Terms and Conditions of Business – LMDEC LTD

Effective Date: 13 January 2026

LMDEC LTD (“the Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is a company registered in England and Wales [11635394], with registered office at Suite 173, Capital Business Centre, 22 Carlton Road, South Croydon CR2 0BS.

These Terms govern all contracts for Works (refurbishments, conversions, installations, and related services) provided by the Company to consumer Clients (homeowners/residential occupiers). By accepting a Quotation (written/email confirmation, deposit payment, or commencement of Works), the Client agrees to these Terms, which supersede any prior discussions and take precedence over Client terms unless expressly agreed in writing by a Director. These Terms comply with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA 2015), Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, and other applicable laws.

1. Definitions

  • Client: The individual(s) or entity named in the Quotation commissioning the Works at a residential property.
  • Contract Sum: The total price in the Quotation (excluding VAT, subject to variations).
  • Quotation: The detailed estimate/quote provided by the Company, including scope, timeline, and costs.
  • Works: The services, labour, materials, and supplies described in the Quotation, performed with reasonable skill and care per CRA 2015 s.49.
  • Variation: Any change to scope, materials, timeline, or cost requested by the Client or necessitated by unforeseen circumstances.
  • Completion: Substantial completion of the Works (excluding minor defects/snagging), as certified by the Company in writing.
  • Force Majeure: Events beyond reasonable control, including severe weather, strikes, supply shortages, pandemics, government restrictions, or global disruptions (e.g., war, cyber-attacks affecting supply chains).

2. Formation of Contract

2.1 Quotations are valid for 60 days from issuance. Acceptance (e.g., deposit or instructions to proceed) forms a binding contract under these Terms.
2.2 No amendments to these Terms are valid unless in writing and signed by a Director.
2.3 The Company may withdraw or refuse the Quotation if payment terms are unsatisfactory, site conditions are unsafe, or regulatory compliance is at risk.
2.4 All supporting documents (e.g., specifications, drawings) must align with these Terms; any inconsistencies will be resolved in favour of these Terms.

3. Scope of Works & Standards

3.1 Works will be performed with reasonable skill and care by competent operatives, using materials compliant with UK standards, Building Regulations, Construction Products (Amendment) Regulations 2025, and CDM 2015 (where applicable). Energy-saving works (e.g., electric UFH) will meet efficiency standards; we will advise on eligibility.
3.2 The Quotation is based on site surveys and Client-provided information. Provisional sums are estimates and adjustable with notice and agreement.
3.3 Client-supplied items must be fit for purpose; the Company is not liable for defects in them. The Client indemnifies us against losses from unsuitable items.
3.4 We may subcontract specialist works (e.g., electrical/gas) but remain fully responsible.
3.5 Intellectual property in designs, plans, or custom works created by us vests in the Company until full payment; thereafter, a non-exclusive licence is granted to the Client for use at the property only.

4. Price, Variations & VAT

4.1 Prices exclude VAT (at prevailing rates: typically 20%; 5% for qualifying energy-saving installations – confirmed per project).
4.2 Variations must be requested in writing. We provide a cost/timeline impact quotation for approval. No Variation proceeds without written consent. Charges: £50/hour per operative + materials/VAT.
4.3 Unforeseen issues (e.g., hidden defects) will be notified promptly, quoted, and agreed before work continues. Delays from non-agreement are at Client risk.
4.4 Additional/extra works require a separate Quotation and are invoiced separately. No drip pricing applies; all costs are transparent pre-agreement per DMCCA 2024.

5. Payment Terms

5.1 Payments due as follows (unless varied in Quotation):

  • Deposit: 30% of Contract Sum (excl. VAT) on acceptance. Refundable only for our material breach (less incurred costs).
  • Interim Payments: Balance in weekly/bi-weekly instalments based on progress/value completed (materials incorporated + Variations). Evidence (e.g., photos, valuations) provided on request.
  • Final Balance: Due within 7 days of Completion invoice.

5.2 Invoicing Example (illustrative; actuals per verified progress):

  • Project: £100,000 (excl. VAT)
  • Deposit: £30,000
  • Week 2 ( £15,000 value): Invoice £10,500 (less deposit credit).
  • Final on Completion.

5.3 Payments in GBP by bank transfer. VAT added.

5.4 Late Payments & Interest
Time for payment is of the essence. Overdue sums accrue interest at 8% per annum above Bank of England base rate (daily basis), as a genuine pre-estimate of our costs (not a penalty). We may recover reasonable recovery costs. This does not apply to genuinely disputed amounts (see 5.6).

5.5 Non-Payment Consequences
If undisputed sums are overdue >7 days, we issue written notice (email/post) detailing the sum, interest, and a 7-day remedy period. Post-remedy, if unpaid:

  • Suspend Works immediately (no liability for delays/losses).
  • Accelerate full Contract Sum payment (incl. Variations/interest) to resume.
  • Retain title to materials; recover unpaid items from site.
  • Exercise a lien over the property/Works until payment (enforceable per common law).
    Suspension/enforcement excludes disputed sums (provided undisputed paid).

5.6 Disputed sums must be notified in writing within 7 days of invoice; undisputed paid fully. No set-off without our agreement.

5.7 Disputes and Fair Application
We apply remedies proportionately and in good faith per CRA 2015. For genuine disputes, we pause remedies on disputed amounts pending resolution (e.g., negotiation/inspection). If unfounded, full rights apply.

6. Timeline, Delays & Access

6.1 Dates are estimates; time not of essence unless specified.
6.2 Delays from Client actions, Variations, or Force Majeure extend timelines without liability (costs recoverable if Client-caused).
6.3 Client provides safe access, utilities, site clearance, and handles permits/planning/party walls/neighbour issues. Non-compliance: £40/hour downtime charges.
6.4 Client indemnifies us against third-party claims from site access/conditions.

7. Insurance & Liability

7.1 We maintain public liability (£2m) and employers’ liability (£10m); certificates available.
7.2 Client maintains property insurance covering Works.
7.3 Liability limited to direct losses from our negligence/breach. Excludes indirect/consequential losses, Client items/defects, pre-existing issues, wear/tear. Cap: Contract Sum.
7.4 Statutory rights (e.g., death/injury from negligence) preserved per CRA 2015/Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977. Client indemnifies us for losses from their breach/misinformation.

8. Defects Liability & Guarantee

8.1 12-month workmanship guarantee from Completion (materials per manufacturer).
8.2 Notify defects in writing within 7 days of discovery; we inspect/remedy proven issues free (excl. misuse/third-party damage).
8.3 Guarantee void if payments outstanding, Works altered, or Client in breach.

9. Termination & Cancellation

9.1 14-day cooling-off (Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013) from acceptance; deposit refundable less costs incurred.
9.2 Post-cooling-off cancellation: Client liable for 25% Contract Sum (pre-start) or full costs + lost profits (post-start).
9.3 We may terminate for Client breach (e.g., non-payment/access denial), recovering all costs/losses. 7 days’ notice given where possible.

10. Data Protection

10.1 We process personal data per our Privacy Policy (https://lmdec.co.uk/privacy-policy/), compliant with UK GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018. Client consents to processing for contract performance.

11. Dispute Resolution & Governing Law

11.1 Disputes: Good-faith negotiation, then mediation (e.g., CEDR). If unresolved, adjudication (Housing Grants Act 1996, noting residential exemptions) or English courts.
11.2 Governing law: England and Wales.
11.3 If the Domestic Building Works Bill becomes law, we comply with licensing/ombudsman requirements.

12. General

12.1 Force Majeure: No liability for delays/performance issues.
12.2 Notices: Written (email/post to Quotation addresses).
12.3 Severability: Invalid clauses severed; remainder enforceable.
12.4 Assignment: We may assign/subcontract; Client may not without consent.
12.5 Third-party rights excluded (Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999).
12.6 Entire agreement: These Terms + Quotation form the full contract.

For queries: Lukasz Mazurek, Director, info@lmdec.co.uk, 020 4577 2001 / 07472 883901.