Last updated: [INSERT DATE HERE]
These Terms and Conditions explain the rules for using this website and, where applicable, booking, purchasing or enquiring about services through it.
This website is operated by:
[INSERT LEGAL BUSINESS NAME HERE]
[INSERT BUSINESS ADDRESS HERE]
[INSERT CONTACT EMAIL HERE]
[INSERT COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER HERE, IF APPLICABLE]
[INSERT VAT NUMBER HERE, IF APPLICABLE]
Website: [INSERT WEBSITE DOMAIN HERE]
By using this website, submitting an enquiry, downloading a resource, booking a consultation, purchasing a service or otherwise interacting with us online, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.
Please read them carefully.
These Terms are intended as general website and online service terms. They do not replace a formal architectural appointment, fee agreement or professional services contract.
1. About Us
[INSERT LEGAL BUSINESS NAME HERE] provides architectural, design, consultation, feasibility, planning, property improvement, home design, commercial design or related professional services.
[INSERT SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE PRACTICE HERE]
For example:
We provide architectural services for homeowners, property owners, developers and business clients who are considering building, extending, renovating, reconfiguring or improving a property.
2. Scope of These Terms
These Terms apply to:
Use of this website
Website content, downloads and resources
Online enquiries
Contact forms
Booking forms
Paid consultations, reviews or workshops
Free or paid guides, checklists, webinars or resources
Online payments made through this website
General communications started through this website
These Terms do not automatically create a full professional appointment for architectural services.
For full architectural services, design work, planning applications, technical drawings, project management or other professional services, a separate written agreement, appointment letter, fee proposal or professional services contract may be required.
3. Use of This Website
You may use this website for lawful purposes only.
You agree not to:
Use the website in a way that breaks the law
Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the website or its systems
Copy, scrape, harvest or misuse website content
Upload viruses, malicious code or harmful material
Use the website to send spam or unsolicited messages
Misrepresent your identity or project details
Interfere with the normal operation of the website
We may suspend, restrict or block access to the website if we believe it is being misused.
4. Website Content
The content on this website is provided for general information only.
It may include articles, guides, checklists, videos, resources, case studies, project examples, design commentary, planning information, renovation guidance or general architectural insights.
Website content does not constitute formal architectural advice, legal advice, planning advice, building regulation advice, structural advice, financial advice or professional consultancy unless we expressly agree otherwise in writing.
You should not rely on general website content as a substitute for professional advice about your own property, project, budget, planning position, structural requirements or legal obligations.
5. Accuracy of Information
We aim to keep the information on this website accurate and up to date.
However, we do not guarantee that website content will always be complete, current or error-free.
Planning rules, building regulations, local authority requirements, construction costs, professional standards and project requirements can change.
You should seek specific advice before making decisions based on information found on this website.
6. No Professional Appointment Created by Website Use
Using this website, downloading a guide, submitting a form, booking a call, making an enquiry or receiving an initial response from us does not automatically create an architect-client relationship or professional appointment.
A formal appointment will only be created when we both agree the relevant scope, fees, services, terms and responsibilities in writing.
This may be through:
A written proposal
A fee agreement
An appointment letter
A professional services contract
A RIBA contract or other appropriate appointment document
Another written agreement confirmed by both parties
Until a formal agreement is in place, any information we provide should be treated as general guidance, preliminary advice or early-stage discussion only.
7. Enquiries and Project Information
When you submit an enquiry, you agree that the information you provide is accurate to the best of your knowledge.
You may be asked to provide details about your property, project, budget, timescales, planning history, photographs, plans, drawings, surveys, family requirements, business requirements or other information relevant to your enquiry.
We use this information to review your enquiry, understand your project and decide whether we may be able to help.
We are not responsible for advice, assumptions, estimates or recommendations based on incomplete, inaccurate or misleading information provided by you.
For details of how we collect, use and protect personal information, please read our Privacy Policy:
[INSERT LINK TO PRIVACY POLICY HERE]
8. Consultations, Workshops and Paid Sessions
We may offer paid consultations, design reviews, feasibility sessions, home options workshops, planning reviews or similar services through this website.
Details of each paid service will be provided on the relevant booking page, checkout page, proposal or confirmation email.
This may include:
What is included
What is not included
The price
Payment terms
Session length
Delivery method
Whether the session is online, by phone, in person or at the property
Any preparation required
Any deliverables provided afterwards
Cancellation or rescheduling rules
[INSERT DETAILS OF PAID CONSULTATION OR WORKSHOP OFFER HERE]
Unless stated otherwise, a consultation, review or workshop is intended to provide preliminary advice, guidance, options, ideas or direction.
It is not a complete architectural service, planning submission, technical design package, construction instruction or professional appointment unless expressly agreed in writing.
9. Online Bookings
If you book a call, consultation, workshop or appointment through the website, you are responsible for providing accurate contact details and attending at the agreed time.
We reserve the right to reschedule, cancel or refuse a booking where necessary, including where:
The booking was made in error
The service is not suitable for your project
You provided incomplete or inaccurate information
Payment has not been received
We are unable to provide the service
There is a conflict of interest
The booking is outside our normal service area
Circumstances arise beyond our reasonable control
[INSERT BOOKING, RESCHEDULING AND NO-SHOW POLICY HERE]
10. Prices and Payment
Prices for services, consultations, workshops, downloads or other paid offers will be displayed on the relevant page or confirmed in writing.
Prices may be shown inclusive or exclusive of VAT depending on the practice’s VAT status.
[INSERT VAT WORDING HERE]
For example:
All prices are shown inclusive of VAT unless stated otherwise.
Or:
We are not currently VAT registered, so VAT is not charged.
Payment may be processed by:
[INSERT YOUR PREFERRED PAYMENT PROCESSOR HERE]
For example:
Stripe
PayPal
Bank transfer
GoCardless
Other payment provider
We do not usually store full card details ourselves. Payments are normally handled securely by the relevant payment processor.
We reserve the right to change prices at any time, but changes will not affect purchases already confirmed unless there has been an obvious pricing error.
11. Payment Failure
If a payment fails, is reversed, disputed or not received, we may suspend or cancel the relevant booking, consultation, service or deliverable.
You remain responsible for any unpaid fees properly due under the agreed terms.
Where work has already been carried out, we may invoice you for the work completed and any agreed expenses.
12. Cancellation and Refund Policy
The cancellation and refund terms depend on the type of service purchased.
[INSERT YOUR CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY DETAILS HERE]
This section should explain, where relevant:
How much notice is required to cancel or reschedule a consultation
Whether deposits are refundable
Whether paid workshops are refundable
What happens if the client does not attend
What happens if the practice cancels or reschedules
Whether digital downloads are refundable
Whether work already started is chargeable
How refunds are processed
How long refunds may take
If you are a consumer and purchase a service online, by phone or away from our premises, you may have statutory cancellation rights, including a 14-day cancellation period in certain circumstances.
If you ask us to start providing the service during the 14-day cancellation period, you agree that we may begin work before the cancellation period has expired. If you then cancel after work has started, you may be required to pay for the services provided up to the point of cancellation.
If the service has been fully performed with your agreement during the cancellation period, you may lose the right to cancel once the service has been completed.
This does not affect your statutory rights.
This section should be checked carefully before use.
13. Digital Resources, Downloads and Online Materials
We may offer free or paid digital resources, such as:
Guides
Checklists
Templates
Webinars
Videos
Workbooks
Design preparation resources
Planning preparation resources
Home improvement resources
These materials are provided for general information and education only.
They are not a substitute for professional advice specific to your property or project.
You may use downloaded materials for your own personal or internal business use only.
You must not copy, resell, share, publish, reproduce, distribute, edit, modify or commercially exploit our materials without written permission.
[INSERT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD REFUND OR ACCESS POLICY HERE]
14. Intellectual Property
All content on this website belongs to us or is licensed to us unless stated otherwise.
This includes:
Text
Graphics
Logos
Images
Videos
Downloads
Guides
Templates
Page layouts
Design concepts
Drawings
Sketches
Diagrams
Resources
Branding
Website structure
You may view, download or print content for your own personal use or internal business reference.
You must not copy, reproduce, republish, sell, licence, distribute, modify, upload, post, transmit or exploit our content without written permission.
15. Design Work, Drawings and Project Materials
Unless agreed otherwise in writing, we retain copyright and intellectual property rights in our design work, sketches, drawings, plans, documents, reports, visuals and other professional materials.
You may be granted a licence to use specific materials for the project and purpose for which they were prepared, subject to payment of our fees and the terms of the relevant appointment.
You must not use our design work, drawings, concepts or documents for another project, another property, another site, or with another professional without written permission.
[INSERT PRACTICE-SPECIFIC COPYRIGHT AND LICENCE TERMS HERE]
This section should be aligned with the architect’s formal appointment contract.
16. Use of Materials You Provide
If you send us plans, drawings, photographs, surveys, documents or other materials, you confirm that:
You have the right to share them with us
They are accurate to the best of your knowledge
We may use them to review your enquiry or provide agreed services
You have permission from any relevant owner, client, consultant or third party to share them with us
We are not responsible for issues caused by inaccurate, incomplete or unauthorised materials provided to us.
17. Planning, Building Regulations and Third-Party Approvals
We may provide guidance, design support, planning advice, application support, building regulation advice or coordination with third parties depending on the services agreed.
However, unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, we do not guarantee:
Planning permission
Lawful development certificate approval
Listed building consent
Building control approval
Party wall agreement
Freeholder consent
Landlord consent
Funding approval
Contractor availability
Contractor pricing
Contractor workmanship
Project timescales
Project costs
Property value increases
Any particular commercial or financial outcome
Decisions by local authorities, building control bodies, statutory bodies, consultants, contractors, suppliers, lenders, landlords, freeholders and other third parties are outside our direct control.
18. Professional Services Disclaimer
Architectural advice, design concepts, feasibility comments, sketches, options, opinions, estimates and recommendations are based on the information available at the time.
Early-stage advice should not be treated as final technical design, construction information, structural advice, planning approval, building regulation approval, cost certainty or a full professional appointment unless expressly agreed in writing.
Where specialist advice is required, you may need input from other professionals, such as:
Structural engineers
Planning consultants
Quantity surveyors
Building control consultants
Party wall surveyors
Heritage consultants
Energy consultants
Principal Designers
Contractors
Legal advisers
Financial advisers
[INSERT ANY PRACTICE-SPECIFIC PROFESSIONAL DISCLAIMER HERE]
19. Client Responsibilities
If you become a client or request professional services, you may be responsible for:
Providing accurate information
Confirming your requirements and brief
Supplying relevant documents, plans and surveys
Making decisions in a timely manner
Paying agreed fees and expenses
Appointing other consultants where required
Obtaining permissions from owners, landlords or freeholders where relevant
Checking legal title, boundaries, covenants and restrictions where relevant
Informing us of any known issues affecting the property or project
Complying with your legal duties as a property owner, developer, employer or client
Specific responsibilities should be set out in the relevant appointment document or services agreement.
20. Third-Party Consultants, Contractors and Suppliers
Where appropriate, we may recommend or coordinate with other professionals, consultants, contractors or suppliers.
Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing:
Third parties are responsible for their own advice, work, services and performance
We are not responsible for the acts, omissions, pricing, delays or workmanship of independent third parties
You may need to enter into separate agreements with those third parties
Their fees and terms may be separate from ours
Where we introduce or recommend a third party, you should satisfy yourself that they are suitable for your needs before appointing them.
21. Case Studies, Portfolio and Project Images
We may wish to use project images, drawings, testimonials, descriptions or case studies for marketing, portfolio, award submission, social media, website or promotional purposes.
We will only do this where we have the appropriate permission or where we are otherwise entitled to do so under the relevant agreement.
[INSERT PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHY, CASE STUDY AND TESTIMONIAL POLICY HERE]
For private residential projects, we recommend obtaining written permission before using identifiable images, names, addresses or personal details.
22. Third-Party Websites and Platforms
This website may contain links to third-party websites, tools, resources, booking systems, payment pages, social media platforms or professional bodies.
We may also use third-party platforms to operate parts of our website, booking process, checkout process, email communication, analytics or online services.
We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, availability, security, performance or terms of third-party websites or platforms.
You use third-party websites and platforms at your own risk and should review their own terms and privacy policies.
23. Website Availability
We aim to keep the website available and working properly.
However, we do not guarantee that the website will always be available, uninterrupted, secure or error-free.
We may suspend, withdraw, change or update the website at any time.
We are not liable for loss or inconvenience caused by website downtime, technical issues, platform errors or third-party service interruptions.
24. Limitation of Liability
Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability where it would be unlawful to do so.
This includes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded.
Subject to that, we are not liable for:
Losses caused by reliance on general website content
Losses caused by inaccurate or incomplete information provided by you
Losses caused by third-party websites or platforms
Losses caused by third-party consultants, contractors or suppliers
Losses caused by local authority, planning, building control or statutory decisions
Losses caused by events outside our reasonable control
Indirect or consequential losses
Loss of profit, revenue, business, opportunity or goodwill
Where liability relates to paid services, our liability will be limited as set out in the relevant appointment, agreement, contract or proposal.
[INSERT PRACTICE-SPECIFIC LIABILITY LIMIT HERE, IF APPROPRIATE]
This section should be reviewed by a solicitor and aligned with professional indemnity insurance requirements.
25. Professional Indemnity Insurance
Where required, we maintain professional indemnity insurance appropriate to the nature of our practice and services.
Details can be provided on request where appropriate.
[INSERT INSURANCE DETAILS OR DELETE IF NOT APPROPRIATE]
26. Consumer Rights
If you are a consumer, you have legal rights in relation to services supplied with reasonable care and skill.
Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights.
If any part of these Terms conflicts with your statutory rights, your statutory rights will continue to apply.
27. Complaints
If you are unhappy with our website, service, communication or any matter relating to your enquiry or project, please contact us first so we can try to resolve the issue.
Contact:
[INSERT CONTACT EMAIL HERE]
For formal architectural services, complaint handling may also be covered by the relevant appointment document or professional services agreement.
[INSERT COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE HERE]
Where relevant, registered architects are subject to professional standards set by the Architects Registration Board.
28. Privacy and Personal Information
We handle personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Our Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, how long we keep it, and your data protection rights.
You can read our Privacy Policy here:
[INSERT LINK TO PRIVACY POLICY HERE]
29. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time.
When we make changes, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page.
The version published on this website at the time of your visit, enquiry, booking or purchase will apply unless otherwise agreed in writing.
30. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, unless your practice needs a different jurisdiction.
The courts of England and Wales will have jurisdiction over disputes relating to these Terms, unless applicable consumer law gives you the right to bring a claim elsewhere.
[AMEND IF THE PRACTICE IS BASED IN SCOTLAND OR NORTHERN IRELAND]
31. Contact Us
If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us:
[INSERT LEGAL BUSINESS NAME HERE]
[INSERT BUSINESS ADDRESS HERE]
[INSERT CONTACT EMAIL HERE]
[INSERT WEBSITE DOMAIN HERE]