Terms & Conditions specific to the construction services
Customer Responsibilities:
- Pay a booking deposit with order. This non-refundable deposit will be deducted from the total worked out by our constructor on site.
- Pay for the balance of the kit on arrival at Polydome. Should you wish to delay delivery and construction of the Greenhouse for a short time (for example if your walls have not been built yet) we ask that you pay the outstanding balance of the kit price, the construction service is then paid on practical completion. Should you require to delay for a long time extra costs will be needed to be passed on to cover lost days of construction and storage/handling of the Greenhouse.
- Ensure your site is prepared correctly. The customer needs to satisfy themselves that they have enough information about what needs to be done, ensure whoever is doing the preparation is competent and check the work before our construction crew arrives on site.
- Inform us of any site issues. Bring to our attention at time of order any issues relating to the site as described below (see ‘The site should be’ and ‘siting tips’), so we can quote accurately for construction and be properly prepared when we come to erect.
- Provide welfare facilities. (toilet, handwashing, drinking water, electricity for charging tools).
- Inspect the job. Before our constructors leave the site the customer is to inspect the job and flag up any issues so that it can be finished to their satisfaction without incurring a return trip. If a customer cannot do so and subsequently sees some snagging they want done after our constructors have left, the cost of a return trip is to be borne by the customer.
- Pay in full on practical completion. We require the customer to be present to pay our constructors in full for the Glasshouse and Construction as calculated by our Constructor on practical completion - including extra labour and material charges if site conditions are not as described at time of order (any extra charges will be flagged up to you as soon as they are apparent). Practical completion here means the majority of materials have been delivered and constructed.
- Title. Title does not pass until the total plus any extra charges (in accordance with these or other special conditions specified for your order) are paid for in full.
The site should be:
- Flat and level (as in level with a spirit level). Your Greenhouse (models with an aluminium base plinth) needs to be level, if your ground is not level we will require extra materials and time to build the greenhouse and when our constructors have finished there will be gaps underneath the aluminum base plinth that the customer is to make good as soon as possible to avoid the wind getting inside and blowing panes out. We strongly advise customers to prepare a flat and level surface for the Greenhouse before our constructors arrive. Our quotation assumes you will have a flat and level surface prepared.
- At least 60cm (2ft) of free space around the Greenhouse for access during building but also for maintenance and cleaning in the future.
- If you have long grass on the plot it should be cut short and removed prior to our arrival.
- Easily accessible, our price assumes we can park our van within 20m or so of where the Glasshouse is to be constructed and the way between them is clear. If you are having Ground Cover fitted by us the ground should be prepared by the customer prior to our arrival (please consult with us). If you wish us to prepare the ground ourselves we will do so at extra cost to your quotation.
- If your ground is anything other than soil to a depth of about 60cm (2ft) we need to know at time of order what sort of ground you have so we can be prepared and factor the correct materials and labour into the quotation.
- The ground should be stable settled ground (not recently made up ground or soft or badly drained ground etc. that will allow the greenhouse to sink). The customer bears the sole responsibility for determining the suitability of the ground where the Greenhouse is to be built.
- No obstacles above or below ground which cause a delay in construction. Any services crossing the greenhouse site below ground (e.g. electricity, water pipes etc.) must be flagged up to us and their position accurately marked in advance. We cannot accept any liability costs arising from our damaging services that have not been flagged up to us and correctly marked.
- For the health and safety of our constructors who must work off ladders the ground inside the Greenhouse must be reasonably flat and level.
- Any services required for the Glasshouse or Accessories must be in situ at time of construction so we can commission them.
- Hygienic. If the area we will be working in is your pets’ toilet area you must completely clear the area of their waste in advance.
We will:
Contact you prior to our arriving to inform of the intended date.
Book any readymix concrete required (if you know local suppliers please inform us). Construct your Glasshouse efficiently and properly.
Remove waste materials and packaging from site and send for recycling (other than spoil from the foundation holes which is left on site unless we are otherwise instructed at time of order so it may be factored into the cost).
Lean-To Models:
Lean-to Greenhouses require a wall of adequate height – please check dimensions. The greenhouse needs to be fitted to a flat, smooth, plum and straight surface, if your wall is not so any remedial works needed are not included in our construction estimate. We will be happy to undertake them at extra cost or leave it to the customer. Please consult with us at time of order so it is clear who is doing the remedial works.
Customers are responsible to ensure their walls are adequately strong for the purpose.
Dwarf Wall Models:
Dwarf walls and brick bases need to be built to exact external dimensions given on a plan (and with some guidelines) that we will supply after you have placed your order. Do not proceed without the plan.
If your Dwarf Walls require remedial works, these are not included in our construction estimate. Should we need to leave the site to return when necessary corrections have been made the costs of the return travelling are borne by the customer.
For Janssens Greenhouses only, our aluminium cill which sits on top of the Dwarf Wall does not overlap the outside edge of the wall. Expanding foam tape (5mm to 12mm size) is included in the cost of the kit, if your walls require additional water proofing materials the additional costs are not included in our price.
Concrete Slabs:
We do not by default seal between the aluminium base plinth and the concrete slab to prevent water ingress. Firstly Greenhouses are a wet environment, when plants are watered the water generally ends up on the ground. Secondly if we do seal, water cannot evacuate under the base so it may cause puddling inside the Greenhouse unless you have drainage built into your slab. In any event we cannot take any responsibility if water does come in under the aluminium base even if we have been asked to seal it. The only effective way to prevent water coming in is for the customer to build their concrete slab in such a way that water will run away from the Greenhouse or fit drains in the slab close to the outside of the Greenhouse to remove surface water. If you do wish us to seal between the base and your slab this must be requested in writing (e.g. an email) at time of order. Important to note that the time and materials for doing this will be additional to the price we quote because we cannot know until we are on site exactly what materials will be required.
Miscellaneous
Cleaning Glass:
Toughened glass normally comes with a white powder on it to help prevent panes sticking together in the glass crate and being difficult to separate. There may also be marks on the glass visible when there is condensation from glass suction cups. These marks are superficial and will disappear over time with weathering and the annual clean that the owner will be doing as part of the regular maintenance of the Greenhouse. Cleaning the glass is not part of the construction service price quoted. If you would like us to do the cleaning of the glass please notify us in writing at time of order (so it is clearly understood) and we will factor in time to do it into the quotation.
Snagging:
Should there be parts missing or snagging needed we will return to site to complete the job as soon as we can according to having a supply of the missing parts and combining the work with other orders in your area to offset travelling costs. Should you require us to go straight back without combining your work with others the costs of travelling will be borne by you.
Leaks:
- Greenhouses, while fairly well sealed, are not leak-proof structures. If you need a 100% leak proof structure a conservatory would be designed to be so.
- The lead time quoted is approximate and subject to change. We will be in touch when in a position to construct.
- Any costs arising from terms and conditions not being observed are to be borne in their entirety by the customer.
Sitting Tips:
- A greenhouse must be constructed on firm, stable level ground.
- A North-South orientation (of the length of the greenhouse) will provide an even amount of light for both sides of the Greenhouse. An East-West orientation will mean the south side will get more light.
- Choose a sunny location, with access to water.
- Glasshouses should be sheltered from prevailing winds by trees or windbreak materials (walls and buildings do not shelter effectively).
- If possible avoid siting directly under trees as run-off water will dirty the glass and falling debris can damage it.
