TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS
Company No. 15123811 | Version September 2026
1 New Cottages, Clay Lane, Moston, Sandbach, Cheshire, CW11 3QX
01270 442288 | info@stsnorthwest.com | www.stsnorthwest.co.uk
Important: These are the master terms that apply to our quotations and contracts for new septic tank, package sewage treatment plant, drainage-field and associated installation works. A quotation may contain job-specific terms. If a quotation expressly conflicts with these Terms, the quotation takes priority for that job.
Consumer rights: Nothing in these Terms limits rights that cannot lawfully be excluded, including rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and, where applicable, cancellation rights under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.
1. About us and these Terms
1.1 We are Septic Tanks and Soakaways Limited, company number 15123811, of 1 New Cottages, Clay Lane, Moston, Sandbach, Cheshire CW11 3QX. Our contact details are 01270 442288, info@stsnorthwest.com and www.stsnorthwest.co.uk.
1.2 These Terms apply to new septic tank, package sewage treatment plant, drainage-field/soakaway and associated drainage and groundworks that we agree to provide. They do not cover emptying, routine servicing or unrelated drainage work unless the quotation expressly says otherwise.
1.3 “Customer” means the person or organisation named in our quotation. “Consumer” means an individual acting wholly or mainly outside their trade, business, craft or profession. “Quotation” means our written quotation. “Contract Price” means the price stated in the Quotation, as adjusted by any agreed Variation. “Completion” means substantial completion of the installation work described in the Quotation, subject to minor snagging items that do not materially prevent normal use.
1.4 The Contract consists of the Quotation, any specification or drawings expressly incorporated into it, any written Variations and these Terms.
2. Site surveys and quotations
2.1 We normally carry out a site survey before issuing a written Quotation. Unless we expressly state otherwise, the survey is visual and non-invasive and does not include excavation, trial holes, utility tracing, laboratory testing, groundwater monitoring, structural investigation or opening up concealed areas.
2.2 Our Quotation is based on conditions reasonably visible at the survey, information supplied by the Customer and reasonable assumptions about concealed and underground conditions.
2.3 Unless stated otherwise, a Quotation is valid for 30 days. We may withdraw it before acceptance.
2.4 Only work and materials expressly described in the Quotation are included. Drawings, sketches and measurements supplied at quotation stage are indicative unless expressly stated to be construction drawings or fixed specifications.
2.5 Any estimate of programme or duration is an estimate only unless the Quotation expressly states that a date is guaranteed.
3. Formation of the Contract
3.1 The Contract is formed when the Customer accepts our Quotation, we accept the order and any deposit then due is paid, unless we agree otherwise in writing.
3.2 Acceptance may be by signed acceptance, email or another written method we agree. Our Quotation Acceptance & Consumer Cancellation document may be used for this purpose.
3.3 The version of these Terms identified in the Quotation or acceptance document is the version incorporated into that Contract. Later website updates do not retrospectively change an existing Contract.
4. Price, VAT and payment
4.1 Unless the Quotation states otherwise, a deposit equal to 40% of the Contract Price is payable on acceptance of our Quotation. The remaining 60% is payable on Completion.
4.2 Prices are inclusive or exclusive of VAT as expressly stated in the Quotation. If VAT is legally chargeable and the Quotation states a price exclusive of VAT, VAT will be added at the applicable rate.
4.3 We are not normally required to order plant or materials, reserve an installation slot or start work until cleared deposit funds have been received.
4.4 Completion is not delayed merely because a certificate, registration, manufacturer document or other third-party paperwork is awaiting issue after the physical work for which we are responsible has been substantially completed.
4.5 A Consumer may exercise any legal right to withhold an appropriate amount for defective or incomplete work. The Customer must not unreasonably withhold the whole balance because of a minor snagging item and must give us a reasonable opportunity to inspect and, where we are responsible, remedy it.
4.6 Overdue sums may carry interest and reasonable recovery costs to the extent permitted by law.
5. Consumer cancellation rights
5.1 If the Customer is a Consumer and the Contract is a distance or off-premises contract to which the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 apply, the Consumer will normally have 14 days from the day after the Contract is entered into to cancel without giving a reason.
5.2 To cancel, the Consumer must make a clear statement to us before the cancellation period expires. It may be sent to our postal address or to info@stsnorthwest.com. The model cancellation form supplied with our acceptance document may be used but is not compulsory.
5.3 If a Consumer wants us to begin providing services during the 14-day cancellation period, we will obtain an express request to start early. If the Consumer then cancels after services have begun, the Consumer may have to pay a proportionate amount for services supplied up to cancellation, where the law permits.
5.4 If the services are fully performed during the cancellation period following the Consumer’s express request and the legal requirements for loss of the cancellation right are satisfied, the Consumer may lose the right to cancel once those services have been fully performed.
5.5 Cancellation rights for goods, specially ordered items and mixed contracts can depend on the circumstances. Nothing in these Terms reduces any statutory cancellation or refund right.
6. Customer cancellation after any statutory cooling-off period
6.1 If the Customer wishes to cancel after any applicable statutory cancellation period has expired, the Customer should tell us as soon as possible.
6.2 We will take reasonable steps to reduce avoidable loss. Subject to applicable law, the Customer may be required to pay reasonable losses directly resulting from cancellation, including work already performed, non-recoverable third-party costs and specially ordered or bespoke equipment that cannot reasonably be cancelled or returned.
6.3 We will not impose a cancellation charge that is disproportionate to our reasonable loss. Any deposit balance remaining after lawful deductions will be returned within a reasonable time.
7. Access and working area
7.1 The Customer must provide safe, reasonable and timely access to the site and working area, including access for excavators, delivery vehicles, spoil-removal vehicles and other machinery reasonably required for the installation.
7.2 The Customer must tell us before work starts about known access restrictions, weak bridges or drives, private roads, weight restrictions, cellars, retaining walls, fragile paving, overhead lines, protected trees or other features that may affect access or working methods.
7.3 Groundworks and heavy machinery can unavoidably mark, rut, compact or disturb lawns, gardens, unmade surfaces and similar areas. We will exercise reasonable care but are not responsible for unavoidable disturbance inherent in carrying out the agreed work.
7.4 Damage caused by our failure to exercise reasonable care and skill remains our responsibility.
8. Underground services and concealed structures
8.1 The Customer must tell us about known underground or concealed electricity, gas, water, drainage, telecoms, oil, irrigation, land drains, private utilities, tanks, foundations and other structures, and provide available plans or records.
8.2 Unless expressly included, specialist utility surveys, tracing, trial holes and statutory undertaker searches are not included in the Contract Price.
8.3 We will take reasonable precautions when excavating. If an unknown or inaccurately located service or concealed structure is encountered that could not reasonably have been identified beforehand, necessary investigation, protection, diversion or additional work may be treated as a Variation.
8.4 We remain responsible for damage caused by our failure to exercise reasonable care and skill.
9. Ground conditions and unforeseen matters
9.1 Excavation can reveal conditions not reasonably discoverable by a visual survey, including rock, running sand, unstable or made-up ground, buried concrete, foundations, high groundwater, springs, contaminated soil, asbestos-containing material, buried waste, unexpected drainage, tanks, archaeological material or other obstructions.
9.2 Unless expressly allowed for in the Quotation, additional work reasonably required because of such unforeseen conditions is not included in the Contract Price.
9.3 Where reasonably practicable we will explain the issue, proposed solution and additional price or charging basis before material additional work is carried out.
9.4 If immediate work is reasonably necessary to make an excavation or site safe, prevent pollution or avoid significant property damage and it is not reasonably practicable to obtain prior approval, we may carry out reasonable emergency work. Reasonable additional cost is payable unless the need arose from our breach or lack of reasonable care and skill.
10. Percolation testing, drainage fields and suitability
10.1 Where discharge to ground is proposed, ground conditions, groundwater, percolation characteristics, available area and regulatory separation distances may determine whether a drainage field is suitable.
10.2 Percolation testing, trial holes, groundwater assessment and specialist investigations are included only if the Quotation expressly says so.
10.3 A preliminary survey or quotation is not a guarantee that a proposed location will prove suitable after testing, excavation or regulatory assessment.
10.4 If the proposed design or location proves unsuitable, we will discuss reasonable alternatives. A change in design, location, plant, drainage-field size or method may be treated as a Variation.
11. System design, capacity and standards
11.1 We will select and install the system described in the Quotation using reasonable care and skill and taking account of the information supplied about occupancy and use.
11.2 The Customer must give accurate information about current and reasonably anticipated occupancy, bedrooms, commercial use and unusual flows or loads that may affect sizing.
11.3 Where applicable, new systems must meet relevant legal, environmental, manufacturer and technical requirements. In England, current Environment Agency guidance requires appropriate treatment and, for discharge to ground, a drainage field/infiltration system; a septic tank must not discharge directly to a watercourse.
11.4 In Wales, private sewage systems are subject to Natural Resources Wales requirements. A discharge to ground may use an appropriate septic tank or package treatment plant via a drainage field; discharge to surface water requires an appropriate package treatment plant, subject to registration or permitting requirements.
11.5 Standards and regulatory guidance can change. We will apply the requirements reasonably applicable to the installation at the time the work is carried out.
12. Planning, Building Regulations, registration and permits
12.1 The Quotation will state any planning, Building Control, Natural Resources Wales, Environment Agency, registration, permit or other approval work that we have expressly agreed to undertake.
12.2 Unless expressly included, responsibility for obtaining property-specific planning permission, Building Regulations approval, environmental registration or permit, easements, wayleaves, covenant consent, neighbour/landowner consent and other permissions remains with the Customer/property owner.
12.3 Where we agree to make or assist with an application, the Customer must provide accurate information and any authority reasonably required.
12.4 We cannot guarantee a decision by a planning authority, Building Control body, Natural Resources Wales, the Environment Agency, sewerage undertaker or other third party.
12.5 Third-party application and inspection fees are payable by the Customer unless expressly included in the Quotation.
12.6 If an authority requires a material design change, additional work or a different discharge solution, we will discuss it with the Customer and deal with any agreed change as a Variation.
13. Public foul sewer and regulatory constraints
13.1 The law or environmental rules may require consideration of connection to a public foul sewer. Site-specific restrictions may also apply because of sensitive sites, source protection zones, wells, boreholes, watercourses or neighbouring discharges.
13.2 If information obtained after quotation shows that the proposed private system cannot lawfully or reasonably proceed as originally contemplated, we may suspend the affected work while options are considered.
13.3 We will not be responsible for a regulator’s or third party’s decision where we have exercised reasonable care and skill in the services we agreed to provide.
14. Variations and additional work
14.1 A “Variation” means an agreed change to the work, materials, design, quantity, method, location or programme described in the Quotation.
14.2 A Variation may arise from a Customer request, unforeseen conditions, inaccurate or incomplete Customer information, existing drainage defects, regulatory requirements, unavailable specified equipment or circumstances outside our reasonable control.
14.3 Where reasonably practicable, we will describe the Variation and agree its price before carrying it out. If an exact price cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, we will explain the charging basis.
14.4 We will not make a material change merely for our convenience where it would materially disadvantage a Consumer.
14.5 An agreed Variation becomes part of the Contract and adjusts the Contract Price and, where appropriate, the programme.
15. Excavated material, waste and contamination
15.1 The Quotation will state or reflect the agreed arrangements for excavated soil, stone and ordinary spoil. Unless removal is expressly included, suitable excavated material may be retained on site in a reasonable agreed location.
15.2 Unexpected contaminated soil, asbestos-containing material, hazardous waste or material requiring specialist handling or disposal is excluded unless expressly stated.
15.3 Necessary testing, specialist handling and lawful disposal of unexpected hazardous or contaminated material may be treated as a Variation.
16. Reinstatement and landscaping
16.1 We will provide only the reinstatement expressly described in the Quotation.
16.2 Unless expressly included, specialist landscaping, replacement of established plants, turfing, decorative paving, resin, tarmac, specialist surfacing and exact restoration of gardens to their previous appearance are excluded.
16.3 Excavated and backfilled ground can settle after completion. Normal settlement is not of itself evidence of defective workmanship. Any defect caused by our failure to exercise reasonable care and skill remains our responsibility.
17. Existing drainage and property defects
17.1 We are not responsible for pre-existing defects in drains, pipes, chambers, electrical systems, pumps, structures or other property elements outside the agreed scope.
17.2 Connecting a new installation may reveal damaged pipes, incorrect falls, blockages, misconnections or other defects not reasonably apparent beforehand. Rectification is additional work unless included in the Quotation.
17.3 If our work damages existing property because we failed to exercise reasonable care and skill, this clause does not remove our responsibility.
18. Equipment, delivery and substitution
18.1 Tanks, treatment plants, pumps and equipment will be as described in the Quotation or an agreed Variation.
18.2 If specified equipment becomes unavailable or is superseded, we will not make a material substitution without discussing a reasonably equivalent alternative with the Customer.
18.3 Equipment and materials delivered to site but not permanently incorporated into the property remain ours until paid for in full, so far as the law permits. We will not remove permanently incorporated goods in a way that would unlawfully damage the property or prejudice Consumer rights.
18.4 Manufacturer delivery dates are outside our direct control. We will take reasonable steps to manage and communicate material supplier delays.
19. Electrical work and utilities
19.1 Package treatment plants and pumping systems may require a suitable electrical supply. Unless expressly included, creation or alteration of the property’s electrical supply is excluded.
19.2 Electrical work that must be carried out by an appropriately qualified person will be arranged only where stated in the Quotation or agreed as a Variation.
19.3 The Customer must provide water, electricity or other reasonable site utilities if the Quotation states they are required from the Customer.
20. Installation dates, weather and delay
20.1 Installation and completion dates are estimates unless expressly guaranteed in writing.
20.2 Groundworks can be delayed by severe or prolonged weather, flooding, waterlogged or frozen ground, unsafe excavation conditions, supplier disruption, regulatory delay, utility problems, restricted access or unforeseen conditions.
20.3 If delay is caused by circumstances outside our reasonable control, we will keep the Customer reasonably informed and resume or rearrange work as soon as reasonably practicable.
20.4 Nothing in this clause removes a Consumer’s statutory rights where services are not performed within an agreed or reasonable time.
21. Customer-caused delay
21.1 If we cannot proceed because the Customer has not provided agreed access, information, permissions, utilities, decisions or other things reasonably required, we may suspend the affected work.
21.2 We will explain what is required to resume. Reasonable additional costs directly caused by the Customer’s delay may be charged where lawful and proportionate.
22. Safety on site
22.1 The Customer must keep children, pets, visitors and unauthorised persons away from excavations, machinery, stored materials and working areas.
22.2 The Customer must not remove barriers, covers, temporary supports or other safety measures without our agreement.
22.3 We may suspend work if the site becomes unsafe or if continuing would create an unacceptable risk.
23. Subcontractors
23.1 We may use suitably skilled subcontractors or specialists for parts of the work.
23.2 We remain responsible to the Customer for performance of the Contract to the extent required by law.
24. Completion and commissioning
24.1 Where commissioning forms part of our scope, we will commission the installation when reasonably ready and provide relevant available manufacturer information.
24.2 Minor snagging items that do not materially prevent safe and normal use do not necessarily prevent Completion. We remain responsible for agreed outstanding items and for remedying defects for which we are legally responsible.
24.3 Third-party certificates, registrations or approvals may follow Completion where their issue is outside our control.
25. Customer operation and maintenance
25.1 After handover, the owner/operator is responsible for operating and maintaining the system in accordance with manufacturer instructions and applicable environmental requirements.
25.2 This may include desludging/emptying at appropriate intervals, servicing treatment plants, maintaining pumps and electrical equipment, protecting drainage fields and preventing unsuitable substances from entering the system.
25.3 Failure to operate or maintain the system correctly may cause malfunction and may affect a manufacturer’s warranty. It does not remove statutory rights relating to defects that were our responsibility.
26. Workmanship and manufacturer warranties
26.1 We will perform our services with reasonable care and skill.
26.2 Equipment may carry a manufacturer’s warranty subject to the manufacturer’s terms, including servicing and maintenance requirements. Manufacturer warranties are additional to statutory rights and do not replace rights the Customer may have against us.
26.3 We are not responsible for defects caused solely by misuse, neglect, inadequate maintenance, unauthorised alterations, later works by others, abnormal external events or pre-existing defects outside our scope, except to the extent that we are legally responsible.
27. Reporting problems and remedial work
27.1 The Customer should report an apparent defect promptly to info@stsnorthwest.com or 01270 442288, giving reasonable details and access for inspection.
27.2 Where a problem results from our breach of Contract or defective workmanship, we will take appropriate steps to remedy it in accordance with the Customer’s legal rights.
27.3 Except in an emergency, the Customer should normally give us a reasonable opportunity to inspect and remedy an alleged defect before instructing another contractor and seeking recovery of that cost.
28. Liability
28.1 Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where it would be unlawful to do so, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or statutory Consumer rights.
28.2 We are responsible for loss or damage that is a reasonably foreseeable consequence of our breach of Contract or failure to exercise reasonable care and skill.
28.3 We are not responsible for loss caused by inaccurate or incomplete information supplied by the Customer where we could not reasonably have discovered the error, nor for pre-existing defects outside our agreed scope.
28.4 If the Customer is a Consumer, we do not exclude liability for foreseeable damage to private property caused by our breach or negligence.
28.5 For Business Customers only, subject to liabilities that cannot lawfully be limited, we are not liable for indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit, loss of business, loss of opportunity or business interruption.
29. Suspension and termination
29.1 We may suspend work where a properly due payment remains unpaid, safe access is not available, the site is unsafe, necessary permissions are absent, the Customer materially breaches the Contract, or continuing would be unlawful.
29.2 Where reasonably practicable, we will explain what must be done before work can resume.
29.3 Either party may terminate for a serious breach that is not remedied within a reasonable period after written notice requiring remedy, where remedy is possible.
29.4 On lawful termination, the Customer remains responsible for sums properly due for work, materials and reasonable losses up to termination, subject to statutory rights and our duty to mitigate loss.
30. Events outside reasonable control
30.1 Neither party is responsible for failure or delay caused by an event outside that party’s reasonable control, to the extent the event prevents performance.
30.2 The affected party must take reasonable steps to reduce the effect of the event and resume performance when reasonably possible.
30.3 If an event outside reasonable control makes performance impossible or causes a substantial prolonged delay, the parties will discuss cancellation or an alternative arrangement. Consumer statutory rights remain unaffected.
31. Photographs and records
31.1 We may take photographs and site records to document existing conditions, progress, technical matters, safety, completion and any dispute.
31.2 We will not use photographs that identify the Customer or reveal private information for marketing without appropriate permission.
32. Personal information
32.1 We use personal information to survey, quote, perform and administer the Contract, arrange agreed applications, communicate with the Customer, invoice and comply with legal obligations.
32.2 We may share relevant information with manufacturers, subcontractors, Building Control, regulators or other parties where reasonably necessary to perform the Contract or comply with law.
32.3 Personal information will be handled in accordance with applicable data-protection law and any privacy notice published by us.
33. Complaints
33.1 Complaints should be sent to Septic Tanks and Soakaways Limited, 1 New Cottages, Clay Lane, Moston, Sandbach, Cheshire, CW11 3QX, emailed to info@stsnorthwest.com or made by telephone on 01270 442288.
33.2 Please provide the installation address, quotation or invoice number where available, and enough detail for us to investigate. We will respond within a reasonable time.
34. Business Customers
34.1 If the Customer purchases wholly or mainly for trade, business, craft or professional purposes, Consumer-specific rights and cancellation provisions do not apply.
34.2 Any special commercial terms in the Quotation take priority over these Terms for that Business Customer to the extent expressly stated.
35. General legal provisions
35.1 If any provision is found unlawful or unenforceable, the remainder continues in effect.
35.2 A delay or failure to exercise a right does not automatically waive that right.
35.3 No person other than the Customer and us has a right to enforce the Contract except where the law provides otherwise.
35.4 Changes to the Contract should be recorded in writing wherever reasonably practicable.
36. Governing law and jurisdiction
36.1 The Contract is governed by the law of England and Wales.
36.2 If the Customer is a Consumer, this clause does not remove any mandatory right concerning the courts in which proceedings may be brought.
37. Changes to these website Terms
37.1 We may update these website Terms for future contracts. Each version is identified by its version date.
37.2 The Terms applying to an existing Contract are the version incorporated when that Contract was formed unless the Customer and we later agree a change.
38. Contact details
38.1 Septic Tanks and Soakaways Limited, company number 15123811. Address: 1 New Cottages, Clay Lane, Moston, Sandbach, Cheshire, CW11 3QX. Telephone: 01270 442288. Email: info@stsnorthwest.com. Website: www.stsnorthwest.co.uk.
Legal and regulatory framework
These Terms are intended to operate alongside applicable UK consumer law and the environmental and building-control rules applying at the installation site. In England, Environment Agency guidance on small sewage discharges applies; in Wales, Natural Resources Wales registration/permitting requirements apply. Site-specific advice or permission may still be required.
Recommended before publication: Have a UK solicitor review this matched contract set, particularly cancellation, planning/Building Control responsibility, environmental registration/permit responsibility, warranty wording and any business-to-business liability cap Lesley may wish to add.
