given you under Clause 7 will end and you must stop using any Designs immediately.
12.1 Neither party will be regarded as in breach of this Proposal if the failure is as a result of a circumstance beyond that party’s reasonable control (Force Majeure). This will include (but not be limited to) the death or incapacity of the garden designer working on the Design(s). If the Force Majeure continues for a period of one week or more both parties will discuss ways in which to alleviate the situation which will include the possibility of approaching a third party during the period that the Force Majeure exists or if this is not possible to terminate the contract, without either party sustaining any financial liability other than to pay all outstanding Fees that are due up to the date of termination (including contracts that cannot be cancelled).
If either party chooses not to take up any right of action at any time then this will not prevent that party from taking action on the same or similar point at another time.
These terms and conditions will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Scotland. In the event of any dispute we would ask that you contact us in the first instance to resolve any issues in good faith. If this matter is not referred or resolved within 14 days of the matter being raised then the parties will submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish Courts.
Notices to the address specified in the Proposal must be given in writing either by hand, by first class post, or by facsimile transmission provided that there is a transmission sheet showing that the transmission was properly transmitted to the correct number. Post will be judged to have arrived 2 days from date of posting. Notices sent by other means will be deemed received on delivery.
The parties to this contract do not intend that any of its terms will be enforceable by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by any person not a party to it but this shall not affect any right or remedy of a third party that exists or is available apart from that Act.
If you are required under the Party Wall Act 1996 to appoint a party wall surveyor, then you will be responsible for ensuring that such a surveyor is appointed and we will co-operate and pass all such relevant information to the surveyor as soon as is reasonably practicable. We accept no responsibility and cannot be held liable if you do not seek appropriate advice before and during the construction works.
If any term of this contract shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining terms shall remain in full force and effect and such invalid, illegal or unenforceable term shall be deemed not to have been part of this contract.
This contract, the Proposal and any variation to the Proposal in accordance with clause 5 above contains the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes all previous agreements between the parties. It is expressly provided that nothing in this contract excludes any liability for pre-contract statements or representations made fraudulently.
The main design drawings will be sent to you at your home.
Up to 2 black and white copies of all drawings larger than A4 requested in advance will made available at no extra charge. A charge may be made for obtaining additional copies.
Payment for design work is due on delivery of drawings.
Additions to drawings may be possible but revisions will be charged for at an agreed hourly rate.
ITT includes
– compilation of a form of tender to be completed by the tenderer,
– preparation of correspondence and copies of appropriate drawings and postage/delivery to the agreed number of tenderers or my own or the client’s choice,
– a meeting with the company of up to 1 hour to discuss details of the design
– expediting of responses,
– receipt and evaluation of responses,
If any response from a firm of our choice is deemed to be inadequate or is unacceptably late, then a further tender will be sought from an alternative company at no further charge.
An invoice will be submitted after all responses have been received.
All works on sites will be charged at a cost to be agreed before work commences.
Travel expenses to and from site will be charged for at the same rate and £0.45 per mile, when highlighted in the quotation .
Records will be kept for hours worked and miles travelled and will be produced on request.
Staged payments may be required for hard landscaping and other elements. This will be detailed in the quotation.
The cost of plants will include a collection/unpacking charge and delivery to site. Full payment for plants is required in advance.
If asked by the Client to move or transplant trees, shrubs or other existing plants on site this is at the Client’s risk and no responsibility will be accepted for the survival of these plants.
All risk in the goods will pass to the client upon delivery of the plants. Clients should ensure they have appropriate insurance in place to cover all plants. No responsibility will be taken for losses due to incorrect care by the client.
Preferred method is by BACS, but cheques are accepted. Credit or debit cards are not accepted.
Payment will be due within 7 days of invoice.
20.1 We endeavour, where requested, to attend clients’ gardens on set days however due to unforeseen circumstances we cannot guarantee a specific visit day/time. If there are times that we must not visit, please inform us so we can ensure our staff have vacated the site.
21.1 If access through or from a neighbouring property is required to carry out specific tasks, permission must be sought by the client from the property owner or tenant before commencement of work.
22.1 Invoices and/or emailed payment requests must be settled within 7 days of receipt. Late payment may result in a claim for statutory interest (8 per cent over the current Bank of England base rate.)
22.2 Very poor weather conditions may sometimes result in delayed or missed visits. Only time on site will be invoiced.
23.1 Vialii Gardens uses garden images and customer testimonials to promote business on the internet or other mediums.
24.1 Loud machinery is sometimes used to carry out maintenance work. Please inform us in advance if there is a time when this will cause you problems. These machines can also create dust and smoke. Please keep your windows shut whilst maintenance work is been carried out.
24.2 Our staff cannot engage in any work that requires them to climb higher than the ladders they carry on board their vehicles will allow them to. Any high work will need to be assessed and priced.
24.3 Sometimes our operatives will be using controlled chemicals to kill weeds or promote growth. These are generally considered non toxic but should you be concerned or request more information then speak to your operative so they can provide you with details.
25.1 Your visiting operative will be adhering to strict times, if you would like anything particular done during the visit please make your wishes known as soon as they arrive rather than as they are packing up. They may not be in a position to undertake additional work on that visit but arrangements will be made to provide a quote/arrange the work at a future date.
25.2 No waste or rubbish other than the material produced as a result of our work will be removed unless agreed.
26.1 At Vialii we pride ourselves on our standard of service and endeavour to ensure we consistently meet these high standards. Any issues arising from our garden visits concerning the standard of work, time keeping or the staff should quickly be brought to our attention so we can rectify them.
26.2 We understand that customers grow accustomed to a particular operative visiting their garden and while we will endeavour to send the same operative each time this is not always possible and cannot be guaranteed. All staff are trained to the same exacting standards.