Subcontractor Agreement

1. Parties

This Agreement is between UK Gas Plumbers Ltd ("the Platform") and the independent subcontractor ("the Subcontractor") who registers to provide services through the Platform.

2. Relationship of the Parties

The Subcontractor is an independent contractor and is not an employee, worker, agent, or partner of UK Gas Plumbers. Nothing in this Agreement creates an employment relationship, joint venture, or partnership between the parties.

The Subcontractor is responsible for their own tax affairs, National Insurance contributions, and compliance with HMRC requirements including IR35 where applicable.

The Subcontractor shall not hold themselves out as an employee or representative of UK Gas Plumbers under any circumstances.

3. Platform Services

UK Gas Plumbers provides a technology platform that facilitates introductions between customers seeking trade services and independent subcontractors. The Platform does not direct, supervise, or control the manner in which the Subcontractor performs work.

4. Obligations of the Subcontractor

The Subcontractor agrees to:

• Maintain all required certifications, licences, and registrations for the services they provide, including Gas Safe registration where applicable.
• Hold valid and adequate insurance including public liability insurance (minimum £2,000,000) and professional indemnity insurance where applicable.
• Provide evidence of certifications and insurance upon request and promptly notify the Platform of any expiry, suspension, or revocation.
• Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, including the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, Building Regulations, and Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• Perform all work to a professional standard and in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and applicable codes of practice.
• Communicate with customers solely through the Platform's messaging system for the first 12 months following introduction.
• Not solicit customers introduced through the Platform for off-platform work within 12 months of the introduction.

5. Commission and Payment

The Subcontractor agrees to pay a commission to UK Gas Plumbers on all work completed through the Platform. The current commission rate is displayed in the Subcontractor's account dashboard and may be updated from time to time with reasonable notice.

Commission is calculated on the total value of services invoiced to the customer, including materials where supplied by the Subcontractor.

Payments will be processed through Stripe Connect. The Subcontractor must complete Stripe identity verification and onboarding to receive payments.

UK Gas Plumbers reserves the right to withhold or delay payments where a dispute, complaint, or investigation is ongoing.

6. Non-Circumvention

The Subcontractor agrees not to bypass the Platform to avoid applicable fees or commissions. Where a customer and Subcontractor are introduced through the Platform, all services requested within 12 months of the initial introduction must be arranged through UK Gas Plumbers.

UK Gas Plumbers reserves the right to charge the applicable commission if it is determined that the Platform has been circumvented, and may suspend or terminate the Subcontractor's account.

7. Chargeback and Payment Disputes

Where a customer initiates a chargeback or payment reversal for services the Subcontractor has been paid for, UK Gas Plumbers reserves the right to recover the disputed amount from the Subcontractor.

The Subcontractor agrees to cooperate fully with any investigation relating to payment disputes or chargebacks and to provide evidence of work completed.

8. Insurance Requirements

The Subcontractor must maintain at all times:

• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of £2,000,000.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Where applicable to the services provided.
• Employers' Liability Insurance: Where the Subcontractor employs staff, minimum cover of £5,000,000 as required by law.
• Any other insurance required by applicable laws, regulations, or industry standards.

Failure to maintain adequate insurance may result in immediate suspension from the Platform.

9. Conduct and Standards

The Subcontractor agrees to:

• Behave professionally and courteously when interacting with customers.
• Arrive at scheduled appointments on time or provide reasonable notice of delays.
• Not share personal contact information (phone numbers, email addresses, social media) with customers outside the Platform during the non-circumvention period.
• Not engage in discriminatory, abusive, or threatening behaviour.
• Not attend customer premises under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

10. Liability and Indemnity

The Subcontractor shall indemnify and hold harmless UK Gas Plumbers, its directors, officers, and employees from any claims, losses, damages, or expenses arising from:

• The Subcontractor's performance or non-performance of services.
• Breach of this Agreement.
• Negligence or wilful misconduct.
• Any claim from a customer relating to the quality of work, property damage, or personal injury.
• Failure to maintain required certifications or insurance.

UK Gas Plumbers' total liability to the Subcontractor under this Agreement shall not exceed the total commission paid by the Subcontractor in the 12 months preceding the claim.

11. Suspension and Termination

UK Gas Plumbers may suspend or terminate a Subcontractor's account at any time where:

• The Subcontractor breaches this Agreement.
• Insurance or certifications expire and are not renewed within 7 days.
• Customer complaints or poor reviews indicate a pattern of unsatisfactory work.
• Fraudulent or dishonest activity is suspected.
• The Subcontractor attempts to circumvent the Platform.
• The Subcontractor's conduct brings the Platform into disrepute.

Either party may terminate this Agreement with 30 days' written notice, provided all outstanding obligations (including payment of commission) are fulfilled.

12. No Guarantee of Work

UK Gas Plumbers does not guarantee any minimum volume of work, leads, or income for the Subcontractor. The number of job opportunities depends on customer demand, location, and the Subcontractor's qualifications and ratings.

13. Data Protection

The Subcontractor agrees to handle any customer data received through the Platform in compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Customer data must only be used for the purpose of delivering the agreed services and must not be retained longer than necessary.

For full details, see our Privacy Policy.

14. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes between the Subcontractor and UK Gas Plumbers will be resolved through the Platform's internal dispute process in the first instance. If a resolution cannot be reached, disputes shall be referred to mediation before any legal proceedings are commenced. This Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

15. Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for any failure or delay in performance caused by circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, government actions, or infrastructure failures.

16. Entire Agreement

This Agreement, together with the Platform's Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Payment Terms, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties. No variation of this Agreement shall be effective unless made in writing by UK Gas Plumbers.