RCB Plumbing Ltd – Terms and Conditions
Included in this document are:
- Our General Terms and Conditions
- Our Policy on Fitting Customer-Supplied Equipment
- Our Cancellation and Right to Waiver Policy
- Our System Flushing Disclaimer
- Our Service Plan Terms and Conditions
1. Introduction
These are the Terms and Conditions of RCB Plumbing Ltd.
They explain:
- The rules for using our services
- What you can expect from RCB Plumbing Ltd
- Your rights and responsibilities as a customer
2. When These Terms Apply
Please read these terms carefully before using our services. By booking or engaging with RCB Plumbing Ltd, you are agreeing to these terms.
The most recent version will always apply, and updates may be made periodically when we introduce new services, change how we operate, or need to comply with updated legal requirements.
3. What Do We Mean by “Services”?
“Services” refers to any work or service provided by RCB Plumbing Ltd, including but not limited to:
- Enquiries and Estimates
- Project Work and Installations
- Boiler, Heating, and Plumbing Repairs
- Emergency Call Outs
- Servicing and Maintenance
- Gas Safety Checks
- Guarantees and Aftercare
4. Terminology
- “We”, “Us”, “Our” – refers to RCB Plumbing Ltd.
- “You” – refers to the customer (the person or organisation for whom we agree to carry out work and/or supply materials).
- “Engineer/Tradesperson” – refers to the representative(s) appointed by us to carry out the work.
We reserve the right to decline any work at our discretion and to designate which engineer(s) or subcontractor(s) will represent us.
5. Hourly Rate Work
The total charge will consist of:
- Labour (time spent by our engineer(s) carrying out work), including time spent collecting non-stock materials.
- Materials supplied by us (not exceeding retail price plus a 20% handling margin).
You will only be charged for time directly related to your job. Breaks or travel outside the job are not chargeable.
6. Fixed Price Work
For fixed-price work, the total charge will be confirmed as a firm cost (manifest errors excepted), inclusive of labour and materials.
This price may be subject to revision if:
- You request additional work not originally quoted for.
- Material prices increase after the quote is issued.
- Hidden issues are uncovered that were not visible during the initial survey.
- A clear error in the estimate is later identified.
We will not be bound by any verbal estimates. Only written and authorised estimates are valid.
7. Offers & Incentives
From time to time, RCB Plumbing Ltd may offer promotions or incentives. These will always be clearly defined, and may not be combined with other offers unless stated.
8. Material Collection
If non-stock materials are required, collection time is chargeable.
- Time will be kept to a minimum and within reason.
- If this exceeds 45 minutes, you will be informed.
- Only one engineer may leave site for material collection.
9. Invoices & Payment
- A deposit of at least 50% of the total job cost or total material cost (whichever is higher) is due upon booking.
- The balance is due upon completion unless otherwise agreed in writing.
- RCB Plumbing Ltd reserves the right to charge interest at 4% above base rate on overdue invoices until payment is received in full.
You accept full responsibility for prompt payment of all invoices.
10. Timekeeping
We will make every effort to attend appointments as agreed. However, RCB Plumbing Ltd cannot accept liability for delays due to circumstances beyond our control, including material delivery issues or unforeseen job complications.
Appointments are booked with a 4-hour arrival window, and we will provide notice approximately 30 minutes before arrival.
11. Cancellation
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please notify us at least 48 hours before the scheduled date.
Under the Consumer Contract Regulations 2013, you have the right to cancel within 14 days of accepting a quotation, unless you request the work to begin sooner.
If cancellation occurs within 48 hours of the scheduled work, or after materials have been ordered, you may be charged for costs incurred.
12. Satisfaction
RCB Plumbing Ltd is committed to providing a professional and high-quality service. If you are not satisfied, please notify us in writing within 12 months of completion. We will inspect and, where appropriate, carry out remedial work. Failure to allow us this opportunity voids any claim.
13. Guarantee
We provide a 12-month labour guarantee on all workmanship carried out by RCB Plumbing Ltd engineers. Manufacturer warranties apply to all supplied parts and materials.
This guarantee becomes void if:
- Work or appliances are tampered with or altered by a third party.
- Misuse, neglect, or non-compliance causes damage.
- Recommended repairs are declined.
We do not guarantee:
- Blockages in waste or drainage systems.
- Work on installations over 10 years old or of substandard design.
14. Liability
RCB Plumbing Ltd will only be liable for rectifying our own guaranteed work. We will not be held responsible for any consequential damage, defect, or claim arising from:
- Work carried out by others.
- Work overlooked, deferred, or declined at the time of quotation or service.
- Hidden faults or pre-existing defects in the property or system.
- Recommendations we have made but that you have chosen not to proceed with.
Work will not carry any guarantee where you have been advised—verbally or in writing—of existing issues or the risk of system failure.
Electrical Components and Boiler Systems
During servicing, repairs, or diagnostics, it is standard practice to isolate electrical supplies for safety. RCB Plumbing Ltd shall not be held responsible for any electrical fault, component failure, or software lockout that occurs as a result of this process.
This includes, but is not limited to, PCB failures, stuck relays, or communication errors within the appliance that may arise following isolation or reset.
Such occurrences are recognised across the heating industry as possible outcomes of re-energising ageing or sensitive boiler components.
Service Valves, Fittings, and Aged Components
We cannot accept responsibility for valves, fittings, or fixtures that become defective when operated in the normal course of our work.
This includes (but is not limited to):
- Internal and external stop taps
- Isolation valves (boiler or pipework)
- Drain cocks and bleed points
- Radiator valves and vent points
Where a valve or component fails during intended use, RCB Plumbing Ltd will advise the customer immediately and provide a quotation for repair or replacement.
Failure of aged or corroded parts during normal operation does not constitute negligence and is deemed an inherent risk of working on older systems.
System Age, Condition, and Limitations
Where we are instructed to work on older systems (typically over ten years of age), installations of unknown origin, or systems with visible corrosion, scale, or historical poor workmanship, no guarantee can be offered regarding performance or longevity of the system once disturbed.
RCB Plumbing Ltd will take all reasonable care when working on such systems, but any resulting leaks, failures, or further issues discovered will be chargeable at our standard rates.
Access, Obstructions, and Property Conditions
We shall not be held liable for:
- Damage caused by concealed or hidden services (e.g. buried pipework, electrical wiring, or structural elements) not made known to us.
- Incidental damage to paintwork, décor, tiles, or finishes where reasonable care has been taken to perform necessary work.
- Damage caused by obstructions, restricted access, or unsafe site conditions.
Where access is limited, the customer must ensure clear working space and safe entry to all relevant areas.
Delays and Events Beyond Our Control
RCB Plumbing Ltd shall not be held liable for any delay, or the consequences of delay, arising from:
- Supplier delays or material shortages
- Adverse weather
- Customer unavailability
- Hidden system faults
- Any other cause reasonably beyond our control
In such cases, we shall be entitled to a reasonable time extension to complete the works.
Third-Party Responsibility
RCB Plumbing Ltd reserves the right to recover full costs or damages from any third party whose negligence, interference, or faulty workmanship makes us liable for rectification or compensation.
Gas Safety and Regulatory Responsibility
You are solely responsible for any hazardous situation within your property relating to Gas Safe Regulations, including any Warning Notice issued by an RCB Plumbing Ltd engineer.
All RCB Plumbing Ltd engineers operate under their own individual Gas Safe registration, and as such, are solely accountable for gas-related work and compliance under current Gas Safe legislation.
15. Title to Goods
All goods supplied by RCB Plumbing Ltd remain our property until paid for in full.
We reserve the right to recover goods or materials not fully paid for, and to access premises for this purpose.
Risk in such goods passes to you upon delivery; you are responsible for insuring them at replacement value.
The customer may not withhold tools or materials belonging to RCB Plumbing Ltd. Any refusal to return such items may result in legal proceedings and associated recovery costs.
16. General
These terms cannot be altered except in writing by an authorised representative of RCB Plumbing Ltd.
All contracts and services are governed by English Law.
Policy on Fitting Customer-Supplied Equipment
While we are happy to fit materials supplied by customers, we strongly recommend using products we supply.
This ensures quality, compatibility, warranty coverage, and reduces delays.
RCB Plumbing Ltd cannot be held responsible for:
- Faults, defects, or delays arising from customer-supplied products.
- Additional time or costs caused by incompatibility or missing parts.
All parts we supply are genuine, new, and sourced from trusted UK suppliers.
Cancellation and Right to Waiver
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you may cancel within 14 days of signing your contract, unless you request an earlier start.
To cancel, please contact us via:
📞 0208 261 7499
📧 info@rcbplumbing.com
Include your name, invoice number, and start date.
If you request us to begin work within the 14-day period, you waive your cooling-off right and agree to pay for all work completed up to the point of cancellation.
System Flushing Disclaimer
System flushing is the most effective method of cleaning central heating systems that have become restricted by sludge, scale, or corrosion debris. It restores circulation and efficiency while minimising disruption to the property.
At RCB Plumbing Ltd, we use purpose-built Powerflush, Mainsflush, and MagnaCleanse units specifically designed to remove harmful build-up from radiators, pipework, and boilers. The equipment is temporarily connected to your system and circulates water at controlled flow rates and pressures, using a combination of cleansing chemicals, high-velocity flow, and periodic flow reversal to dislodge sludge and deposits.
This process is highly beneficial in improving efficiency, reducing boiler noise, extending the life of the system, and ensuring cleaner water circulation.
Pre-Existing Conditions and Limitations
While system flushing is extremely effective, it is not a cure for underlying design, installation, or mechanical faults.
- If a system suffers from poor design (e.g. dead legs, microbore pipework, incorrect gradients, or poorly balanced circuits), these faults will continue to limit performance after the flush.
- Severely corroded systems or pipework that has thinned internally due to long-term neglect may not respond fully to cleaning and, in rare cases, may develop leaks during or after the procedure.
- The effectiveness of a flush depends on the extent of internal corrosion, the presence of scale, and the level of historic inhibitor protection.
We strongly recommend that any known or suspected system faults are corrected before the flushing process begins.
Potential Risks and Post-Flush Effects
Although rare, customers must be aware of the following potential outcomes:
- Leaks: The process can expose weak points in radiators, joints, or fittings that are already corroded. Such leaks are a result of pre-existing deterioration, not the flushing itself. In most cases, these leaks would have occurred imminently even without a flush.
- Component Failure: Some older boilers, valves, or pumps may be operating at the limit of their service life. Mobilised debris or changes in water chemistry can occasionally cause failure shortly after flushing.
- Partial Results: In heavily sludged systems, compacted deposits in pipework, radiators, or heat exchangers may not be completely removed on the first flush. Additional cleaning or component replacement may be required to achieve full performance.
- Debris Movement: Even after flushing, residual debris can loosen over time and migrate into filters or boiler components. This is normal and may require follow-up maintenance or cleaning.
RCB Plumbing Ltd will take every precaution to minimise these risks, including system inspection and use of professional-grade inhibitors after the flush, but we cannot be held responsible for issues that arise from pre-existing corrosion, poor system condition, or component age.
Post-Flush Protection and Recommendations
After completion, we will refill the system with fresh water and dose it with a high-quality corrosion inhibitor to protect against future build-up. We strongly recommend:
- The installation of a magnetic system filter if one is not already present.
- Annual servicing to check inhibitor levels and filter condition.
- A system health check after 6–12 months to confirm continued circulation and water clarity.
Scope and Charges
The price quoted covers the flushing process only.
If leaks, component failures, or additional issues arise during or after the procedure, any required repairs, replacement parts, or follow-up visits will be chargeable at our standard rates.
RCB Plumbing Ltd cannot guarantee the long-term performance or integrity of any heating system that has been subject to extensive corrosion, neglect, or poor historic installation. However, we will always provide professional recommendations and transparent options to rectify any problems identified during the process.
RCB Plumbing Ltd
Professional Heating, Plumbing & Bathroom Specialists
📞 0208 261 7499
📧 info@rcbplumbing.com
🌐 www.rcbplumbing.com