Terms and Conditions
Southern Screed Ltd Terms and Conditions
1. Definitions
1.1 In these Terms and Conditions, unless the context otherwise requires:
“Supplier” means Southern Screed Ltd, including its employees, agents and authorised subcontractors.
“Purchaser” means the individual, company, partnership or organisation placing an order with the Supplier.
“Materials” means all screed products, ancillary materials, additives and other materials supplied in
connection with the Works.
“Works” means the supply, delivery, pumping and/or installation of Materials and any associated labour,
plant, equipment, transport or services provided by the Supplier.
“Contract” means the agreement between the Supplier and the Purchaser comprising the Quotation, these
Terms and Conditions and any written variations agreed by the parties.
“Quotation” means any written estimate, proposal or quotation issued by the Supplier.
“Site” means the location at which the Works are to be carried out.
2. General
2.1 These Terms and Conditions apply to all Quotations, orders and Contracts entered into with the Supplier
and take precedence over any terms submitted by the Purchaser unless expressly agreed in writing.
2.2 By accepting a Quotation, paying a deposit, issuing a purchase order, confirming a booking, accepting
the Materials or permitting the Supplier to commence the Works, the Purchaser confirms acceptance of
these Terms and Conditions.
2.3 No variation to the Contract shall be binding unless agreed in writing by the Supplier.
3. Quotations, Prices & Quantities
3.1 All Quotations are priced individually on a project-by-project basis and are specific to the Site and Works
detailed within the Quotation. Prices quoted for one project shall not apply to any other project or Site.
3.2 Quotations are valid for 30 days unless otherwise stated and are based upon the measurements, screed
depths, drawings, specifications, access details and other information supplied by the Purchaser.
3.3 A Quotation does not constitute a binding offer and may be withdrawn by the Supplier at any time before
the Supplier has accepted the Purchaser’s order.
3.4 Prices quoted are not fixed. The price payable shall be based on the Supplier’s prices and costs
applicable at the time the Materials are supplied and the Works are carried out.
3.5 The Supplier reserves the right to revise its prices to reflect any change in the cost of Materials,
quantities, transport, fuel, labour, plant, machinery, supplier charges or any other cost reasonably incurred in performing the Contract. Where such changes materially affect the cost of carrying out the Works, the
Supplier may revise the price or cancel the Contract where reasonably necessary.
3.6 Unless otherwise stated, all prices are exclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT), which shall be charged at the
applicable rate.
3.7 The Purchaser is responsible for ensuring that all measurements, screed depths, drawings,
specifications and other information supplied to the Supplier are accurate. Where quantities, measurements,
depths, access requirements or Site conditions differ from those upon which the Quotation was based, the
Supplier may revise the price accordingly.
3.8 Site visits, if required, will generally only be undertaken once a Quotation has been accepted in principle.
Any measurements, Site conditions or other information identified during a Site visit may result in the
Quotation being revised before the Works commence.
3.9 Quoted quantities are estimates only. Where volumetric mixing is used, the Purchaser will be charged for
the quantity of Materials actually supplied. Any additional Materials required due to inaccurate
measurements, changed requirements or Site conditions will be charged at the Supplier’s applicable rate.
4. Bookings, Changes & Cancellation
4.1 No booking or Contract is confirmed until accepted by the Supplier.
4.2 Changes or additional Works requested after booking may affect the price, quantities and installation
date and will be charged accordingly.
4.3 Any cancellation or postponement must be made in writing.
4.4 Where the Purchaser cancels or postpones the Works within 48 hours of the agreed installation date, any
payments already received shall not be refundable and the Purchaser shall also be responsible for all
reasonable costs, charges and losses incurred or committed to by the Supplier in connection with the Works.
4.5 Where the Contract is cancelled or suspended as a result of a breach by the Purchaser, the Purchaser
shall be responsible for all reasonable losses, costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Supplier arising
from the Contract and its cancellation or suspension, where legally recoverable.
5. Payment
5.1 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, a 50% deposit is payable no later than 72 hours before installation.
The remaining balance is payable immediately upon receipt of the invoice on the day of completion of the
Works, without delay.
5.2 For larger projects, phased Works or projects requiring multiple deliveries, different payment terms
and/or deposit requirements may apply. The Purchaser will be notified of these terms before the Works
commence.
5.3 The Purchaser shall not make any deduction, retention, discount, set-off or counterclaim against sums
due to the Supplier, whether arising under the Contract or otherwise, except where the Purchaser has a legal
right to do so.
5.4 The Supplier reserves the right to require payment in cleared funds and/or reasonable security for
payment before supplying Materials or commencing or continuing the Works, where the Supplier reasonably
considers this necessary because of the Purchaser’s payment history or financial circumstances.
5.5 If the Purchaser breaches the Contract, fails to make payment when due, or the Supplier reasonably
considers that the Purchaser may be unable to meet its payment obligations, the Supplier may, where legally
permitted, suspend or cancel further Works or deliveries until satisfactory payment or security has been
provided.
5.6 Where payment is overdue, the Supplier may recover interest and reasonable debt recovery, legal and
enforcement costs where legally permitted.
5.7 Failure to make payment when due may result in debt recovery and/or legal proceedings being
commenced against the Purchaser to recover the outstanding amount together with any interest and costs
recoverable by law.
6. Site Preparation & Purchaser Responsibilities
6.1 Unless expressly included within the Quotation, all Site and floor preparation is the Purchaser’s
responsibility.
6.2 Before the Supplier arrives, the Purchaser shall ensure that:
● the Site is safe, clear and ready for installation;
● suitable access is available for vehicles, equipment and operatives;
● insulation and DPM are correctly installed, stable, sealed and securely taped;
● suitable perimeter edging strips are correctly installed;
● all penetrations, holes and voids are adequately sealed;
● all loose material, contamination and debris are removed;
● foil or metal-backed tape is not used where it may affect the screed installation;
● underfloor heating is correctly installed and securely fixed;
● a clear datum/finished floor level is provided and verified;
● a suitable running water supply is available; and
● a suitable washout facility is provided, comprising a lined skip, watertight container of at least 600
litres, or another arrangement agreed by the Supplier.
6.3 Where screed is to be bonded directly to an existing concrete, cementitious or screed substrate, the
Purchaser shall ensure the existing surface is properly prepared, clean and sound and is primed with 2–3
coats of SBR prior to the Supplier’s arrival, allowing sufficient drying time between coats and before the
Works commence. Any holes, voids, loose material or contamination must be rectified beforehand.
6.4 The Purchaser is responsible for arranging and paying for any necessary permits, parking suspensions,
access permissions or traffic management. Where any parking charge, penalty, fine or other ticket is incurred
by the Supplier in connection with access to or attendance at the Site due to the Purchaser’s failure to make
the necessary arrangements, the cost will be passed on to the Purchaser for payment.
6.5 The Supplier may refuse to commence or continue the Works where the Site is unsafe, unsuitable or
inadequately prepared.
7. Delays, Waiting Time & Aborted Visits
7.1 The Purchaser shall ensure that the Site is fully prepared and immediately available for the Works upon
the Supplier’s arrival.
7.2 Where the Supplier is delayed at the Site for reasons outside its reasonable control, waiting time will be
charged at £65.00 plus VAT per hour, calculated from the Supplier’s arrival on Site until the Works are able to
proceed or are completed, as applicable.
7.3 Where the Works cannot commence, continue or be completed on the agreed date through no fault of
the Supplier, including where preparation works have not been correctly completed by the Purchaser or
others, the Purchaser shall be responsible for all reasonable costs, charges and losses incurred by the
Supplier as a result.
7.4 Such costs may include waiting time, labour, transport, pumping costs, additional travel, wasted
Materials, disposal charges and aborted visit charges.
7.5 Where Materials have been mixed, produced or dispatched but cannot be discharged or used for
reasons outside the Supplier’s reasonable control, the Purchaser shall be responsible for the cost of those
Materials together with all associated disposal or dumping charges.
7.6 Where pumping is stopped or interrupted at the Purchaser’s request after Materials have been mixed, the
Purchaser shall be responsible for the cost and disposal of any unused Materials together with any additional
costs incurred by the Supplier.
7.7 Where an aborted visit requires the Works to be rearranged, any subsequent attendance shall be subject
to the Supplier’s availability and may incur additional charges.
8. Site Access
8.1 The Purchaser shall provide safe and suitable access for the Supplier’s vehicles, equipment and
operatives.
8.2 Where vehicle access is directed or approved by the Purchaser, the Supplier shall not be responsible for
damage to driveways, paving, kerbs, landscaping or underground services unless caused by the Supplier’s
negligence.
8.3 Additional access, labour or pumping requirements not identified when quoted may incur additional
charges.
9. Building Conditions
9.1 The building must be weather-tight before screed installation, with all external openings suitably
protected against wind, rain and excessive moisture.
9.2 Where direct sunlight may affect freshly installed screed, suitable protection must be provided to
windows and glazed doors during the curing period.
9.3 The Supplier shall not be responsible for cracking, curling, drying problems or other defects caused by
unsuitable environmental conditions or failure to adequately protect the screed during curing and drying.
10. Underfloor Heating
10.1 Underfloor heating must be installed and securely fixed by others before the Supplier’s arrival unless
otherwise agreed.
10.2 The system shall be pressure tested, filled and maintained under pressure during installation where
required by the system manufacturer.
10.3 The Supplier shall not be responsible for movement, floating or damage resulting from inadequately
secured or incorrectly installed heating systems.
10.4 Underfloor heating must not be turned on for at least 7 days following installation of the screed. After
this period, the system must be introduced gradually and operated in accordance with the screed
manufacturer’s applicable guidance.
11. Installation & Surface Regularity
11.1 The Supplier shall carry out the Works using reasonable skill and care and in accordance with
applicable manufacturer guidance and relevant standards.
11.2 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, screed shall be installed to Surface Regularity SR2, permitting a
maximum deviation of 5mm beneath a 2-metre straightedge.
11.3 Minor undulations within this tolerance shall not constitute a defect. Screed is intended to provide a
subfloor for subsequent floor finishes and is not a decorative finished floor.
11.4 Any requirement for a different surface regularity must be agreed in writing before installation.
12. Screed Products
12.1 Cemfloor is a cement-based liquid screed and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s
current recommendations.
12.2 Traditional sand and cement screeds shall be installed to the agreed specification. Drying times vary
according to thickness and Site conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
12.3 Installation methods may be altered where reasonably necessary to comply with current manufacturer
guidance or applicable industry standards.
13. Drying, Curing & Aftercare
13.1 Published drying and curing times are estimates only. Actual drying times depend upon screed depth,
temperature, humidity, ventilation, weather, Site conditions and underfloor heating.
13.2 The Supplier will issue relevant aftercare guidance in writing following installation where applicable. The
Purchaser shall ensure that the guidance is followed and that suitable curing and drying conditions are
maintained.
13.3 The Purchaser is responsible for ensuring that any person subsequently working on or covering the
screed, including flooring installers, fitters or tilers, is made aware of and follows the applicable aftercare and
preparation requirements.
13.4 The Supplier shall not be responsible for defects, damage or extended drying periods caused by
unsuitable Site conditions, premature loading or trafficking, incorrect aftercare or circumstances outside its
reasonable control.
14. Flooring Preparation & Moisture Testing
14.1 The Supplier’s responsibility is the supply and/or installation of the screed. Preparation for subsequent
floor coverings is the responsibility of the Purchaser and/or their appointed flooring contractor.
14.2 The Purchaser and/or flooring contractor is responsible for confirming that the screed is sufficiently dry
before applying any primer, adhesive, levelling compound or floor covering and must carry out appropriate
moisture testing.
14.3 Cemfloor is a laitance-free product. However, the Supplier recommends that all screeds are lightly
mechanically sanded or abraded by the flooring contractor prior to the installation of any floor covering to
provide a suitable key to the surface, together with any additional preparation required by the flooring, primer
or adhesive manufacturer.
14.4 Any sanding or abrasion forms part of the flooring contractor’s preparation works and shall not
constitute rectification of the Supplier’s installation.
14.5 The Purchaser and/or flooring contractor is responsible for:
● moisture testing;
● sanding or mechanical abrasion where required;
● priming;
● assessing whether a levelling compound or any additional surface preparation is required for the
intended floor covering and carrying out such works where necessary;
● ensuring any levelling compound selected is suitable and compatible with the screed and intended
floor covering;
● adhesive selection;
● compatibility checks; and
● all other preparation required for the chosen floor finish.
The flooring contractor is responsible for determining whether the surface is suitable for the intended floor
covering and whether a levelling compound or other preparation is required, taking into account the
requirements and tolerances of the particular flooring system being installed.
14.6 All products applied to the screed must be suitable for the installed screed and used in accordance with
the relevant manufacturer’s instructions.
14.7 The Supplier shall not be responsible for failures of floor coverings, primers, adhesives, levelling
compounds or associated products caused by inadequate drying, incorrect preparation, incompatible
products, incorrect installation, failure to carry out any necessary levelling or surface preparation, or failure to
follow relevant manufacturer guidance.
15. Defects & Third-Party Works
15.1 Any concern regarding the Works must be reported to the Supplier as soon as reasonably practicable.
The Supplier must be given a reasonable opportunity to inspect the screed before any remedial or
subsequent works are undertaken, where reasonably possible.
15.2 The Supplier shall not be responsible for defects or failures resulting from:
● inadequate or incorrect Site preparation;
● inaccurate information provided by the Purchaser;
● unsuitable curing or environmental conditions;
● failure to follow aftercare or manufacturer guidance;
● underfloor heating being turned on within the first 7 days following installation of the screed, or
otherwise being operated contrary to the Supplier’s or screed manufacturer’s guidance;
● premature trafficking or loading;
● Works undertaken or alterations made by third parties following installation; or
● incorrect preparation or installation of subsequent floor finishes.
15.3 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions affects statutory rights which cannot lawfully be excluded.
16. Liability
16.1 The Supplier shall exercise reasonable skill and care in carrying out the Works.
16.2 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits liability where it would be unlawful to do so,
including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence or for fraud.
16.3 Subject to Clause 16.2, the Supplier shall not be responsible for loss or damage resulting from
circumstances outside its reasonable control or from the acts, omissions or works of the Purchaser or any
third party.
16.4 Where legally permitted, the Supplier shall not be liable for indirect or consequential loss.
17. Events Outside the Supplier’s Control
17.1 The Supplier shall not be liable for delay or failure to perform the Works caused by circumstances
beyond its reasonable control, including adverse weather, traffic disruption, mechanical breakdown,
accidents, shortages of labour or Materials, supplier delays, utility failures or government restrictions.
17.2 Where such circumstances occur, the Supplier may postpone the Works and rearrange them for the
earliest reasonably available date.
18. General Legal Provisions
18.1 If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining
provisions shall continue in full force.
18.2 Failure or delay by the Supplier in exercising any right shall not constitute a waiver of that right.
18.3 These Terms and Conditions and the Contract shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales and
any dispute shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, subject to any mandatory
rights applicable to consumers.
19. Retention of Title
19.1 Title to any Materials supplied by the Supplier shall remain with Southern Screed Ltd until payment in
full has been received for those Materials and all sums due under the Contract.
19.2 Until title passes, the Purchaser shall not sell, dispose of or otherwise deal with any Materials remaining
identifiable and capable of recovery, except with the Supplier’s written consent.
19.3 Where legally permissible, the Supplier may require unpaid Materials that remain separately identifiable
and recoverable to be returned at the Purchaser’s cost.
19.4 Nothing in this clause gives the Purchaser any right to return Materials or delay or refuse payment.
Acceptance of Terms
The Purchaser acknowledges that they have read, understood and accepted these Terms and Conditions.
Acceptance of the Supplier’s Quotation, payment of any deposit, issue of a purchase order, confirmation of a
booking, acceptance of Materials or instruction for the Supplier to commence the Works shall constitute
acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
Southern Screed Ltd
Company Registration Number: 10279512
VAT Registration Number: 251498002
Terms last updated 2026