1. Definitions
1.1. In these Terms, the following definitions shall apply:
“Approved Designs” means the design of the Goods approved by the Client in writing and forming part of the Order.
“Completion” means the physical completion of the Goods, and “Complete” and “Completed” shall be construed accordingly.
“Consultation Form” means the document completed by or on behalf of the Client setting out initial project requirements, site details and other relevant information for the Project.
“Contract” means the contract for the purchase of Goods or Services from Harper Charles which includes these Terms and the relevant Purchase Order.
“Deliverables” has the meaning given to it in clause 5.2.
“Deposit” means the Project deposit, being 80% of the Price.
“Design Fee” means the fee payable by the Client for the design stage of the Project as set out in the Design Fee Proposal.
“Design Fee Proposal” means the written proposal issued by Harper Charles setting out the scope and fee for the design stage of the Project.
“Force Majeure Event” has the meaning given to it in clause 17.1.
“Goods” means items supplied by Harper Charles, including but not limited to bespoke furniture.
“Installation Date(s)” means the estimated dates or timeframe for installation of the Goods.
“Minimum Design Fee” means the minimum Design Fee applicable to Projects covering less than 200 square feet, as specified in the Design Fee Proposal.
“Order” means the Client’s order for the provision of Goods or Services placed with Harper Charles.
“Price” means the price payable for the Goods and Services.
“Project” means the overall interior design, manufacture and installation project undertaken by Harper Charles for the Client, as described in the Design Fee Proposal and Purchase Order.
“Purchase Order” means Harper Charles’ written acceptance of the Order referencing these Terms.
“Services” means the services provided by Harper Charles in respect of the design, manufacture, delivery, build, and installation of the Goods.
“Schedule of Works” means the written programme issued by Harper Charles setting out the proposed dates, sequence and scope of installation and related works for the Project.
“Site Survey Fee” means the fee payable by the Client for any site visit, inspection, measurement or survey carried out by or on behalf of Harper Charles in connection with the Project prior to manufacture or installation, as notified to the Client in writing.
“Technical Drawings” means the detailed drawings, plans, specifications and measurements prepared by or on behalf of Harper Charles for the manufacture and installation of the Goods, based on the Approved Design, and submitted to the Client for approval prior to manufacture.
“Variation” means any agreed change to the scope, specification, design, materials, quantities, timing or other requirements of the Project after acceptance of the relevant Design Fee Proposal or Purchase Order.
2. Formation of Contract
2.1. These Terms apply to each Contract for Harper Charles to provide Goods and/or Services.
2.2. A legally binding contract for the design stage shall be formed when the Client signs and returns the Design Fee Proposal.
2.3. Following completion of the design stage, a legally binding contract for the manufacture and supply of the Goods forming part of the Project shall be formed when:
(a) the Client confirms the Goods to be supplied for the Project following any quotation issued by Harper Charles; and
(b) Harper Charles issues Purchase Order confirming its acceptance.
2.4. The Design Fee Proposal will remain open for acceptance by the Client for twenty-eight (28) days from the date of issue. Harper Charles may, at the Client’s request, issue a revised design proposal or variation. Harper Charles reserves the right to withdraw any design proposal at its discretion at any time prior to acceptance.
2.5. All quotes or estimates provided by Harper Charles are valid for twenty-eight (28) days from the date of issue and shall not constitute a legally binding offer capable of acceptance until confirmed by a Purchase Order.
2.6. When placing an order for Goods, the Client must ensure that all information provided is correct, accurate, and complete. Harper Charles shall manufacture the Goods in accordance with the Approved Designs and Technical Drawings. Once Technical Drawings have been approved and signed off by the Client, no further amendments shall be permitted without incurring additional charges and potential delays to the Project timeline. Harper Charles shall not accept a return of any Goods resulting from incorrect information provided by the Client. This does not affect the Client’s statutory legal rights.
3. Services
3.1. Harper Charles provides the Services subject to these Terms, including the following obligations:
(a) to perform the Services in a timely and professional manner, exercising due care and skill;
(b) to cooperate with the Client as reasonably required for the provision of the Services; and
(c) to deliver the Services in accordance with the specifications or descriptions set out in the Design Fee Proposal and/or Purchase Order, as agreed between the parties.
3.2. Unless otherwise agreed in writing or where an alternative supplier has responsibility for a specific element of the Project, Harper Charles shall undertake all purchasing related to the Goods and Services comprised in the Project.
3.3. Harper Charles reserves the right to review and adjust the rates chargeable to the Client for the Services. No change to rates shall affect a Design Fee Proposal or Purchase Order already accepted, and any revised rates shall apply only to future proposals or agreed Variations.
4. Client Responsibilities
4.1. Subject to these Terms, the Client shall:
(a) ensure that all information provided in the Consultation Form is accurate and complete;
(b) provide correct and accurate plans, drawings, and measurements necessary for Harper Charles to perform its Services;
(c) promptly provide any information, surveys, reports, or other items reasonably required by Harper Charles to deliver the Services in a timely manner; and
(d) ensure that any changes or alterations to initial instructions are mutually agreed in writing with Harper Charles.
4.2. Where the Client appoints any Consultant or sub-contractor to perform professional services in connection with the Project, the Client shall:
(a) ensure that each Consultant or sub-contractor is responsible for the proper performance of their services; and
(b) require such third parties to cooperate with Harper Charles to enable Harper Charles to properly and effectively perform its Services.
4.3. Any purchases of goods made directly by the Client are not the responsibility of Harper Charles and Harper Charles shall not be liable for any defect, delay or incompatibility arising from such purchases.
4.4. Where decisions or approvals are required from the Client, such decisions shall be provided within a reasonable time to enable Harper Charles to perform the Services in accordance with the agreed Project timeline.
4.5. Harper Charles shall not be liable for any delay to the Project or the Project timeline to the extent such delay arises from or is attributable to the Client’s failure to comply with this clause 4.
5. Design, Revisions and Variations
5.1. The minimum area covered by the Design Fee is 200 square feet. For Projects covering less than 200 square feet, the Client shall be charged the Minimum Design Fee.
5.2. The Client must promptly and carefully review any draft revisions or versions of the Approved Design, Technical Drawings, or other design deliverables (the “Deliverables”). By approving the Deliverables, the Client confirms to Harper Charles that:
(a) the Deliverables have been checked for accuracy; and
(b) the Deliverables meet the Client’s requirements.
Any request by the Client for changes or variations to the Deliverables after approval of the draft shall be considered a Variation.
5.3. Harper Charles reserves the right to charge additional fees for Variations, including costs for materials, labour, professional services, and any impact on third party suppliers.
5.4. Variations may result in adjustments to the Project timeline and/or Price, and Harper Charles shall notify the Client in writing of any anticipated delays.
5.5. All Variations must be agreed in writing between Harper Charles and the Client before implementation.
5.6. Harper Charles shall provide revisions as reasonably necessary to ensure the Deliverables meet the agreed specifications. Revisions requested outside the original scope of work, or beyond a reasonable number of iterations, may incur additional fees.
5.7. Harper Charles shall not be liable for any errors or omissions in the Deliverables resulting from incorrect, incomplete, or delayed information supplied by the Client.
6. Payment Terms
6.1. The Client’s approval of the Deliverables authorises Harper Charles to confirm orders and instruct manufacturers to commence production in accordance with the Approved Design and Purchase Order.
6.2. Unless otherwise agreed in writing:
(a) the Design Fee shall be payable in full upon acceptance of the Design Fee Proposal;
(b) following completion of the design stage, the Client shall pay the Deposit prior to commencement of manufacture; and
(c) the remaining 20% balance shall be paid no later than two (2) weeks prior to the confirmed Installation Date(s).
The Deposit invoice must be paid in cleared funds before manufacture of the Goods will commence. A separate invoice will be issued for payment of the final balance.
6.3. Notwithstanding clause 6.2, the following Services shall be payable in full prior to the commencement of performance by Harper Charles:
(a) Orders with a value of £20,000 or less (excluding VAT);
(b) Site Survey Fee; and
(c) Design Fees.
6.4. Unless otherwise specified, all prices quoted in the Design Fee Proposal or any quotation issued by Harper Charles exclude:
(a) value added tax (VAT);
(b) out-of-pocket costs and charges relating to the Project (including third-party fees, travel, site visits, etc.), unless otherwise stated; and
(c) any additional expenses arising as a consequence of instructions, delays, Variations, or omissions by the Client, which shall be payable in addition to the quoted prices.
6.5. Any additional work or Services requested by the Client outside the agreed scope of the Project shall be charged at Harper Charles’ prevailing hourly rates, which will be added to the next invoice.
6.6. The Client shall pay all invoices within seven (7) days of the invoice date, unless otherwise stated on the invoice. If the Client fails to pay within the prescribed period, Harper Charles reserves the right to:
(a) charge interest on overdue sums at 5% per annum above the Bank of England base rate (or at a rate of 5% per annum for any period where the said base rate falls below 0%), from the due date until full payment, whether before or after judgment;
(b) suspend provision of further Services and/or delay manufacture, delivery or installation of the Goods without liability; and
(c) refer the matter to a professional debt collection agency.
6.7. The Client shall reimburse Harper Charles for all costs, including legal costs on an indemnity basis, incurred in enforcing its rights under the Contract, including recovery of any sums due.
6.8. The Client shall not deduct, reduce, or withhold payment due to claims or alleged claims against Harper Charles, except where such deduction is required by law.
6.9. The Price shall be as stated in the relevant Purchase Order, which shall indicate whether it includes or excludes the cost of delivery and/or installation of the Goods.
6.10. For Goods exported outside the UK, the Price shall include VAT only where required by applicable law. The Client shall be responsible for:
(a) all customs duties and taxes;
(b) obtaining any necessary licences; and
(c) compliance with all applicable export laws and regulations.
6.11. If the VAT rate changes between the date of order and the date of payment, Harper Charles shall adjust the VAT payable accordingly. Payments already received in full shall not be adjusted.