Terms and Conditions of Appointment
- The commencement date of the instruction is when GRC Planning receives written consent from the client that the fee proposal is acceptable.
- Where an estimate has been given by GRC Planning of the anticipated costs the client, in confirming the instruction, agrees that this can only be an estimate. By the uncertain nature of the planning system it is, as a result, impossible to give a precise forecast of the amount of time that the work will take if it is to be pursued professionally and diligently. Every effort will be made to work within the fee estimate but if it appears that the likely final costs will be significantly greater than estimated, the client’s instructions to proceed further will be sought.
- A retainer payment is normally required after commencement of the work if the project is to be a spread over a long period of time. This requirement will be set out in the original estimate and a payment can be made monthly or quarterly. This is normally offset against the final invoice or returned to you on settlement of the final account.
- Disbursements and expenses (including travelling, copying and printing costs, plans, etc.) will be re-charged at cost. Travel time will be charged and 50% of the agreed hourly rate and mileage will be charged at 45p per mile.
- GRC Planning will normally request interim payments at the completion of the main stages of the work, or on a monthly basis. Invoices are payable within 14 days of presentation. If invoice settlement is delayed for an unreasonable period then the right is reserved to charge an additional fee of 1.5% per month. Payment is preferred by BACS.
- Where any statutory fees are due to be paid to local authorities or other organisations in respect of any applications, appeals, etc., such fees shall be the responsibility of the client and GRC Planning shall have no liability whatsoever in respect of such fees. The necessary fees shall be paid promptly upon request and the client shall be responsible for payment direct to the receiving authority.
- Where it has been agreed between GRC Planning and the client that another consultant or advisors (such as an architect, engineer, noise consultant, ecologist, arboriculturist, traffic expert or landscape architect) should be instructed by or on behalf of the client, the client shall have full responsibility for the payment of any fees, costs, expenses or charges due to such third party for work carried out on behalf of the client.
- GRC Planning will continue to act for Clients unless otherwise instructed. Exceptionally, however, GRC Planning may terminate instructions where an unexpected conflict of interest arises, or any fees previously agreed are unpaid. If instructions are terminated by either party, clients will only be liable for fees to date of termination.
- GRC Planning will retain client papers and drawings for six years. Thereafter we may dispose of your records confidentially without further notice of destruction. You may request a complete copy of your Client File, without charge or for your file to be retained in the event of potential future instruction.
- Under ‘force majeure’ neither GRC Planning nor the client shall be liable to the other or be deemed to be in breach of the written agreement between them by reason of any delay in performing, or any failure to perform, any of its obligations in relation to that agreement if the delay or failure was due to any cause beyond either party’s reasonable control. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the following shall be regarded as causes beyond either party’s reasonable control: by act of God, explosion, flood, tempest, fire or accident; or by acts, restrictions, regulations, by-laws, prohibitions or measures of any kind on the part of any governmental, parliamentary or local authority.
- GRC Planning reserves all copyright and any other rights (if any) which may subsist in the products of, or in connection with, the provision of the GRC Planning’s services. GRC Planning reserve the right to take such actions as may be appropriate to restrain or prevent infringement of any such copyright.