[Paul Coleman]

I imagine that most people aren't aware of this but there is a particular regulation that applies to jobs of £35 or more.  It applies even if the customer contacts you.

Jobs of £35 or more are subject, by law, to a 7 day cooling off period.  This means that if you quote £35 or more for a job and do the job within 7 days of striking the deal, the customer can legally refuse to pay just by saying that they have changed their mind and didn't want it done after all.  This has applied since 1/10/2008.
Also, this info has to be supplied in writing even if the job has no written contract.

See:

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1073792607&furlname=doorstepselling&furlparam=doorstepselling&ref=&domain=www.businesslink.gov.uk

If the link isa too long to click, just paste it into the browser's address bar.

I do realise that this will not apply to most domestic window cleaning jobs but there are plenty of jobs of more than £35 - especially if more than just window cleaning is required.

[The Jester of Wibbly]

I dont think this includes services that have already been done, and may only apply if they order your services and cancel before they are done.  This also applies to products sold at the door where the customer has the right to return the product providing it is retuned in the same state as it was supplied.  Do dont think this will affect window cleaners.  The only way they can get money back on services we have already done is if they were done to an unsatisfactory standard, and even then the WC has the right to put the problem right before he offers a refund.

I need a new wall building at the base off my garden.  Think I am on a winner now as someone knocked my door and offered to do it.  Will get him to the the hard work and then I will tell him I changed my mind hmmm

[prestige cleaners]

come on  paul its obvious it doesnt mean they can refuse to pay you, why waste your/our time adding this ?

[daz1977]

speaking of stupid law,  if you run a business from home and have vehicles there that cause a nuisence, or add traffic pollution or noise to your road, the council can make you apply for planning permission to change the use of your building from a home to a business premises,

[Moderator David@stives]

I think what Paul posted is very informative, in 12 years of window cleaning, It is something i had never thought of.

[daz1977]

sorry perfect, i didnt mean any offence in calling it a stupid law

[prestige cleaners]

your going to add that to your quote form?

all the best mate.

[prestige cleaners]

"Where the consumer cancels a specified contract in accordance with regulation 8 he shall be under a duty to pay in accordance with the reasonable requirements of the cancelled contract for goods or services that were supplied before the cancellation"

so there you have it they have to pay for work done before they cancel your contract.

[Paul Coleman]

come on  paul its obvious it doesnt mean they can refuse to pay you, why waste your/our time adding this ?

Just read it.
If you want to ignore it that's fine.
I admit it's unlikely to happen though.
If you think my posts are a waste of time then just don't read them.  Simple really.  No wonder I kept away from this forum for a while.  I won't write what I really think as it would be a banning offence.

[AuRavelling79]

come on  paul its obvious it doesnt mean they can refuse to pay you, why waste your/our time adding this ?

Just read it.
If you want to ignore it that's fine.
I admit it's unlikely to happen though.
If you think my posts are a waste of time then just don't read them.  Simple really.  No wonder I kept away from this forum for a while.  I won't write what I really think as it would be a banning offence.

I think it was well worth your putting up this thread Paul, (perhaps for con and gutter cleans?) and Dave Morris, our wonderful moderator seems to agree so it must be true.  In practice, for me it is unlikely that I will change my way of working but sometimes you get a "feeling" about someone who wants work done and knowing this might be a protection.

[Harry Boldwick]

Some people don't seem to know what they are talking about.  The law is a grey area, and I can understand why some people get confused.  A friend of mine works in consumer law, and was rolling around laughing when I showed him this thread.

The rules do not apply in all circumstances and really only covers continued contracts or work requested before it is has started.  You cannot agree to hire a van for the day then 5 days after you have had it go back to the dealer and say "can I have my money back please, I want to cancel my agreement"

I guess none of you sign up customers on a contract, so the customer can cancel your services at anytime they like, but have to pay for work you have already done. 

do you really believe this thread? The world would be full of even more scams using this law in the way some of you think it can be used.

I can see how this forum can give some people the wrong impression where people may be easily lead.  I think one day this forum will print something that may really cause a stir on the outside world,   but I do understand the law is a mine field of tecno jargon.

[Moderator David@stives]

Gold / Harry

I am just saying it is an interesting post, something to debate, it is something i wasnt aware of.

Whether you think it applies to your business, or you put it on your terms and conditions is another matter and is purley down to your business decision.

I wouldnt lose any sleep over it as it is unlikely to apply to 99% of window cleaners