These terms apply to all quotations, bookings, and work carried out by Gridsmith Electrical (Pty) Ltd. By accepting a quotation or paying a deposit, you agree to these terms in full.
1.1 Quotations are valid for 7 days from date of issue unless otherwise stated. A quotation constitutes an offer capable of acceptance within this period; it lapses automatically thereafter.
1.2 Material prices are estimates subject to supplier confirmation at time of order, and may be adjusted if supplier pricing has changed since the quotation was issued.
1.3 A quotation is accepted only on written confirmation by the client (email, WhatsApp, or signature) and payment of the required deposit. Verbal agreement alone does not constitute acceptance.
1.4 Acceptance of a quotation constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions in full, and forms a binding contract between the parties.
1.5 Gridsmith Electrical (Pty) Ltd is not currently registered as a VAT vendor. Quoted prices do not include VAT. Should this status change, quotations issued thereafter will reflect VAT accordingly.
2. Call-Out Fees & Bookings
2.1 A call-out fee is payable to secure any site visit, assessment, or quotation appointment. Proof of payment is required before the appointment is confirmed and before we depart for site.
2.2 The call-out fee is waived in full if the resulting quotation is accepted.
2.3 The call-out fee is forfeited (non-refundable) if: (a) the appointment is cancelled with less than 4 hours' notice; (b) the client or an authorised representative is not present or does not provide access at the agreed time; or (c) the resulting quotation is declined.
2.4 Where a job requires a return site visit due to circumstances outside our control (including lack of access, incomplete information, or a change of scope requested on site), an additional call-out fee applies for the return visit.
2.5 We reserve the right to require payment of the call-out fee in advance for any new client or any client without a prior payment history with us.
3. Payment
3.1 A deposit of 50% of the quoted amount is required before work commences. Work is scheduled only once the deposit reflects in our account.
3.2 The balance of 50% is due immediately on completion of the work, before handover of the Certificate of Compliance and test reports.
3.3 The CoC and all test documentation are released only on receipt of full payment.
3.4 Should the client fail to make payment by the due date (mora debitoris), overdue amounts accrue interest at 2% per month from the date payment fell due, without further notice being required.
3.5 All materials remain the property of Gridsmith Electrical (Pty) Ltd until paid for in full.
4. Breach and Cancellation
4.1 This clause constitutes an express cancellation clause (lex commissoria) agreed between the parties, entitling either party to cancel this agreement in the circumstances set out below, in addition to any remedy available at law.
4.2 Once a quotation has been accepted and a deposit paid, cancellation by the client (or by any third party instructing on the client's behalf — see clause 8.4) is subject to a cancellation fee of 20% of the quoted contract value, or the actual reasonable costs incurred to date, whichever is greater.
4.3 Reasonable costs incurred may include site assessments and call-outs, design and documentation work, administration and supplier liaison, and any supplier order handling, restocking, or cancellation charges on materials already procured.
4.4 Where materials have been custom-ordered, cut, or are non-returnable, their full cost is deducted in addition to the cancellation fee.
4.5 Where the client fails to make payment of the deposit or balance within 7 days of it falling due, this constitutes a material breach entitling Gridsmith Electrical to cancel the agreement, retain amounts already paid up to the value of costs and the cancellation fee under clause 4.2, and pursue any further remedy available at law, including damages.
4.6 Cancellation must be communicated in writing. Verbal notice of cancellation does not relieve the client of liability under this clause until confirmed in writing.
5. Refunds
5.1 Where a refund is due under clause 4, it is calculated as: deposit paid, less the cancellation fee and costs incurred, equals refund due.
5.2 Refunds are processed within 3 business days of the original deposit reflecting in our account, paid to the account from which payment was originally received.
5.3 No refund is due once work has commenced on site, save for the value of any portion of the quoted work not yet performed, less costs incurred and the cancellation fee.
5.4 We reserve the right to issue a written settlement statement itemising all deductions prior to processing any refund.
6. Certificates of Compliance
6.1 A supplementary CoC can only be issued against a valid initial CoC for the electrical installation.
6.2 Where no valid initial CoC is available, an initial CoC inspection and certificate must first be completed at an additional cost (dependent on the supply phase of the installation), after which a supplementary CoC for the work done will be issued.
6.3 Faults identified on the existing installation during any CoC inspection are excluded from the quoted work and will be quoted separately for repair before a CoC can be issued.
6.4 All work is carried out to SANS 10142-1.
7. Warranty & Defects
7.1 Workmanship is guaranteed for 12 months from date of completion. Materials carry the manufacturer's warranty.
7.2 The warranty is void if the installation is altered, repaired, or tampered with by any party other than Gridsmith Electrical.
7.3 The warranty excludes damage arising from power surges, lightning, load shedding events, water ingress, or misuse.
7.4 The client is to inspect the completed work and report any snags or defects in writing within 7 days of completion. Snags reported within this period are rectified at no charge. This does not limit the 12-month workmanship warranty for defects that only become apparent after this initial period.
8. Scope of Work & Authority to Instruct
8.1 The quotation covers only the items expressly listed. Additional work is quoted and requires written approval before proceeding.
8.2 Pre-existing faults or non-compliances on the installation are excluded and quoted separately.
8.3 Making good of surfaces (plastering, painting, tiling, ceilings) is excluded unless expressly stated.
8.4 Where a property is under the management of a landlord, agent, or body corporate, the client confirms they have the necessary authority to instruct the work. An instruction to cancel given by such a third party is treated, for billing purposes under clause 4, as a cancellation by the client.
8.5 Where a property has multiple distribution boards or forms part of a larger installation under separate management, access to all relevant boards is required before work commences. We reserve the right to decline, pause, or re-quote work where such access is refused after acceptance.
9. Site & Access
9.1 The client provides reasonable access to the site, water, and electricity. Delays caused by lack of access or site readiness are billable at our standard hourly rate.
9.2 Where the client fails to provide access, information, or cooperation reasonably required for us to perform (mora creditoris), our obligation to perform within any agreed timeline is suspended for the duration of the delay, without penalty to Gridsmith Electrical, and any additional costs or standby time arising from the delay are billable to the client.
9.3 Repeated rescheduling by the client (more than once per booking) may incur an additional call-out fee per clause 2.4.
10. Health & Safety
10.1 All work is carried out in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and its Electrical Installation Regulations.
10.2 The client must disclose, prior to commencement, any known hazardous material on site (including but not limited to asbestos, which is common in older ceiling and roofing materials) or any other condition that may affect the safety of the works.
10.3 Where hazardous material is discovered during the course of work, work is suspended immediately and the client is notified; any remediation required falls outside the scope of this quotation and is quoted separately.
10.4 The client ensures the site is reasonably safe for our personnel to work, including safe access, adequate lighting, and control of pets or other hazards during the visit.
11. Insurance & Subcontracting
11.1 Gridsmith Electrical holds public liability insurance. A copy of the current certificate is available on request.
11.2 We may engage a registered subcontractor or supervising electrician (including for co-signature of Certificates of Compliance) to perform or oversee any part of the work, without requiring further consent from the client, provided all applicable registration and compliance requirements are met.
11.3 The client is responsible for maintaining their own insurance over the property and its contents; our liability under clause 12 (Liability) applies independently of any claim the client may have under their own policy.
11.4 Where damage or loss occurs on site as a result of our fault, and the cost of repair or replacement is intended to be met through our insurance, resolution is subject to our insurer's claims process, including assessment and approval. This process ordinarily takes up to 2 to 4 weeks from the date the claim is lodged, and this timeframe does not constitute a breach or delay on our part.
11.5 We will lodge any such claim promptly and keep the client reasonably informed of its progress. Where the claims process is delayed by the insurer beyond what is reasonable, we remain responsible for resolving the matter directly should the claim not be honoured.
12. Liability
12.1 Our liability is limited to the value of the quoted work. We are not liable for consequential or indirect loss, including loss of income, arising from delays, equipment failure not caused by our workmanship, or third-party actions.
12.2 Gridsmith Electrical is indemnified against any claim arising from the client's failure to disclose a pre-existing fault or non-compliance on the installation, or from alteration of our work by any party other than Gridsmith Electrical after handover.
12.3 Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under South African law.
13. Force Majeure
13.1 Neither party is liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under this agreement where such failure or delay arises from supervening impossibility beyond that party's reasonable control, whether by vis major (act of God or nature, e.g. fire, flood, storm) or casus fortuitus (an irresistible force including act of state, civil unrest, strike action not caused by that party, war, or pandemic).
13.2 For the avoidance of doubt, national load shedding, supplier stock shortages, and delays caused by municipal or utility authorities are recognised as events falling within this clause, given their prevalence and unpredictability in the ordinary course of business in South Africa.
13.3 A party seeking to rely on this clause must notify the other party in writing as soon as reasonably possible after becoming aware of the event, and must take reasonable steps to mitigate its effects.
13.4 This clause does not apply where the impossibility arises from the deliberate act, negligence, or financial position of the party seeking to rely on it. Non-payment of amounts due is never excused under this clause.
13.5 Where an event under this clause persists for longer than 30 days, either party may cancel the outstanding portion of the agreement by written notice, in which case clause 5 (Refunds) applies to any amount paid for work not yet performed.
14. Confidentiality & Protection of Personal Information
14.1 Personal information collected for the purpose of Certificates of Compliance, invoicing, or site administration (including ID numbers and property details) is used solely for these purposes and is processed in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA).
14.2 Such information is not shared with third parties except where required by law, by the relevant municipal or regulatory authority, or with the client's consent.
15. Marketing & Use of Work
15.1 We may photograph completed work for use in our marketing material, website, and portfolio. No identifying information about the client or property address is published without the client's consent.
15.2 The client may request that no photographs of their property be used for marketing purposes by notifying us in writing prior to completion.
16. Intellectual Property
16.1 All drawings, designs, layouts, and reports produced by Gridsmith Electrical remain our property until paid for in full, and may not be copied, reproduced, or issued to third parties without written consent.
17. Special Clauses
17.1 Non-variation: No variation, addition, deletion, or agreed cancellation of these terms shall be of any force or effect unless reduced to writing and signed by both parties.
17.2 Whole agreement: These terms, together with the applicable quotation and work proposal, constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, whether oral or written.
17.3 Domicilium citandi et executandi: The parties choose the addresses set out on the applicable quotation or invoice (or as subsequently notified in writing) as their domicilium citandi et executandi, at which any notice, including notice of breach or cancellation, may validly be delivered or served.
17.4 Jurisdiction: The parties consent to the jurisdiction of the Magistrate's Court in respect of any dispute arising from these terms, notwithstanding that the amount in dispute may exceed that court's ordinary jurisdiction.
18. Dispute Resolution
18.1 In the event of a dispute, both parties agree to attempt to resolve the matter through direct negotiation in good faith within 14 days before pursuing formal legal action or referring the matter to the relevant court.
18.2 This clause does not prevent either party from seeking urgent relief where reasonably necessary.
19. General
19.1 These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
19.2 If any clause is found unenforceable, the remaining clauses continue to apply.
19.3 We reserve the right to update these terms from time to time; the version current at the date of quotation acceptance applies to that engagement.
Acceptance of a quotation or payment of a deposit constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.
