Terms & Conditions

1.Introduction

Welcome to Ford Plumbing Co. (ABN: 94180946719). These Terms and Conditions (‘Terms’) govern your access to and use of our services, including plumbing maintenance, installation, and emergency repair services, provided by Ford Plumbing Co. (‘the Company,’ ‘we,’ ‘our,’ or ‘us’). By engaging our services, you (‘the Client,’ ‘you,’ or ‘your’) agree to be bound by these Terms, which form a legally binding contract between you and Ford Plumbing Co. If you do not agree to these Terms, you should refrain from using our services.

2.Definitions

‘Services’: All plumbing-related services provided by Ford Plumbing Co., including but not limited to blocked drains, broken sewer repairs, tap servicing, hot water system installations, emergency plumbing, burst pipes, toilet repairs, renovations, and general plumbing installations.

‘Client’: The individual, business, or entity engaging Ford Plumbing Co. to perform plumbing services.

‘After-Hours Services’: Services provided outside of standard business hours (7:00 AM to 5:00 PM AEST, Monday to Sunday).

‘Quote’: A written estimate provided by Ford Plumbing Co. detailing the expected cost of services, which must be signed or accepted via message or through the ServiceM8 app. No verbal quotes or prices are accepted.

‘Invoice’: The bill provided by Ford Plumbing Co. for services rendered, detailing the costs and payment terms.

‘Materials’: All parts, products, or items supplied by Ford Plumbing Co. necessary for the completion of the services.

‘Workmanship Warranty’: The warranty provided by Ford Plumbing Co. covering the labour performed by its technicians.

3.Service Availability

Guaranteed Same-Day Service

Ford Plumbing Co. guarantees same-day service within a 2-hour window from your booking time if booked before 12:00 PM on the day of service, subject to availability and the provision of safe and adequate access to the site. This guarantee is dependent on our ability to reach the site and the nature of the service required.

24/7 Emergency Service

We offer emergency plumbing services 24/7, including weekends, public holidays, and late nights. However, after-hours work is exclusively available to members under our membership plan. Non-members will not have access to after-hours services unless they sign up for the membership. Services provided outside regular business hours will be charged at the same rate as those provided during regular hours.

4.Quotes and Pricing

Call-Out Fee

Validity of Quotes

All quotes are valid until the end of the next day after they are provided. After this period, the quoted prices may be subject to revision based on changes in material costs, labour rates, or other market factors.

Fixed Pricing

Once a quote is accepted by the Client via message, through the ServiceM8 app, or in writing, the price is fixed and will not change unless additional work is required that was not included in the original scope. Any discounts or promotions must be verbally mentioned over phone or in person before works are started. Any variations to the agreed-upon work will be quoted separately and require Client approval before proceeding.

Acceptance of Quotes

Quotes must be signed or accepted via message or through the ServiceM8 app. No verbal quotes or prices are accepted, and work will only proceed based on accepted quotes.

5.Payment Terms

Payment Upon Completion

Payment is due in full immediately upon completion of the work. Ford Plumbing Co. operates on a Cash on Delivery (COD) basis, meaning that payment must be made at the time the service is completed. The Client will receive an invoice detailing the costs, which must be settled before the technician leaves the site, unless a prior payment arrangement has been made and agreed upon in writing.

Payment Plans

For Clients unable to pay the full amount immediately, Ford Plumbing Co. offers payment plans subject to approval. Payment plans are governed by specific terms that will be provided to the Client at the time of arrangement. Failure to adhere to the payment plan may result in the cancellation of the plan and the full amount becoming immediately due.

Zip Payment Plan

Ford Plumbing Co. offers customers the option to pay for services using a Zip payment plan. By choosing this payment method, you agree to the terms and conditions set forth by Zip Co. This includes adherence to the repayment schedule established by Zip Co. and any associated fees or interest charges. Please note that failure to meet the payment obligations under the Zip plan may result in penalties or additional charges, as dictated by Zip Co.’s terms.

Approval Process

The availability of Zip payment plans is subject to approval. Ford Plumbing Co. does not guarantee that every customer will qualify for a Zip plan, as approval is determined solely by Zip Co.

Late Payment Fees

If payment is not made within the specified time frame, Ford Plumbing Co. reserves the right to charge late payment fees at a rate of 5% per annum, calculated daily, on the outstanding balance until payment is received in full.

Debt Collection

In the event of non-payment, Ford Plumbing Co. may engage a debt collection agency to recover the outstanding amount. The Client will be responsible for all costs associated with debt recovery, including legal fees.

6.Service Conditions

Access to Site

The Client must ensure that Ford Plumbing Co. has safe and uninterrupted access to the area where the services are to be performed. Any delays or additional costs resulting from restricted access or unsafe conditions will be the Client's responsibility.

Site Preparation

The Client is responsible for preparing the site and ensuring that it is free of hazards. This includes clearing access paths and ensuring that the area is safe for our technicians to work. If marking the location of underground utilities is necessary, the Client may need to engage a professional service, as Ford Plumbing Co. does not typically undertake this task.

Occupational Health and Safety Compliance

Ford Plumbing Co. adheres to all Occupational Health and Safety regulations. If additional safety measures are required, such as the presence of a second technician, these will be charged at the applicable rates.

7.Cancellation and Rescheduling Fees

Standard Jobs

Cancellation 7 Days Before: If you cancel your booking one week (7 days) or more before the scheduled service, a cancellation fee of 10% of the total job cost will apply. This fee covers the costs associated with scheduling and resource allocation.

Cancellation 48 Hours Before: If you cancel your booking within 48 hours before the scheduled service, a cancellation fee of 20% of the total job cost will apply. This higher fee reflects the difficulty of reallocating time and resources on short notice.

Cancellation 24 Hours Before: If you cancel your booking within 24 hours of the scheduled service, a cancellation fee of 30% of the total job cost will apply. This fee accounts for the last-minute nature of the cancellation and the near-impossibility of rescheduling other work.

Large-Scale Jobs

For larger-scale jobs (e.g., full renovations, extensive plumbing installations, or any job exceeding $5,000), the cancellation fees are as follows:

Definition of Large-Scale Jobs: A job is considered large-scale if it requires significant planning, multiple days of work, and/or a substantial commitment of resources. The determination of whether a job qualifies as large-scale will be at the discretion of Ford Plumbing Co. and will be communicated to the Client during the quoting process.

Exceptions

If Ford Plumbing Co. is able to fill the slot with another client, the cancellation fee may be reduced or waived at the sole discretion of the company.

8.Materials and Parts

Use of Materials

All materials and parts used in the provision of services will be of high quality and sourced from reputable suppliers. Ford Plumbing Co. reserves the right to substitute materials or parts with equivalent or superior alternatives if the originally specified items are unavailable.

Ownership of Materials

All materials remain the property of Ford Plumbing Co. until full payment for the services has been received. Ford Plumbing Co. reserves the right to remove or repossess materials if payment is not made in accordance with these Terms.

9.Warranty

Workmanship Warranty

Ford Plumbing Co. offers a limited lifetime warranty on all workmanship carried out by our technicians. This warranty covers defects arising from faulty workmanship but does not extend to parts or materials, which are covered by their respective manufacturers' warranties.

Exclusions

The Workmanship Warranty does not cover:

• Normal wear and tear of parts or materials.
• Damages caused by the Client’s misuse, neglect, or failure to follow instructions.
• Work performed by third parties after the initial service by Ford Plumbing Co.
• Issues arising from the use of non-approved parts or materials.

Claims Process

To make a warranty claim, the Client must notify Ford Plumbing Co. in writing within 7 days of discovering the defect. Ford Plumbing Co. will assess the claim and, if valid, will repair or replace the defective work at no additional cost to the Client. If the defect is found to be caused by factors outside of Ford Plumbing Co.'s control, repair work will be charged at the standard rates.

10.Liability

Limitation of Liability

Ford Plumbing Co. takes all reasonable care in providing services; however, we are not liable for:

• Any damages resulting from unforeseeable circumstances, including but not limited to natural disasters, acts of God, or accidents.
• Consequential damages arising from delays in service provision, unless such delays are caused by Ford Plumbing Co.’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct.
• Damages caused by third-party actions, such as those of other contractors or service providers.
• Loss of profits, business, or anticipated savings due to the failure of parts, materials, or workmanship, except where such failure is due to Ford Plumbing Co.’s gross negligence.

11.Indemnification

The Client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Ford Plumbing Co. from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising out of or related to the services provided, except where such claims arise directly from Ford Plumbing Co.’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct

12.Drain Cleaning Services

Blocked Drains

Ford Plumbing Co. offers drain cleaning services, including the removal of tree roots and other obstructions. While we strive to provide thorough and effective service, removal of blockages does not guarantee that the issue will not recur, particularly in the presence of underlying structural issues.

Camera Inspections

For persistent or severe blockages, Ford Plumbing Co. recommends a camera inspection to identify the root cause of the problem. This inspection may be offered at a discounted rate if performed during the initial service visit.

No Warranty on Drain Cleaning

12.1 Due to the nature of drain cleaning services, Ford Plumbing Co. does not provide any warranty on drain cleaning. Blockages can recur due to various factors beyond our control, and the removal of blockages does not guarantee that similar issues will not occur in the future.

13.Hazardous Materials

Asbestos and Other Hazardous Materials

Ford Plumbing Co. does not engage in the identification, removal, or handling of asbestos or other hazardous materials. The Client is responsible for ensuring that such materials are safely removed by a licensed professional before our services commence. Ford Plumbing Co. will not be held liable for any issues arising from the presence of hazardous materials on the site.

Client’s Responsibility

The Client must disclose the presence of any known hazardous materials on the site before services begin. Failure to do so may result in delays, additional costs, or the termination of the contract, with applicable cancellation fees.

14.Membership Terms

Membership Plan

Ford Plumbing Co. offers a membership plan for $65 per month, which provides access to exclusive benefits.

Minimum Sign-Up Period

Membership requires a minimum commitment of 3 months before the Client can use the benefits associated with the membership plan.

Cooling-Off Period

A 1-month cooling-off period applies from the start of the membership. During this time, the Client can cancel the membership without penalty.

Sign-Up Fee

An $85 sign-up fee applies at the commencement of the membership.

After-Hours Work

After-hours work is exclusively available to members under this plan. Non-members will not have access to after-hours services unless they sign up for the membership.

Late Payment and Termination

Failure to make timely payments for the membership will result in immediate termination of the contract, and the Client will lose access to all membership benefits.

16.Photographs and Documentation

Ford Plumbing Co. may take photographs of the work site before, during, and after service for documentation, invoicing, and liability purposes. These images may also be used for promotional purposes unless the Client expressly requests otherwise.

17.Privacy

Ford Plumbing Co. is committed to protecting your privacy. Personal information collected will only be used for the purpose of providing services and will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). See our Privacy Policy.

18.Amendments

These terms and conditions may be updated periodically. Clients will be notified of significant changes through our website or direct communication. Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of any such amendments.

19.Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia. Any disputes arising from the use of our services will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Queensland.