Standard Terms & Conditions

This summary gives you a quick overview of the most important points in plain language.

• A.
  Who we are. ...as architecture is Andrew Sutton, an innovation consultant and RIBA-chartered architect based in Cardiff (67 Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HL). We work primarily on homes, domestic energy, sustainability, and retrofit — helping clients with design, strategy, policy, technical assessments, research, and related services.
• B.
  What we agree. The work we do for you is described in a Client Brief — which can be a formal letter, an email exchange, or a note of what we agreed in conversation (if you don't correct it within 5 working days, it becomes our agreed record). These standard terms apply to all our work unless we've specifically agreed something different in writing.
• C.
  Our fees. Fees are set out in the Client Brief and don't include VAT. Expenses are charged at cost plus a 10% administration charge. Our fees are reviewed every 1 January and may increase in line with CPI inflation; we'll give you at least 30 days' notice.
• D.
  Payment. Invoices are due within 15 days. Late invoices attract interest at 5% above Bank of England base rate. We may pause work if invoices go unpaid.
• E.
  Stopping work. You can end the engagement in writing at any time. You'll be charged for work done up to 15 working days after we receive your notice. If a project goes on hold for 6 months or more, we may treat it as ended or apply holding costs.
• F.
  What kind of work this is. Our work is strategic, advisory, and early-stage. We are not the detailed technical designer, structural engineer, or Principal Designer under Building Safety or CDM legislation unless we specifically agree that in writing. You are responsible for commissioning detailed technical design from appropriate professionals to overlay our strategic input.
• G.
  Our liability. We carry Professional Indemnity Insurance and work with care and skill. Our total liability is capped at fees paid in the previous 12 months. We are not liable for indirect losses. Where others share responsibility for a loss, we only pay our fair share (net contribution). Our services are business-to-business; the Consumer Rights Act does not apply.
• H.
  Keeping up to date. We work hard to stay current with legislation, policy, and best practice, but given the pace of change in our fields we cannot guarantee every piece of advice reflects the very latest position. For compliance-critical decisions, please verify the current position independently.
• I.
  Your outputs are yours. Reports and other outputs we produce for your project are licensed exclusively to you for that project only. You can't pass them on without our agreement. If commercially confidential, we won't share them. Collateral warranties for third parties (e.g. funders or purchasers) are available but require a separate agreement and additional fee.
• J.
  Our tools stay ours. The tools, methods, and innovations we use or develop belong to us. Your materials and background knowledge remain yours throughout.
• K.
  AI tools. We may use AI tools in our work. We remain professionally responsible for all outputs regardless of how they are produced. We won't put your confidential information into AI systems without your agreement.
• L.
  Complaints. If something isn't right, please contact us promptly. We have a formal complaints procedure and will aim to respond within 20 working days. Unresolved complaints go to mediation before court.
• M.
  Environment. We are committed to minimising our carbon footprint and will bring whole-life carbon considerations to your attention where relevant to the project. See our Environment policy for our full commitments on carbon, offsetting, and wider environmental impact.
• N.
  Freedom & Fairness. We are committed to treating everyone we work with as a unique individual, with fairness, respect, and integrity. We do not discriminate, and we do not engage with or support any form of exploitation or modern slavery. See our Freedom & Fairness policy for more detail.