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• PRO

  Phil Voice November 12, 2008 at 8:16pm

  Hi Andrew
  
  I have written a little bit on Terms and Conditions on the Landscape Juice Blog.
• PRO

  Phil Voice November 12, 2008 at 8:18pm

  BTW, try the search box in the top right hand corner. If there is a subject that you are looking for on the site, it will come up as a list.
  
  Regards
  
  
  Phil
• 

  Sir Digalot November 12, 2008 at 8:30pm

  Thanks for that. They were on the tip of my tongue but could not get the terminology correct!!!!!
  
  Andy
• 

  Sefton Paine November 19, 2008 at 8:42am

  Hello Digalot.
  
  I would advise you to go to the Business Link website. These guys are a government funded business advice source. Also try Scavenger.net for forms and advice but I would advice you to contact Business Link. Having another thought, I remember a meeting with Trading Standards, and they adviced me against having a set of Terms and Conditions, as it can make things awkward. I have never had any terms and conditions with the majority of my customers, I think it can end up being to official. If you have what could be an awkward customer, sound them out first and before you do any work for them, create a quick T&C, and just base it on payment terms, quality of work and potential problem resolution. It doesn't need to be anything too stressful. I am sorry that I do not have a template to provide you.
• 

  Sir Digalot November 19, 2008 at 6:12pm

  Sefton,
  
  Thank you for your comments. I will look into the info you have provide as I am a member of that web site. I have put together some basic ones now as well so hopefully they will get me started.
  
  Andy (Digalot)
  
  Sefton Paine said:

  Hello Digalot.
  
  I would advise you to go to the Business Link website. These guys are a government funded business advice source. Also try Scavenger.net for forms and advice but I would advice you to contact Business Link. Having another thought, I remember a meeting with Trading Standards, and they adviced me against having a set of Terms and Conditions, as it can make things awkward. I have never had any terms and conditions with the majority of my customers, I think it can end up being to official. If you have what could be an awkward customer, sound them out first and before you do any work for them, create a quick T&C, and just base it on payment terms, quality of work and potential problem resolution. It doesn't need to be anything too stressful. I am sorry that I do not have a template to provide you.
• 

  Sir Digalot November 19, 2008 at 6:19pm

  Stuart,
  
  the Trading Standards scheme sounds really good and I shall look into this.
  I do agree about certain issues with T&C's and I think I would feel more comfortable with them than not as you pointed out in the "BUT......."
  I will email you soon
  
  Thanks again
  
  Andy
  
  Stuart Marler said:

  I joined the Trading Standards "Buy with Confidence" scheme 2 years ago and this has brought in a number of customers and work. When going for approved member status (the only status and £75 a year) the local TS officer vets you, your work and any paperwork given to the customer. My T&Cs were copied, uhmmm brought from some where and they went over it with a fine tooth comb and advised on adding/removing certain items.
  
  Email me at stuart@tvglandscaping.co.uk and I can send you a copy.
  
  HOW EVER, Sefton's reply is a good one; BUT what happens if you design a garden, oversee the project work and find a concrete base 8 inches thick is below the surface, unknown to you/customer, and you QUOTED for the work? What happens then? T&Cs will help you get around the financial blame/mess!
• 

  Sefton Paine November 19, 2008 at 7:14pm

  That's a good point Stuart. I wrote my response in bit of a hurry, I guess what is important is that the Terms and Conditions cover your backside to any any unforeseen eventuality. For example, if a water mains pipe runs just half a foot under the soil surface and you put something through it (This nearly happened to me), the customer has to notify you of all known workings under the said area and I guess if they don't or can't, although you will proceed with the utmost precaution and care, any damage caused will be at the cost of the customer. With landscaping jobs such as this, it can also enhance your professionalism and experience in such matters.
  
  
  Sir Digalot said:

  Stuart,
  
  the Trading Standards scheme sounds really good and I shall look into this.
  I do agree about certain issues with T&C's and I think I would feel more comfortable with them than not as you pointed out in the "BUT......."
  I will email you soon
  
  Thanks again
  
  Andy
  
  Stuart Marler said:

  I joined the Trading Standards "Buy with Confidence" scheme 2 years ago and this has brought in a number of customers and work. When going for approved member status (the only status and £75 a year) the local TS officer vets you, your work and any paperwork given to the customer. My T&Cs were copied, uhmmm brought from some where and they went over it with a fine tooth comb and advised on adding/removing certain items.
  
  Email me at stuart@tvglandscaping.co.uk and I can send you a copy.
  
  HOW EVER, Sefton's reply is a good one; BUT what happens if you design a garden, oversee the project work and find a concrete base 8 inches thick is below the surface, unknown to you/customer, and you QUOTED for the work? What happens then? T&Cs will help you get around the financial blame/mess!