Terms and Conditions

Last updated: 27 October 2026

These terms apply to quotations, estimates and work carried out by HORTN LTD unless we agree different terms with you in writing. Please read them carefully, and contact us if anything is unclear before work begins.

1. Quotations and estimates

A quotation is our offer to carry out the described work for the stated price, and remains valid for 30 days unless we say otherwise. An estimate is our best assessment of the likely cost, and the final price may differ if the scope or conditions change.

Quotations are based on the information available at the time, including any site visit or survey. Where the actual conditions differ from what could reasonably have been seen – for example unexpected ground conditions, hidden drainage, asbestos or other unforeseen items – we will tell you, explain the options, and agree any variation in writing before continuing.

2. Accepting a quotation

A contract is formed when you accept our quotation in writing, including by email. We may ask for written acceptance and, where relevant, a deposit before booking the work in.

3. Price and payment

Prices are quoted in pounds sterling. Unless stated otherwise, prices are exclusive of VAT where VAT applies. We are not currently VAT registered, and will tell you if that changes.

• Payment terms are set out in the quotation, and are commonly staged for larger projects.
• Invoices are payable within 7 days of issue unless agreed otherwise.
• We reserve the right to charge interest on overdue amounts at the statutory rate.
• Where work is suspended at your request, we may invoice for work completed and materials ordered up to that point.
• We may ask for a deposit to cover materials and mobilisation on larger projects.

4. Access, services and site conditions

You agree to provide safe and reasonable access to the working area, along with access to water, power and toilet facilities where reasonably available, unless agreed otherwise. You are responsible for clearing personal belongings and valuables from the working area, and for telling us about anything buried or concealed that we should know about, such as service cables, pipes or drains.

If access is not available or safe on the agreed date, or the site is not ready for us, we may need to reschedule and may charge for lost time and costs incurred.

5. Scope changes and variations

Any change to the agreed scope of work will be recorded as a variation. We will confirm the effect on price and timescales before carrying out the additional work, and will not proceed with chargeable variations without your agreement.

6. Timescales

Any dates we give are estimates made in good faith. Building and groundworks are weather-dependent, and progress can also be affected by access, planning or building control requirements, supplier lead times and site conditions. We will keep you informed of anything that affects the programme.

7. Materials and workmanship

We will carry out the work with reasonable care and skill, using materials that are suitable for the purpose. Where materials are supplied by you, we are not responsible for their quality, suitability or performance, or for any resulting failure.

Materials and finishes can vary in shade, texture and grain between batches. Natural products such as stone, timber and paving will vary and this is not a defect. Where practical we will order from a single batch.

8. Planning permission and building regulations

Unless we expressly agree in writing, you are responsible for obtaining any planning permission, building regulations approval, party wall agreement or other consent required for the work. We are happy to provide drawings, specifications or information to support an application, and we will build in accordance with approved details.

9. Work on your property

Building and groundwork inevitably involves some disturbance. We will take reasonable care to protect paths, drives, lawns, planting and neighbouring property, but we cannot accept responsibility for normal wear arising from accessing and working on your property.

You are responsible for obtaining any consent needed from neighbours, landlords or co-owners before work starts, including any party wall notices.

10. Defects and warranty

We will put right any defect in our workmanship that appears within 12 months of completion, where it results from faulty workmanship on our part. We ask that you notify us in writing as soon as you become aware of a problem, so we can inspect it and agree the remedy. This does not cover:

• Wear and tear, or normal movement of a new or existing building
• Damage caused by others, or by misuse or neglect
• Work carried out by other contractors
• Materials you supplied yourself
• Ground movement or subsidence caused by trees, drainage or conditions outside our control

Manufacturer warranties for supplied products (such as windows, boilers or appliances) are passed to you directly.

11. Insurance and liability

We hold appropriate public liability insurance for the work we carry out. Our liability to you is limited to the value of the work carried out under the contract, except where liability cannot be limited by law, for example in respect of death or personal injury caused by our negligence.

We are not liable for indirect or consequential losses, such as loss of rent, profit or opportunity.

12. Cancellation

Where you are a consumer and the contract was agreed at a distance, you generally have 14 days to cancel from the date the contract is agreed. If you ask us to begin work during that period, you may still cancel but will be charged for work already carried out and materials already ordered. Once work has been completed with your agreement, the right to cancel no longer applies.

Where the contract is agreed at your home following a visit, the 14-day cancellation right generally does not apply, but our quotations are always given with no obligation to proceed.

13. Suspension and termination

We may suspend work if payment is overdue, or if continuing would be unsafe. Either party may terminate the contract, but you will be responsible for paying for work completed, materials ordered and costs reasonably incurred up to that point.

14. Complaints

If something is not right, please contact us as soon as possible so we can address it. Call 07812 172431 or email info@hortn.co.uk. We will acknowledge your complaint and agree a timescale for looking into it, and we will keep you updated on progress.

15. General

These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction. If any part of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the rest will continue to apply. Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer.

Where there is a conflict between these terms and a signed contract or written quotation, the signed contract or quotation takes precedence.