Terms and conditions for a plumbing and heating business

A plumbing and heating business needs terms that separate its own work from the existing system it has been asked to work on, that state the price of emergency attendance clearly, and that explain what a boiler warranty covers and what it does not. I draft those terms for a fixed fee of £995, delivered in five working days.

Who this is for

Plumbers and heating engineers in England and Wales doing repairs, bathroom and kitchen plumbing, boiler installation and servicing, and commercial maintenance, whether as a sole trader or a company with several engineers. Gas work is regulated by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and only a registered engineer may do it; the terms assume you hold the registration the work requires.

What matters in plumbing and heating terms

Call-outs, emergencies and the price before you arrive

The terms should state the call-out charge and the hourly or fixed rates that follow it, and that a diagnosis is chargeable whether or not the customer goes ahead with the repair. Emergency work the customer asked for is an exception to the consumer's right to cancel under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, but only the urgent work is covered; the new tap you fitted while you were there is not, unless the customer expressly asked for it.

The existing system

Most of the system you work on will have been installed by someone else. The terms should say that you are not responsible for the condition of existing pipework, valves, radiators or appliances, that a repair to one part of a system does not guarantee the rest, and that disturbing old pipework can cause leaks elsewhere for which you are not liable if you took reasonable care. Power flushing and pressure testing should be dealt with separately, because they can reveal weaknesses that were already present.

Boilers, warranties and commissioning

The manufacturer's warranty on a boiler is the manufacturer's, and it usually depends on registration and annual servicing. The terms should say that you will register the appliance and give the customer the details, that the warranty is between the customer and the manufacturer, and that your own workmanship guarantee is separate and defined. Where the installation must be notified under the Building Regulations, the terms should say who does that and when the certificate arrives. Installation work must also comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, and the terms should record that you work to those requirements.

Water damage and liability

A failed joint can cause substantial damage to the property and to neighbouring property. You cannot exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, and against consumers you cannot cut down statutory rights, but for business customers you can cap liability and exclude consequential loss, and for everyone the terms can require the customer to know where the stopcock is and to tell you about any known problems. Your public liability cover should be stated.

Access, parts and payment

The terms should cover access to the property and to the parts of the system you need, waiting time for parts that have to be ordered, and payment on completion for repairs and by stages for installations. Business customers can be charged interest and compensation on late payment under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998; for consumers any interest rate must be modest and clearly stated.

What it costs

Customer or supplier terms and conditions, £995. One set of terms, customer-facing or supplier-facing, drafted for your business. Five working days.

Review of your existing terms, £495. You already have terms and want them checked and brought up to date. Returned marked up with my amendments and an explanation of the changes. Three working days.

Email me at geoffrey@caesar.co.uk with what you need and any documents, and I will confirm the scope and the fee in writing, usually the same working day. If you would rather pay straight away, buying online forms the engagement on payment: the scope is what the terms and conditions drafting page describes, you accept the Terms of Service at checkout, and I will be in touch promptly to get started.

What you get

• A full set of bespoke terms drafted for your business, reflecting the legal requirements that apply to your business and sector
• A note in plain English explaining the terms I have drafted for you
• Liability, payment, termination and IP provisions that protect your position and are drafted to withstand scrutiny from the other side
• Guidance on how to incorporate the terms properly
• Your questions and comments answered by email or phone
• One round of amendments to finalise the terms ready for use

What is not included

• Negotiating your terms with individual customers (I am happy to quote for this as an additional service if required)
• Sector-specific regulatory compliance beyond the contract terms themselves
• Website privacy notice and cookie compliance, which I quote separately
• Terms governed by the law of another country
• Tax advice

Questions I am often asked

Can I refuse to work on a system that is in poor condition?

You can, and the terms should give you the right to stop work and charge for time spent where continuing would be unsafe or would damage the existing installation, with the customer told why.

Who is responsible if a customer-supplied boiler or tap turns out to be faulty?

The terms should say that customer-supplied items are fitted at the customer's risk, that you are not responsible for their quality, and that removing and refitting a faulty item is chargeable. The customer's remedy is against the retailer who sold it.

Do I need separate terms for annual servicing contracts?

Not separate terms, but a section dealing with recurring visits: the annual price, what a service includes, what happens if access is not given, and how either side ends the arrangement. A servicing contract sold online or by phone is a distance contract with its own cancellation rules.

Related guidance and services

• Terms and conditions drafting, £995, the service this page describes
• Contract review, £495, if a main contractor or business customer has sent you their terms to sign
• Terms and conditions for an electrician, which deals with the same call-out and certification issues

This page is general guidance for businesses in England and Wales, not advice on your own circumstances. Last reviewed: September 2026. Email geoffrey@caesar.co.uk.