Terms and Conditions

Updated: 15 April 2025

Version 1.2

Thank you for choosing our Services! We want to ensure that your experience with us is as pleasant as possible. Please take a moment to review the following terms and conditions, which outline our working relationship.

 

 

1. Asbestos

Asbestos Policy and Procedure – Health & Safety at Beegone

 

At Beegone, we take the safety of our clients and our staff seriously. As part of our ongoing duty of care, we acknowledge the importance of asbestos identification and compliance with UK legislation. To protect both you and our team, we have introduced a clear asbestos policy to be followed before any building fabric is removed.

 

Surveyor Checklist and Presumption of Asbestos

We have incorporated asbestos checklist questions into our pre-work surveys. These must be completed by the surveyor before any invasive works are carried out.

 

If the property was built before the year 2000, and has not been checked for asbestos in the areas we need to access, a certified asbestos survey will be included in your cost. This includes:

 

Instruction and liaison with our preferred asbestos surveying firm, accredited to ISO17020 and ISO17025 (Asbestos Analysis), to check the necessary areas for safe access.

 

By law, we must presume that materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not.

 

Why This Matters: The Risks of Asbestos

Asbestos is often referred to as the “hidden killer”. It can cause several serious and fatal diseases, including:

 

• Lung cancer
• Asbestosis
• Pleural thickening
• Asbestos may be found in the following forms:
• Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) – soffits, walls, or insulation boards
• Pipe lagging
• Chimney putty used as flaunching
• Floor and roof tiles
• Cement boards and pipes
• Loose fill insulation
• Vermiculite
• Sprayed coatings inside chimney flues (used as fire retardant)

 

In many cases, asbestos-containing materials may have been intentionally or unintentionally covered during past building works.

 

What Happens If Asbestos Is Found During Our Work

• Even if previous asbestos surveys have been done, if any suspicious material is discovered during our work, the following will apply:
• Work will stop immediately, due to the significant risk of inhaling asbestos fibres.
• The customer will be liable for the cost of an additional asbestos analysis survey before work can continue.
• If the material is confirmed as non-asbestos, the job will be rebooked and continued.
• If the material is found to contain asbestos, the customer is responsible for:
• Organising removal by a certified asbestos removal firm, before our work can resume.

 

Legal Responsibilities

We are legally required to follow UK health and safety law when dealing with potential asbestos exposure. This includes compliance with:

 

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/regulations.htm

 

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

https://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/hswa.htm

 

If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact your surveyor.

 

I understand all of the above terms and information and agree to them.

 

*Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) or Suspicious Building Material Discovered During Our Works*

Prior to breaking into building fabric, if the area of the property was built before 2000, there should have been an asbestos survey as a commitment to the health and safety of our customers and our technicians.

 

If, during our work, a suspicious possible ACM material is discovered—at any time and even after any number of asbestos surveys—then the customer is liable for an additional asbestos analysis survey before work can continue, at the cost of the customer and not Beegone.

 

Although this is unlikely, due to the significant risk of inhaling asbestos which causes lung cancer, work will stop immediately, which will cause delays. We will do all we can to work with you to get back on track with the project.

 

1) If the material is found *not* to contain asbestos, the work can be rebooked and carried out.

2) If the material *does* contain asbestos, then the customer is responsible for organising its removal by a certified asbestos removal firm before our work can continue.

 

2. Definitions and Interpretation

 

2.1 In these Terms and Conditions, we use specific expressions with particular meanings:
– “Client/you/your” refers to the Consumer who is purchasing our Services.
– “Consumer” has the same meaning as defined by the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
– “Contract” refers to the legally binding agreement formed when you accept our Quotation and agree to these Terms and Conditions.
– “Property” refers to the premises where our Services will be provided.
– “Quotation” is the price we provide you, either in writing or verbally, for the Services. It remains open for acceptance for 30 days and outlines the scope of work.
– “Services” refers to the pest control services we will provide you.
2.2 Whenever we mention “writing” or “written,” it includes communication via email.

 

3. The Contract

 

3.1 We will provide you with a Quotation for the Services, and by accepting it, you enter into a legally binding Contract with us, which includes these Terms and Conditions.
3.2 Our Quotation is based on the information you provide us. If we find additional work is needed upon visiting the Property, we will discuss it with you and obtain your permission before proceeding with the additional Services. We will also agree on the pricing for these additional Services.

Quotes – Quotes are only valid for 30 days. If the quote is accepted after this time, we retain the right to quote additional time on site should it be required. Please read carefully the content of this report and any enclosures.

4. The Services

 

4.1 We will carry out our Services with utmost care and skill, following our accepted Quotation and adhering to the best trade practices.
4.2 Any dates we provide for the completion of our Services should be treated as estimates only. Unless agreed otherwise in writing, we do not have an obligation to complete the Services by a specific date.
4.3 It’s important to allow treated areas to dry or ventilate completely before accessing them.
4.4 We can provide you with health and safety information, as well as COSHH or other data sheets related to the chemicals we use. It is essential for you to read this information and follow any procedures mentioned. If anyone comes into contact with the chemicals, they should follow the instructions provided and seek medical attention if necessary. Our service reports will include any recommendations and information about pesticide treatments.
4.5 We will make every effort to remove any treated pests. However, we cannot be held responsible for unwanted effects from pests in inaccessible areas.
4.6 Any equipment we place or leave at the Property, unless specified and paid for by you, remains our property. If any of our equipment is removed, damaged, lost, or stolen, you will be responsible for the cost of its replacement.

Upon completion of services, Beegone technicians will present a sign-off sheet for the customer’s approval. This sheet confirms the customer’s satisfaction with the work’s quality, aesthetics, and agreement to settle any outstanding invoices. It is imperative that the customer is present to sign off while the technician is on-site, as any changes or concerns must be addressed at that time. Post sign-off, any modifications will not be accommodated, especially due to the logistical challenges of returning to the site. This ensures all concerns are promptly addressed, maintaining the integrity of our work and customer satisfaction.

 

5. Your Responsibilities

 

5.1 It is your responsibility to ensure:
5.1.1 The Property is suitable for us to provide our Services (for example, if flooring is to be treated, it should be in reasonable condition to avoid minor damage).
5.1.2 We have access to the Property (and neighboring land, if necessary) on the agreed dates and times for the Services. If you need to cancel our visit, we require at least 3 working days’ notice, and no charges will apply for the canceled visit.
5.1.3 You comply with our recommendations and advice, especially regarding prevention, when applicable.
5.1.4 You obtain any necessary consents, licenses, or permissions from third parties (e.g., landlords, planning authorities, local authorities) before we start the Services.
5.2 If you fail to fulfill your responsibilities outlined in clause 4.1, we cannot be held liable for any resulting delays, and we reserve the right to recover any costs we incur, such as for wasted visits to the Property.

Electric supply – The owner of the property must agree for the electricity supply to any electrical circuits within the work area to be cut off and remain cut off during the course of work.

6. Payment

 

6.1 Invoices are payable in full within 30 days from the date of the invoice, without any set-off, withholding, deduction, or retention. We accept card or online payments, and in certain circumstances, we may accept checks. All fees exclude VAT where applicable.
6.2 We reserve the right to request full or partial payment upfront before commencing the Services. We will notify you of this within our Quotation. Any payments made are strictly non-refundable.
6.3 If any sums are overdue, a late payment fee is payable from the due date until the actual payment is made. The fee rate is 8% per annum above the Bank of England base rate. We also reserve the right to suspend any further Services and charge for costs associated with recovering late payments.
6.4 Any changes to the Services must be agreed upon in writing before we can proceed. Any fee or price variations will become due for payment to us following the terms mentioned above.

 

7. Cooling Off Period & “The notice right to cancel”

 

7.1 As a Consumer, you have a statutory right to a cooling off period. This period begins once the Contract is formed and ends 14 calendar days after that date.
7.2 If you wish to cancel the Contract within the cooling off period, please inform us immediately by post or email using the provided contact details. You must obtain a recorded reply from us. Your cancellation notice should be sent before the 14 days have expired to meet the cancellation deadline.
7.3 If you cancel within this period, you will receive a full refund of any amount paid to us under the Contract, using the same payment method you used unless you request otherwise. In any case, you will not incur any fees as a result of the refund.
7.4 If the start date for the works falls within the cooling off period, you must make an express request for the Services to begin within the 14-day cooling off period.

8. Agreement to book/start the work before the 14-day cancellation period

8.1 By making such a request, you acknowledge and agree that:
8.1.1 If the Services are completed within the 14-day cooling off period, you will lose the right to cancel once the works are completed.
8.1.2 If you cancel the Contract after the Services have begun, you will be required to pay for the Services supplied up until the point at which you inform us of your wish to cancel. Any deposit payments made will be non-refundable, and you will be required to pay for any other labor, material, or equipment costs incurred in addition to the original deposit payment or invoice.
8.2 Clause 8 applies to the termination of the Contract after the 14-calendar day cooling off period has elapsed.

9. Termination

 

9.1 Either you or we may cancel this Contract at any time without liability by giving written notice if:
9.1.1 There is a material breach of the Contract, and the breaching party fails to remedy it within 14 days of receiving written notice (a breach is considered material if it has significant consequences to the canceling party, regardless of whether it resulted from an accident, mistake, or misunderstanding).
9.1.2 Either party goes into bankruptcy, liquidation, administration, or if a receiver is appointed, or if we cease, or threaten to cease, to carry on business.
9.2 If you or we cancel under this clause 9, you will only be required to pay for the Services we have already provided up until the cancellation date. These sums will be deducted from any refund due to you or invoiced to you, depending on the amount paid at the date of the cancellation.

 

10. General Liability

 

10.1 We want to assure you that nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to or will limit or exclude our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
10.2 Subject to the provisions in clause 8.1, we will be responsible for any foreseeable loss or damage that you may suffer as a result of our breach of these Terms and Conditions or as a result of our negligence. Loss or damage is foreseeable if it is an obvious consequence of the breach or negligence, or if it is contemplated by you and us when the Contract is entered into. However, we will not be responsible for any loss or damage that is not foreseeable.
10.3 We accept no liability in respect of delays or damage caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including staff illness, power failure, industrial action, mechanical breakdown, civil unrest, fire, flood, adverse weather conditions, earthquakes, acts of terrorism or war, or governmental action.
10.4 We will not be liable to you for any indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit, loss of business or business opportunity, or interruption to business.
10.5 We want to emphasize that nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to or will limit your legal rights as a Consumer under any applicable consumer protection legislation. For more information on your legal rights, please refer to your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau or Trading Standards Office.

HSE – Beegone® uses pesticide-free methods to remove bees, but please note some of the preventatives are food grade and may affect or aggravate any person within the property who suffers from any form of chest complaint. Any such person should stay clear of the works and for a period of 8 hours after completion of the work. This is in addition to drying and re-entry time if specified. The work area must be well ventilated throughout the duration of the work. Animals and fish must be kept clear of the working area.

11. Data Protection

 

We take data protection seriously, and any data we hold will only be collected, processed, and held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation 2016, and any amendments to them. For more information, please refer to our privacy policy.

 

12. Other Important Terms

 

12.1 We may transfer (assign) our obligations and rights under these Terms and Conditions (and under the Contract, as applicable) to a third party if we sell our business, for example. If such a transfer occurs, we will inform you in writing. Your rights under these Terms and Conditions will not be affected, and our obligations under these Terms and Conditions will be transferred to the third party, who will be bound by them.
12.2 You may not transfer (assign) your obligations and rights under these Terms and Conditions (or the Contract) without our express written permission.
12.3 The Contract is between you and us and is not intended to benefit any other person or third party. Therefore, no other person or party will be entitled to enforce any provision of these Terms and Conditions.
12.4 If any part of these Terms and Conditions is found to be unlawful, invalid, or unenforceable, it will be severed from the Contract. However, the validity and enforceability of the remaining parts of the Contract will not be affected.
12.5 The fact that either party does not exercise or enforce their rights under these Terms and Conditions following a breach of contract does not mean that they have waived their right to do so at a later date.

 

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

These Terms and Conditions and any Contract between us will be governed by the laws of [Insert applicable jurisdiction], and any dispute will fall within the jurisdiction of the courts of [Insert applicable jurisdiction].

 

14. Force Majeure

 

Neither party will be liable to the other for any failure or delay in performing any obligations under the Contract if the failure or delay is due to a cause beyond their reasonable control. In such cases, the failure or delay will not be considered a breach of these Terms and Conditions or other terms of the Contract.

 

15. Guarantees

Bee Reinfestation
Coverage: Our guarantee ensures that bees will not recolonise the same void spaces from which bees and combs have been removed, or the areas they were previously accessing, as detailed in the marked pictures provided in the contract above. This guarantee covers the costs of labour and materials associated with their removal from these specified areas.

Scaffolding and Access: Please note that the costs of scaffolding or any additional access equipment required for remedial works are not covered under our guarantee and will be billed to the customer.

Conditions for Validity
The guarantee remains valid only if the following conditions are met:

No alterations are made to the areas from which bees and combs were removed, or where bees were accessing, unless carried out by Beegone personnel.

The property or areas where bees were accessing are properly maintained throughout the guarantee period.

For example, rot caused by penetrating or rising damp, which leads to the failure of the proofing, will void the guarantee.

If any building defects that could affect the bee proofing are discovered during the removal process and are not rectified, this may limit or void the guarantee.

Customers will be notified in writing of any such issues, although it is rare for this to occur.

All payments for the original service must be settled in full and on time.

Consultation and Validation
To validate a claim under the guarantee, customers must provide clear videos and photographs showcasing the bee activity.

These should be sent directly to our team at [email protected], or via WhatsApp to your designated surveyor or sales representative, who will be available to assist you with the process.

Scaffolding and Access (Reminder)
Please note again: the costs of scaffolding or any additional access equipment required for live bee removal are not covered under our guarantee and will be billed to the customer as per the contracted amount.

Notification
Customers must immediately notify Beegone upon discovering a bee reinfestation, in order to arrange a reinspection and any necessary work under the terms of the guarantee.

 

specialist bee proofing and extended guarantee –  Included in Option: Nectar & Honey Only

(Honey option includes an extended guarantee)

 

To provide proven and tested bee proofing work before and after building reinstatement.

 

Please note: No insecticides are used to extract the bees in this process unless detailed, and at no stage will combs or bees be sprayed with it.

 

At Beegone, we pride ourselves on providing physical proofing techniques to keep bees out of the bee-proofed areas after the work, and without the use of insecticides.

 

Please note: It is likely there will be foraging bees for several weeks after the extraction of the hive – this is normal, and the activity will decrease in time.

 

Bee Proof Cowlings for Chimney Pots

 

To supply and fit handmade stainless steel anodised chimney cowlings, made to order and to a specified colour. These cowlings are unique to Beegone.

 

Cowlings can only be fitted to redundant flues and pots.

 

IMPORTANT – Pots fitted with cowlings cannot be used for any fires, including gas, electric, wood, or coal. The cowlings allow important ventilation to the flue of the stack, but the mesh is too small for active flues.

 

At no point should chimneys be capped off and left without sufficient ventilation to the flue—both from the base point of the flue and, more importantly, from the top of the stack.

 

10 years’ guarantee included that no re-colonisation will happen in the same chimney stack from entry through the cowling, around the cowling, or any other bee proofing fitted.

 

 

16. Recorded Calls

 

To ensure the quality of our service and for training purposes, we may record our phone calls. This helps us continuously improve and provide you with the best possible assistance.

 

17. Time Limits

 

We understand the importance of meeting deadlines, but please be aware that any time or date we provide for the delivery of goods or performance of services is an estimate. While we strive to fulfill our estimates, we cannot be held liable for any failure to meet them. However, we assure you that we will make every effort to minimize any potential delays and their impact on you.

 

18. Extent of Survey

 

We have thoroughly inspected the areas you requested us to assess. If you notice any omissions or believe that we may have misunderstood your instructions, please contact us promptly. It’s important to understand that our report is based on the problems we observed at the time of inspection. We cannot be held responsible for any hidden or future infestation risks or other related defects. Additionally, please note that the quotes we provide are valid for a period of 30 days. We kindly ask you to carefully review the contents of our report, including any enclosures.

 

19. Opportunity to Cure

 

Before making any claims for damages, we request that you inform Higgs Holdings Limited in a timely manner if you believe there are any performance deficiencies. We will be given a reasonable opportunity to address and rectify any alleged defects. We kindly ask for your understanding and allow us a reasonable period of 30 days to resolve any issues that may arise on-site. However, please be aware that due to our current company processes, such situations are highly unlikely to occur.

 

20. Fast Track Terms

This option will cover additional pay for the company’s added overheads to get out to you as a priority.

Please also be aware that this work may be carried out over a weekend or bank holiday, which will be agreed with you in advance. Fast track starts by organising scaffolding and ordering materials. A timeline for fast track will be agreed—usually works (either scaffolding or removal) start within 1–2 weeks.

Adverse weather conditions may stop or delay our work. In this instance, please note that fast track is still chargeable and not refundable if opted for.

Conditions such as:

• Heavy rain
• Wind over 17 MPH
• Snow
• Stormy weather
• Exceptionally hot conditions
• Please note: This is still weather dependent, which may delay work even with fast track.

 

21. Scaffolding Requirements and Working at Height

*Access equipment* – If being used, it may be left on site for some time during or after the works. It will, however, be left safely and in a place convenient to you. This must be left on your site (the customer’s premises) and out of sight where possible. Bad weather may postpone work on access equipment due to safety reasons. In this event, please bear with us while we re-book the works on a safe day. If you are getting a third party to erect access for our team, we retain the right not to work on faulty or dangerous scaffolding, or if the scaffold is not erected to our specification. Please ensure that access companies are members of their trade association’s governing body. The scaffold must be scaffold-tagged and inspected weekly by the scaffold firm.

 

Please note that only trained personnel are allowed up our scaffold. Clients must not attempt to climb up the scaffold as there is a serious risk of falling. This risk is increased as there are bees that may sting while climbing scaffolding ladders. Please note that during the removal of bees, bees can become angry and sting, and as such, we ask that you notify any vulnerable persons or neighbours of our works before we start. We also ask that you do not walk under the scaffold platforms or near the ladders, and that you stay out of the way or inside during the removal process. Unless confirmed in writing, no other contractors are permitted to go up our scaffolding, as they may attempt to adjust the scaffolding, making it dangerous for our team. If you do have contractors go up our erected scaffold without us agreeing to it, you accept an additional scaffold check charge by the scaffold company to ensure no scaffold boards have been moved or altered from the original design.

 

Included in Options: Nectar and Honey Only

 

• Steel scaffold
• To supply a pulley system (pulley and rope)
• To supply an appropriate number of platforms
• To have at least 1.5 metres working space on the platform
• Safety gates
• Hire period
• Scaffold collection

 

Please note that due to the nature of the job, we cannot pre-plan for scaffolding equipment to be taken down. This means we must notify the scaffold team when the job is complete and take a booking date for its removal—it can be 1 to 4 weeks on average from the completion date. Please also note that full payment is required before scaffold is removed from site.

 

Please be aware of the following guidance if you are providing your own scaffold access equipment:

 

1. Scaffolders must not spray bees.
2. The firm must be part of the NASC association.

 

Requirements:

 

• Pulley to be supplied with pulley rope
• Kickboards to be supplied
• 90 centimetre safety rails
• Netting to be supplied to scaffold
• Wall anchors where needed, if required
• 360° saddle around chimney stack, 13 bricks down from top of chimney
• Number of additional working platforms needed & pictures to be attached with lines showing location, by surveyor supplying this report
• Width of scaffold platforms to be at least 4 boards wide around the stack
• Ladder to be left on site by scaffolder and hidden/secured for our team to access all platforms
• Scaffold alarm

 

Your scaffold firm may stop works if bees become angry, which could cause delays with our schedule and works.

 

We can sell bee suits to your chosen firm for £250 + VAT, plus delivery per bee suit.

Please note we DO NOT HIRE BEE SUITS OR LEAVE THEM ON SITE for scaffolders.

 

The scaffold is to be erected 2 weeks prior to the start date to allow for bad weather and other complications.

 

We need photographic evidence of the scaffold’s erection—a wide shot of the scaffold, please.

 

The scaffold must be scaff tagged by the company, and a handover certificate provided to you, which we will ask to see. It must also be checked weekly by the company to ensure the scaffold is safe—by law

 

 

 

22. Other Terms and Information Regarding the Work

Bad weather – For example, thunder, lightning, wind, and rain may postpone work and cause delays for which we are not liable. However, there should not be any additional cost to you. We would appreciate your patience in this instance.

Live removal – There is no guarantee the bees will be removed alive; however, it is likely they will be saved. At no stage is insecticide used, and in over 70% of the live bee removals we do, the bees survive. In the interest of protecting bee health and other local honeybees, removing this colony will be of significant importance due to the diseases bees carry. Wild colonies can be a contamination source to healthy bees, as they are not being managed by a beekeeper. The most common disease bees spread is called foulbrood. It is a notifiable disease that affects this precious species.

If bees swarm before arrival or no comb is found in the void space – In the very unlikely event the bee colony dies or moves on before we arrive, or if it has no comb, it is still vital that the combs are removed and/or bee prevention is carried out. This is because other honeybees will try to re-colonise the combs or void space. We will still incur the same labour and access costs for the work, and the charge will not change. Our survey and quote are based entirely on the limited information and evidence available at the time of the survey. Due to the nature of the work and the tricky locations bees can inhabit, we have to anticipate what will be in a void space, which is why we offer fixed quotes and guarantees for our work.

Products and services – Remain the property of Beegone® until paid for in full, and we retain the right to remove these services or products from site and replace any combs or bees back in the original site. By signing this report, you give us authorisation to access your property to do this.

Warning locals – It is the customer’s responsibility to make anyone visiting the property aware that bees are being removed and that being stung is a risk within view of the working area. Where required, Beegone® will provide warning signage and/or barriers and tape. During the extraction, bees fly around everywhere, so please stay inside.

Honeycomb – Removing honeycomb from a property is a messy task. At Beegone®, we are leaders in bee removal and have a vast amount of unique experience and equipment to deal with the most unusual situations.

We are not liable for any damage from honey leakage at any stage or in any location. This is uncommon when Beegone® performs this work and is a reason to deal with honeybees as soon as possible rather than leaving them to expand. Our 11 years’ experience and process of work will significantly reduce the likelihood of leaking honey damage occurring.

Our report – This report is for your sole and confidential use. The copyright is retained by Beegone® Live Honeybee Removal. No liability will be accepted in relation to third parties. Any persons relying on this report do so entirely at their own risk.

*Chimney Demolition*

Please note – this quote does not include chimney demolition and rebuild over one metre in length.

(We guarantee to remove the combs from the chimney, and this clause does not affect this guarantee or the works we have quoted to do. If we need to remove more of the chimney to remove bees, then we will, and we will include the reinstatement as quoted.)

 

Masonry on old chimneys can become decayed and turn to just sand over a long period of time. If this is the case, the chimney can be seriously dangerous if not removed and re-built. It is not always possible to determine the condition of the chimney stack until scaffolding is erected and we start our work. If the chimney is in a bad state of repair that wasn’t evident to us from our consultation survey, and additional work is recommended, then this does not form part of our fixed quote, and we retain the right to quote an additional amount for this work.

*Party Wall Law*

If party wall law applies to this chimney, it is up to the client to gain authorisation from the neighbour to allow our work and scaffold to commence. We cannot carry out any work on the neighbour’s section of the chimney without authorisation, and it has not been included in our quote. We may provide a separate quote to the neighbour for the works on his/her side of the chimney.

 

We do not provide any guarantee that bees won’t colonise the chimney flues—either on our client’s section or the neighbour’s section—if bees gain access from the neighbour’s side of the chimney and no work has been done by us to proof their side.

 

 

*Internal Building Fabric*

On some occasions, we will be required to remove the internal building fabric in order to carry out our work effectively and efficiently. If this is decided, Beegone is not responsible for replacing any interior building fabric, including plastering and decoration work.

 

*Roofing Material – Thatch or Tiles*

Please note that if roofing fabric breaks as a result of scaffolding being erected to carry out our works, repair of tiles is not included in the fixed quote.

 

As part of our customer care and goodwill, we will—and have—replaced tiles where possible before or while the scaffold is being removed. However, we are not liable for repairing roofing as part of this contract or as goodwill.

 

It is the property owner’s responsibility to keep roofing maintained and in a good state of repair. Roofing is more likely to have tiles break, for example, if it is old and has not been maintained. We can quote for roofing repair—if this is of interest, please let us know.

 

23. Duty of Care

duty of care section – Important Risk Information – Duty of Care
As part of our duty of care towards you as the customer, we have highlighted the following potential risks associated with honeybee colonies within structures:

Structural Damage from Moisture and Heat
Walls and voids should be able to breathe sufficiently, with air flowing up and out of them. In some situations, a honeybee colony can block airflow, trapping heat and moisture in an area of the roof or wall where it would not normally accumulate.

During winter, bees generate heat while consuming the honey stored in their combs. This heat creates moisture, which can penetrate the masonry and building substrates. When cold weather arrives, this moisture reaches dew point, expands, and can crack the masonry, leading to structural damage over time.

Bees Spreading Deeper Within the Property
Over time, honeybee colonies may expand their honey stores deeper into the property. Several times during the summer, up to half of the colony may swarm. Swarming is a natural behaviour where bees look for a new home, which could be elsewhere in your property if not addressed.

Swarming Bees and Human Risk
While swarming bees are generally not aggressive, they can still pose a risk—particularly to individuals who are allergic to bee stings. Most stings during swarms occur accidentally, but the presence of bees can cause significant inconvenience or distress. It is best to address swarms immediately, as they may re-enter the building fabric at a new location. Bees tend to return to similar areas they previously occupied.

Honey Leakage and Damage to Interior Property
Bees store honey in wax cells. When temperatures rise and the wax softens, the weight of the honey can cause the combs to collapse. This can lead to honey leaking through walls, ceilings, and floors. In large colonies, the sheer weight of honey can also cause structural damage.

Fire Risk in Chimneys
Bee colonies inside chimneys can pose a serious fire risk. Beeswax is highly flammable, and any use of a bee smoker (intended to calm bees) could ignite wax within the chimney.

Honeycomb Blocking Flues
Honeybees may build combs that eventually block gas or other fuel-type chimney flues. This presents a serious health risk, particularly from carbon monoxide poisoning, if fumes cannot safely escape the property.

Secondary Insect and Rodent Infestations
Bee colonies can attract and sustain various other pests, including:

• Ants
• Wasps
• Wax moths
• Hive beetles
• Mites
• Rats and mice

These pests are drawn to the honey and brood combs, and in some cases, may also prey on the bees themselves.

 

24. Brick Work Repair, Mortar Matching and Rubble Removal

*Brickwork repair, mortar matching, and rubble removal*

 

* *Please note* – Unless included in the quote, disposal of rubble, plaster, or building waste is *NOT INCLUDED*.

* *Please note* – When brickwork is replaced after it has been removed, it may *NOT* be completely identical in aesthetics. However, we will work with you to ensure you are happy with the finish desired.

 

25. Welfare Provisions

The Client agrees to make reasonable welfare provisions available to the Contractor’s personnel throughout the duration of the works. This includes access to toilet facilities, hand washing facilities, and, where practical, a space for rest and refreshment. These facilities must be made available on-site or within a reasonable walking distance.

Access & Use
Contractor personnel may, at reasonable times during working hours, access these welfare facilities. This is a standard requirement under health and safety regulations to ensure worker wellbeing and dignity. The use of such facilities does not constitute trespass, nor does it permit access beyond designated working areas without prior agreement.

If suitable welfare facilities are not made available, the Contractor reserves the right to:

• Pause or reschedule works until minimum standards are met, and/or
• Hire mobile welfare units, with the cost passed on to the Client.