Catchfrench Design

Terms and conditions

(correct at time of publishing - for latest terms and conditions contact Catchfrench Design0

RIBA Registered Practice

Catchfrench Design is an RIBA Registered Practice (No. 99910P).
Insurance
We hold Professional Indemnity insurance (as required by the RIBA) for £2,000,000 for any one claim.
Agreement
The benefits of this agreement will remain between Catchfrench Design and the client and no part of the services will be sub-contracted unless there is a prior written agreement by both parties.
Client's Responsibilities
The client is obliged to provide free of charge all existing relevant information relating to the project. The client must advise the architect of all changes required in writing. The client must give decisions and approvals required for the services engaged within a reasonable period of time.
Architect's Responsibilities
We adhere to the RIBA and ARB Professional Codes of Conduct and perform our services with reasonable care and attention and with due regard to the Client's requirements. We will make no alteration to these services or the design once signed off by the client without their consent, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
No legal action can be taken against the Catchfrench Design after a period of 6 years from the date of the last services performed and the architect's liability does not exceed the value of the profession indemnity insurance held. No employee of Catchfrench Design can be held personally liable.
We do not take responsibility for approvals being granted by other parties and we do not take responsibility for the performance of others.
Fees and Disbursements
Fee accounts are prepared at work stages or on a monthly basis depending on which is sooner or appropriate.
A deposit of 50% of each work stage is required prior to works on that stage starting.
Consultants' fees and application fees are not the responsibility of Catchfrench Design, and disbursements for travel, printing, postage etc are charged extra (see schedule below). All fees are subject to VAT at current rates.
Design services not included unless otherwise stated
The detail design of fixtures and fittings such as wardrobes, shelving, bathroom fittings & specialist constructions for lighting fittings etc. are not included in the fee proposal unless otherwise stated. Nor are works normally carried out by specialist consultants such as Topographical Surveys, Environmental Surveys - Habitat, Flood Risk Assessments, Water Interest Surveys, Mining Searches, Land Contamination Surveys, SUDS Design, Party Wall Surveys, Asbestos Surveys, Percolation Tests, Energy Performance Calculations, Sound Testing, Structural Design, M&E Design,
We do include within our services the coordination of specialist consultants within the design process.
Variations
If there are any significant changes to the scope of our services or the design, either instructed by you or as a result of unforeseen circumstances, we will notify you beforehand and give you an estimate of the cost.
Minor variations may be absorbed at our discretion. Once the concept design is approved by the client it will be signed off and any further changes will be charged for.
Site inspections
Unless otherwise agreed we shall make weekly site visits and monthly progress meetings during the course of the contract period to inspect the works and ensure that they proceed according to the contract documents. These visits are covered by the fee proposal for that work stage. Should the programme be extended for whatever reason we shall continue to carry out inspections etc. on a time charge which will be notified at the time. It may be desirable to include this sum when considering how to determine liquidated damages under the building contract.
Payment of fees
Cash flow is important to us and we expect reasonably prompt payment of our fee accounts and certainly within 14 days. We reserve the right to charge statutory interest on late payments. If you have a valid reason for withholding payment please let us know straight away.
Schedule of disbursements
Travel (per mile) £0.50
Postage: Royal Mail standard postage rates
Printing (prices on enquiry)

Suspension or Termination
If the client wishes to suspend or end the services at any time it is necessary to provide at least 7 days written notice. If we wish to suspend services due to reasons including but not limited to client's failure to pay fees we must also provide at least 7 days written notice. If reasons cease to apply within a reasonable period of time we will resume services again. If reasons are not remedied within a reasonable period the Agreement will end upon further written notice from us.
Dispute Resolution
If a dispute occurs between the parties the agreed method of dispute resolution will be adjudication and the RIBA Adjudication Scheme for Consumer Contracts will apply. Costs occurred in relation to the adjudication will be allocated between the parties by the adjudicator.
Intellectual property
We reserve the right to publish designs, drawings and photographs. All designs and drawings are the copyright of Catchfrench Design. Any publicity material is to credit Catchfrench Design.
Advertising
We shall post our site boards, either the standard RIBA board and/or a photo realisation of the project during the construction process and these are to remain until 12 weeks after Final Completion unless otherwise agreed.