Terms and Conditions

Welcome to Step1Builders.com. These Terms and Conditions ("Agreement") govern the structural shell construction, ICF installation, groundworks, and project management services provided by Step 1 Builders ("Company") to the Client ("Client"). By executing a work order, approving a project estimate, or submitting a project deposit, the Client expressly agrees to be bound by the terms outlined below.

1. Incorporation of Site Readiness Standards

The Client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to the operational boundaries outlined in the Company's "How We Work" Guide. 

• Compliance: The Client retains sole financial and administrative responsibility for all items detailed in the Guide, including but not limited to: local council building permits, Commencement Notices, certified site surveys, structural engineering details, welfare facilities, waste management, and certified scaffolding.
• Delays: The Company is not liable for project delays, scheduling conflicts, or cost inflation resulting from the Client's failure to meet these pre-construction and site readiness standards.

2. Adjustments for Structural and Sub-Surface Realities

All initial project estimates and per-square-metre calculations assume standard structural layouts and clear, accessible ground conditions.

• Variations: The Company reserves the right to issue mandatory Change Orders to adjust pricing and timelines if hidden sub-surface conditions (e.g., unexpected hardpan depth, buried water features, dense roots) or specialized architectural complexities (e.g., chimneys, complex angles, steep pitches) are discovered or altered during construction.
• Foundation Depth: Any rising foundation walls exceeding one (1) metre in depth will automatically trigger additional material and labour billing.

3. Payment Terms and Financial Protections

• Mobilization Deposit: A non-refundable deposit is required to secure a position on the Company's construction schedule and initiate material procurement (such as ICF blocks and engineered roof timber packages).
• Milestone Billing: Payments must be made in strict accordance with the stage-payment Schedule detailed in the specific project contract.
• Late Fees: Any invoice remaining unpaid seven (7) days past the issuance date will automatically accrue interest at 1.5% per month.
• Right to Halt Work: The Company reserves the absolute right to suspend all on-site Labour and secure the structural shell if any invoice remains unpaid past its due date. The Company is explicitly cleared of any liability for weather damage or timeline delays during a payment-related work stoppage. 

4. Limitation of Liability

• Financial Cap: To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Company's total aggregate liability for any claims, errors, omissions, or breaches arising out of this Agreement shall strictly not exceed the total dollar amount actually paid by the Client to the Company for the specific project.
• Exclusion of Consequential Damages: The Company shall not be held liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential financial losses, including but not limited to alternative living or rental expenses, loss of property use, lost business profits, or project-related emotional distress.

5. Indemnification and Site Safety

The Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Company, its subcontractors, and employees against any claims, damages, or losses arising from third-party services the Client contracts independently (such as independently hired scaffolding firms, blocklayers, or external engineers). The Client must ensure all independent parties entering the site carry comprehensive liability insurance.

6. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

• Good Faith Negotiation: In the event of a contractual or operational dispute, both parties agree to first attempt to resolve the issue through direct, collaborative negotiation.
• Binding Mediation: If the parties cannot resolve within thirty (30) business days, the dispute must be submitted to a formal, certified mediator before either party may initiate litigation.
• Jurisdiction: This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the local jurisdiction where the construction site is physically located.

7. Includes all materials & Labour:

Includes all site prep, groundworks, ICF superstructure, timber roof framing, premium glazing, and weatherproofing. [Excludes roof tiles, scaffolding supply, Waste Bin service, Portaloo/ Site Office and internal fit-out]

8. Attic Rule:

For properties utilizing attic space for rooms, our €1,800/m² rate applies strictly to the floor area where head height meets or exceeds 1.5 metres. We fully frame and weatherproof lower eave spaces at no extra cost.

10. Detached Rule:

Terraced or semi-detached townhouses require complex, high-risk, shared fire party walls and neighbouring boundary access agreements.

Step 1 Builders currently specializes exclusively in detached, single-family private residential homes across the Irish Midlands.

11. Scaffold Parameter: 

The fixed rate assumes the client supplies, maintains, and alters a fully certified, progressive GA3-compliant scaffolding system for our entire structural cycle.

12. Roof Material Limits: 

Price includes all structural roof timber carpentry, structural steel beams, high-performance breathable felt, and counter-battens. External concrete roof tiles, slates, and ridge capping are completely excluded.

13. 2.5 Month Schedule Parameters*

Our 2.5-month speed guarantee applies strictly to detached private residential footprints of 150 square metres and under. Larger custom footprints will receive a dynamically scaled timeline.

14. Sub-Floor Realities: 

Standard groundworks pricing assumes normal soil bearing capacity. Any specialized engineering requirements (such as piling, ground stabilization, or deep underpinning) will be priced as a variable cost outside the flat rate.

Pricing & Timeline Terms:

Site Suitability: 

The advertised rate of 'Eighteen Hundred Euros' €1,800 + VAT per square metre is strictly subject to an initial site assessment and soil percolation test. This rate assumes a level site with standard load-bearing ground conditions requiring a standard engineered slab. Complex engineering, deep piling, or specialized retaining structures are excluded and will be quoted separately.

The 2.5-Month Schedule: 

The "under 2.5 months" construction timeline represents our standard project duration for a structural shell build under optimal operating conditions. This timeline is indicative and does not constitute a strict contractual guarantee. The Schedule begins only after all site prep approvals are complete and is subject to extensions for adverse Irish weather events, material supply disruptions, or delays in local utility connections.

Scope Boundaries: 

The complete structural shell package strictly covers precision groundworks, engineered slab foundation, under-slab waste/water mains, ICF wall elevations, engineered roof systems, and weatherproof windows/exterior doors. All internal trades, plastering, internal insulation, and second-fix completions are the Client's responsibility after hand-off.

Disclaimer: This document serves as a standard legal framework for construction services. Construction and contracting laws vary by country and region. Step 1 Builders recommends having a local legal professional review this draft before final implementation.