Terms & Conditions
These terms of business apply to all work carried out by Your Homes Handyman (Peter Marlow, sole trader), covering Worthing, Hove and the surrounding Sussex Coast area.
1. Definitions
In these terms, "I", "me", "my" and "Your Homes Handyman" refer to Peter Marlow, trading as Your Homes Handyman. "You" and "the Client" refer to the person requesting the work. "Estimate" means the price I give you for the work, whether by WhatsApp, phone, email or in person. "Works" means the job(s) described in that Estimate, as may later be varied by agreement between us. References to something being "in writing" include email, text message and WhatsApp.
2. General
These terms apply to every Estimate I give and every job I carry out for you, and take priority over any other terms you may propose, unless we've expressly agreed a change in writing. Nothing in these terms gives any right to a person who isn't party to the Contract to enforce any part of it under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
3. Estimates & Pricing
An Estimate I give you, whether verbal or written, is valid for 14 calendar days from the date given, after which I may need to review it. I reserve the right to revise the price before starting work if the cost of materials has changed since the Estimate was given, or if the scope of the job turns out to be different once I'm on site — for example hidden damage, inaccessible pipework, or work beyond what was originally described. I'll always tell you before continuing and agree a revised price with you first.
My current hourly rate is shown on this website at yourhomeshandyman.co.uk and applies at the rate in force on the date of booking, excluding materials and parking. Charges are calculated for time on site, rounded to the nearest 15 minutes, with a minimum charge of one hour per visit.
4. Materials & Deposits
Where materials are needed for a job, you can either supply them yourself or I'll source them and charge you at cost plus a reasonable handling markup. Any materials I purchase on your behalf costing more than £75 will usually need to be paid for upfront before I order them. For jobs valued at £400 or more, I may ask for a deposit of up to 25% of the estimated total before work begins. Materials I supply remain my property until paid for in full; once paid for, they belong to you. I can't guarantee materials you've sourced yourself.
If I need to leave site during a job to collect materials or parts, that time is chargeable at my standard hourly rate.
5. Cancellations
Once we've agreed a date for work of half a day or more, cancellation charges apply if you cancel after that date is confirmed:
| Notice given | Charge |
|---|---|
| More than 48 hours before the job | No charge |
| 24–48 hours before the job | 25% of the Estimate |
| Less than 24 hours before the job | 50% of the Estimate |
For shorter jobs booked on the day or with little notice, I ask simply for as much warning as you can give — message me on WhatsApp and I'll always be reasonable, particularly if I haven't yet bought materials or turned away other work to fit your job in.
6. Payment
Payment is due on completion of the work, by bank transfer or cash, unless we've agreed otherwise in writing beforehand. My rates are exclusive of VAT, as Your Homes Handyman is currently below the VAT registration threshold. If payment isn't made within 7 days of completion, I reserve the right to charge interest on the overdue amount at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, calculated daily, in line with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
7. Access, Safety & Your Responsibilities
You'll need to provide safe, clear access to the work area, along with power and a clean water supply where the job requires it. You're responsible for obtaining any permission needed for me to carry out work affecting neighbouring or shared property, and for arranging a safe working environment throughout. Unless we've agreed otherwise, you're responsible for disposing of any waste materials resulting from the work.
If I can't gain access or complete a job because something wasn't ready on your side (for example, a room wasn't cleared or a vehicle is blocking access), you may still be liable for the full Estimate or the minimum call-out charge, and for any additional cost of a return visit.
Dates agreed for starting and finishing work are estimates. I'll always do my best to keep to them, but I'm not liable for delays caused by anything outside my reasonable control.
8. Guarantee
I guarantee my workmanship for 6 calendar months from completion. If a defect appears in that time and it's due to my workmanship, let me know in writing with details and I'll return to put it right at no extra charge. This guarantee doesn't cover:
- Materials or parts you've supplied yourself — these carry only the manufacturer's or supplier's own guarantee, if any
- Existing systems or structures I didn't install
- Faults caused by misuse, or by other work not carried out by me
- Issues you were aware of but didn't disclose to me before work began
- Normal wear and tear, or structural issues such as subsidence
9. Insurance & Liability
Your Homes Handyman is fully insured, including public liability cover (Markel). If loss or damage to your property results directly from my negligence while carrying out the Works, I'm liable for the reasonable cost of repair or reinstatement. Beyond this, my liability is limited to putting right defective workmanship under the guarantee above — I'm not liable for pre-existing issues with your property unrelated to my work, or for indirect or consequential losses.
You agree to cover me against any claim made by a third party arising from my presence on your property carrying out agreed Works, except where that claim results directly from my own negligence.
10. Photos & Data Protection
I sometimes photograph completed jobs to use as examples of my work on this website or social media. I'll always ask before using anything that could identify your home or its exact location, and I'll never publish your name or address without your permission. Where I hold personal data about you in order to carry out a job (your name, contact details, address), I act as data processor and you remain in control of that information as set out in my Privacy Policy. I won't retain or use your data beyond what's needed to complete and invoice the Works, and won't disclose it to third parties without your consent, except where required by law.
11. General
If any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the rest will continue to apply. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales, and any dispute is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
Questions?
If anything here isn't clear, message me on WhatsApp or email peter@yourhomeshandyman.co.uk and I'll happily talk it through.