Terms & Conditions

1. Use of Our Services

• Eligibility: By using our website or services, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old and legally able to enter into a binding agreement.
• Service Description: We provide construction, electrical, solar, ICT, plumbing and general installation services. Specific service details are available on our website or in individual quotations.
• Contractual Agreement: These Terms form a binding agreement between you and Gerardus Koetje when you use our website, request a quotation, or engage our services.

2. Personal Information

We collect and process personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. By using our website or services, you consent to the processing of your personal data as described in the Privacy Policy.

3. Services and Quotations

• Quotations: Quotations are estimates based on information available at the time. Final pricing may vary depending on actual site conditions, materials used, and changes requested by the client.
• Acceptance: By accepting a quotation, the client agrees to these Terms & Conditions, including the Terms published on our website.
• Service Completion: We strive to complete services within agreed timelines but are not responsible for delays caused by factors beyond our control (e.g. weather, supplier delays, equipment availability, third-party actions).
• Amendments & Cancellations: Changes or cancellations must be requested as early as possible. Depending on the stage of the project, cancellation or change fees may apply.

4. Terms Hierarchy (Website Terms Prevail)

In the event of any discrepancy between:

• the Terms attached to a quotation, and
• the Terms published on our website,

the Terms & Conditions published on our website shall prevail and be considered the governing version. This ensures that the most current Terms always apply.

5. Application of Updated Terms to Existing Installations and Work

If a client requests new work, maintenance, upgrades, or modifications on a system, structure, installation or project previously completed by us before these Terms existed, the following applies:

By accepting a new quotation, the client agrees that the current Terms & Conditions apply to the entire installation or project, including all previously installed or constructed components.

No retroactive liability for previous work is assumed unless explicitly agreed in writing.

6. Payment Terms

• Materials: Materials may be invoiced and payable upfront unless otherwise agreed in writing.
• Labour: Labour is paid 50% upfront and 50% on the halfway mark.
• Unpaid Balances: Unpaid invoices may result in suspension of services. Unpaid materials remain the property of the installer until fully paid.
• Late Payments: Late payment may incur fees or interest according to the service agreement or applicable law.

7. Installer / Workmanship Warranty (1-Year)

We provide a 1-year workmanship warranty covering only the physical quality of our work, including:

• cabling and routing (electrical, ICT, low-voltage)
• plumbing connections and joints
• mounting and mechanical fixing
• general construction workmanship (where applicable)
• placement and fixing of protection devices and visible installation elements

This workmanship warranty is limited strictly to installation/workmanship and does not extend to equipment, materials defects, configuration, software, or any changes made after completion.

Third-Party Interference – Warranty Void

Any modification, repair, adjustment, inspection, configuration, extension, or intervention performed by any person other than Gerardus Installations will immediately void the installer workmanship warranty in full. This includes work performed by:

• other electricians or solar installers
• plumbers or general builders
• ICT/network technicians
• the client themselves, friends, or non-qualified persons

Once third-party work has occurred, we assume no responsibility for the system's behaviour, performance, safety, leaks, electrical integrity, or future failures.

8. No Warranty on Configuration, Programming, or Settings

The installer workmanship warranty does not cover any of the following:

• inverter, battery, or solar system configuration
• parameter or firmware changes
• ATS logic or automation rules
• Shelly or other smart-device configuration
• Wi-Fi or cloud platform issues
• monitoring platform problems or app-related issues
• user-made configuration or setting changes after installation
• changes made by third parties

Configuration, software, or parameter-related issues are not covered under the installer warranty.

9. Equipment & Materials Warranty (Manufacturer Responsibility)

All equipment and materials, including but not limited to solar panels, inverters, batteries, relays, switches, breakers, ATS units, plumbing components, fixtures, construction materials, smart devices, and cabling, are covered exclusively by the manufacturer's or supplier's warranty.

We are not responsible for:

• manufacturer or supplier defects or design flaws
• firmware or software bugs
• hardware failures or malfunctions
• recall or product safety issues
• material aging, shrinkage, or natural wear
• delays in manufacturer or distributor support

Warranty claims relating to equipment or materials must be made directly to the manufacturer or distributor. We may assist at our discretion, but we are not obligated to provide free labour for manufacturer warranty cases.

10. Service Call Fees

If a service visit is requested for an issue not caused by installation workmanship, the visit is chargeable.

Chargeable cases may include:

• equipment or material failure (manufacturer defect)
• user or third-party configuration changes
• third-party modifications of the installation
• software or firmware-related problems
• internet, network, or cloud connectivity issues
• damage caused by weather, moisture, grid problems, water pressure, blockages, or other external factors

Service calls are billed at our standard hourly rates plus travel charges, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

11. Client Responsibilities

• Provide safe and reasonable access to the installation or work area.
• Do not modify or alter the installation, plumbing, electrical system, or construction work without consulting us.
• Avoid changing system parameters or firmware without understanding the risks.
• Inform us promptly if you suspect a fault or safety issue.
• Ensure that environmental conditions (e.g. ventilation, water ingress, structural movement) are suitable for the installed equipment and materials.

Any modification by the client or third parties may void the installer warranty.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Gerardus Koetje will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including loss of profits, loss of data, or business interruption, arising from the use of our website or services.

Our liability is strictly limited to the value of the labour associated with the specific workmanship that caused the damage. We assume no liability for any materials, equipment, devices, components, or products supplied or installed, nor for any damage arising from their failure, malfunction, or manufacturer defects.

We are not liable for grid failures, weather conditions, lightning, surge events, manufacturer defects, structural movement, plumbing system aging, user changes, or third-party interference.

13. Website Availability

• We strive to keep our website available and functional but do not guarantee uninterrupted access.
• Access may be suspended for maintenance, updates, or technical reasons without prior notice.
• We are not responsible for technical issues, interruptions, or loss of data arising from website use.

14. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. These links are provided for convenience only. We do not control or endorse the content of third-party sites and are not responsible for their privacy practices, terms of use, or content.

15. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Portugal. Any disputes arising from the use of our website or services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Portugal.

16. Modifications to the Terms

We reserve the right to modify or update these Terms at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page. By continuing to use our website or services after such changes, you agree to the updated Terms.

17. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these Terms & Conditions, please contact us at: