Terms of Service

1. Platform Role

UK Gas Plumbers provides a technology platform and introduction service only. Subcontractors operate as independent businesses. No employment, partnership, or agency relationship exists between UK Gas Plumbers and any subcontractor or customer using the platform.

2. Independent Contractor Agreement

• Subcontractors are self-employed and responsible for their own taxes (including VAT and self-assessment), insurance, and regulatory compliance.
• Subcontractors must supply their own tools and materials unless otherwise agreed with the customer.
• Subcontractors set or agree to their own pricing through the platform's quoting system.

3. No Workmanship Liability

UK Gas Plumbers does not guarantee, warrant, or accept liability for the quality, safety, or completion of any work carried out by subcontractors. Any dispute regarding workmanship must be resolved directly between the customer and the contractor. UK Gas Plumbers acts only as a booking facilitator.

4. No Guarantee of Contractor Suitability

UK Gas Plumbers does not guarantee the suitability, qualifications, experience, competence, or reliability of any subcontractor using the platform. Customers are solely responsible for confirming that a subcontractor is appropriate, qualified, and licensed for the required work before any services commence.

The inclusion of a subcontractor on the platform does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or warranty of fitness for any particular purpose.

5. Contractor Credential Disclaimer

Subcontractors may provide credentials including Gas Safe registration, insurance certificates, NICEIC/NAPIT accreditation, trade qualifications, and other professional documentation. UK Gas Plumbers may review or verify such documents where possible (including AI-assisted checks), but does not warrant the authenticity, accuracy, validity, or ongoing currency of any credentials, licences, or insurance policies provided by subcontractors.

Customers should independently verify any credentials before allowing work to commence. Full subcontractor information and insurance policies are available on request for legal purposes.

6. Customer Responsibility

• Customers must confirm subcontractor suitability for the work required.
• Customers must confirm licensing and qualifications on site before work commences.
• Customers must agree price and work scope with the contractor directly.
• Customers must ensure property access and safety for any visiting contractor.

7. Platform Usage Rules

Users must not:

• Use the portal for illegal activity.
• Misrepresent property details, job requirements, or personal information.
• Harass contractors, customers, or platform staff.
• Attempt payment fraud or circumvent platform payment systems.
• Share contact details to bypass the platform prior to job award.

Violation may result in immediate account suspension or permanent termination.

8. Payment Handling Terms

UK Gas Plumbers processes payments through the platform via Stripe. By using the platform you agree to:

• The applicable service fee or commission deducted from contractor earnings.
• Payment processing by our third-party payment provider (Stripe).
• Refund conditions as determined on a case-by-case basis, subject to our dispute resolution process.
• Deposit terms as agreed between customer and contractor through the platform.

9. Limitation of Liability

The platform is provided "as is". UK Gas Plumbers shall not be liable for:

• Property damage caused by subcontractors.
• Contractor negligence, delay, or failure to complete work.
• Loss of income, revenue, or anticipated savings.
• Indirect or consequential losses of any kind.

Liability cap: To the fullest extent permitted by law, the total aggregate liability of UK Gas Plumbers in connection with any claim arising from or related to the platform shall not exceed the amount actually paid by the claimant through the platform in connection with the relevant service or transaction giving rise to the claim.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

10. Indemnity

Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless UK Gas Plumbers, its directors, employees, and agents from any claims, losses, damages, or expenses arising from: subcontractor work, misuse of the platform, breach of these terms, or regulatory violations by the user.

11. Contractor Insurance Requirement

• Public Liability Insurance: minimum £1,000,000 coverage (£5,000,000 recommended).
• Professional Indemnity Insurance where applicable.
• Valid Gas Safe registration for all gas-related work.
• Any other insurance required by applicable laws or regulations.
• Insurance and certifications must remain current throughout platform membership.

Subcontractors must provide evidence of insurance upon request. UK Gas Plumbers does not provide insurance coverage for subcontractors and accepts no responsibility for claims arising from subcontractor services. Failure to maintain required insurance may result in immediate suspension from the platform.

12. Gas Safety Compliance

All gas work must be carried out by engineers registered with the Gas Safe Register. Contractors are solely responsible for compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and all other applicable gas safety legislation. Failure to hold a valid Gas Safe registration while performing gas work will result in immediate suspension and may be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

13. Non-Circumvention (Commission Protection)

Customers and subcontractors introduced through the UK Gas Plumbers platform agree not to bypass the platform in order to avoid any applicable service fees or commissions.

Where a customer and subcontractor are introduced through the platform, they agree that any services requested within a period of 12 months following the initial introduction must be arranged through the UK Gas Plumbers platform.

14. Commission Recovery

Where services are arranged outside the platform following an introduction made through the UK Gas Plumbers portal, UK Gas Plumbers reserves the right to charge the applicable service fee or commission that would have been payable had the booking been made through the platform.

UK Gas Plumbers may invoice either the customer or the subcontractor (or both) for the outstanding commission. Failure to pay within 14 days may result in the debt being referred to a third-party collection agency, with all associated recovery costs payable by the debtor.

15. Payment Dispute & Chargeback Protection

Where a customer initiates a chargeback, payment dispute, or reversal through their payment provider in relation to services booked through the UK Gas Plumbers platform, UK Gas Plumbers reserves the right to:

• Recover the disputed amount from the subcontractor where payment has already been released.
• Withhold or delay future payments to offset any amounts owed.
• Suspend or terminate the accounts of users involved in repeated or fraudulent disputes.

Subcontractors and customers agree to cooperate fully with any investigation relating to payment disputes or chargebacks. Full chargeback and debt recovery terms are set out in our Payment Terms.

16. Escrow & Payment Holding

Where payments are made through the UK Gas Plumbers platform, funds may be held temporarily by the platform until the scheduled service has been completed or confirmed.

UK Gas Plumbers reserves the right to delay or withhold payment to subcontractors where:

• A dispute has been raised by the customer.
• A complaint regarding workmanship or conduct is under investigation.
• Fraudulent activity is suspected.

Payment release schedules may vary depending on the nature of the work and the platform's internal payment procedures.

17. Fraud, Misuse & Account Suspension

UK Gas Plumbers reserves the right to immediately suspend, restrict, or permanently terminate any user account where:

• Fraud or suspected fraud is identified.
• False, misleading, or fabricated information has been provided.
• Safety concerns or unsafe working practices are reported.
• Fake, expired, or fraudulent qualifications or documentation are submitted.
• Repeated complaints or poor conduct are recorded.
• The platform is used for any unlawful purpose.
• Any provision of these terms is breached.

UK Gas Plumbers is not required to provide prior notice before suspending an account where there is reasonable suspicion of fraud, safety risk, or serious misconduct.

18. Platform Availability Disclaimer

UK Gas Plumbers does not guarantee uninterrupted, continuous, or error-free access to the website, booking platform, or any associated services. The platform may be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance, updates, technical failures, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

UK Gas Plumbers shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or inconvenience arising from the unavailability of, or inability to access, the platform at any time.

19. Ratings & Reviews Disclaimer

Reviews and ratings displayed on the platform reflect the personal opinions of individual users only. They do not represent the views, opinions, or endorsement of UK Gas Plumbers. UK Gas Plumbers does not verify or endorse any review content and accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of reviews.

UK Gas Plumbers reserves the right to remove or moderate reviews that breach platform guidelines or contain defamatory, abusive, or inappropriate content.

20. Dispute Resolution

UK Gas Plumbers is not responsible for disputes but may assist at its discretion:

1. Customer contacts the contractor directly to resolve the issue.
2. If unresolved, either party may request optional mediation via the platform's dispute process.
3. Any legal dispute is to be handled directly between the parties through the courts of England and Wales.

Full dispute handling procedures are set out in our Dispute Handling Policy.

21. Intellectual Property

All website design, software, logos, branding, and content are owned by UK Gas Plumbers or its licensors. Users may not copy, reproduce, reverse-engineer, or commercially exploit any platform features, content, or intellectual property without prior written consent.

22. Data Protection

UK Gas Plumbers complies with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Personal data is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy. By using the platform, you consent to the collection and use of data as described in our Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy.

23. Force Majeure

UK Gas Plumbers shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing obligations due to events beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to: severe weather, strikes, internet or telecommunications outages, pandemics, government action, or other emergencies.

24. Identity Verification

Contractors may be required to provide photographic identification and professional credentials as part of the platform's verification process. UK Gas Plumbers reserves the right to refuse or terminate registration where identification cannot be satisfactorily verified.

25. No Guarantee of Work

Registration on the UK Gas Plumbers platform does not guarantee that a subcontractor will receive job introductions, quotation requests, or any volume of work. Job availability depends on customer demand, location, and other factors outside the control of UK Gas Plumbers.

26. Health & Safety Compliance

For gas work, all contractors must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, Building Regulations, and all applicable Health & Safety legislation. UK Gas Plumbers may require evidence of compliance at any time.

27. Website Disclaimer

Information provided on the UK Gas Plumbers website is for general informational purposes only. While we endeavour to keep information up to date, we make no representations or warranties of any kind about the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of any information on the site.

28. Platform Disclaimer

UK Gas Plumbers provides an online platform that facilitates introductions and bookings between customers and independent subcontractors. UK Gas Plumbers does not employ subcontractors and does not directly provide plumbing, heating, or gas services. All services are performed by independent subcontractors who operate their own businesses.

UK Gas Plumbers accepts no responsibility or liability for:

• The quality of work carried out by subcontractors.
• Property damage.
• Delays or cancellations.
• Disputes between customers and subcontractors.

Any agreement for services is made directly between the customer and the subcontractor performing the work.

29. Cancellation Policy

Full cancellation terms are set out in our Cancellation Policy.

30. Changes to Terms

UK Gas Plumbers reserves the right to update these terms at any time. Changes will be published on the platform. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised terms. Users will be prompted to re-accept terms when material changes are made.

31. Governing Law

These terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.