Terms of Service

1. Definitions

• "Gutterbugs", "we", "us", "our" — Gutterbugs LTD, registered in England and Wales.
• "Client", "you", "your" — the person, company, or other party engaging our services.
• "Services" — exterior cleaning works including (but not limited to) gutter clearing, roof cleaning, pressure washing, soffit/fascia cleaning, conservatory cleaning, and solar panel cleaning.
• "Property" — the address at which the Services are to be carried out.
• "Quotation" — the written quote issued to the Client setting out the scope and price of the Services.

2. The Quotation & Agreement

Each Quotation is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. Acceptance of the Quotation forms a binding contract between the Client and Gutterbugs LTD on these Terms. The Quotation, together with these Terms, forms the entire agreement and supersedes any prior discussions, representations, or correspondence.

Variations to the agreed scope of work will be discussed and confirmed in writing (including email or messaging app) before any additional work is undertaken. Additional charges may apply.

3. Access & Site Requirements

The Client agrees to:

• Provide safe and unobstructed access to the Property on the scheduled service date.
• Provide access to a suitable water supply (an outdoor tap) and a 240V power outlet as required for our equipment.
• Ensure all windows, doors, vents, skylights, and roof fixtures are properly closed and sealed before work commences.
• Move vehicles, garden furniture, decorative items, and other fragile or valuable possessions clear of the work area.
• Notify us in advance of any pets, children, or other persons who may be present during the works.
• Disclose any known structural defects, recent repairs, or property conditions that may affect the Services.

Where access is denied or unsafe on the scheduled date, we reserve the right to charge for time and travel incurred and to reschedule the appointment.

4. Cleaning Methodology & Client's Choice

We offer different cleaning methods depending on surface type, age, and condition. The specific method for your Property will be clearly stated on your Quotation.

(a) Soft Wash (Manual Scrape & Biocide)

Our recommended method for older, delicate, or fragile surfaces such as aged concrete roof tiles. This involves manually removing moss and then treating the surface with a professional-grade biocide. Results appear gradually over several months as rainfall cleanses the treated surface.

(b) Pressure Washing

Provides immediate visual results but is an aggressive process. Recommended only for robust, structurally sound surfaces. If the Client instructs us to proceed with pressure washing on a surface that we have professionally assessed as aged, fragile, or otherwise unsuitable, the Client accepts that they are doing so at their own risk and Gutterbugs LTD is not liable for any consequent damage.

5. Pre-Existing Conditions & Inherent Risks

The Client acknowledges that exterior cleaning services can reveal or exacerbate pre-existing, underlying issues with the Property. We will perform a reasonable visual inspection but cannot be held liable for the following:

• Loose mortar, pointing, or tiles: The cleaning process, particularly pressure washing, can dislodge or remove mortar, pointing, or tiles that are already loose, cracked, degraded, or poorly fixed.
• Sand-faced or granular tile surfaces: The Client accepts that the removal of the top "sand" or granule layer from aged concrete or sand-faced tiles is an unavoidable consequence of high-pressure cleaning. This may alter the cosmetic appearance and porosity of the tiles.
• Water ingress: While we take all reasonable care, we are not liable for water ingress or resulting damage from poorly sealed windows, doors, vents, roof fixtures, or other structural defects.
• Aged or rusted gutter brackets and downpipes: Cleaning may dislodge fixtures that are already failing due to age, corrosion, or poor installation.
• Vegetation regrowth: Moss, algae, and lichen will eventually return as a natural process. Our biocide treatment slows but does not permanently prevent regrowth.

Gutterbugs LTD is not responsible for the cost of repairing any of the pre-existing issues listed above. We can recommend a trusted, independent tradesperson for any necessary repairs at the Client's expense.

6. Biocide Treatment & Results

As part of our cleaning process, a professional-grade biocide is applied to kill organic growth (moss, algae, lichen). While some results are immediate, the full self-cleansing process — aided by natural rainfall — can take several weeks or months to remove all residual staining. Patience is required for the best long-term results.

7. Photographic & Video Documentation

The Client agrees to allow Gutterbugs LTD to take photographs and/or video footage of the Property before, during, and after the work is completed. These may be used for our internal records, for insurance purposes, and for marketing material (including our website, social media, and printed materials). Images will not identify the Property address. The Client may withdraw consent for marketing use at any time by emailing ryan@gutterbugs.co.uk.

8. Waste & Debris Disposal

We offer two options for the disposal of waste removed during the cleaning process:

• Option A (no additional cost): All debris bagged and placed in the Client's green waste bin, provided there is sufficient space.
• Option B (additional fee): Removal and responsible disposal of all debris by Gutterbugs LTD for the fee specified on your Quotation.

9. Payment

Payment is due in full upon completion of the Services, by bank transfer or card. Bank details and payment instructions are provided on the invoice. Late payments may attract interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 where applicable.

We reserve the right to apply a deposit requirement to larger jobs (typically over £750), which will be agreed in writing before work commences.

10. Rescheduling & Adverse Weather

The Client may reschedule any booked appointment free of charge. We ask that you give us as much notice as possible so we can offer the slot to other customers.

Gutterbugs LTD may postpone or reschedule work due to adverse weather (heavy rain, high winds, ice, snow, or extreme heat) for safety and quality reasons. We will notify the Client as soon as reasonably possible and rebook the work at the earliest mutually convenient time.

11. Insurance & Limitation of Liability

Gutterbugs LTD holds £2 million Public Liability insurance with a reputable UK insurer. Where property damage or personal injury results from our negligence during the Services, claims will be handled through our insurance. We will provide insurance details on request.

Subject to the above, our total liability arising out of or in connection with the Services (whether in contract, tort, negligence, or otherwise) is limited to the amount paid by the Client for the specific Service from which the claim arises, except where law prohibits such limitation. This includes (but is not limited to) liability for:

• Death or personal injury caused by our negligence (no limit).
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation (no limit).
• Any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

We are not liable for any indirect, consequential, special, or economic loss (including loss of profit, loss of business, or loss of opportunity).

12. Workforce & Subcontracting

The Services may be carried out by Gutterbugs LTD employees or by approved subcontractors operating under our standards, supervision, and insurance. All personnel attending the Property are appropriately trained, equipped with PPE, and operate in accordance with current UK Health & Safety regulations including the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

13. Cancellation & Refunds

For Services arranged at a distance (e.g. via website or telephone), consumer Clients have a right to cancel within 14 days of accepting the Quotation under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. If the Client requests work to commence before the 14-day period ends and subsequently cancels, the Client may be charged for the proportion of work already completed.

14. Complaints Procedure

We aim to deliver a high-quality service every time. If you are unhappy with any aspect of our work, please raise your complaint in writing to ryan@gutterbugs.co.uk within 14 days of the Service completion. We will:

• Acknowledge your complaint within 2 working days.
• Investigate and respond substantively within 7 working days.
• Work in good faith to resolve the matter, which may include a return visit, partial refund, or other remedy as appropriate.

15. Data Protection

We process Client personal data (name, address, contact details, property details) in accordance with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, solely for the purpose of providing and administering the Services. We do not share Client data with third parties except where strictly necessary to deliver the Services (e.g. payment processors, accounting software). Clients may request access to, correction of, or deletion of their personal data at any time by contacting ryan@gutterbugs.co.uk.

16. Force Majeure

Neither party is liable for failure or delay in performing its obligations where caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to extreme weather, natural disasters, pandemics, government restrictions, strikes, or supply chain failures. The affected party will notify the other promptly and the parties will agree a reasonable extension or alternative arrangement.

17. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them (including non-contractual disputes) are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute that cannot be resolved through our complaints procedure will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

18. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The version applicable to your contract is the version in force on the date of your Quotation. The latest version will always be available at gutterbugs.co.uk/terms.

19. Contact