Terms & Conditions

Heritage House Advisory
Independent Heritage Property Consultancy
Effective date: 27 October 2026


1. Introduction

These Terms & Conditions govern the provision of professional consultancy, property assessment, inspection, reporting and advisory services by Heritage House Advisory ("we", "us" or "our").
Heritage House Advisory operates as an independent heritage property consultancy providing advice concerning listed buildings, historic properties, traditional construction, building defects, repairs and restoration.
By instructing Heritage House Advisory, the client ("you" or "your") agrees to these Terms & Conditions, subject to applicable consumer rights and any specific terms agreed in writing.
These Terms & Conditions should be read alongside the written quotation, proposal or scope of services issued for each instruction.


2. Services Provided

Heritage House Advisory may provide services including:
Pre-purchase assessments of listed, historic and traditionally constructed properties.
Visual identification and evaluation of building defects.
Advice concerning appropriate traditional building repairs and restoration methods.
Indicative and itemised estimates of repair and restoration costs.
Reviews of existing building surveys, technical reports and related documentation.
Post-purchase investigations of building defects and technical concerns.
Independent technical advice concerning historic building repairs, restoration and associated disputes.
Other related consultancy services agreed in writing.
The precise nature, scope and limitations of each appointment will be confirmed in the relevant quotation, proposal or written correspondence.
Any services outside the agreed scope may be subject to additional fees.


3. Independent Consultancy

Heritage House Advisory provides independent professional advice based on experience and knowledge of historic buildings, traditional construction, building defects and restoration practices.
Our consultancy services are separate from building contracting, repair and restoration works.
Unless expressly agreed in writing, an appointment with Heritage House Advisory does not include the undertaking, management or supervision of physical building works.
Our advice is intended to assist clients in making informed decisions about historic properties. It does not guarantee the condition, future performance, value or suitability of any property.


4. Property Inspections and Limitations

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, property assessments and inspections are visual and non-invasive.
Inspections are limited to areas that are reasonably accessible, visible and safe to inspect at the time of attendance.
We will not normally undertake destructive investigations, open up concealed construction, remove finishes, move heavy furniture or stored items, or access areas presenting unreasonable safety risks.
We do not guarantee that every defect, concealed condition or future problem will be identified.
Defects may exist within foundations, walls, roofs, floors, structural components, drainage systems and other concealed or inaccessible areas that cannot be established through visual inspection alone.
Where appropriate, we may recommend further investigations by suitably qualified specialists.
Unless expressly included in the agreed scope, our services do not constitute a comprehensive building survey, structural engineering assessment, valuation, environmental assessment, asbestos survey, electrical inspection, gas safety inspection or certification of statutory compliance.


5. Listed Buildings and Statutory Consents

Advice concerning listed buildings, conservation areas and historic structures may include general observations about conservation principles, appropriate repair methods and potential statutory considerations.
However, Heritage House Advisory does not guarantee that planning permission, listed building consent, building regulations approval or any other statutory authorisation will be granted.
Clients remain responsible for obtaining appropriate professional and statutory advice and securing all necessary permissions before undertaking works.
No recommendation should be interpreted as authorisation to carry out works requiring consent.


6. Repair Recommendations and Restoration Cost Estimates

Any repair recommendations, restoration budgets, itemised cost estimates or financial allowances provided by Heritage House Advisory represent professional opinions based on the information available at the time.
Such estimates are indicative unless expressly stated otherwise.
Actual costs may differ because of concealed defects, contractor pricing, site conditions, access arrangements, materials, specialist labour, statutory requirements, unforeseen discoveries, inflation and other factors.
Cost estimates do not constitute fixed-price quotations or guarantees of the final cost of works.
Clients should obtain appropriate contractor quotations and make reasonable financial provision for unforeseen expenditure before committing to significant repairs or restoration projects.


7. Reports, Advice and Professional Opinions

Reports and advice will reflect the information available, the agreed scope of instruction and the conditions observed at the relevant time.
Professional opinions may change where further evidence, opening-up works, specialist investigations or additional information become available.
Reports should be read in full, including all qualifications, assumptions, recommendations and limitations.
Individual statements, photographs or cost figures should not be taken out of context.
Unless expressly agreed, Heritage House Advisory is not responsible for monitoring subsequent changes to the property or updating reports after their issue.


8. Exclusive Client Use and Third-Party Reliance

All reports, assessments, advice, recommendations, cost estimates and other professional documents prepared by Heritage House Advisory are provided exclusively for the use and benefit of the client who commissions and pays for the relevant services.
No third party may rely upon, reproduce, distribute or use these documents without the prior written consent of Heritage House Advisory.
Heritage House Advisory accepts no duty of care or responsibility to any third party who obtains, receives or relies upon any report, assessment, advice or other information prepared for the commissioning client, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The commissioning client must not represent that any report or assessment has been prepared for the benefit of another person or organisation without prior written agreement.
Nothing in this clause excludes any duty or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.


9. Client Responsibilities

The client is responsible for:
Providing accurate and relevant information concerning the property and the purpose of the instruction.
Disclosing known defects, previous reports and other material information where relevant.
Arranging lawful access to the property and obtaining the necessary permission from owners or occupiers.
Ensuring that reasonably safe access is available for the agreed inspection.
Identifying any known hazards or restrictions affecting the property.
Reviewing the agreed scope of services and raising questions before the appointment.
Heritage House Advisory may restrict, postpone or discontinue an inspection where access or safety conditions are unsuitable.
Any additional attendance or work required as a result may be subject to further charges, where reasonable and agreed.


10. Fees, Deposits and Payment Terms

Fees will be confirmed in writing before an appointment is accepted.
Fees may reflect the nature and complexity of the instruction, property location, travel requirements, inspection time, reporting requirements and any additional specialist work.
Deposits
Where a deposit is required, it must be paid immediately upon receipt of the deposit invoice.
An appointment, inspection date or consultancy instruction is not confirmed until the required deposit has been received.
Any deposit will be credited against the agreed fee unless expressly stated otherwise.
Deposits are subject to the cancellation and statutory consumer rights provisions set out in these Terms & Conditions and are not automatically non-refundable.
Final Invoices
All final invoices are payable in full immediately upon receipt of the invoice, unless alternative payment arrangements have been expressly agreed in writing.
Payment must be made using the payment details stated on the relevant invoice.
Any additional services or expenses must be agreed in advance where practicable.
We reserve the right, where lawful and reasonable, to suspend further work or withhold delivery of work not yet due for release where an undisputed payment is overdue. This does not affect the client's statutory rights.


11. Appointments, Cancellation and Postponement

Clients should notify Heritage House Advisory as soon as reasonably possible if they wish to cancel or postpone an appointment.
Where a client cancels an instruction, any charge will reflect work already undertaken, expenses reasonably and properly incurred, and any other amount lawfully recoverable under the agreement.
We will not automatically retain an entire deposit solely because an appointment has been cancelled.
Where a cancellation occurs at short notice, reasonable charges may apply for time committed, work performed and unavoidable expenses, subject to applicable consumer law.
Where circumstances beyond our reasonable control prevent an appointment from proceeding, we will endeavour to arrange a mutually suitable alternative date.
Any refund due will be calculated fairly in accordance with the services performed, the agreement and applicable law.


12. Consumer Cancellation Rights

Where a client is acting as a consumer and enters into a contract remotely or away from business premises, statutory cancellation rights may apply.
In qualifying circumstances, the client will generally have a right to cancel within 14 days of entering into the service contract without giving a reason.
If the client expressly requests that services begin during the statutory cancellation period, and subsequently exercises a valid cancellation right, the client may be required to pay a proportionate amount for services already supplied, where permitted by law.
Where services have been fully performed during the cancellation period following the client's express request and the legally required acknowledgement, the statutory cancellation right may be lost.
Heritage House Advisory will provide the required cancellation information and, where applicable, obtain the necessary express request and acknowledgement before commencing services within the cancellation period.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions limits or removes statutory consumer cancellation rights.


13. Delivery of Reports and Documents

Any estimated timescale for delivery of reports, assessments or other documents will be communicated to the client.
We will use reasonable care and diligence to complete work within the agreed or indicated timescale.
Delivery dates may be affected by the complexity of the instruction, access to relevant information, further investigations or circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
Where a material delay arises, the client will be informed as soon as reasonably practicable.


14. Professional Responsibility and Liability

Heritage House Advisory will perform its services with reasonable care and skill.
Our responsibility is limited to the services expressly agreed and the professional duties arising from those services.
We are not responsible for defects or conditions that could not reasonably have been identified within the agreed scope and limitations of an inspection.
We do not accept responsibility for decisions made by third parties or for building works carried out by contractors or other professionals who are not acting under our contractual responsibility.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or restricts liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions affects a consumer's statutory rights, including the right to services performed with reasonable care and skill.
Any limitation or exclusion of liability applies only to the extent permitted by law and subject to the requirement that contractual terms be fair and reasonable.


15. No Guarantee of Property Condition or Purchase Outcome

A pre-purchase assessment is intended to help a prospective purchaser understand observed defects, potential repair requirements and indicative restoration expenditure.
It does not provide a warranty that a property is free from defects or that purchasing the property will be financially advantageous.
Heritage House Advisory does not guarantee future property values, resale prospects, mortgage suitability, insurability or the outcome of negotiations.
The decision to purchase, retain, sell or undertake works to a property remains the responsibility of the client.


16. Technical Disputes and Third-Party Contractors

Where Heritage House Advisory is instructed to review building defects, previous repairs, contractor workmanship or technical disputes, any findings will represent an independent professional opinion based on the evidence available.
Such advice does not constitute legal advice or guarantee the outcome of negotiations, complaints, insurance claims or legal proceedings.
Clients should obtain advice from a suitably qualified solicitor where legal rights, contractual disputes or litigation are involved.
Unless expressly agreed, our services do not include acting as an expert witness or preparing reports compliant with court-specific expert evidence requirements.


17. Photographs, Records and Confidentiality

Photographs, notes, measurements and other records may be taken or prepared as reasonably necessary to perform the agreed services.
Information provided by clients will be treated with appropriate confidentiality, subject to lawful disclosure requirements.
Heritage House Advisory may retain relevant professional records for legitimate business, legal, insurance and regulatory purposes.
Any use of identifiable project photographs or client information for marketing, website case studies or promotional materials will be subject to appropriate permission or another lawful basis.
Personal information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable UK data protection law.


18. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, copyright and intellectual property rights in reports, photographs, written advice, technical documents and other original materials prepared by Heritage House Advisory remain with Heritage House Advisory.
Once the relevant fees have been paid, the commissioning client is granted a non-exclusive licence to use the documents for the purpose for which they were prepared.
This licence does not permit unauthorised commercial reproduction, publication, resale or reliance by third parties.
Nothing in this clause prevents a client from exercising any rights that cannot lawfully be restricted.


19. Complaints and Concerns

We aim to provide a professional, transparent and responsive service.
If a client has a concern about our services, they should contact Heritage House Advisory promptly, explaining the nature of the issue and providing relevant supporting information.
We will consider complaints fairly and seek to resolve them within a reasonable period.
Clients may contact us at:
enquiries@heritagehouseadvisory.co.uk
Nothing in this complaints procedure prevents clients from exercising their legal or statutory rights.


20. Events Beyond Our Reasonable Control

Heritage House Advisory will not be responsible for delays or failures caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including severe weather, illness, transport disruption, unsafe site conditions or other exceptional events.
We will notify affected clients where reasonably practicable and seek an appropriate solution.
This clause does not remove any statutory entitlement to cancellation, refund or other remedy.


21. Changes to These Terms

Heritage House Advisory may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time.
The version applicable to a particular instruction will ordinarily be the version provided to or agreed with the client when the contract was entered into, together with any subsequent changes mutually agreed in writing.
Changes published on the website will not automatically alter existing contractual arrangements.


22. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the law applicable to the relevant contract.
Where services are provided to consumers in England, Wales or Scotland, nothing in these Terms & Conditions removes mandatory legal protections or rights concerning where proceedings may be brought.


23. Contact Details

Heritage House Advisory
Independent Heritage Property Consultancy
Heritage House Advisory is operated by Paul Woodford as a sole trader.
Business correspondence address:
8 Wingbury Courtyard
Leighton Road
Wingrave
HP22 4LW
Email: enquiries@heritagehouseadvisory.co.uk
Website: www.heritagehouseadvisory.co.uk

Professional Disclaimer

Heritage House Advisory provides independent professional advice based on experience, specialist knowledge, visual observations and information reasonably available at the time of inspection.

Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, all property inspections and assessments are visual and non-invasive. No destructive investigations, removal of finishes, opening-up works or exposure of concealed building elements will be undertaken.

Historic and traditionally constructed buildings may contain hidden defects that cannot reasonably be identified through visual inspection alone. These may include, but are not limited to, concealed timber decay, fungal deterioration, damp penetration, structural defects, defective masonry, hidden roof or floor deterioration and defects concealed behind plaster, render, panelling, cladding, floor coverings or other building materials.

Where building elements are concealed or inaccessible, any comments regarding their condition are professional opinions or reasonable assumptions based on visible evidence, experience and the information available. Their actual condition cannot be confirmed without appropriate further investigation or opening-up works.

Heritage House Advisory cannot guarantee that concealed or inaccessible areas are free from defects, nor that every existing or developing defect will be identified during an inspection. Where appropriate, further investigation by suitably qualified specialists may be recommended.

All reports, assessments, recommendations and professional opinions are prepared exclusively for the client who commissions and pays for the services. No responsibility or duty of care is accepted to third parties who receive or rely upon such information without prior written agreement, to the extent permitted by law.

Nothing in this disclaimer excludes or restricts liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, or affects the client's statutory consumer rights, including the right to services performed with reasonable care and skill.