Terms and conditions

1. Scope, agreement and terminology

“Wilson Electrics”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean Wilson Electrics. “Customer”, “you” and “your” mean the person or organisation instructing us. “Works” means the electrical services, labour and materials described in a quotation, estimate, job record, email or other written agreement.

These terms apply whenever you ask Wilson Electrics to provide an estimate, quotation, installation, alteration, repair, fault-finding visit, emergency attendance, inspection, test, certificate, guarantee service or related electrical work.

The written scope, assumptions and exclusions on a quotation or invoice form part of the agreement. If there is a conflict, the specific written terms for the job take priority over these general terms.

We may refuse or stop work that is outside our competence or domestic scope, unsafe, unlawful, impractical, abusive, or where suitable access and working conditions are not provided.

2. Surveys, estimates and quotations

A preliminary survey is normally visual and non-destructive. It cannot reveal every issue hidden behind fittings, under floors, within walls, above ceilings or elsewhere in the building fabric.

An estimate is a best assessment based on the information available and expected conditions. It is not a guaranteed final price. A fixed quotation applies only to the work and assumptions it describes.

Written quotations are valid for 7 days unless stated otherwise. We are not bound by an oral price, an obvious clerical or calculation error, or a price based on materially incomplete or inaccurate information.

The agreed price may be revised where:

• You ask for additional or different work.
• Concealed defects, unsafe wiring or unexpected site conditions are discovered.
• Existing circuits are unsuitable for the intended alteration.
• Material specifications or supplier prices change before acceptance or ordering.
• Access, parking, working hours or the actions of another trade materially affect the job.

Where possible, the issue, available options and likely cost will be discussed before extra work proceeds. Work may pause until the revised scope and price are agreed. Limited immediate action may be taken where reasonably necessary to prevent danger or leave the installation safe.

3. Minimum fees, labour and total charges

Unless a different written price or dedicated testing fee is agreed, the minimum fee for carrying out work is £75. The standard labour rate is £55 per hour. The minimum fee is the minimum charge for attendance and productive work, rather than an emergency call-out charge.

Time connected with the job may include attendance, reasonable travel, planning, administration, surveying and obtaining non-stock materials. Breaks unrelated to the work are not chargeable.

Materials supplied by Wilson Electrics may be charged at the trade purchase price plus a 20% mark-up. This contributes towards procurement, collection, delivery, administration, warranty processing and associated business overheads. A fixed-price quotation may instead show only the agreed overall price.

Wilson Electrics is not VAT registered, so VAT is not added to the invoice.

The pricing guide gives typical rates. The price stated for your particular job, including any written variation, takes priority.

4. Fixed-price work and variations

A fixed price covers the labour and materials expressly listed in the quotation. It does not include hidden defects, work by others, customer-requested changes, additional visits caused by matters outside our control or items specifically excluded.

Additional work will be priced separately or charged at the prevailing rate. If a customer decides not to proceed with a necessary variation, we may complete only the safe and compliant portion of the original scope or leave affected work disconnected and safe.

A detailed report requested for an insurer or another third party, beyond the normal quotation, invoice or electrical certificate, may carry a separate charge. Any such charge will be confirmed before preparation.

5. Upfront payment, invoices and ownership

A first instalment of 50% of the agreed total is normally payable before work begins. This is an upfront part-payment towards labour and materials, not a deposit. Full advance payment may be requested for specially ordered, bespoke or non-returnable products where stated in writing.

The remaining balance is due on completion and receipt of the final invoice unless another written payment schedule has been agreed. For longer projects, delayed projects or work interrupted by the customer or another trade, an interim payment may be requested for labour completed and materials supplied.

Certificates, reports and final documents may be withheld until cleared payment has been received. Duplicate or replacement certificates may carry an administration charge, normally a minimum of £25 where retrieval and reissue are possible.

Goods supplied remain the property of Wilson Electrics until paid for in full, so far as the law allows and provided they can be removed safely without damaging the property. Responsibility for loss or damage to installed goods passes to the customer when installed or delivered.

You remain responsible for payment unless you disclosed before instruction that you were acting for someone else and Wilson Electrics expressly accepted that arrangement. Interest and reasonable recovery costs may be claimed on overdue business debts or where otherwise legally permitted.

6. Electrical installation work

Electrical work will be designed, installed, inspected and tested, as applicable to its scope, in accordance with BS 7671 and relevant requirements in force at the time of the work.

Where existing circuits are extended or altered, the agreed price assumes they are safe and suitable for the proposed work. Testing may identify inadequate earthing or bonding, damaged wiring, unsuitable protective devices or other defects that must be addressed before compliant completion.

Like-for-like replacement does not automatically require the entire installation to be upgraded. It does not, however, require Wilson Electrics to connect new work to a circuit considered unsafe or unsuitable.

No addition or alteration will be made to rubber-insulated (VIR) or lead-sheathed wiring. Unsafe circuits may be disconnected or left isolated until remedial work is agreed.

Electrical certificates issued by Wilson Electrics cover only the work inspected, tested or installed by Wilson Electrics and any limitations recorded on the certificate.

7. Consumer-unit replacements

A replacement consumer unit requires testing of the connected installation to establish whether circuits are safe to reconnect. The standard testing associated with the replacement is included only where stated in the quotation.

Faults found during testing that make a circuit unsafe must be rectified before that circuit can be reconnected. Fault-finding, remedial wiring, replacement of defective accessories and other unforeseen repairs are additional work.

It may also be necessary to install or upgrade main protective bonding to water, gas or oil services, meter tails, isolation equipment or other intake arrangements. Unless expressly included, these items are charged separately after discussion.

8. EICRs and electrical safety checks

The customer must provide clear, safe access to the consumer unit, accessories and all agreed areas. We must be told the consumer-unit location in advance where special access equipment may be needed. Stored belongings and other obstructions should be removed before arrival.

Pay-as-you-go meters must have sufficient credit. Sensitive equipment should be safely shut down or unplugged. Known damaged accessories, vulnerable equipment and areas that must not be isolated should be identified before testing.

Circuits should be correctly identified where possible. Additional time spent tracing unmarked or incorrectly labelled circuits may be chargeable.

Limitations caused by inaccessible wiring, locked rooms, stored belongings, unsafe conditions, connected equipment or an inability to isolate will be recorded. If the installation or site is unsafe for testing, work may stop until suitable arrangements are made.

An EICR or safety check is an assessment, not a repair service. Remedial work is quoted separately. Where an immediately dangerous condition is identified, limited action may be taken to disconnect or make it safe, and the customer will be told what has been done.

9. Ventilation and extraction

Wilson Electrics provides electrical supplies and final electrical connections for extractor fans and may replace a faulty fan on a like-for-like basis where appropriate.

Unless expressly agreed, the service does not include ventilation-system design, airflow calculations, assessment of the most suitable extraction strategy, core drilling, roofing work or alteration of ductwork. The customer is responsible for obtaining specialist ventilation advice and any permission or building warrant required for the wider system.

10. Emergency and urgent call-outs

Urgent faults may include loss of power, evidence of an electrical fire, burning or overheating accessories, electric shocks, repeated circuit-breaker or RCD operation, short circuits, flickering, dead outlets and similar safety concerns.

If there is fire, smoke, an immediate risk of electric shock or another serious danger, leave the property where necessary, call 999 and contact the electricity network operator as appropriate. Do not wait for Wilson Electrics to attend.

Emergency attendance is subject to availability and is not a guaranteed 24-hour service. An ongoing job must first be left safe, and other appointments may need rearranged. Attendance time depends on location, severity, safe access and existing commitments.

Unless another price is confirmed before attendance, the emergency call-out charge is £75 within approximately 10 miles of Galashiels. Attendance farther away may be £100–£150 depending on distance. The call-out charge is separate from additional labour and materials. Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and 2 January may carry a £150 call-out charge.

An emergency visit may achieve only temporary or partial restoration. Further investigation, parts or remedial work may require a later visit and additional quotation.

11. Contractor-supplied materials

Materials, accessories and equipment supplied by Wilson Electrics are sourced through established suppliers and provided as part of the contracted work. Product selection remains at our discretion unless a specific make, model or finish is agreed.

Manufacturer warranties are subject to the manufacturer’s own conditions. Wilson Electrics will give reasonable assistance with a valid claim for a contractor-supplied product. Assessment time, removal or refitting is covered only where the fault is attributable to our installation or falls within the stated labour warranty.

Warranty does not cover misuse, neglect, unsuitable operating conditions, accidental or external damage, alteration, third-party interference, consumable parts or interaction with equipment outside our control.

12. Customer-supplied materials and equipment

The customer is responsible for the quality, condition, completeness, suitability, compatibility and regulatory compliance of any product they supply. All required parts and instructions must be present before the visit.

We may refuse to install an item that appears unsafe, damaged, incomplete, counterfeit, non-compliant or unsuitable for the intended location or existing installation.

No labour warranty applies to customer-supplied products. Time spent investigating, removing, replacing or refitting a faulty or incompatible product is chargeable. Delays and return visits caused by missing, incorrect or defective items are also chargeable and fall outside a fixed-price scope.

Work involving customer-supplied items may be accepted only on a time-and-charge basis at our discretion. Responsibility for returning or disposing of unwanted customer-supplied goods and packaging remains with the customer.

13. Access, preparation and working conditions

The customer must provide safe, reasonable and timely access to the property, work area, electrical equipment and isolation points. Furniture, possessions and appliances obstructing the work should be moved beforehand. Children and animals must be kept safely away from active work areas where necessary.

The customer should identify known hazards, asbestos or suspected asbestos, fragile surfaces, concealed services, alarms, access restrictions and site rules before work begins. We may stop if conditions are unsafe or materially different from those described.

Parking charges, permits, congestion costs or exceptional access arrangements may be charged where they were not included in the agreed price.

14. Floors, decoration, dust and making good

Reasonable care will be taken, but electrical work can disturb aged or fragile paint, plaster, wallpaper, tiles, render, floor coverings and other finishes. Unavoidable deterioration arising from necessary access is not included as decorative repair.

Where carpets or floor coverings must be lifted, reasonable efforts will be made to minimise damage and refit them acceptably. A specialist floor fitter may be required for a fully finished result and is not included unless expressly agreed.

Wall chases, holes and openings are normally left ready for the relevant finishing trade. Final plastering, joinery, tiling, painting and decoration are excluded unless the quotation expressly includes them.

Work areas will be left reasonably tidy, but some residual dust and further domestic cleaning should be expected. Computers, televisions and other dust-sensitive or valuable items must be removed or suitably protected by the customer before work starts.

15. Waste, existing fittings and appliances

Removal of rubble, packaging, redundant fittings and general waste is excluded unless agreed in writing. Where old electrical accessories are removed from site as part of the agreed service, this does not include unrelated household, construction or hazardous waste.

We will make reasonable efforts to restore supplies and reconnect appliances, timers and controls included in the agreed scope. The customer must check their operation after the work and promptly report any concern.

16. Timekeeping, delays and other trades

We will make reasonable efforts to attend on agreed dates and keep customers informed. Exact arrival times cannot always be guaranteed because earlier electrical work may need to be left safe before departure.

Completion dates may change because of emergencies, hidden defects, weather, unavailable materials, restricted access, changes requested by the customer, delays by another trade or circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

If work cannot be completed because the site is not ready, another trade is delayed or the customer changes the programme, payment may be requested for work completed and materials supplied. Additional visits, labour and materials may be charged separately.

17. Cancellation, postponement and consumer rights

Please give notice by the end of the working day before a scheduled visit wherever possible. Where a visit is cancelled or postponed after labour has been reserved, materials ordered or other costs incurred, the customer may be responsible for reasonable losses that cannot be recovered.

Specially ordered or bespoke goods may not be returnable. Any refund of an upfront payment will take account of work already completed, goods supplied and reasonable unrecoverable costs.

Nothing in these terms removes a consumer’s statutory cancellation rights. Where a distance or off-premises contract carries a cancellation period, work requested during that period may require the customer’s express request. If the customer then cancels after work has begun, payment may be due for the service supplied up to cancellation, as permitted by law.

18. Workmanship guarantee and reporting faults

Faulty workmanship by Wilson Electrics is covered for 12 months from completion, provided the account has been paid in full. We must be given a reasonable opportunity to inspect and, where covered, correct the alleged defect.

The guarantee applies only to work carried out by Wilson Electrics. It does not cover normal wear, misuse, neglect, accidental damage, third-party alteration, pre-existing or unrelated faults, supply-network problems, customer-supplied products or a manufacturer defect outside our control.

A visit about a reported warranty issue may be chargeable where inspection shows that the cause is outside the guarantee. This will be explained after assessment.

19. Building warrants and other permissions

The customer is responsible for establishing and obtaining any building warrant, planning permission, listed-building consent, landlord permission, freeholder approval or other authorisation required for the work unless a different written arrangement is agreed.

Where electrical work is notifiable or connected with a building warrant, the customer must confirm the route and evidence required by the relevant local authority before work begins. See the notifiable electrical work and building-warrant guidance.

20. Safety information and responsibility to disclose

Wilson Electrics has a duty to identify significant electrical dangers discovered during the work. Unsafe equipment or circuits may need to be isolated, disconnected or made temporarily safe. The customer will be informed of the issue and any recommended remedial action.

The customer must provide accurate information about the property, previous faults, alterations, vulnerable occupants, medical or life-safety equipment and any need to maintain essential supplies. We are not responsible for consequences arising from material information that was withheld or unknown.

21. Responsibility and liability

Wilson Electrics is responsible for reasonably foreseeable loss or damage caused by our proven breach of contract or negligence, subject to applicable law. We are not responsible for pre-existing defects, concealed conditions, work by others, customer-supplied products, utility-supply failures or losses that could not reasonably have been anticipated.

The customer should back up data and protect sensitive equipment before isolation or testing. We do not accept responsibility for data loss or equipment settings resulting from a necessary interruption of supply unless caused by our failure to exercise reasonable care and skill.

Nothing in these terms excludes or restricts liability where doing so would be unlawful, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or the customer’s statutory consumer rights.

22. Complaints, statutory rights and governing law

If you are dissatisfied, contact Wilson Electrics promptly with the job details and the outcome you are seeking. We will consider the matter and should be allowed a reasonable opportunity to inspect relevant work and propose a remedy.

Services will be provided with reasonable care and skill. Nothing in these terms overrides rights and remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded under consumer-protection legislation.

If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining terms continue to apply. A waiver on one occasion is not a continuing waiver. Variations must be agreed in writing.

These terms and contracts with Wilson Electrics are governed by Scots law. The Scottish courts have jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory consumer right to bring proceedings elsewhere.

23. Services covered by these terms

These terms apply to estimates, project work, installations, repairs, emergency call-outs, servicing, inspections, testing, certification and guarantees supplied by Wilson Electrics.

Wilson Electrics may appoint a suitably selected tradesperson to carry out agreed work and may decline work at its discretion where the work is unsafe, unsuitable or outside its competence.

24. Material collection and non-stock items

Collection of non-stock materials is chargeable where it is related to your work. Time will be kept to a minimum and should not normally exceed two hours. If a collection is unexpectedly likely to exceed two hours, we will notify you of the reason where practicable.

Reasonable time spent obtaining materials that are needed for the agreed work may be charged at the prevailing labour rate.

25. Offers and incentives

Offers, discounts and incentives may be made from time to time at Wilson Electrics’ discretion. Any offer will be subject to its stated conditions, validity period and eligible work. Offers may only be combined where this is expressly agreed.

26. Additional installation exclusions

Limited moving may be carried out to create access, but clearing or removing furniture, appliances, fixtures or other obstructions is not included. If access prevents work from proceeding, the minimum attendance fee remains payable.

Reasonable efforts may be made to reconnect electrical items and restore power before leaving, but the customer must confirm operation. Wilson Electrics is not responsible for an item that cannot safely be reconnected or for an appliance that subsequently fails.

Removal, disposal or recycling of rubble, surplus materials, packaging and replaced items is excluded unless agreed in writing. Redundant electrical fittings may be removed for responsible disposal at our discretion.

Reasonable protective measures, such as dust sheets and floor protection, will be used where practicable for items that cannot be moved. The customer remains responsible for removing valuables and anything that may obstruct safe work.

27. Faults in older or inferior installations

Where work is agreed on an installation that is of inferior quality, defective, deteriorated, unsafe or has been substantially altered by others, the work is limited to the agreed scope. No guarantee is given for unrelated pre-existing defects or for the overall effectiveness of an installation that has not been brought up to current requirements. The age of an installation may be relevant to its condition, but age alone does not determine whether it is safe or satisfactory.

Recommended work that the customer chooses not to authorise is outside the guarantee. Any later fault arising from that untreated condition may require a new chargeable visit.

28. Smoke, heat and carbon-monoxide alarms

Where smoke, heat or carbon-monoxide alarms are specially ordered, the cost of the goods may be payable in full in advance. Installation labour is invoiced on completion unless the written quotation says otherwise. This reflects product availability and the requirements associated with Scottish alarm legislation.

29. Payment interest and overdue invoices

Payment is due on receipt of the completion invoice unless another written arrangement applies. For invoices that remain unpaid after 30 days, Wilson Electrics may charge interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, calculated daily until payment is received in full, where legally permitted. See the Bank of England Bank Rate.

30. Contractor-supplied goods and title

Contractor-supplied goods are sourced through established trade suppliers. Their price includes reasonable procurement, handling, delivery, administration, warranty processing, disposal and business overheads. These costs form part of the agreed price.

Goods supplied remain Wilson Electrics’ property until paid for in full, so far as the law allows. Risk passes to the customer when goods are delivered or installed. The customer must take reasonable care of goods and must not sell, transfer or dispose of unpaid goods.

Where a contractor-supplied item or its installation is faulty, Wilson Electrics will assess the issue and, where appropriate, arrange a remedy within the applicable manufacturer or labour warranty. If the issue is caused by misuse, alteration, neglect, external damage, third-party work, unsuitable conditions or customer-supplied equipment, the visit may be chargeable.

31. Customer-supplied materials: further conditions

If customer-supplied materials are incomplete or insufficient, Wilson Electrics may supply the missing items and charge for them, including additional labour caused by the shortfall. Work may be declined or made subject to reasonable conditions where a product is unsafe, incompatible, non-compliant or unsuitable.

Wilson Electrics will not remove or recycle customer-supplied packaging, surplus materials or replaced items unless this is expressly agreed in writing. Where a delay or return visit is caused solely by an error in materials supplied by Wilson Electrics, no additional travel or labour charge will be made for correcting that error.

32. Priority of these terms

These terms may only be varied by a written agreement from Wilson Electrics and the customer. They apply alongside the specific quotation, invoice, assumptions and exclusions for the job. If a customer document contains conflicting conditions, the written Wilson Electrics quotation and these terms prevail to the extent permitted by law.