This document describes the terms on Claire Savage and Lisa Skinner T/A Order in the House NI would be happy to help you.
Confidentiality and Privacy: Order in the House NI is a professional service. We never divulge any client personal or business details that we may see in the course of our work (see separate privacy policy).
Best Advice
Advice is given in good faith and it is always your decision to accept guidance on whether or not to keep particular possessions. Order in the House NI can’t therefore accept responsibility for the consequences of such decisions. [See also Removal of Items below.] From time to time, we may handle items which have a potentially high market value. While we will always use our best endeavours to identify such items amongst your possessions, you acknowledge that we do not have expertise to identify items of special value or rarity. If you require professional advice in this area, we are happy to make enquiries about appropriate services on your behalf. [See also Referrals below.]
Handling goods
When we handle goods belonging to clients, we take great care to look after them. Unfortunately, accidents may occur. We shall not be liable for losses or damage and rely on you to carry insurance at all times which adequately compensates you for loss or damage. We are, however, insured as a business for Public Liability and Professional Indemnity.
Removal of items
Items to be removed from your premises, either for disposal or to other locations, must be at your own discretion. Disposal will not take place without your authorisation. You accept responsibility for all items disposed of in the decluttering process. We can help with such disposal i.e. take items to charity shops for you and to a recycling centre. We can also arrange to shred paperwork for you (for a fee). Once agreed items have left your home, it is not possible to get them back i.e. as a result of changing your mind.
Limits of work
We will do all we can to help you achieve the state of organisation and tidiness you desire. We can help you relocate items to more appropriate physical locations, including moving heavy items during our work, but there will be limitations within our physical capability. We may make suggestions about storage solutions and are able to help you create such things (such as picture-hooks or command hooks on walls or the assembly of simple, lightweight flat-packed furniture) but anything more specialist (drilling, carpentry, heavyweight assembly) we will leave to the experts in those fields. If you need suggestions for suppliers of such services, just ask and we will help in any way we can. [See also Referrals below.]
Hours of work
Our typical working day is from 9.30am until 5pm. You will be charged for hours actually worked and not for the travel time (unless the return journey time is over 20 minutes) or donation/disposal of items is required either side of the booking.
Breaks and Refreshments
We do not expect you to provide us with food or drink and will bring our own supplies with us. This is because we prefer you not worry about offering us refreshments as the process of decluttering and organising can be quite physically and emotionally demanding for you. If a session covers lunchtime, we will stop for a break and you will not be charged for this.
Referrals
We are very happy to investigate the sourcing of items or services (for example, gardening, removal, skip hire or handy person services) that may assist in our organising work and may have links with trusted service people. We can accept, however, no responsibility for your relationship with such service-providers, and it is important that you satisfy yourself that their services and prices are appropriate to your needs.
Cancellation by the client
You have the right to cancel the contract due to unforeseen circumstances. If the cancellation is made more than 21 days before your booked session your booking fee can be transferred to another date. The booking can only be rescheduled once.
If the cancellation is made less than 21 days of the booked session, and no replacement session is booked, OITH will be entitled to retain your booking fee on account of inconvenience caused and loss of income.
We ask that you do not cancel should you feel demotivated or nervous on the day. You will feel reassured and motivated as the session gets underway. Travel charges or further expenses paid in advance for which we cannot obtain refunds are not refundable and will be invoiced to you at the time of cancellation.
Cancellation by ourselves
We also have the right to cancel the contract due to unforeseen circumstances, should this happen we will endeavour to reschedule with you at your earliest convenience.
Payment terms
1. Charges for services will be levied at a rate of £265 for half a day (approximately 3.5 hours) or £450 for a full day (approximately 6.5 hours). Our hourly rate is £80 per hour. This is inclusive of both of our services (two people). The payment terms are agreed as - all payments should ideally be made by BACS using the bank details shown on the invoice. However, we can accept payment in person using our card reader or via Stripe. Payment should be received no later than three days after the work has been completed.
2. We are happy to travel up to 15 miles each way from Belfast, using Belfast City Hall as our marker. Any journey over 30 miles in total will incur travel charges – 50p per mile to cover petrol expenses and travel time. This will be made clear before the booking is accepted.
3. We may use various materials as part of our work with you. Inexpensive items are included in our rate (refuse sacks, labels, stationery equipment). Other items that we carry with us are to show you by way of example. We can procure items for you to enhance the decluttering/organising experience but there will be additional costs incurred in doing so and a surcharge of 10% will be added to items purchased on your behalf.
4. We expect 50% of the overall fee to be paid within 48 hours of booking to secure your appointment with us, the remaining monies will be due on completion of the work.
Interest at 2% per month will be charged on any balance due which remains unpaid three days after invoice.
5. The initial free 15 minute consultation will be carried out over Zoom to assess organisational needs.
6. Please be aware that any communication or tasks undertaken outside of our contracted hours with you will be billed accordingly.
7. We are not registered for VAT at the present time.
Please note that our partners are always made aware of the location of our work for each project for security purposes.
While we hope you will be happy with our service, if you have any issues please discuss these with us as soon as they arise. If you feel the need to bring court proceedings you must do so only in the courts of Northern Ireland. This agreement is governed by the law of Northern Ireland.
We have Professional Indemnity and Personal Liability insurance through Westminster Insurance. We are also members of the Association of Professional Declutters and Organisers (APDO) and adhere to their code of ethics.
Please indicate your acceptance of these terms by signing this form.
May we take this opportunity to congratulate you for taking such positive action, we are very excited to be assisting you in transforming your space.
Claire & Lisa
Order in the House NI