1. Definitions
1.1 The Company means Titan Development Group Pty Ltd trading as Suburban Flooring Co, ABN: 49607655970.
1.2 The Customer means the business customer/consumer of the Company.
1.3 The Manufacturer means the manufacturers of Goods and/or the wholesalers and their distributors.
1.4 The Contract means any contract for sale of Goods by the Company to the Customer.
1.5 The Goods means any goods forming the subject of the contract including parts and components of or materials incorporated in them.
1.6 The Flooring Accessories means such specified Goods as scotias, end profiles, 3in1 trims, stair nosing, and other types of flooring accessories.
2. Application
2.1 These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) apply to all contracts for the sale of Goods by the Company.
2.2 No amendment, alteration, waiver or cancellation of any of these Terms is binding on the Company unless confirmed by the Company in writing.
3. Quotations
3.1 All Quotations by the Company are subject to acceptance within 21 days.
3.2 The Company reserves the right to withdraw a Quotation at any time before it has been accepted by the Customer. No Quotation issued by the Company shall constitute an offer to supply Goods.
3.3 Verbal Quotations for stock availability from suppliers are correct at the time given by the Company, but unless confirmation of an order by the Customer is given immediately the Company cannot guarantee stock availability.
3.4 Quotations are only valid in writing and signed by authorised Company personnel, or in the form of an official pro-forma invoice.
3.5 Quotations consist of one (1) free pre-quote for up to two selected items, one (1) free on-site inspection, and one (1) free written Quotation. For variations to the Quotation the Company reserves the right to charge the Customer a fee of $60 per version/alteration.
4. Prices
4.1 Prices are determined at the time of order and, prior to payment of the deposit, and are subject to change without notice.
5. Payments
5.1 All invoices issued by the Company shall be paid by the Customer within the terms expressed in the said invoice unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company.
5.2 A deposit of 50% of the total amount, declared within any Quotation must be paid by the Customer to secure the price and placement of an Order.
5.3 The payment of such a deposit of the quoted invoice by the Customer is confirmation and acceptance of the details and/or conditions contained in the quotation, and that the Customer has read and understands the Terms of this agreement and agrees to be bound by them.
5.4 Full payment of any invoice for Supply of Goods must be paid prior to the pick up or delivery of Goods.
5.5 If payment terms are provided, payment of quoted invoice plus any additional variation is to be made to the Company without any deduction or discount other than as stated in these Terms or in the relevant invoice or statement.
5.6 In the event of late payment, the Company may charge a monthly interest on the amount outstanding before and after judgement at the rate of 2 percent above the Base Rate of the Reserve Bank of Australia in force from the due date until the date of payment. In addition, invoices unpaid for more than 30 days after the invoice date will incur a surcharge of either $75.00 or 5 percent of the outstanding amount, whichever sum is greater.
5.7 Payments can be made by direct debit, cash, bank cheque or credit card. Such other cards as American Express, Diners club and personal cheques, are not accepted by the Company.
5.8 If any amount of an invoice is disputed then the Customer shall inform the Company in writing of the grounds for such dispute within seven (7) days of delivery of the goods and shall pay to the Company the value of the invoice less the disputed amount in accordance with these payment terms. Once settlement of the dispute has been agreed, any sum then outstanding shall also be payable in accordance with these payment terms.
5.9 Should the Customer continue to exceed the Company’s trading terms, the debt will be passed on for collection. The Customer will be liable for all expenses associated with the recovery of outstanding amounts, including but not limited to legal fees on a full indemnity basis.
6. Description
6.1 Any display sample or description given or applied to the Goods is given by way of identification only and the use of such description shall not constitute a sale by description or sample.
6.2 Where a display sample of the Goods is shown to and inspected by the Customer, the parties hereto accept that such a sample is representative in nature and the bulk of the order may differ slightly as a result of the manufacturing process.
7. Flooring
7.1 The acceptance by the Company of the Customer’s order for flooring Goods (Engineered Timber, Laminate, Vinyl) is made solely on the basis that the Terms as listed constitute the only binding Terms of the sale between the Customer.
7.2 Because timber is a natural product:
- Variations in colour, texture, and other natural features will vary from board to board and batch to batch. The Manufacturer’s warranty does not cover variations in colour or variations between the samples and the installed floor;
- Variations between sample and delivered material is not considered a product failure and cannot lead to replacement or warranty claim;
- Bows in timber, both concave and convex, are not considered a product failure and cannot lead to replacement or warranty claim.
7.3 The limited warranty does not cover labour costs to repair or replace incorrect, damaged or visible defective material. Any defective, missing or incorrect items must be reported to the Company immediately for inspection and replacement. If installation has commenced it must cease until an inspection by the Company has been carried out.
7.4 The Manufacturer and/or the Company declines any responsibility for material failure resulting from or connected with site conditions or installation methods.
7.5 The Company can provide a suitable installer to install the flooring system. Installers are contractors to the Company. While all care is taken at the time of installation, no responsibility is accepted by the Company.
7.6 The Company also offers re-named flooring products. Each of these products comply with the original Manufacturers warranty and specifications. The re-naming is displayed on showroom samples including Quotations and/or Invoices.
7.7 Engineered timber flooring can/will be in nestled packs. (up to 33% nestled)
8. Care and maintenance of flooring
8.1 All cleaning and maintenance of installed flooring must be carried out by the Customer in accordance with the Manufacturer’s specifications.
8.2 Neither the Company nor the installer can be held liable for the way the Customer cares for or maintains the installed flooring, as it is crucial that a timber-friendly environment be maintained at all times.
8.3 General information only on cleaning and maintaining installed flooring includes: (i) remove all course dirt and fibres with a soft broom or vacuum cleaner; (ii) a slightly moistened microfibre mop or misting spray system, to be used in conjunction with a hard-floor surface cleaning agent, ratio as per Manufacturer’s specifications; (iii) felt pads to be used under furniture and soft rubber castors on chairs. (A separate list of ‘Care and Maintenance’ suggestions is also available from the Company).
9. Supply only’ flooring
9.1 When the Contract is for a ‘Supply Only’ of products it is the Customer’s responsibility to provide the quantities required. Neither the Company’s management nor the Company’s staff can be held responsible for any errors in plan or supply requirements.
9.2 Prior to installation, the Customer and/or their installer must inspect all material to ensure that there are no visible defects and that all materials match the work order. The Customer/installer assumes sole responsibility for product inspection and acceptance of quality.
9.3 The Manufacturer and/or the Company makes no warranty or guarantee of the quality of the chosen installer’s work or of a particular installation performed by them. The Manufacturer and/or the Company disclaims all liability for any errors or improprieties in the installation of its products by an installer.
9.4 It is the sole responsibility of the installer/Customer to ensure that site conditions are acceptable for the installation of the flooring:
- Floor must be flat, and according to Australia Flooring Industry standard, a 3mm over any 3000mm radius is maximum acceptable deviation;
- Floor surface must be clean, dry, smooth and level, while the indoor humidity should be between 40-65% RH;
- If Floated floor, the fitted flooring requires a minimum 10mm expansion gap between the floor boards and any internal or external wall structure. Floors up to 6m wide or where extra allowance for expansion is required (e.g. moist locations) cramping pressure needs to be considered along with providing an intermediate expansion joint;
- All installation of flooring systems must be to Manufacturer’s specifications. Tongue and Groove flooring systems are to be glued as per Manufacturer’s specifications, and all Uniclic and 5G flooring systems are not to be glued as per Manufacturer’s specifications.
9.5 The Manufacturer and/or the Company declines any responsibility for material failure resulting from or connected with site conditions or installation methods.
9.6 In the situation the flooring is installed as a floating floor, the gap between the flooring and the skirting can not be sealed or caulked as this will eliminate the floors ability to expand and shrink thus voiding the warranty.
10. Delivery of goods
10.1 Adequate labour etc. must be provided for unloading, as required.
10.2 Goods are delivered to ground floor only. Delivery agents are contractors to the Company.
10.3 The Company can refuse delivery to a Customer site if it is deemed dangerous to the driver/delivery agent.
10.4 The Company has no responsibility or liability for the on site storage and security of such Goods.
10.5 When delivering to site the driver/delivery agent can refuse delivery in the absence of a signature for receipt from an authorised person as proof of delivery.
10.6 Any period or date of dispatch quoted is an estimate only and the Company shall not be liable for any delay in delivery.
10.7 If a delivery is refused or unaccepted, re-delivery will be charged at twice the charged amount. A $75 handling fee will be charged on all returned goods
11. Cancellation
11.1 The Company does not normally give a refund if the Customer changes their mind or makes a wrong decision about goods.
11.2 If a Customer’s order has already been supplied on-site by the Company and the Customer wishes to make a non-defect return of the products, a 25% handling fee of the cost of the flooring system will be charged.
11.3 All products returned must be fit for resale. Delivery cost incurred in the return of non-defect products to the Company will be met by the Customer.
12. Title & risk
12.1 Risk passes to Customer on delivery.
12.2 Legal and beneficial ownership of the Goods shall remain the property of the Company until all debts due by the Customer are paid in full in cash or cleared funds. Then and only then will ownership pass from the Company to the Customer.
12.3 The Company reserves the following rights in relation to the Goods until accounts owed by the Customer to the Company are fully paid:
- ownership of the Goods;
- to enter the Customer’s premises (or the premises of any associated company or agent where the Goods are located) without liability for trespass or any resulting damage and retake possession of the Goods;
- to keep or resell any Goods repossessed pursuant to the above.
13. Claims and returns
13.1 Subject to the Competition and Consumer Act and the Australian Consumer Law, no claim for defects in the manufacture of Goods can be made by the Customer once the Goods are (i) cut, or (ii) installed, or (iii) cut and installed.
13.2 Before any complaint or dispute is considered or addressed by the Company, all the invoices/outstanding fees must be paid in full. The Company takes no responsibility for any damage made by the Customer or the Customer’s tradesperson. A valid warranty claim will be addressed on affected area only with the same or similar product of equal value.
14. Warranty
14.1 All Goods supplied are covered by such Warranties as are specified by the Manufacturer and supplied subject to the product standards detailed by the Manufacturer.
14.2 Such Warranties are to the original Customer who purchased the Goods.
14.3 All Warranties do not apply until full payment of invoice has been made by the Customer.
14.4 If a warranty claim is being considered by the Customer, the Customer should notify the Company by email. The Company shall then forward to the Customer a Customer Complaint Registration Form. This form is to be filled in accordingly, complete with photos, and returned to the Company within seven (7) days.
14.5 The Company will review the claim to determine if an installation or manufacturing issue applies. Accordingly:
- If an installation concern is apparent the installer will need to return to evaluate and where necessary, suggest rectification.
- If a manufacturing concern the Company will forward details to the Manufacturer for consideration and report. In due course the Manufacturer’s representative may require access to the site for a visual inspection and assessment. Further information may be required from the Customer by the Manufacturer.
14.6 Rectification works, if any, will be completed by the Company according to the Manufacturer’s specifications only. Any associated works not covered by the Company’s original Quotation, are to be managed by the Customer.
15. Warranty exclusions
15.1 The following Warranty exclusions apply:
- Flooring installed in full bathrooms with a shower or tub.
- Man-made or acts of God including but not limited to, leaking or broken plumbing, fire, flood, earthquake, or standing water during or after construction.
- Damage caused by negligence, accidents, misuse or abuse but not limited to, not taking proper precautions to protect furniture legs and feet with felt protectors, dirty or improper castors, moving heavy objects without a dolly and/or protective plywood beneath.
- Damage caused by vacuum cleaner beater bar or hard heads.
- Damage caused by appliances, furniture and castors.
- Damage caused by cutting from sharp objects.
- Reduction in gloss, scratches or indentation due to sand, pebbles, or other abrasives, pets, insects, construction traffic, spike-heeled shoes, or failure to maintain the floor as required.
- Preparation materials and fasteners including, but not limited to, uneven subfloor surfaces, floor deflection or voids in the subfloor.
- Noises (squeaks, etc.) associated with anything other than the mis-manufacture of the flooring.
- Naturally occurring wood characteristics such as variations in grain, colour, mineral streaks, knots and checking.
- Changes in colour due to exposure to sunlight and age.
- Natural expansion and contraction resulting in separation between boards or damage caused by low (i.e. Dry conditions) or excessive humidity.
- Colour, shade or texture variations between samples, printed colour photography or replacement flooring and the actual material.
- Colour variations between flooring and/or samples and other flooring or wood products, with which the Customer may wish to match (e.g. cabinets, stair railings, trims, etc.)
- Surface checking (fine surface split) as a result of the wood/bamboo losing moisture.
- Products designated as “thrift”, “antique”, “tavern”, “bargain”, “cabin grade”, “seconds”, “economy grade”, “rustic”, “closeout”, “off-goods” or “non-standard”, are sold ‘as is’.
- Floors installed in other than owner-occupied or tenant-occupied residences.
- Commercial installations of residential products covered by a residential warranty.
- Construction or installation-related damage.
- Floors damaged or adhesive breakdown caused by subfloor moisture or water damage, including without limitation, due to broken or leaking water pipes, flooding, wet-mopping spills or weather conditions.
- Installation defects, including installations made: (i) In violation of applicable State or local housing or building codes, or (ii) Contrary to written instructions furnished with the product.
16. Force majeure
16.1 The Company will not be liable for any breach of contract due to any matter or thing beyond the Company’s control (including but not limited to transport stoppages, transport breakdown, fire, flood, earthquake, acts of God, strikes, lock-outs, work stoppages, wars, riots or civil commotion, intervention or public authority, explosion or accident).
17. Governing law and jurisdiction
17.1 These Terms and the Contract are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia, and the parties irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Victoria, Australia, in respect of any dispute arising.
17.2 If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of law, such invalidity or unenforceability will not affect the remainder of these Terms, which will continue in full force and effect.
18. General
18.1 These Terms and Conditions may be amended at any time without notice.
18.2 All Goods and services provided by the Company and its representatives are provided in good faith. Final responsibility for the choice of material, fabric, colour, and/or product, rests solely with the Customer.
18.3 Images of the Company’s installation works may be used by the Company for social media posts. Every attempt will be made to limit such images to a maximum of 80% of the installed product, excluding items outside the installation works. No further permission will be sought from the Customer. All images remain the property of the Company.
These additional notes form part of the terms and conditions and are to be read in conjunction with them
1A. Acknowledgements
The Customer acknowledges and agrees…
1A.1 Timber is a natural material and variations in colour, texture, and other naturally occurring features occur between pieces and batches of the same species. Sanding and finishing also causes variation in appearance.
1A.2 Care should be taken in making a selection based on a single sample. In all cases, timber flooring supplied in job lot quantities will contain some variations from job to job and from the samples on display
1A.3 Timber flooring while dried during production continues to take-up and give up moisture during its life, depending on weather, aspect, and local conditions. In so doing, some movement and change to the surface of the floor are to be expected and will be apparent. This is normal and may include checking and fine cracks on and between boards and changes in colour.
1A.4 Wide engineered timber floors including A, B, C, D grades (so called “Mixed Grade”) in one plank means knots, grains, colour variation, and minor cracks are to be expected.
1A.5 Timber flooring and Bamboo flooring are natural material and will change colour over time and with exposure to sunlight. Such changes are normal and the Company or installer does not take any responsibility for such changes.
1A.6 The hollow sounding areas and occasional squeaking boards can occur due to undulations in the sub floor and this is not a defect in the flooring. The Company or installer may elect to remedy the hollow sounding areas at the installer’s discretion and at the Customers cost.
1A.7 The Company or installer has the right to stop the installation process when clients make complaints from reasons above.
2A. Radiant heat
2A.1 Engineered flooring products are approved and warranted over radiant heated subfloors provided that the floors are installed in strict accordance with the installation guidelines pertaining to radiant heated subfloors: Solid wood products are not warranted.
2A.2 The following guidelines must be applied throughout the life of the floor in order to reduce the affects of radiant heat on engineered wood floors. Even when these guidelines are followed it is still possible your flooring may experience some cracks (checking) on the surface, gapping between boards, or de-lamination of boards. These symptoms are not covered by Warranty. The temperature and humidity levels described below must be maintained otherwise any warranty, expressed or implied, will be voided.
- To minimise the effect rapid changes in temperature will have on the moisture content of the wood flooring an outside thermostat should be installed. If one is not present, it is suggested the Customer consider installing such. Unlike conventional heating systems, radiant systems work most effectively and with fewer traumas to the wood floor if the heating process is gradual, based on small incremental increases in relation to the outside temperature.
- Prior to installation proper moisture testing must be performed. Moisture content between substrate and wood flooring should not exceed 4% for engineered wood products
- Radiant heating system must be in operation and running continuously at least 6 days prior to installation.
- For glue down installations turn system off immediately prior to installation and after the flooring is installed, slowly raise the temperature to the preferred comfort level (over at least a five (5) day time frame) beginning two days after installation or at the onset of colder weather conditions.
- The radiant heat system must be controlled and the surface temperature of the flooring must never be allowed to exceed 25°C. The proper humidity level must be maintained within your home at all times during the year. Use of a humidification system may be required to maintain proper humidity levels to avoid excessive drying of the wood flooring.
- Seasonal gapping should be expected.
Dated: August 2022