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Calcs-Online by PorthouseDean
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Terms and Conditions

1. Our Promise

Notwithstanding any limitations on scope, or malign, disruptive, or unreasonable behaviour by third parties, we promise that in the event that a building control authority require clarification on the structural calculations and drawings supplied we’ll continue to work on the project at no additional cost until they are satisfied. If we are unable to satisfy them after this then we will give you your money back in full.

Note that the successful delivery of a building project requires the cooperation of all concerned. If PorthouseDean deems that a building control refusal is caused, partially or in whole, by a third party refusing to engage collaboratively then we cannot be held liable for losses occurring, and we will be unable to give you your money back. Please also note that this product is intended for use by experienced contractors and does not include general construction details which experienced contractors would know.

2. General Terms

Welcome to our website. If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our Privacy Policy govern Calcs-Online relationship with you in relation to this website. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, please do not use our website.

The term ‘Calcs-Online’ or ‘us’ or ‘we’ refers to the owner of the website. The term ‘you’ refers to the user or viewer of our website.

The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use:

  • The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice.
  • Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable.
  • This website contains material which is owned by or licensed to us. This material includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited other than in accordance with the copyright notice, which forms part of these terms and conditions.
  • All trademarks reproduced in this website, which are not the property of, or licensed to the operator, are acknowledged on the website.
  • Unauthorised use of this website may give rise to a claim for damages and/or be a criminal offense.
  • From time to time, this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s).
  • Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Should you receive queries from building control regarding our calculations please forward them to info@calcs-online.co.uk including the appropriate reference and we will endeavor to respond within 1-2 working days.

Calcs-Online is a remote service and does not visit site. The engineer works from the drawings, photographs and information you provide. Because we cannot inspect the ground, any foundation or retaining wall design assumes the ground conditions set out in section 8.

3. Scope

Unless noted otherwise in the quotation, the scope of work is restricted to the provision of structural calculations and layout drawings supplementary to a Building Regulations application. This means that requests for information by parties other than the Building Control service provider may be chargeable. In this respect, particular attention should be paid to information requested by Party Wall Surveyors in the case of a dispute. We would advise you to investigate Party Wall requirements at the earliest available opportunity to mitigate the risk of additional costs arising.

If we provide calculations and drawings and these aren’t honoured by the work carried out on site, then any requests for numerical substantiation of those elements fall outside our scope and will therefore be chargeable.

Any requests for technical clarification on the structural information provided (i.e. technical support request) by a builder or project manager falls within the scope, and therefore will not be chargeable.

Please note that in some regions — particularly Scotland — local Building Warrant requirements for structural submissions may include additional detail such as construction specifications, materials notes or require SER Certification. These are not included in our standard structural scope unless expressly stated, and requests of this nature may therefore be chargeable.

4. Delivery Dates

For work we quote, you choose the delivery date when you accept your quote, and the price depends on the date you choose. For fixed-price products sold with a choice of turnaround, you choose the turnaround when you order, and the price depends on the turnaround you choose.

We work to the date or turnaround you choose. Time spent waiting for architectural information, answers to our questions or your preferences is not counted; if we are waiting on you, we will tell you and agree a new date.

5. Documentation

Unless specifically agreed otherwise as part of contractual negotiations, documents will be produced in compliance with the British Standards (5950, 8110, 5628, 5268, 8666, 8002, 8004, 6399 etc.). These were officially superseded by the EU Eurocodes in 2010 but are still widely accepted by building control service providers. Calculations can be provided to suit Eurocode, but this is to be agreed in advance of the project being undertaken.

All documents are issued in PDF format via e-mail for efficiency. If you require paper copies these can be obtained in conjunction with a printing firm. We cannot provide this service as we do not have the facilities set up to allow us to do this.

6. Returns and Refunds

6.1 Cancelled jobs

If you decide after instructing us that you no longer require our services we will offer a refund commensurate with the amount of work yet to be completed. If the work is 100% complete at the time you inform us that you wish to cancel, you will be liable to pay for the full amount invoiced. The proportion of refund available will be determined by Calcs-Online, however we will listen to any reasonable arguments against our refund offer and give them fair consideration.

6.2 Calculations for Structures Specified / Designed by Others

If we are asked to numerically substantiate a structure which has been specified by others and are unable to substantiate that structure, then we reserve the right to issue the documentation with calculations that show that the structure is inadequate. You will not be entitled to a refund in this case, however, if possible / reasonable to do so we will advise you in advance of instruction whether or not we expect a structure to be adequate.

6.3 Requests for Information Outside of Scope by Building Control

If there is information required by building control that falls outside the scope of the agreed contract then there are two possible outcomes:

1) If Calcs-Online could reasonably have been expected to foresee a requirement for these elements by building control and have not offered them as part of our quotation, then we will provide the calculations for these elements at no additional charge and issue them as part of a revised document.

2) If Calcs-Online could not reasonably have been expected to foresee a requirement for these elements, or if these elements were included in the quotation as an “Additional Service” which we were not instructed to proceed with, then there will likely be an additional charge. The price for these items will either already have been quoted as part of the original quotation, or will be quoted for as part of a new quotation. You will need to instruct us for the additional items in order for us to proceed with the re-design.

7. Change Requests

Every quote includes one free change. If, once you have the documents, you would like us to specify an element with different geometry or material properties (e.g. beam size, footing size, foundation ground bearing capacity), or you would prefer an alternative arrangement to the one we suggest, we will revise the documents once at no additional charge, provided the change does not significantly alter the agreed scope of work. We will agree the final specification with you before revising the documentation (if the change you want is possible).

Further changes can be bought. They are priced by the size of the change, and a further change always costs less than a new quote for the same work. We will tell you the price before we start, and you decide whether to go ahead.

So that your free change covers everything, please make sure you and your team (e.g. contractor, architect, fabricator) have read the documents and agreed any changes before you send the request. Where a change depends on site information that can only be confirmed once finishes have been stripped out, it is best to wait until then before sending it.

8. Ground Conditions

If your project involves the design of a foundation or retaining wall and you have not communicated to us what the existing ground conditions are like on site, then we will assume a typical ground type/strength (e.g. firm clay or medium dense sand). It is the responsibility of your Building Control Officer to inspect the ground conditions prior to the commencement of work. For larger projects (e.g. new-build developments) it may be advisable to carry out a site investigation prior to instruction. Unless specifically noted, the quote doesn’t allow for “engineered” e.g. piled or raft type foundations. It allows for spread type foundations only.

So that you can have greater confidence in the final cost of construction it may be advisable to undertake a preliminary ground investigation. This could vary from simply asking a neighbour of their experience in doing a similar piece of work, to having a geotechnical firm produce an interpretive report involving the use of boreholes or trial pits. We also offer a Desktop Geological Report, which you can choose to add to your basket.

If you would like a quote for a ground investigation to be carried out by a geotechnical firm on your project please contact our geotechnical partner, Soiltechnics. You can do this by sending an email to enquiries@soiltechnics.net with accompanying drawings.

9. Liability

Calcs-Online holds professional indemnity insurance to cover any claims that may arise against us, up to a total value of £500,000 for each and every claim. If you require a higher claim limit, or a copy of our insurance policy for your records, then please contact admin@porthousedean.co.uk or call 03300 250 149.

By accepting this quote you acknowledge and agree that the total liability of Calcs-Online, including its directors, employees, agents, and subcontractors, to the Client for any and all claims, losses, expenses, damages, or liabilities arising out of or in connection with the services provided under this agreement, including but not limited to negligence, shall not exceed the sum of £500,000 (five hundred thousand pounds sterling). This limitation shall apply regardless of the form of action, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise, and whether or not such damages were foreseen or unforeseen.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this agreement shall limit or exclude Calcs-Online’s liability for:

  • Death or personal injury caused by its negligence;
  • Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or
  • Any other liability which cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law.

The Client agrees that the limitations and exclusions of liability set out in this agreement are reasonable in light of the nature of the services provided and the fees charged by Calcs-Online.