LITCHFIELD’S TERMS & CONDITIONS
These terms and conditions shall be governed by the relevant United Kingdom law, and by agreeing to be bound by them the customer agrees to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the relevant courts of the United Kingdom. Litchfield’s reserves the right to make changes to any part of these terms and conditions without notice.
By ordering Litchfield’s cleaning and/or restoration/or protection services the client agrees to be bound by Litchfield’s terms and conditions which are given to the client prior to any works. It is the client’s responsibility to contact Litchfield’s with any issues relating to our terms before Litchfield’s begins work. Once work has begun, it is held that the client accepts an understanding of these terms and conditions in full, and has agreed to the quotation given and understands the results of the clean explained at such quotation.
General:
All delicate or breakable furniture and items must be removed by the client before Litchfield’s arrive to undertake cleaning. Litchfield’s technicians will not move items of furniture that are deemed too heavy for health & safety reasons. Any furniture items needing to be moved that can be shifted manually without excessive physical exertion by a Litchfield’s technician should first be emptied by the client prior to arrival. If this has not been undertaken Litchfield’s will clean around the furniture to best advantage. If the client insists Litchfield’s move furniture that has not been emptied, providing it is safe to do so this will be done at the client’s own risk. Furniture that is moved whilst full may buckle, twist or break. Litchfield’s accepts no responsibility should damage occur in this instance and the company reserves the right not to be accountable for:- any cleaning job not complete due to a lack of hot water or power in the client’s premises; third party (pets included) entering or present at the client’s premises during cleaning, causing re-soiling; wear or discolouration of fabrics or fibres becoming more visible once soil has been removed; any inability to remove old or permanent stains that cannot be cleaned using standard carpet & upholstery cleaning processes, or odours re-activated from old spills/stains.
Equipment:
Litchfield’s will provide all necessary cleaning supplies and apparatus to execute the work specified by the client in a professional manner approaching our task with care and attention to provide a satisfactory level of service. The client will agree to supply all hot water and electricity for the works to be undertaken. Failure to supply this may result in a cancellation fee of £60.00 to cover loss of work, which may have to be rescheduled at a later date.
Carpets, Upholstery etc:
Furnishings are typically not produced with future cleaning requirements taken into consideration by the manufacturer. The result is that some furnishings may be cleaned in accordance with generally accepted industry standards, yet the appearance of such furnishings can be detrimentally affected by cleaning. Because of the array of fibre and fabric blends, soiling and environmental conditions that may exist within each product, Litchfield’s cannot be held responsible for: Aging or deterioration, marks migrating from fabric backing, dye instability, damaged foam cushions, white fabric restoration, urine contamination, finish or sheen/glaze loss, worn piping/welting, damaged zips, failure of fabric backing, shrinkage, stain removal attempts, browning, yellowing, fading, water marks, pre-existing wear, loose frames/legs, nicked wood trim or veneer, loose or missing buttons.
Colours:
If carpets and upholstery have been produced using stable dyes, colour loss, colour change or colour bleed should not result during professional cleaning using the appropriate cleaning system. Inspection and testing will identify fabrics which could develop normal colour problems during cleaning. Special dry or low moisture cleaning will ensure the maximum soil removal possible without risk of colour damage.
NB:
Fabrics or fibres with excessive soil may not release all soil and stains without risk of damage to colours.
Colour problems and/or hidden stains hidden by excessive soil may only show up after soil removal attempts are undertaken. Litchfield’s will not be responsible for these problems.
Instruction Labels on Fabrics:
Attached to many fabrics is a care label with cleaning guidance, usually found under seat cushions or frames or under rugs. However, excessive soiling or poor maintenance procedures may necessitate a cleaning approach or system other than that recommended, and Litchfield’s will require your permission to do so. Any additional risks or limitations will be reviewed with you and will require your approval prior to any work commencing and by agreeing to such, Litchfield’s will not be responsible for any damage caused.
Seams and Edgings:
It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that carpet edges and seams are securely fitted prior to Litchfield’s commencing cleaning. If any seams or edging are insecure, Litchfield’s will not accept responsibility for any loose fibres or yarns becoming caught in any machinery and pulling out, or for movement/seam separation caused by deterioration of carpet backing or glue and/or adhesive tapes.
Shrinkage:
May occur when fibres - usually consisting mostly of natural fibres (except Belgian wiltons – manufactured with synthetic fibres i.e. olefin with a jute backing) are exposed to liquids from accidents, maintenance spotting or inappropriate cleaning attempts. Litchfield’s will undertake to avoid such shrinkage problems by identifying problem fabrics/fibre types. However, movement and shrinkage may occur as a consequence of poorly fitted or replaced carpets/seams/edgings. Accordingly, Litchfield’s will not be responsible for such movement or shrinkage.
Upholstery Deterioration:
Fabrics exposed to heavy soil or heavy usage or exposed to strong light will deteriorate. Natural fibre fabric constructions are highly sensitive to these conditions.
NB:
Heavily soiled fabric that is deteriorated may disguise certain conditions that are not apparent until after cleaning, i.e. colour loss, fabric fraying and worn or loosened fibres. Litchfield’s will not be responsible for these conditions.
Dye instability on the surface of leather can be caused by disproportionate wear. Grease and soil gradually coats the surface of leather and can disguise erosion of original lacquer on most leathers. Litchfield’s will not be responsible for any colour erosion/flaking due to this existing problem, which may only become visible post-cleaning.
Fibre Protection Treatments:
Protecting agents applied by Litchfield’s are applied in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and are not designed to give complete protection, only to assist in repelling soil for a short duration with no assurance they will completely stop any liquid from penetrating fibres. This is explained at quotation stage and any treatments will be applied after educating clients about treatment limitations with client consent. All protectors become ineffective after a certain time period and clients must take this into consideration when purchasing treatments. Litchfield’s do not accept responsibility for treatment product results or limitations, and if there are complaints relating directly to the treatment products applied then the client must contact the manufacturer directly in writing (details will be made available on request).
Cancellation:
Clients may cancel or re-schedule a clean or service by giving at least 24 hours notice. If Litchfield’s are not given at least 24hrs notice, a fee of £60.00 is due immediately from the client to cover loss of income. Litchfield’s may charge a cancellation fee of up to 50% of the quoted price for any booked service. If Litchfield’s travels to a client’s address on a pre-arranged day and the client or agreed intermediary is not in, or Litchfield’s cannot gain entry to the property by arrangements made by the client, the client shall be liable for a cancellation fee of £60.00.
Payment:
Payment is due as soon as works have been completed, either by cheque (made payable to Litchfield’s) or cash. An invoice will be submitted straight away or posted (where services are not completely clarified by the client). For commercial clients a 30 day payment term is provided. For all clients, failure to pay on time will result in a late payment surcharge of 10% of original quotation price. Minimum charge for any service is £60.00. All costs incurred by Litchfield’s in the pursuit of late payment will be added to the outstanding balance owed.
Claims:
In a case of complaint, Litchfield’s requires notification within 24 hours after completion of the cleaning work. No claims will be accepted after this time. In the event of a client being dissatisfied with the standard of work undertaken, Litchfield’s must be allowed to return and attempt to remedy any shortfall in the work at no extra charge. Litchfield’s insurance policy will cover any proven accidental damages caused by an operative working on behalf of Litchfield’s. The client understands and accepts that breakage/damage or theft must be reported within 24 hours from our service date. Failure to do so will entitle the client to no claim.
Copyright © Litchfield’s 2008. All rights reserved.
