It is important that you read and understand these terms and conditions.
If you have any questions or require clarification on any point please get
in touch within 7 days of receiving this document.
MCD Home & Garden (UK) Ltd (trading as MCD Garden Sheds)
Our Contract
1.1. These Terms and Conditions govern the supply of goods sold by MCD Home &
Garden (UK) Ltd of Unit 12, Albion Road, Carlton Industrial Estate, Barnsley S71
3HW (“we” and “us”) to the customer (“you”) and constitute the entire and only
agreement between us in relation thereto.
1.2. All orders placed by you are on the basis of these Terms and Conditions and are
subject to acceptance by us by delivery of the goods to you at which point a legally
binding contract is constituted between us. The processing of your payment and
acknowledgement of your order does not constitute legal acceptance of your order.
Price & Payment
2.1. The price payable for the goods you order is as set out either over the phone or
on our web site at the time you place your order, plus any charges for delivery &
installation as advised to you.
2.2. We reserve the right to update the price of goods from time to time but we will
confirm the prevailing price with you before accepting your order. We are not obliged
to accept your order and may decline it or limit the order quantity of goods sold.
2.3. At no point will we offer retrospective discounts in relation to any sale or price reduction after your order is placed.
2.4. Occasionally an error may occur and goods may be incorrectly priced in which
circumstances we will not be obliged to supply the goods at the incorrect price.
2.5. All orders are subject to a minimum 25% deposit upfront followed by the remainder being paid 2 working days before dispatch of the goods.
2.6. You may not withhold payment of any invoice or other amount due to us by
reason of any right of set off or counter-claim, which you may have, or allege to
have.
2.7. We shall be entitled at all times to set off any debt or claim which we may have
against you against any sums due from you to us.
2.8. The format of our invoice and statements to you will solely be dictated by us and
we will not enter into any variation of our format.
2.9. Any “Was” price displayed on the website shows the item’s previous selling price
for a period of at least 30 days prior to the reduced price coming in to effect, unless
otherwise stated.
2.10. Any outstanding balance on garden buildings must be cleared 2 working days before the installation date. If the outstanding balance is not cleared within this timescale, your delivery & fitting will not take place and you will begin to accrue storage charges of £10 per day until the balance is cleared and installation date is rearranged. The rearranged delivery and installation is chargeable at 150% of your initial delivery and installation fee. If you have benefitted from free delivery & fitting a charge of £150 is payable.
Any alternative payment methods must be agreed prior to this in writing by a member of our team.
Delivery
3.1. Delivery times of garden buildings quoted at the time of order are estimated and
so cannot be guaranteed. Whilst we will make every effort to deliver within the
estimated delivery time, occasionally deliveries may be affected by factors beyond
our control. Due to the number of orders on our books at one time we do not give
updates. As soon as we can offer you a date, we will be in touch via phone to
arrange this.
3.2 The information in 3.2 is for mini-sheds/garden tidy only. Mini-shed delivery is by
3rd party courier on an all day call, we cannot give approximate arrival times; you must be available all day. If the courier arrives and you are not in, it cannot be left and you will be charged a redelivery fee of £85.00. Due to the size of your garden tidy it will be delivered on a pallet and left kerbside. It is your responsibility to get the mini-shed into your property. You must check the contents thoroughly before signing for the delivery. If you have signed for the goods as having arrived in good condition we cannot claim for any damage and will not cover the costs of repair / replacement parts. The pallet on which the mini-shed is delivered is left with you and the courier will not take this away.
Installation Service
4.1 Once your order is placed, our team will be in touch approximately 2 – 3 weeks
before the workshop begin construction of your garden building to give you your delivery and fitting date. It is not necessary to contact us prior to this to ask for updates, we will be in touch as soon as required. During the ordering process, we ask for any dates you need to avoid. Your fitting date is scheduled based on the information you provide. If you haven’t informed us of additional unavailable dates or that you’re not ready before we call with your installation date, the date provided will be final.
Our schedules consider building sizes, locations, and travel times, so alternative dates are not possible. Once your fitting date is booked, it cannot be changed. If you tell us that the delivery date you have already confirmed is no longer suitable any outstanding balance is still due and payable and the garden building will be delivered on the agreed date but it will be left for self assembly. No refund will be due of any delivery and installation charge paid.
4.2 If an installation service has been requested, you must provide suitable access,
and a flat, level and square base, capable of carrying considerable weight. You must
check that your whole base is level with an instrument capable of checking that the base is perfectly horizontal. It is important that your garden building is erected on an
adequate base. It must be level, firm and square. If the base is not level, it could
result in your doors twisting and sticking, walls to warp and the roof to become
distorted. Buildings erected on unlevel bases will not be covered by a guarantee and
it is the customer’s responsibility to check that the base is adequate before the date
of fitting. MCD Home & Garden will NOT be held responsible for inadequate base
preparation. Should the prepared ground not meet requirements set by MCD Home
& Garden our fitters may leave the building for self assembly. If you wish for the
installation to go ahead after you have been made aware that your base is unsuitable
you will be asked to sign a disclaimer form on site voiding any warranty. Please be
aware that fitting on an unlevel base may also mean that there are visible chocks and
your building may be raised from the ground at certain points using slips of timber –
our fitters do not carry enough spare timber to create skirting and the responsibility to do this is that of the customer.
4.3 We do not inspect the suitability of your base to support the building without
ground movement. We do not check the integrity of the base. Our Installers are not
engineers. Any problems with the products that arise from inadequate support from
the base are the responsibility of the customer.
4.4 If you have purchased the MCD EZ base the following conditions apply:
4.4.1 MCD EZ base must be pre-ordered and cannot be offered on-site. An EZ base cannot be installed on ground that holds water or collects excess water during
rainfall. If the EZ base is to be installed on soft ground, this ground must not be
loose soil / flower beds etc. Any soil must be compacted well to be able to hold the
weight of the building. An EZ base is not suitable for use on compacted hardcore as
this is too variable for legs and too compact for stakes. If your ground preparation
is inadequate or the ground is not suitable the building may be left for self assembly. In all cases the building will be left on site. No refund will be due of any delivery and installation charge paid. If you require a return installation visit a charge of 150% of the initial delivery and fitting fee will be payable before we schedule your return visit. If you have benefitted from free delivery and installation a charge of £150 is payable before we will schedule your return installation visit.
4.4.2 The maximum that the ground can be out of level, from the highest point to
the lowest point, is 30cm/12”/ 1 foot. If you require clarification of this please contact
our team via email on sales@mcdgardensheds.co.uk. If our fitters arrive onsite and
the prepared ground does not meet this requirement our fitters will leave the
building for self assembly. No refund will be due of any delivery and installation
charge paid. We do not offer a return installation service in this case.
4.4.3 The MCD EZ base is not clad as standard, our fitters do not carry enough
spare timber to create skirting and the responsibility to do this is that of the
customer. Should you require this service, it must be pre purchased. Contact our
sales team for prices.
4.4.4 The MCD EZ base, like all newly laid foundations, is subject to settlement.
Settlement is not a cause for concern. As per clause 5.7 any adjustments that may
become necessary after the building and EZ base have settled are not part of the
installation service and should be carried out by the customer.
4.5 The site should be clear of overhanging branches or obstructions, excess
animal excrement and general clutter and have sufficient unobstructed access
around the site for the safe erecting and maintenance of the building e.g an 8ft
wide building will not fit in an 8ft wide gap.
4.6 If your base is unsuitable, you will be liable for the aborted labour costs
(100% of the initial delivery & installation fee), and the product may be left for
self-assembly. You may be given the option to purchase an EZ base after you
have been told we cannot install on your current base (if site conditions permit),
a charge of 150% of the initial delivery and installation fee plus the cost of the
EZ base will be payable before we schedule your return visit. If you have
benefitted from free delivery and fitting a charge of £150 and the cost of the EZ
base is payable before we will schedule your return installation visit. In all cases the building will be left on site.
4.7 When ordering you will be asked about access to ensure that the installation is as
safe as possible. Any height restrictions such as archways, over gate bars, any tight
corners or steep steps need to be brought to our attention during the ordering
process. We cannot lift panels over walls, outhouses, garages, fences, hedges,
carports and other obstacles. When built as a full panel most will not fit through
single doors so are not suitable for carrying through a house. Our fitters cannot carry
these extremely heavy panels a long distance to gain access to your property for
example down streets, across busy roads and around neighbouring properties. We cannot install on live building sites nor do we install on allotments unless this has been agreed in writing by MCD. If you do have any access issues please let us know as we can generally accommodate with a couple of changes in the workshop (charge may apply). If we attend your property and the access is unsuitable the building will be left for self assembly. We do not offer a return installation service in this case.
4.8 You must ensure that the installer’s vehicle can be parked as close as possible to
the installation site. We cannot drive across or park in fields or soft, boggy ground. If
a parking area cannot be located nearby the site, the installation may be abandoned
and the building left for self assembly.
4.9 The responsibility to check whether planning consent is required is solely that of
the customer. If you are unsure as to whether planning permission is required then
we advise that you contact your local council’s planning department before
purchasing. MCD Home & Garden UK Ltd accepts no liability for any planning issues
that arise after your purchase. Not all of our buildings are under 2.5m, if you require
specific height/dimension information please request this in writing within 14 days of
placing your order. Different planning rules apply depending on many variables
therefore we do not give any advice regarding these issues.
4.10 Wet weather does not hamper our installation process. If your building is
installed on a wet or particularly damp day, the fitters have encountered wet weather
during their journey to you or it has been stored in our yard during bad weather then
naturally the inside of your building will be wet. Once the installation is complete you
will need to allow your building to dry out fully before you use your building or do any
further work on the inside such as insulation or lining. The best way to dry the
building is to allow natural airflow by leaving your doors and windows open as much
as possible during dry weather. The buildings are stored, prior to installation,
horizontally in our yard. If we have had rain before your fitting date, gravity will allow
the water to filter downwards once vertical. The above instructions are to be
followed in this case also. The silicone used to seal the windows may not adhere
correctly during wet weather therefore you may need to reseal your windows once
the building has dried out fully.
4.11 If you ask us to bring your building through your home or a neighbours
property/garden or the access is restricted this is at your own risk. In these
circumstances, any accidental damage caused by getting the components into
position will not be covered by MCD.
4.12 You will be asked to sign our fitters’ job sheet to confirm that the installation and
build quality is to your satisfaction. If you contact us after the installation team have
left site but have signed the work off there will be a return charge (minimum £80) for
any remedial work that could have been done during the installation. If you have
asked someone else to attend during the installation, they will be asked to sign off
the building and the same condition applies.
4.13 If for any reason, either by choice, due to insufficient base preparation or any other cause the building is left for self-assembly, MCD accept no liability for improper installation.
All panels, including the roof, will be left with you in A1 condition therefore any subsequent claim for damage or warranty will denied. Any adjustments, such as bolt repositioning, roof sheet alteration or door levelling etc. are part and parcel of our fitting service and consequently will need to be completed by the customer carrying out the construction
Cancellation, Warranty Claims & Workmanship Guarantee
5.1 All of our garden buildings are made to order / bespoke. If you do not wish to
continue with your order then the deposit will be non refundable as work will have
been carried out on your behalf.
5.2 In the event of a manufacturing fault claim you will be required to email or post
photographic evidence to Customer Services. This will provide us with the details to
make a commercial decision to either repair or replace the goods.
5.3 12-Month Workmanship Guarantee: Our 12-month workmanship guarantee covers any faults in the construction or assembly of your garden building.
Conditions:
● Covers issues arising from improper assembly or construction by MCD.
● Issues must be reported within 12 months of the installation date.
Exclusions:
● Damage from Natural Forces: Damage caused by adverse weather, improper
assembly by third parties, or neglect is not covered.
● DIY Repairs: Any modifications or repairs undertaken by the customer invalidate this guarantee.
● Minor Imperfections: Small blemishes on steel roofs or internal linings resulting
from manufacturing or transport processes are not covered.
● Self Assembly: This guarantee does not cover buildings assembled by the customer
or any third party
If an issue arises directly due to our installation, we will repair or replace the faulty parts at no additional cost within the guarantee period. For any claims under the workmanship guarantee please contact our customer support team at
customerservice@mcdgardensheds.co.uk, including:
● Proof of purchase
● A description of the issue
● Photographs of the affected area(s)
All claims will be assessed within 14 days, and if accepted, a repair or replacement will be provided at our discretion. Please note that any unauthorised modifications or exclusions listed in this warranty may impact the eligibility of your claim.
5.4 Wood is a naturally variable raw material; its variances are not within our control
and are therefore not considered defects. Grain characteristics like knots, open grain
and medullary rays are all naturally occurring features and will not be considered
grounds for rejection by a customer. All timber is subject to environmental changes
such as shrinkage in warm / hot weather and expansion in damp / wet weather, this
again is not a defect but a natural characteristic of wood and is not grounds for
rejection and is not covered by the timber guarantee. Different sections of your
building may be made from differing bales of timber; sometimes the cladding may
differ in colour, finish and may not be perfectly aligned with the adjacent panel. This is
not considered a fault and not grounds for rejection/replacement. All visible joints are
covered with a trim. All of our timber is planed and comparatively smooth. If you
require a smoother finish you may wish to sand some of the timbers, but this is an
individual choice. In some cases, customers have contacted us about perceived
surface problems which can be easily resolved by simply sanding the affected area.
In such cases we advise and would expect a customer to do so. Likewise, with minor
gaps in timber and knot holes which can be simply resolved by adding wood filler and
then sanding.
5.5 Minor imperfections to the steel roof can be caused during any stage of the
manufacturing, transporting and installing process. Any minor blemishes, creases or
scratches to the steel roof are not considered a fault and we will not replace any roof
sheets for these reasons.
5.6 Minor imperfections to the internal lining can be caused during any stage of the
manufacturing, transporting and installing process. Any small tears are not
considered a fault and we will not replace or cover the lining in these cases.
5.7 The customer is responsible for ordering the correct size building. We can offer advice but the decision is ultimately that of the customer. All quoted dimensions are approximate (including depth, width, height, finished timber sizes) and for guidance only. If you require exact measurements, please contact us and request them in writing before you place an order. As per term 4.5 we always recommend that you leave sufficient room around your building for future maintenance and for safe installation, for example an 8ft wide building will not fit in an 8ft wide space.
5.8 Timber is a natural product and the building will ‘settle’. As a result, splits, cracks
and movement of timbers may occur after installation, and adjustments may
become necessary (including adjustments to; the doors and windows etc). Such
adjustments and/or repairs are not part of the installation service and should be
carried out by the customer, this is regarded as maintenance of the building/product
and not covered by the timber guarantee, please see section 10 for further
information.
5.9 Our warranty does not cover damage caused to products by adverse weather
conditions, wind, rain or other forces of nature, accidents, improper self- assembly
or disassembly or damage caused during your routine maintenance, or any abuse,
misuse or neglect by the user.
5.10 Our building designs may evolve over time and as such there may be minor
cosmetic differences between the products displayed in our showroom and on
our website. Any such changes do not constitute a fault and will not be
considered as grounds for rejection.
Liability
6.1. If you have notified us of a problem with your garden building within 30 days of
delivery, we will (subject to clause 5.2) replace or repair any goods that are damaged
or defective upon delivery.
6.2. We shall have no liability to pay any money to you by way of compensation other
than any refund we make under these conditions. Our liability to you shall not in any
event include losses related to any business of yours, such as loss of profits or
business interruption; neither will we be responsible to you for any other loss which is
not a foreseeable consequence of us being in breach of these Terms and Conditions
or our legal duties.
6.3. This does not affect your statutory rights if you are a consumer, nor is it intended
to exclude our liability to you for fraudulent misrepresentation or for death or personal injury resulting from our negligence.
6.4. If you are a trade customer we will not be responsible to you or, in the event that
you are undertaking work for another person, to any other person, for the use or
installation of any goods by you. Accordingly, if you are a trade customer, you hereby
agree to hold us harmless, and indemnify us against any liability associated with,
any claim or allegation that we are responsible for any failings in the installation or
use of goods that we supply.
6.5 You must not schedule any works (such as electrical installations or insulating)
until after your building installation has been completed.
6.6 If your goods are collected by yourself or a third party on your behalf, the liability for damages / defective items passes to the customer when the goods leave our possession.
Termination
7.1. We may suspend further supply or delivery, stop any goods in transit or
terminate our contract by notice in writing to you if you are in breach of an obligation
hereunder or you become unable to pay your debts when they fall due or
proceedings are commenced by or against you alleging bankruptcy or insolvency.
Upon termination, any payments you owe to us (even if they are not yet due for
payment) will be immediately due and payable and we shall be under no further
obligation to supply goods to you.
Force Majeure
8.1. We shall have no liability to you for any failure or delay in supply or delivery or
for any damage or defect to goods supplied or delivered hereunder that is caused
by any event or circumstance beyond our reasonable control (including, without
limitation, pandemics, strikes, lockouts and other industrial disputes).
General
9.1. If any part of these conditions is invalid, illegal or unenforceable (including any
provision in which we exclude our liability to you) the validity, legality or enforceability
of any other part of these conditions will not be affected. This contract shall be
governed by and interpreted in accordance with English law.
Maintenance
10.1 You will be provided with a care guide by email after placing your order which
details how to keep your garden building in great condition. This details treatment,
adjustments / maintenance and guttering. You must adhere to the directives within
the guide to ensure your warranty is not invalidated. The advice we give you is the
advice you should follow. Guidance you can read elsewhere online or any
suggestions from individuals not connected to MCD Home & Garden may not apply to our buildings and should be regarded as irrelevant.
10.2 All timber used in our manufacturing process is brand new, freshly cut timber.
The first couple of months of your garden building being exposed to the elements is
the time that most characteristic changes will occur. After the timber has aged and
settled you are less likely to see significant changes.
10.3 All of our timber is supplied pressure treated, however this does not make
timber waterproof. You will need to coat your building using a weatherproof
preservative that is suitable for use on outdoor, smooth-planed, treated timber. We
recommend to do this within 8 weeks of installation, as soon as the timber is completely dry. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and re-coat according to their advice.
10.4 Any knots and splits that appear are due to the natural drying and settling
process and not considered a defect. Use a natural-coloured wood filler to fill these
in. Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions on any product that you use.
10.5 Your door bolt and/or hinges may need realigning after the shed has settled. To
do this remove a couple of screws, re-align the bolt and fasten into the new position
making sure the bolt opens smoothly. This is classed as maintenance and will not be
done by MCD. UPVC doors may also need adjustment after the building has settled; this is classed as maintenance and will not be carried out by MCD. Please contact
customerservice@mcdgardensheds.co.uk and a copy of the adjustment instructions will be sent to you.
10.6 It may be necessary to reseal the windows using a clear weatherproof silicone
where the acrylic meets the timber frame after the shed has settled.
10.7 We always advise to fit guttering to your new garden building. This allows you
to direct the water runoff to the best drainage or to a water butt.
10.8 Thumb turns are fitted to double doors only. They must be used at all times that
the doors are closed. This stops the leading door twisting in changeable weather.
10.9 If your building has joiner made doors (single or double) the inside of the door
will need protecting at the same time as the outside – this is to prevent excess
shrinkage/expansion. As with all timber components, joiner made doors are subject
to natural changes which we have no control over. You will need to maintain this door
just as you would a standard shed door which may include adjusting hinges etc. If
the timbers shrink in dry weather you may find it helpful to add a draught strip
between the doors to allow the doors to expand again during damper weather
periods. Your door/s will work perfectly at the point of installation, any future
maintenance is the responsibility of the customer.
10.10 After a dry spell your cladding may shrink, twist and/or warp and expose areas
that have not been painted, this is beyond the control of MCD and is not covered by
the timber guarantee. These boards will expand again during damp/humid/wet
weather. If there is a sudden downpour after a dry spell, you may see evidence of
water ingress, even if you have painted your building, again this is due to shrinkage,
one of the natural characteristics of timber and is not covered under the guarantee.
10.11 Our garden building fitters are employed to install your buildings and do not
give advise on care & maintenance. You should refer to your care guide or our
customer service team if you have any queries regarding your building. If you ask the
fitting team for this advice, their response is their own opinion and may not be
representative of the advice that MCD Home & Garden endorse. Only information
given to you in writing by MCD should be followed.
10.12 Extreme temperatures can cause UPVC frames to expand or shrink and therefore
your doors and windows may not move as smoothly as expected. Wiping the frame with cold
water can sometimes help reduce expansion slightly. If the problem is not too severe, try
waiting until cooler or warmer weather to see if it resolves itself. If it does not resolve after
either of the above you may need to adjust the hinges. Please contact
customerservice@mcdgardensheds.co.uk and a copy of the adjustment instructions will be
sent to you.
Customised buildings
11.1 We build all of our garden buildings to order.
11.2 Any customisations you request will be completed with the materials that we
supply as part of our standard specification. We will endeavour to keep to your
requested layout but please be aware that slight differences may occur due to the
width of the timber, roof material, framing etc that we use.
11.3 It is common for us to receive a picture from a customer of a garden building
that has been made by a different supplier and they ask us to replicate the layout to
match, this can be done but as in 11.2 we cannot guarantee the exact same finished
look.
11.4 If you want to clad or insulate the building internally but have not chosen to
purchase these options through MCD then you may need to install extra timber
framing to facilitate this. MCD do not supply this as standard as the cost of the extra
framing is an element of the cost of the cladding service we supply.
Service with respect
12.1 Our staff will always treat you with respect and we expect the same in return.
Our fitters and office staff have the right to work in an environment free of abuse and
harassment and we operate a zero-tolerance policy.
12.2 The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) define a violent or aggressive incident
as: ‘Any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work. This can include verbal abuse or threats as well as physical attacks.’
They define an incident as: ‘An unwanted, unplanned event that has the potential to
cause harm/injury.’ Examples of unacceptable behaviour are summarised below:
- Violence can be physical, or non- physical including threats, abusive behaviour and
language (verbal and written), escalating agitation and intimidating body language. - Unreasonable demands – a demand becomes unreasonable when it impacts
substantially on our work. Examples of this may include, repeatedly demanding
responses within an unreasonable timescale or insisting on seeing or speaking to a
particular member of staff when that is not possible or appropriate. - Unreasonable levels of contact – volume and duration of contact with our staff by an
individual that causes problems for the employee or the Company. This can occur
over a short period, for example, a number of calls in one day or one hour. - Unreasonable use of processes – for example, the complaints process, where
someone uses the complaints procedure to challenge professional judgments of our
staff or where they use it repeatedly to raise the same issues that we have already
investigated. - 12.3 Our staff are encouraged to report abusive behaviour and one or more of the
following may be a consequence;
● We cancel your order without notice.
● Your building is left for self assembly or the fitting abandoned
● Your email address and/or phone number is blocked by our IT team.
