Terms & COnditions – Renovations

  1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern the services provided by Ellis-Briggs Limited (“we,” “us,” or “our”) to you (“the customer”) for bicycle frame restoration, repairs, and resprays. By submitting your bicycle frame or bicycle (“frame”) for our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.


  1. Scope of Work

Upon receiving your frame, either delivered in person or via courier, we will inspect it and discuss the required work, which may include:

  1. Removal of Parts
    1. Removal of any parts from the frame.
    2. Removal of seized parts from the frame (steel frames only, using methods such as burning).
  2. Frame Repairs and Alterations
    1. Completion of any frame repairs or alterations (steel frames only).
  3. Chrome Plating (Steel Frames Only)
    1. Drilling or filling of drain holes as necessary.
    2. Sending the frame/fork to a paint shop for paint removal.
    3. Sending the frame/fork to chrome platers.
    4. Inspecting the frame/fork upon return from chrome platers.
  4. Painting and Resprays
    1. Sending the frame to the paint shop.
    2. Waiting in the queue at the painters.
    3. Completing the painting process.
  5. Decals
    1. If supplied by the customer, passing decals to the paint shop.
    2. If decals are available from a supplier, ordering from the supplier.
    3. If decals are not available, commissioning a graphic designer to create artwork.
    4. Ordering decals from the supplier for delivery to the painter.
  6. Final Assembly and Checks
    1. Picking up the frame from the paint shop.
    2. Inspecting the frame and verifying the order.
    3. Booking into the workshop for facing/chasing and parts fitting if required.
    4. Facing/chasing, fitting any required parts, and rebuilding the bicycle if requested.
  7. Collection and Delivery
    1. Arranging collection with the customer or booking for packing.
    2. Collection by the customer or arranging courier delivery.

  1. Estimated Lead Times

The following are estimated lead times for each step of the process, based on the average time taken for similar projects. Please keep in mind that every project is unique, and actual lead times may vary depending on several factors, including:

  • The complexity of the work required
  • Annual leave and public holidays
  • Illness or unforeseen personal circumstances
  • Other projects in the queue preceding yours
  • Supplier delays or other unexpected circumstances

These estimates are provided to give you a general idea of the timeframe, but flexibility is often needed to ensure the highest quality of work.

  1. Removal of Parts: 2 days
  2. Removal of Seized Parts: 1 week
  3. Frame Repairs/Alterations: 2 weeks
  4. Chrome Plating Process:
    1. Drilling/Filling Drain Holes: 1 week
    2. Paint Removal at Paint Shop: 1–2 weeks
    3. Chrome Plating: 4–12 weeks
    4. Inspection After Plating: 1–4 weeks
  5. Painting Process:
    1. Queue at Painters: 3–4 weeks
    2. Painting Process: 1–2 weeks
  6. Decals (if frame is being painted):
    1. Customer-Supplied Decals: 0–8 weeks (waiting for customer to supply)
    2. Supplier-Sourced Decals: 1–3 weeks
    3. Custom-Designed Decals
    4. Artwork Creation: 4–8 weeks
    5. Decal Production and Delivery: 1 week
  7. Post-Paint Inspection: 1–2 weeks
  8. Final Workshop Procedures: 2–3 days
  9. Collection or Courier Arrangement: 0–5 days

  1. Time Frames
    1. Estimated Timeframes
      1. All timeframes and lead times provided are estimates only and are given in good faith based on current workloads and supplier schedules.
      2. Unless expressly agreed upon in writing, time shall not be of the essence in relation to the performance of our services.
    2. Non-Essential Time
      1. You acknowledge that while we strive to meet estimated completion dates, delays may occur due to factors beyond our control, including but not limited to:
      2. Additional unforeseen work required on the frame.
      3. Delays from third-party suppliers (e.g., chrome platers, painters).
      4. Illness or personal emergencies affecting our capacity.
      5. Delays caused by the customer (e.g., late approval of designs, late provision of decals).
    3. Communication of Delays
      1. We will promptly notify you of any anticipated delays and provide updates on the revised estimated completion date.
      2. Communication will be made via email or phone, and it is your responsibility to ensure we have up-to-date contact information.
    4. No Liability for Reasonable Delays
      1. We shall not be liable for any losses, damages, or costs incurred due to delays in the completion of the services, provided that we have communicated such delays to you promptly and have made reasonable efforts to complete the services within a reasonable time.
    5. Customer Deadlines
      1. If you require the services to be completed by a specific date, this must be expressly agreed upon in writing. In such cases, time may be made of the essence for that agreement.
    6. Unforeseen Delays
      1. While we strive to meet the estimated lead times, delays may occur due to:
      2. Additional Work Required: Unforeseen issues with the frame that were not apparent during the initial inspection (1–6 weeks).
      3. Illness or Supplier Issues: Illness affecting our capacity or delays from suppliers (1–4 weeks).
      4. Customer Changes: Changes requested by the customer to job specifications (1–4 weeks).
      5. We will communicate any anticipated delays as soon as possible and provide updates on how they may affect the overall timeline of the project.

  1. Chrome Plating Process and Batching
    1. Chrome plating is performed by a third-party supplier located two hours from our workshop. To maintain efficiency and viability, chrome plating is done in batches. This means:
    2. Batch Scheduling: Your project may need to wait until enough frames are ready for a batch.
    3. Potential Delays: Delays in other projects within the batch can impact the timing of your chrome plating, potentially resulting in a waiting period of up to two months.
    4. Mitigation Efforts: We strive to mitigate delays by scheduling plating trips when necessary, but additional waiting time may be required.

  1. Payment Terms
    1. Deposit: A 50% non-refundable deposit is required once the scope of work is agreed upon. Work will not commence until the deposit is received.
    2. Final Payment: The remaining balance is due upon completion of the work, before collection or delivery.
    3. Unpaid Balances: We reserve the right to retain the frame until full payment is received.
    4. Payment Methods: We accept all major credit and debit cards, bank transfer or cash.

  1. Cancellations and Refunds
    1. Non-Refundable Deposit: The 50% deposit covers initial costs, including planning, inspection, and materials ordered. It is non-refundable.
    2. Cancellation Before Work Commences: If you cancel before significant work has started and no materials have been ordered, a portion of the deposit may be refunded at our discretion.
    3. Cancellation After Work Commences: If work has already started, any refund will be adjusted based on the work completed and any parts or decals ordered. An administration fee of £100 will apply.
    4. Supply of Ordered Parts: Any parts or decals ordered will be supplied to you.
    5. Cancellation Rights: Under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, you have the right to cancel within 14 days of entering into the contract. However, if you agree that we may begin work within this period, you may lose the right to cancel once the service is fully performed.

  1. Right to Reject or Request Revisions
    1. If you are not satisfied with the quality of the work upon collection or delivery, you must notify us within 7 days.
    2. We will assess the work and, where necessary, offer additional work, revisions, or a partial refund, in line with UK consumer rights.

  1. Limitation of Liability
    1. We are not liable for delays or damages caused by third-party suppliers such as chrome platers, painters, or couriers.
    2. We are not liable for issues with parts or decals supplied by the customer.
    3. We are not liable for damage incurred during shipping or courier transit unless packing was performed by us and the damage was due to our negligence.
    4. We cannot exclude liability for:
      1. Death or personal injury caused by our negligence.
      2. Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
      3. Any other liability that cannot be excluded under UK law.
    5. We will perform all services with reasonable care and skill.

  1. Force Majeure
    1. We will not be held responsible for delays or failures to perform our obligations due to circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to strikes, accidents, natural disasters, pandemics, or delays from third-party suppliers.

  1. Dispute Resolution
    1. In the event of a dispute, we encourage you to contact us to resolve the matter amicably.
    2. If we cannot resolve the dispute internally, we agree to consider Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) options before pursuing legal action.
    3. Both parties agree to make reasonable efforts to resolve any disputes.

  1. Communication and Response Times
    1. Dedicated Production Hours: Our dedicated production hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. During these times, we focus on customer projects and limit interruptions.
    2. Limited Availability: During production hours, we may not be immediately available for communication. For non-urgent inquiries, please reach out outside of these hours.
    3. Communication Hours: We aim to respond to emails and messages during our available hours on Thursday and Friday, as well as during designated communication periods outside of our production hours.
    4. Response Time: We aim to respond to all customer inquiries within 2–3 working days.
    5. Status Updates: We will provide updates at key stages of the work (e.g., after frame inspection, completion of painting, and final assembly).

  1. Customer Responsibility for Timely Communication
    1. Timely responses from you are essential to keep projects on track.
    2. Delays in providing necessary information (such as approval of design work, confirmation of parts, or decal supply) may result in extended lead times.

  1. Impact of Production Delays on Project Timelines
    1. Timely completion of production work is crucial for adhering to project deadlines.
    2. If we miss weekly deadlines for production work, it may delay when a job can be sent to chrome platers or painters.
    3. Painting Delays: May extend the project timeline by approximately one week.
    4. Chrome Plating Delays: May result in a waiting period of up to two months due to batching.

  1. Workload Management and Marketing Activities
    1. As a one-person business, we balance current projects with necessary marketing, sales, and administrative duties.
    2. We allocate approximately 20 hours per week to customer projects and the remaining hours to other essential business activities.
    3. Customers understand that we may not be able to work extra hours to catch up on delays if it would compromise the quality of work or our well-being.
    4. We will continue to engage in marketing and sales efforts, which are vital for maintaining a healthy business.

  1. Availability and Working Hours
    1. We work Monday to Friday, but are not contactable at all times.
    2. Our production time is focus time, and we prefer to limit interruptions.
    3. Customers are encouraged to reach out during designated communication hours.

  1. Capacity and Delays
    1. As a one-person operation, unforeseen delays may occur due to personal circumstances such as illness or emergencies.
    2. We will inform customers of any expected delays and adjust timelines accordingly.
    3. There may be limitations on the number of projects we can handle at any given time. In cases where demand exceeds capacity, we may have to temporarily stop taking new orders or extend lead times to ensure the quality of work remains high.

  1. Business Hours
    1. Our standard business hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
    2. Emails and phone calls received outside of these hours will be responded to on the next business day.

  1. Collection and Delivery
    1. Upon completion, we will contact you to arrange collection or delivery.
    2. Courier costs will be discussed and agreed upon in advance.
    3. We are not liable for delays or damages caused by couriers.

  1. Consumer Rights
    1. These Terms do not affect your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
    2. All services will be performed with reasonable care and skill.
    3. If a product or service is faulty or not as described, you may have the right to a repair, replacement, or refund.

  1. Data Protection and Privacy
    1. We collect and process personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
    2. Data Collected: Contact details, project details, and any other information necessary to perform our services.
    3. Use of Data: For communication regarding your project, providing services, and for legal obligations.
    4. Data Sharing: We may share your data with third-party suppliers (e.g., painters, chrome platers) only as necessary to perform the agreed services.
    5. Data Security: We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data.
    6. Your Rights: You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data. Please contact us for any data protection queries.
    7. Privacy Policy: Our full Privacy Policy is available at [insert link or indicate how to obtain it].

  1. Intellectual Property Rights
    1. Ownership of Designs: Any custom designs, artwork, or decals created by us remain our intellectual property until full payment is received.
    2. Use of Customer’s Intellectual Property: We will only use your logos or designs for the purposes of completing your project.
    3. License Agreements: If applicable, any licensing arrangements for the use of intellectual property will be agreed upon in writing.

  1. Retention of Title
    1. Ownership of any parts or materials supplied by us remains with us until full payment has been received.

  1. Subcontracting
    1. Certain services (e.g., graphic design, chrome plating) are performed by vetted third-party suppliers.
    2. We remain responsible for the overall management of your project.

  1. Changes to Terms
    1. We reserve the right to amend these Terms and Conditions.
    2. Any changes will not affect existing contracts unless required by law.
    3. The most current version of our Terms will be available on our website at [Your Website].

  1. Severability
    1. If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.