Terms of business

About us

Direct Core Drilling is the trading name of DIRECT CORE LIMITED, a company registered in England and Wales (company number 06543791). Registered office: Matrix House, 12-16 Lionel Road, Canvey Island, Essex, SS8 9DE. You can contact us by phone on 07776 144737, by email at directcoredrilling@hotmail.com or by post at Matrix House, 12-16 Lionel Road, Canvey Island, Essex, SS8 9DE.

Quotes

We base our quote on the information, measurements and photos you give us, for example the material, thickness, hole sizes, number of holes, access and location. Please make these as accurate as you can. If the job on site turns out to be different from what was described, for example thicker or heavier reinforced concrete, more holes or harder access, we will explain the difference and agree any change in price with you before doing the extra work.

A quote shows the price for the work described. It isn’t a binding contract until you accept it and we confirm a booking.

Booking

A contract is formed when you accept our quote (in writing, by email, by message or verbally) and we confirm the booking and the date. We will do our best to keep to the agreed date. If either of us needs to change it, we will tell the other as soon as possible and agree a new date.

Site requirements

So that we can work safely and efficiently, please make sure that on the agreed day:

• there is safe access to the work area, including any steps, scaffolding or access equipment you have agreed to provide
• the work area is clear of furniture, stored materials and anything that could be damaged by water or dust
• we have somewhere to park or unload close to the work area, or you have told us about any parking restrictions
• someone is available to let us in and confirm the exact positions of the holes or openings

If we can’t start or finish the work because these requirements haven’t been met, we will discuss this with you. We may charge for a wasted visit, but only if the amount was agreed with you in advance.

Services and structure: your responsibilities

You are responsible for telling us about, and where possible marking, any pipes, cables, ducts, underfloor heating, post-tensioned tendons or other services in or near the area to be drilled. You are also responsible for making sure the work is allowed, for example that you have any consent needed from a landlord, freeholder, building control or a structural engineer for openings in structural walls, floors or slabs.

Hidden obstructions

Concrete and masonry can hide things that can’t be seen from the surface, such as steel reinforcement (rebar), embedded pipes or cables, or voids. If we come across something unexpected that affects the work or safety, we will stop drilling at that point and talk to you about the options, such as moving the hole. If this means extra time or cost, we will only carry on once you have agreed it.

We take care to avoid damage. However, we are not responsible for damage to services or hidden objects that we weren’t told about and couldn’t reasonably have known about, unless the damage was caused by our failure to use reasonable care and skill.

Deposits and payment

The price, what it includes and when payment is due will be set out in your quote or booking confirmation.

Consumers

Business customers

All prices are in pounds sterling (£). Your quote will say whether VAT is included or added.

Cancellations, payments & refunds

Consumers: your 14-day right to cancel

If you are a consumer and the contract was made away from our business premises (for example at your home) or at a distance (for example by phone, email, WhatsApp or through our website), you have the right to cancel it within 14 days without giving any reason. This right comes from the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

The cancellation period ends 14 days after the day the contract is made.

How to cancel. Tell us clearly that you have decided to cancel, before the cancellation period ends. You can phone us on 07776 144737, email us at directcoredrilling@hotmail.com or write to us at DIRECT CORE LIMITED, Matrix House, 12-16 Lionel Road, Canvey Island, Essex, SS8 9DE. You can use the model cancellation form below, but you don’t have to. It’s enough to send your message before the 14 days end.

If you ask us to start work within the 14 days. We won’t start work within the cancellation period unless you expressly ask us to. If you do ask us to start and then cancel within the 14 days, you must pay for the work we have done up to the time you tell us you are cancelling, in proportion to the full contract price. If the work has been fully completed within the 14 days at your express request, and you acknowledged that you would lose the right to cancel once the work was complete, you can no longer cancel.

Refunds. If you cancel, we will refund any payment you have made, less any amount you must pay for work already done as explained above. We will make the refund without undue delay and no later than 14 days after the day you told us you were cancelling, using the same payment method you used, unless you agree otherwise. You won’t be charged a fee for the refund.

Model cancellation form

Complete and return this form only if you wish to cancel the contract.

Consumers: your statutory rights

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, we must carry out our services with reasonable care and skill. Any information we give you about our services that you rely on is binding, and if no price was agreed you must pay only a reasonable price. If our work isn’t carried out with reasonable care and skill, you can ask us to put it right, and if that isn’t possible or isn’t done within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience, you may be entitled to a price reduction.

Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights. For more information, contact Citizens Advice or visit the Citizens Advice consumer pages.

Business customers: late payment

If you are a business customer and you don’t pay an invoice by the due date, we may claim statutory interest and fixed compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. Statutory interest is currently 8% a year above the Bank of England base rate. Fixed compensation is £40 for debts under £1,000, £70 for debts of £1,000 to £9,999.99 and £100 for debts of £10,000 or more. We may also claim reasonable costs of recovering the debt.

Construction contracts may also be subject to the payment provisions of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (as amended).

Business customers: cancellation

The 14-day cancellation right above applies only to consumers. If a business customer cancels a confirmed booking, you must pay for any work already done.

Our liability

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for anything else that cannot be excluded or limited by law, including your rights as a consumer.

If you are a consumer, we are responsible for loss or damage you suffer that is a foreseeable result of our breaking these terms or failing to use reasonable care and skill. We are not responsible for loss or damage that is not foreseeable, or for business losses.

Complaints

If you are unhappy with our work or our service, please tell us as soon as possible by phone, email or post using the details in the “About us” section above. We will look into it and try to put things right.

Governing law

These terms and any contract between us are governed by the law of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales have jurisdiction over any dispute. If you are a consumer living in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you may also bring proceedings in your local courts.

Other information

How we handle your personal information is explained in our privacy notice. The rules for using our website are in our website terms of use.