TERMS AND CONDITIONS

GENERAL NOTES:

Initial Advice

Initial Advice is a 1-hour consultation at the project site.
It is ideally suited for homeowners wishing to extend or alter their property or seeking professional advice on other aspects of their property.
During the visit, we will discuss your proposal or identified issue and guide you accordingly through meanders of planning, building control and building process or advise you on further steps to address your particular concerns.
Post the visit you will receive a summary report highlighting discussed matters and recommendations.
In some circumstances of simple alterations or localised dilapidation, we may include a specification for a short (less than 3m long) steel beam or lintel, or straightforward advice on the structural issue identified by you.
If you are looking to find out if the wall you plan to remove is load-bearing or structurally significant you will need to expose the buildup of the wall and the floor/roof structure over it and provide access so we can ascertain the structural form of your building. We do not open ceilings, walls, floors or dig holes as a part of this service. On the day we can only judge what is readily available for survey. In case we cannot ascertain the structural form and arrangement of the building you will receive an explanation of what we think the status of the wall may be with directions for further investigatory work to confirm our assumption.
We will also present you with the quotation for further services we can provide you with, tailored to your requirements discussed during the visit.
If you are looking for a structural inspection report, this is not the service for you, however, should you seek an opinion as to whether you need such an inspection report then this service will give you an answer.
This is a piece of professional and impartial advice you can trust.
This visit will be deducted from further services if and when you choose us for such.

Structural Inspection - Stage 1

This service is the first step in the determination of the structural condition of your property. We will visit your property to assess the structural dilapidations identified by you and do a cursory overview of the building.
During the walk-through survey, we will take measurements and videos of structures in concern as well as of the whole property. We will identify the issues and provide you with the report listing elements of concern with recommendations for further actions, including the requirements for Structural Survey - Stages 2 and 3 and/or Structural Design and Specification of Remedial Actions.
Structural Survey Stage 2 - price per property in light of the Stage 1 findings and generally involves: risk assessment and method statement for further exploratory work; removal of finishes and trial excavations to expose hidden elements; measured survey and identification of all structural elements; creation of lists of elements and locations on plans and elevations, externally and internally; specification for specialists' surveys of elements and testing; supervision of the specialists' surveys.
Structural Survey Stage 3 - priced in light of the Stage 2 findings and generally involves: interpretation of the specialist surveys; structural modelling of the property or elements in concern and determination of the load-carrying capacity of the elements and system; determination of remedial actions; design and specification of structural interventions; clerk of works.
The price for the Stage 1 service is based on the property or area surveyed of no more than 100m2 floor area including the attic. For properties or areas exceeding the above, an additional fee of £6/m2 will be invoiced following the visit if instructed by you. We will limit our involvement to 100m2 in all cases unless instructed otherwise.

RAAC - Initial Consultation

This service is the first step in the determination of the structural condition of your building in terms of RAAC.
We will visit your property to identify or confirm the presence of RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) and lay down an action plan for further works.
During the walk-through survey, we will take a record of your structures in concern as well as of the whole property.
We will undertake a desk study.
We will provide you with a comprehensive overview of your circumstance and provide you with recommendations for further steps forming an action plan for subsequent RAAC ASSESSMENT.

Domestic Extensions

DEVELOPED DESIGN FOR BUILDING CONTROL APPROVAL OF "PART A STRUCTURES"
For any extension of up to 15m sq of proposed floor area. Additional floor area charged at £30/m. sq.
Extension to be of traditional masonry and timber construction
The extension is proposed on flat ground without the need for special foundations
Drawings of the new proposal are available to use in .dxf .pdf format.
No existing wall opening in combination with the proposed to be of more than 2m width or 2/3 of the wall in concern.
Additional fees will be charged for the provision of such services which fall out of the scope of the above, e.g.

- measured survey and drawings for engineering plans- £5/m. sq.

- special foundations, consultations and design £90/h

- knock-through steel framing design and specification, including connection designs 30/m. run of the steelwork times the number of

supported storeys.

- Works supervision, coordination, additional designs and specifications, changes in the design £90/h.

- Such additional services will be quoted separately and will need to be confirmed in writing before the commencement of service.

8. The client is to ensure the appointment in writing of competent people in line with the Principle Designer and the Principle Contractor

requirement of the Building Safety Act 2022. In the absence of such appointments, the responsibility for the work remains vested within the

remit of the client.

9. Principle Designer services are charged at the going rate and may require multiple site visits to ascertain the construction quality and

adherence to the design and specification as well as further time spent on assisting the principal contractor post the Building Control Full

Plans Approval.

Planning Drawings

We will visit your property to discuss your proposal and take measurements of the existing building.
We will prepare a set of existing and proposed drawings for your comment. This is the time when you can make any changes to your proposal.
We will prepare a set of Planning Drawings, including- Existing and Proposed: Floor Plans, Main Sections and Elevations as well as the Location and Block Plans.
This service is based on the total property floor area after the extension of no more than 100m2. For properties exceeding the above, an additional fee of £10/m2 will be invoiced following the visit.

Support Specification

We will visit your property to assess the structural arrangement and conditions of your building in light of the proposed alteration and provide you with all the necessary designs and specifications to satisfy Building Control Requirements of Building Regulation Part A- Structures. Length of the considered structure to be no more than 20m of aggregated length e.g. 5m beam on walls - 5m + 2 times wall height (m) + foundation 1(m).
Services Included:

- Site Visit

- Measured survey of one storey for the provision of engineering plans (max. area 50m2)

- Provision of structural design calculations and specification for the necessary supports of up to aggregated 10m long structural element

(supporting one storey over or/and roof): timber, concrete or steel beams including connection details; localised strengthening; bearing;

foundations for framing arrangements.

- Additional charges apply over the above limits:

- £5/m2 for the measured survey over 50m2

- £30/m run of the supporting structure times the number of supported storeys over the initial aggregated 20m long support

- £30/m run of the supporting structure for more than 1 supported storey.

Example for a 5-storey house multiplication of the fee due to an increase of risk and additional considerations:

a) Support at the top storey ceiling or roof - length of the structure considered

b) Support at the utmost storey ceiling - see point a)

c) Support at the mid-storey ceiling - see a) times 2

d) Support at the first storey ceiling - see a) times 3

e) Support at the ground storey ceiling level or floor - see a) times 4

3. The client is to ensure the appointment in writing of competent people in line with the Principle Designer and the Princple Contractor

requirement of the Building Safety Act 2022. In the absence of such appointments, the responsibility for the work remains vested within the

remit of the client.

4. Principle Designer services are charged at the going rate and will require multiple site visits to ascertain the construction quality and

adherence to the design and specification.

Permitted Development Design Pack

We will visit your property to discuss your proposal and take measurements of the existing building.
We will prepare a set of existing and proposed drawings for your comment. This is the time when you can make any changes to your proposal.
We will prepare a set of Planning Drawings for the Lawful Development Certificate ('LDC') or Prior Approval ('PA'), including- Existing and Proposed: Floor Plans, Main Sections and Elevations as well as the Location and Block Plans.
We will apply for the LDC or PA for you. The planning office fees are not included.
We will prepare a set of Structural Design Drawings and Specifications to Discharge, Part A - Structures, building regulations. Should you choose to alter the existing house, the structural design and specification will be charged extra at a flat rate of £600 per altered storey. Special foundations, consultations and design will be charged extra at £90/h+vat
We will prepare a set of Building Control Drawings and Specifications and will apply for the full plans approval either to the local authority or the private inspectors selected by you. The building control fees are not included.
Client to be aware of CDM 2015 requirements, Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and Building Safety Act 2022.
The client is to ensure the appointment in writing of competent people in line with the Principle Designer and the Principle Contractor requirement of the Building Safety Act 2022. In the absence of such appointments, the responsibility for the work remains vested within the remit of the client.
Principle Designer services are charged at the going rate and will require multiple site visits to ascertain the construction quality and adherence to the design and specification.

This service is based on the total property floor area of no more than 100m2 as existing and 130m2 as proposed. For properties exceeding the above, an additional fee of £10/m2 will be invoiced following the visit for the existing area exceeding the 100m2 limit and £30/m2 for the area exceeding the 130m2 limit.

LEGAL TERMS:

FEES

The estimate is based on the provision of services as described in the General Notes as defined under the appropriate subsection e.g.: Initial Advice, Planning Drawings etc.
Additional engineer hourly charge at £90/h + vat. Site Visit at £300 + vat; report writing, design, etc. (as and when appropriate).
Disbursements such as printing, postage, photographs, and travel will be charged at cost.
We shall make an initial payment application prior to the service commencement for the services as quoted in the general notes and then during the works for payment of our additional time plus disbursements plus VAT (as appropriate) at fortnightly intervals or at the issue of the design, whichever is sooner.
We shall retain the right to withhold information prior to such time our additional time spent on the project is paid in full.
Invoice applications shall be paid within 7 days of the date of invoice. We reserve the right to charge interest at 8% above HSBC Bank rate on overdue invoices calculated fourteen days after the date of invoice, plus any costs associated with the recovery of such sums of money including man-hours spent on the process.
Should we be instructed to stop work at any time, outstanding fees will be charged on the completion of the stage basis plus the hourly rate basis noted above for our time spent up to receiving such instructions.
Should we be required to carry out additional work not included in our fee estimate, due to unforeseen circumstances or changes required by Client, Local Authority Offices, Party Wall Surveyors, either directly by the Client or indirectly through the Local Authority Officer, we shall identify the extent of such works and advise the Client as soon as is reasonably possible of our additional fee involved and shall require written instruction confirming these costs.

CANCELLATION

Any cancellation in the two-week period prior to the scheduled design time will not be refunded.
Up to two weeks before the scheduled design time, we shall refund you the full amount less our costs up until the date. Subject to a minimum costs value of £1200.
Up to one week following the payment but after our initial involvement - a full amount less the time spent on providing the services and the administration cost (see point 4)
Up to one week following the payment, but before the initial advice or the site visit, we shall refund you the full amount less the administration cost of £90.

OUR LIABILITY

Our total liability under or in connection with this Agreement, whether in contract or tort, in negligence, for breach of statutory duty or otherwise (other than in respect of personal injury or death) will not exceed the sum of, 10 times our fee for any services provided without the supply of specification or drawings, 20 times our fee for the services without the provision of the quality assurance and works supervision during the execution of the works and 50 times our fee for such work that does include quality assurance and supervision services.
We will maintain professional indemnity insurance in an amount and for the length of time sufficient to cover our liabilities under this Agreement subject to all the exceptions, exclusions and limitations to the scope of cover that are commonly included in such insurance policies and subject to such insurance being available at commercially reasonable rates.
Nothing in this Agreement confers or purports to confer on any third party any benefit or any right to enforce a term of this Agreement under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
This agreement is between You "the Client" and Bytnar Ltd. As part of our business, we require to limit the personal liability and exposure to litigation of our Employees, Directors and Consultants. Any claim of any kind arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be brought only against Bytnar Ltd and that no claims in respect of the Contract will be brought personally against any of our Directors or employees involved in the provision of the service.
This Agreement will be governed and construed in all respect in accordance with the laws of England.
Acceptance of the terms of this Agreement will occur either by you approving the quotation online and paying the initial payment or by you allowing us to proceed with the Services.
Upon the receipt of the approval of the above quotation, we will inform you of the leading time for the delivery of the services and will require payment of the initial sum, prior to the booking of the service time slot.

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