Terms and Conditions

1. Services

   A1 Retaining provides retaining wall, earthworks, excavation and landscaping services in accordance with the agreed scope of works. Work will be carried out in a professional manner using suitable materials, equipment and methods for the project.

2. Quotes and Scope of Work

   All quotations are based on the information provided by the customer and on the site conditions visible at the time of quoting. Unless expressly stated in writing, the quote applies only to the agreed scope of works and does not include additional work, materials or site issues discovered later.

3. Site Conditions and Hidden Conditions

   If hidden or unforeseen site conditions are encountered, including rock, buried material, fill, unstable ground, water, poor access or any other condition not reasonably apparent at the time of quoting, additional costs and time may apply. The customer will be notified before extra work proceeds where practical.

4. Underground Services and Site Information

   The customer is responsible for disclosing any known underground services, easements, drainage lines, irrigation, septic systems, electrical, plumbing, survey boundaries and any other relevant site information before work begins. A1 Retaining is not responsible for issues caused by inaccurate, incomplete or undisclosed site information supplied by the customer.

5. Debt Collection

   If a customer fails to pay amounts owing, A1 Retaining reserves the right to engage a debt collection agency or take legal action to recover the outstanding amount. Any recovery costs, administrative costs or legal costs reasonably incurred may be added to the outstanding amount where permitted by law.

6. Rock and Excavation Difficulties

   If rock or other difficult excavation conditions are encountered, additional charges may apply. The customer will be informed as soon as possible and any required extra work will be treated as additional work.

7. Unexpected Delays

   A1 Retaining will make reasonable efforts to complete work within the estimated timeframe, however delays may occur due to weather, supply shortages, authority delays, equipment breakdown, site access issues, hidden site conditions or other circumstances outside its reasonable control.

8. Permits, Engineering and Drawings

   The customer is responsible for obtaining any permits, approvals, engineering, surveying or third-party reports required for the project unless A1 Retaining agrees in writing to arrange them. Any drawings, concepts or designs prepared by A1 Retaining remain the property of A1 Retaining unless otherwise agreed in writing.

9. Site Access

   The customer must provide safe and reasonable site access for labour, equipment and materials. If access is restricted, unsafe, delayed or different from what was originally represented, A1 Retaining may charge for any resulting delay, extra labour, smaller machinery, return visits or changed construction method.

10. Materials Ownership

    All materials supplied by A1 Retaining remain the property of A1 Retaining until full payment has been received and cleared. The customer agrees to allow reasonable access for retrieval of unpaid materials where legally permitted.

11. Deposit and Payment Terms

    A1 Retaining may require a deposit before work begins. Progress payments or staged payments may apply depending on the size and nature of the project. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the balance is due upon completion or practical completion of the agreed works.

12. Practical Completion

    Practical completion means the agreed work is substantially complete and capable of being used for its intended purpose, even if minor items, touch-ups or non-essential finishing items remain outstanding.

13. Suspension for Non-Payment

    A1 Retaining may suspend work if any payment is overdue. Any resulting delay, remobilisation cost, return attendance cost or price impact may be charged to the customer.

14. Variations and Additional Work

    Any work outside the original agreed scope, including changes to dimensions, materials, finishes, drainage, access method, excavation extent or site requirements, will be treated as a variation and may be charged separately. Variations may also affect the completion timeframe.

15. Disposal, Spoil and Imported Materials

    Unless expressly stated in writing, the quotation does not include spoil disposal, tip fees, imported fill, drainage metal, geofabric, extra rock, or other additional materials outside the quoted scope.

16. Customer-Supplied Materials or Third Parties

    A1 Retaining is not responsible for delays, defects, incompatibility, damage or performance issues arising from customer-supplied materials or third-party contractors not engaged directly by A1 Retaining.

17. Natural Materials and Finish

    Natural materials and site finishes may vary in colour, texture, level or appearance. Minor visual variation does not constitute a defect where the work is otherwise completed to a reasonable standard and fit for purpose.

18. Drainage and Maintenance After Completion

    The customer must maintain site drainage after completion and must not alter, overload, block or interfere with the retaining wall, drainage system or surrounding ground conditions in a way that may affect wall performance.

19. Exclusions

    Unless expressly included in writing, quotations exclude engineering reports, council permits, surveying, design certification, service locating, landscaping reinstatement, fencing removal and reinstatement, electrical, plumbing or irrigation alterations, and works by others.

20. Liability

    A1 Retaining will not be liable for loss, damage or injury except to the extent caused by its negligence or as otherwise required by law. The customer is responsible for ensuring that the site and property are adequately insured.

21. Photographs and Records

    A1 Retaining may take photographs of the work, site conditions and completed project for record-keeping, quality control and marketing purposes, provided no personal or sensitive information is intentionally disclosed without consent.

22. Dispute Resolution

    Any dispute between A1 Retaining and the customer should first be addressed through direct communication. If the matter cannot be resolved informally, the parties may attempt mediation before commencing formal legal proceedings.

23. Termination of Agreement

    A1 Retaining may terminate or suspend the agreement if the customer fails to make payment, fails to provide access, gives misleading site information, or otherwise breaches these terms and conditions.

These terms and conditions are intended to make the project scope, payment terms and site responsibilities clear for both A1 Retaining and the customer before work begins.