These terms apply to plumbing installation, alteration, maintenance and repair works undertaken by WDI Group (Surrey) Ltd and should be read together with our Standard Quotation Terms & Conditions and, where applicable, our Repairs, Call-outs & Fault Finding Terms & Conditions.
1. SCOPE OF WORKS
WDI Group will carry out only the plumbing works specifically described within the quotation, booking or agreed scope. Any additional work, materials, investigation, repairs or alterations required outside the agreed scope will be chargeable.
2. EXISTING PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS
Existing plumbing systems may contain ageing, corroded, damaged, incorrectly installed or deteriorated pipework, valves, fittings, tanks, cylinders, sanitaryware and other components. WDI Group is not responsible for pre-existing defects or weaknesses which could not reasonably have been identified before work commenced. Where our work exposes a pre-existing defect or additional remedial work becomes necessary, the additional labour, materials and attendance will be chargeable.
3. DISTURBING EXISTING PIPEWORK & FITTINGS
Plumbing work frequently requires existing valves, taps, fittings, pipework, flexible hoses, wastes, traps, connections or other components to be operated, disconnected or disturbed. Older components may be seized, corroded, brittle or deteriorated and can fail when operated or disturbed despite reasonable care being exercised. Where an existing component fails because of pre-existing deterioration or weakness which could not reasonably have been identified beforehand, replacement parts, additional labour and any necessary return attendance will be chargeable. This does not exclude WDI Group's responsibility to exercise reasonable care and skill.
4. WATER ISOLATION
Plumbing work may require the property's water supply, or part of the plumbing system, to be isolated. The quotation assumes suitable and operational isolation valves are available unless otherwise stated. Where an existing stopcock, service valve, isolation valve or other means of isolation is seized, defective, inaccessible or fails to shut off adequately, additional work may be required before planned works can proceed. Any additional work required to achieve suitable isolation will be chargeable.
5. EXTERNAL STOPCOCKS & WATER SUPPLIER EQUIPMENT
External stopcocks, meters and water-supply infrastructure may be owned or controlled by the relevant water supplier. Where the internal supply cannot be adequately isolated and assistance from the water supplier is required, delays or additional attendance may occur. WDI Group cannot guarantee the availability or operation of equipment controlled by the water supplier.
6. DRAINING & RE-FILLING SYSTEMS
Certain plumbing and heating works require water systems to be drained and subsequently refilled. Draining and repressurising an existing system can expose weaknesses, leaks or failures which were not previously apparent. Where an existing joint, valve, pipe, radiator, cylinder or other component begins leaking or fails because of a pre-existing weakness exposed during normal draining or repressurisation, resulting additional repair work will be chargeable.
7. HEATING SYSTEMS FOLLOWING DRAIN-DOWN & RE-FILLING
Where plumbing or heating work requires an existing central-heating system to be drained down, isolated, partially drained or subsequently refilled and repressurised, the Client accepts that this process can disturb the existing system and expose previously unknown problems.
Draining and refilling an existing heating system can introduce or move air within the system, disturb existing sludge, magnetite, debris or corrosion deposits, affect circulation, expose weak seals or joints and cause existing pumps, valves, automatic air vents, pressure-relief components or other parts to begin leaking, sticking or operating incorrectly.
Following refill and repressurisation, an existing boiler may in some circumstances fail to restart, display a fault code, lose pressure, develop circulation problems, become airlocked or otherwise fail to operate correctly. This can occur even where the boiler and heating system appeared to operate before the drain-down and does not, by itself, mean WDI Group has caused the fault.
Where WDI Group has exercised reasonable care and skill when draining, refilling and recommissioning the system, WDI Group will not be responsible for faults, leaks or failures arising from the pre-existing condition, deterioration, contamination, sludge, corrosion or weakness of the existing boiler or heating system which could not reasonably have been identified beforehand.
Where additional diagnosis, bleeding, balancing, cleaning, repair, replacement parts or further attendance is required to restore an existing boiler or heating system following drain-down because of such a pre-existing condition, that additional work will be chargeable.
Where the system cannot be successfully recommissioned without additional repair or remedial work, the Client will be advised and necessary work will be quoted or charged separately as appropriate. Nothing within this clause excludes WDI Group's responsibility to carry out the drain-down, refill and associated work with reasonable care and skill.
8. WATER PRESSURE & FLOW
The performance of taps, showers, toilets, appliances and other water outlets depends upon pressure and flow available from the existing water supply and plumbing system. WDI Group cannot guarantee an improvement in water pressure or flow unless such improvement is specifically included within agreed works. Changes or fluctuations in mains-water pressure supplied to the property are outside WDI Group's control.
9. CONCEALED PIPEWORK
Where existing pipework is concealed within walls, floors, ceilings, ducts, boxing or other inaccessible areas, WDI Group cannot confirm its exact route, condition or suitability without investigation. If concealed pipework is found damaged, incorrectly installed, restricted, corroded or otherwise unsuitable, additional work will be chargeable.
10. ACCESS TO CONCEALED SERVICES
Where access to concealed pipework or plumbing components is required, it may be necessary to lift flooring, remove boxing, open walls or ceilings, remove tiles, move units or otherwise expose relevant services. Unless specifically included within the quotation, reinstatement, decorating, specialist plastering, tiling, flooring and exact matching of finishes are excluded. Where possible, WDI Group will discuss intrusive access with the Client before proceeding.
11. LEAK INVESTIGATION
Leak tracing and investigation is chargeable diagnostic work. The Client is paying for the engineer's attendance, time, professional knowledge and investigation undertaken and not solely for successfully locating the source of a leak. Water can travel considerable distances through building fabric, voids, floors and ceilings before becoming visible. The location at which water becomes visible is therefore not necessarily the location of the leak. WDI Group cannot guarantee every concealed or intermittent leak will be located during the initial attendance. Further investigation, opening of building fabric, specialist equipment or additional visits may be required and will be chargeable.
12. DAMAGE CAUSED BY EXISTING LEAKS
WDI Group is not responsible for damage which occurred before our attendance or for continuing damage caused by an existing concealed leak before it can reasonably be identified, isolated or repaired. Where an emergency or temporary measure is undertaken, the Client should follow any advice provided by WDI Group regarding further permanent repairs.
13. TEMPORARY & EMERGENCY REPAIRS
Where circumstances prevent a permanent repair during the initial attendance, WDI Group may carry out a temporary repair where appropriate and safe. Temporary repairs are intended to reduce immediate risk or restore limited use until permanent remedial work can be undertaken. The lifespan of a temporary repair cannot be guaranteed. Further attendance and permanent remedial work will be chargeable unless specifically included within the original agreed price.
14. EXISTING WASTE & DRAINAGE PIPEWORK
Where WDI Group connects new plumbing fixtures or appliances to existing waste or drainage pipework, the quotation assumes existing drainage is serviceable and suitable. Existing restrictions, poor falls, blockages, damaged pipework, incorrect installation or inadequate drainage may only become apparent after new equipment is connected or used. Where remedial drainage work is required because of an existing defect, this will be chargeable.
15. BLOCKAGES
Unless specifically included, clearing existing blocked wastes, traps, soil pipes, drains or sewers is not included within plumbing installation work. Where a blockage prevents WDI Group from completing or testing agreed work, additional clearance or drainage work will be chargeable.
16. SANITARYWARE, TAPS & FITTINGS
Where WDI Group supplies sanitaryware, taps, valves or other plumbing products, these will be subject to any applicable manufacturer warranty in addition to WDI Group's workmanship obligations. Product warranties are administered subject to the manufacturer's terms and exclusions. Manufacturer product failure does not automatically mean all associated removal, refitting, access or consequential labour is covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Where the manufacturer provides parts or replacement goods only, WDI Group labour associated with replacement may be chargeable unless otherwise agreed or required by law.
17. CUSTOMER-SUPPLIED MATERIALS & PRODUCTS
Where the Client supplies taps, showers, sanitaryware, valves, appliances, radiators or other products, those items are not covered by a WDI Group parts or product warranty. The Client is responsible for ensuring Client-supplied products are correct, compatible, complete, undamaged and suitable for the intended installation. WDI Group may refuse to install an item which we reasonably consider unsuitable, incompatible or unsafe. If a Client-supplied item is defective, incorrect, leaks, fails or subsequently requires removal, repair or replacement, WDI Group's attendance, diagnostic work, removal, refitting and labour will be chargeable. The Client is responsible for pursuing any applicable product warranty directly with the supplier or manufacturer.
18. FLEXIBLE HOSES & EXISTING CONNECTIONS
Existing flexible hoses, tap connectors, appliance hoses and similar components can deteriorate with age. Where WDI Group reasonably considers an existing connector unsuitable for reuse, replacement may be recommended. If the Client declines a recommended replacement, WDI Group cannot accept responsibility for subsequent failure of that existing component unless caused by our failure to exercise reasonable care and skill.
19. SEALS, SILICONE & MASTIC
Where sealing with silicone or similar materials forms part of agreed plumbing work, reasonable care will be taken in application. Sealants require appropriate curing time and ongoing maintenance. The Client must follow instructions regarding when a bath, shower, basin or other fixture can first be used following sealing. Failure caused by premature use, movement, deterioration, cleaning chemicals, mould or lack of maintenance is not considered a workmanship defect.
20. APPLIANCES
Where WDI Group connects a washing machine, dishwasher or other water-using appliance, our responsibility relates to plumbing connections we install or alter. WDI Group does not warrant the appliance itself unless it has been supplied under terms specifically providing such cover. Faults within Client-supplied appliances remain the Client's responsibility.
21. HOT-WATER CYLINDERS & STORED WATER SYSTEMS
Work involving existing hot-water cylinders, tanks, pumps or stored-water systems may expose deterioration, corrosion or existing defects. Where an existing component fails or leaks because of pre-existing deterioration which could not reasonably have been identified beforehand, additional repairs will be chargeable.
22. FREEZING & EXTERNAL PIPEWORK
External or inadequately protected water pipework may be vulnerable to freezing during cold weather. Where WDI Group installs external pipework, reasonable measures will be taken where appropriate to reduce freezing risk. No plumbing contractor can guarantee exposed water pipework will never freeze during extreme conditions. Damage caused by freezing after installation is not automatically considered a workmanship defect.
23. MAKING GOOD
Unless specifically included, plumbing prices do not include painting, decorating, specialist plastering, tiling, flooring repairs, carpentry, replacement boxing or exact matching of existing finishes. Where making good is included, WDI Group will make reasonable efforts to achieve a suitable finish, but an exact match to existing aged materials cannot be guaranteed.
24. THIRD-PARTY WORK
WDI Group does not warrant plumbing work, repairs, alterations or installations undertaken by another contractor or person. Where third-party work causes or contributes to a leak, blockage, failure or other problem, WDI Group's investigation and remedial work will be chargeable.
25. SEQUENTIAL FAULTS
Plumbing faults can sometimes only be identified in stages. Repairing one leak, restriction, defective valve or failed component may allow another pre-existing fault to become apparent. Where WDI Group reasonably repairs an identified fault and subsequent testing reveals an additional fault which could not reasonably have been identified beforehand, additional diagnosis, labour, parts and attendance will be chargeable. Discovery of an additional fault does not, by itself, mean the original diagnosis or repair was incorrect.
26. WDI GROUP WORKMANSHIP WARRANTY
Unless expressly stated otherwise, WDI Group provides a 12-month workmanship warranty from completion of plumbing work. The warranty applies to defects arising directly from workmanship carried out by WDI Group. It does not provide a 12-month guarantee for the entire existing plumbing or heating system or components WDI Group did not replace. The workmanship warranty does not cover pre-existing defects, manufacturer product failures, Client-supplied products, existing pipework/valves/fittings not replaced by WDI Group, blockages caused by use or contamination, faults arising from pre-existing heating-system contamination or deterioration, accidental damage, freezing, normal wear and tear, lack of maintenance, misuse or third-party alterations/interference. Where a reported warranty issue is investigated and found not to result from WDI Group's workmanship, attendance and diagnostic work will be chargeable. Nothing within these terms affects the Client's statutory rights.
27. RECALLS
Where the Client believes there is a problem directly resulting from plumbing work undertaken by WDI Group, the Client should notify us as soon as reasonably practicable. Where investigation confirms a defect in WDI Group workmanship covered by our warranty, reasonable remedial work will be undertaken without an additional labour charge. Where the problem is found unrelated, caused by an existing component, Client-supplied product, blockage, misuse, third-party work or another excluded cause, attendance and diagnostic work will be chargeable.
28. TESTING & COMPLETION
Following plumbing work, WDI Group will undertake reasonable testing appropriate to work completed. A successful test confirms operation of relevant work at the time of testing. It does not guarantee unrelated existing components or concealed plumbing elsewhere within the property will not subsequently fail.
29. PAYMENT
Payment is due in accordance with the quotation, booking or agreed payment terms. Where plumbing work is undertaken on a call-out or time-and-materials basis, charges are payable for labour, attendance and materials supplied. Charges remain payable where investigation identifies further work, a permanent repair cannot be completed during the first attendance, additional parts are required, or the Client decides not to proceed with further recommended work.
30. ACCEPTANCE
By accepting a plumbing quotation, booking an appointment or instructing WDI Group to proceed, the Client confirms acceptance of the agreed scope and charges, WDI Group's Standard Quotation Terms & Conditions, WDI Group's Repairs, Call-outs & Fault Finding Terms & Conditions where applicable, these Plumbing Terms & Conditions and any additional project-specific terms agreed for the works. Nothing within these terms affects the Client's statutory rights.