Terms & Conditions

About these terms

These terms apply to painting and decorating services supplied by McKnight’s Painting Services, a business based in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland. They should be read with the written quotation, which contains the project-specific scope, price, materials and expected timescale.

If the quotation and these general terms conflict, the clearly stated project-specific term in the accepted quotation will normally take priority. Nothing in these terms removes or limits a consumer’s statutory rights.

Quotations

Quotations are based on the visible condition of the property, information provided by the customer and the agreed scope at the time of inspection. Unless the quotation states otherwise:

• the quotation is free and carries no obligation;
• it remains open for acceptance for 30 days;
• it covers only the work and materials specifically described; and
• hidden defects, damp, unstable surfaces, extensive repairs or specialist work are excluded unless expressly included.

Forming a contract

A contract is formed when the customer accepts the quotation and McKnight’s Painting Services confirms acceptance and the proposed start arrangements. Acceptance may be confirmed in writing, by message or by another agreed method.

The customer confirms that they own the property or have authority to instruct the work and provide access.

Price, deposits and payment

The quotation will state the agreed price, payment schedule, any deposit and whether VAT applies. A deposit may be requested for materials, specialist orders or to secure larger bookings. Any deposit requirement will be stated before the contract is agreed.

Invoices are payable by the date shown. The customer should raise any genuine query promptly and pay any undisputed amount when due. Materials specially ordered for the project may be non-returnable where the supplier will not accept a return.

Cancellation and cooling-off rights

Where a consumer contract is agreed at the customer’s home, by telephone, online or another distance method, the customer may have a legal right to cancel within 14 days of the contract being made. Details and a cancellation method should be supplied where that right applies.

If the customer expressly asks for work to begin during the cancellation period and later cancels, they may have to pay a reasonable amount for work supplied up to cancellation. If the service is fully completed during that period following the customer’s express request and acknowledgement, the cancellation right may be lost where the law allows.

Outside any statutory cancellation right, cancellation or postponement should be notified as early as possible. Reasonable costs already committed, including non-returnable materials, may be charged where permitted by law and explained to the customer.

Start dates, timescales and delays

Start dates and completion estimates are given in good faith. They may change because of weather, drying conditions, additional preparation, access problems, supplier delays, illness or other circumstances outside reasonable control. Exterior work is particularly weather-dependent.

McKnight’s Painting Services will communicate material delays and arrange a revised schedule where reasonably possible.

Customer responsibilities

The customer agrees to provide safe and reasonable access, electricity and water where needed, and to disclose known hazards, damp, asbestos, fragile surfaces or restrictions that may affect the work. Children, pets and other trades should be kept safely away from active work areas.

Small, valuable and fragile items should be removed before work starts. Any alarm, parking, key or access arrangements should be agreed in advance.

Preparation, furniture and protection

Reasonable care will be taken to protect floors, furniture and nearby surfaces. Larger furniture may be moved to the centre of a room where practical; the customer remains responsible for removing fragile, valuable or unusually heavy items unless otherwise agreed.

Standard preparation may include cleaning, filling, sanding, caulking and spot priming. The level of preparation included will be described in the quotation. Complete removal of every historic coating or imperfection is not included unless specifically stated.

Paint, materials and colour choices

Who supplies the paint and materials will be stated in the quotation. Where McKnight’s supplies them, suitable professional products will be selected for the agreed surface and finish. Product availability may require an equivalent alternative, which will be discussed where material.

The customer is responsible for approving colours and sheen levels. Samples and digital displays can vary from the final dried coating, and colours can appear different according to lighting and surrounding finishes.

Changes, hidden defects and additional work

Changes requested after acceptance may affect the price and programme. Wherever practical, a variation will be described and priced for approval before the extra work proceeds.

If hidden damage, unstable plaster, damp, rot or another unforeseen condition is discovered, work in the affected area may pause. The issue and available options will be explained. Specialist repairs outside the agreed scope may need to be completed by another contractor.

Standard of work and product limitations

Services will be carried out with reasonable care and skill and in accordance with the accepted quotation. Painted finishes are viewed under normal lighting and viewing conditions. Existing substrate movement, damp, contamination, previous incompatible coatings or structural defects can affect durability and may be outside the decorator’s control.

Manufacturer warranties apply to products where available. Any separate workmanship commitment or maintenance condition should be recorded in the written quotation.

Completion, inspection and reported issues

On completion, reasonable waste and coverings will be removed and the agreed work will be inspected. The customer should identify any visible concern during the final inspection or notify McKnight’s Painting Services promptly after discovery.

The business must be given a reasonable opportunity to inspect and, where appropriate, repeat or remedy work before another contractor is engaged. This does not affect remedies available under consumer law.

Liability and statutory rights

Nothing in these terms excludes liability that cannot legally be excluded, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or rights and remedies protected by consumer law.

McKnight’s Painting Services is not responsible for pre-existing defects, inaccurate information supplied by the customer, work carried out by others, or loss caused by the customer failing to follow reasonable care or drying instructions. Any other limitation applies only to the extent permitted by law and must be fair and reasonable.

Complaints

If you are dissatisfied, contact McKnight’s Painting Services promptly with details and photographs where useful. The aim is to acknowledge the concern, inspect where necessary and agree a reasonable solution. Taking this step does not restrict your statutory rights or access to independent consumer advice.

Governing law

These terms and any dispute or claim are governed by the law of Northern Ireland. The courts of Northern Ireland will have jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory consumer right to bring proceedings elsewhere.

Contact

McKnight’s Painting Services
Ballyclare, Northern Ireland
Telephone: 07468 434972