Terms and Conditions

1. Definition of Terms:

  1. ‘Customer’ is the Owner/keeper of the vehicle or person responsible for paying the work completed
  2. ‘Rust Republic’ is the collective trading name of Antony Thomas (AT) and Matthew Curtis (MC), Self-employed vehicle restorers with independent work agreements and individual billing and business accounts
  3. ‘Restorer’ denotes either Antony Thomas (Body & Paint/Welding) or Matthew Curtis (typically Mechanical, Maintenance and Electrical)
  4. ‘In Writing’ is defined as any recorded written communication between the customer and Rust Republic i.e. email, letters, notes, texts, WhatsApp messages, Facebook messages, memos etc…
  5. ‘Work Agreement’ is the contract ‘in writing’ agreed between Rust Republic and the customer acknowledging and agreeing to all terms laid out hereafter and agreeing to the commencement of work. More than one work agreement may be presented to the customer from Rust Republic depending on whether one or all Restorers (AT, AS & MC) are working on their vehicle
  6. ‘Estimate for Work’ is the document provided by Rust Republic to outline our interpretation of the customer’s needs as well as providing an approximate duration and cost for the project. One or more estimate may be presented depending on how many of the restorers are needed to work on the vehicle.
  7. ‘Vehicle’ is the vehicle detailed in the Estimate for work and on the Work Agreement.
  8. ‘Payment Agreement’ is a schedule of payments laid out by Rust Republic over the duration of the project which is agreed by the customer prior to work beginning. For smaller agreements, this will be a single payment of the full monies owed for the repairs. For larger agreements, these will include down payments, interim, milestone and final payments during the repairs. Payments will be supported by an invoice from either one or all Restorer(s) depending on the type of work involved in the repair and are paid directly to the individual restorer and their respective account
  9.  ‘Parts inventory’ is a document provided on request by Rust Republic detailing the parts required to carry out each stage of the Work Agreement, this document is not exhaustive and is given merely as an indication of what the customer could expect to see in their project.

2. Pricing:

  1. Prices are not fixed and not guaranteed, due to the nature of old vehicles. Previous repairs can be hidden and only reveal themselves once work starts therefore making fixed price work impossible.
  2. Prices of new parts are based on prices available to us at the time of costing and as such are subject to change without notice
  3. Rust Republic will not be liable for any increase in the costs of parts and reserves the right not to consult the customer if an item has been agreed to be purchased under the original project scope but the price has increased.
  4. If a specific part is not available and is needed for the continuation of the project a suitable alternative may be purchased sometimes at extra cost but will be discussed in advance with the customer
  5. All prices quoted will include VAT (if applicable) at the standard rate unless otherwise stated.
  6. Any significant changes to the pricing of a project will be notified to the customer and agreed by both Rust Republic/Restorer and the Customer before any further work will continue.
  7. Work Estimates are intended to be used as a guide for costing/budgeting and cannot be held as 100% accurate.

3. Payment Agreement:

  1. Are binding once agreed in writing
  2. Any deposit (if requested) is non-refundable and is a commitment to the contract. Down payments will be used to source initial parts needed to commence the repair
  3. Rust Republic will not give credit to any customer and all work is paid for in advance of and prior to collection of the vehicle
  4. If a project is cancelled by the customer during the term of the contract no refund on any monies already paid will be given unless this exceeds the total of the parts and labour accrued. However, a minimum cancellation fee of 20% of the work agreement total may be incurred if the cancellation prevents normal business operation of either Rust Republic or an individual Restorer to continue.
  5. If a project is cancelled by Rust Republic as a result of unforeseen circumstances or un-reconcilable differences between Rust Republic and the customer, no refunds will be given on any monies already paid.
  6. Any deviation from the agreement without written agreement from Rust Republic will be treated as non-payment.
  7. A service charge of £440 for every day the payment is missed may be charged as work on the vehicle will stop but the vehicle will kept be in our workshop taking up space that could be used for other business.
  8. Delays in customers responding to Rust Republic for decisions on work needed that prevents the workshop space utilised for other work may incur a charge a cost of £440 per day
  9. After 2 weeks from the date the payment is due, if payment is not received the vehicle will then be removed from the workshop and securely stored outside until the amount is paid, the above-mentioned service charge will still be applicable and accruing.
  10. Once outside Rust Republic accepts no responsibility for any damage to the vehicle as a result of the weather, or third party interference.
  11. Rust Republic reserves the right to recover any monies owed to us by way of legal action.

4. Payment:

  1. Rust Republic accepts payment by way of Cash, Personal Cheque (once cleared), Bank Transfer or any combination of the above. All payments are to be made directly to the Restorer named on the invoice presented
  2. Rust Republic reserves the right to pass on any bank charges incurred as a result  of a payment.
  3. Cleared funds must be received by Rust Republic on or before the dates laid out in the payment agreement.

5. Insurance:

  1. Rust Republic is fully insured for both liability and premises
  2. Customers however must maintain their own insurance policy for the duration of their vehicle being under Rust Republic control. We recommend a “laid up” policy as a minimum.
  3. Rust Republic will not be liable for any loss of property or vehicle costs in the event of theft or damage.
  4. Although we are insured, customers are notified that vehicles are left with us at their own risk.

6. Glass:

  1. Rust Republic cannot accept responsibility for breakages that occur during the removal or refitting of glass and replacements will be invoiced to the customer. We always attempts to remove/refit glass without damage however, old glass will sometimes not remove without significant force

7. Contract Acceptance:

  1. Initial Work Agreements will be made at the start of the project but may require changes once the work has commenced as a result of stripping/working on the vehicle. This will be discussed with the customer at the earliest possible opportunity
  2. Bookings for major restorations can only be confirmed on receipt of minimum £1000 non-refundable deposit or by the customer delivering the vehicle to us on an agreed date
  3. Deposits/down payments are treated as a commitment to the contract.
  4. Delivery of vehicle to us is also commitment to contract.
  5. Cancellations up to 4 weeks before project start date will receive a 90% refund
  6. Cancellations within 4 weeks of project start date will receive no refund.
  7. Removal of vehicle from our premises will mean the project is cancelled and any place in our queue for work has been lost.
  8. Cancellation during or before the project will mean the vehicle must be immediately removed from our premises at the customers cost after the settlement of any monies owed. The vehicle will be removed from our workshop and stored outside (regardless of condition) until the customer settles and removes it and will incur a storage fee of £25 per day.
  9. All invoices must be paid immediately upon presentation. failure to do so will risk the project being terminated by Rust Republic.

8. Project Duration:

  1. Rust Republic will provide the customer with an estimated timeline of the duration of the project
  2. Rust Republic will not be held responsible for any overrun or extensions applied to this schedule as a result of other work, extra work needed or extended lead times for parts or any external factors.
  3. Any extra work will be advised by Rust Republic and amendments made to the schedule will be given.

9. Paint And Bodywork Guarantees:

  1. At Rust Republic we pride ourselves on our thoroughness and we therefore provide all our projects that require paintwork with a paint-work and bodywork guarantee.
  2. This guarantee has a duration of 6 months from date of vehicle return
  3. The guarantee covers but is not limited to, and is to be decided at the discretion of Rust Republic, defects in the body finishing process, such as cracks in any filler that may have been applied, premature bubbling of the paint, and flaking of the paint
  4. Any defects must be reported to us within 6 months of being returned to the customer and must be completed by Rust Republic
  5. Rust Republic offers no time scale to correct such occurrences as these corrections will need to fit in with the existing schedule.
  6. Rust Republic reserves the right to use a third party, if deemed necessary, to make the necessary repairs.
  7. Rust Republic reserves the right to investigate the circumstances of the defects, as some defects occur as a result of poor maintenance, care and/or storage of the vehicle, and to also use their discretion in granting work under guarantee.
  8. The guarantee does not cover damage caused to the vehicle by the owner or another third party, including but not limited to, accident damage, car park damage, chips, dents or scrapes.
  9. Rust Republic refuses to make payouts to the owner or other third party as a result of having bodywork corrected by another person or business.
  10. Where metallic, flaked, pearlescent or other such paints have been used, Rust Republic cannot guarantee a 100% colour/texture match on any repairs but all efforts to match the paint will be made.
  11. Rust Republic are not responsible for any costs incurred in transporting the vehicle to their premises for any element of inspection or warranty work

10. Mechanical Warranties:

  1. Rust Republic offers a 6 months, 6,000 mile (whichever occurs first) labour warranty on mechanical/repair work only, carried out by us that is also not covered by a separate manufacturer’s warranty.
  2. The Mechanical warranty includes but is not limited to, defects in new mechanical parts and/ or defects occurring as a result of poor assembly/ fitment of mechanical items.
  3. NEW parts* sourced from VAT applicable suppliers will carry a 12 months PARTS warranty with 6 month labour as per terms above. *wear and tear parts such as but not limited to brakes, clutches and batteries do not carry this warranty unless the part can be proven to be a defective item.
  4. NEW OLD STOCK parts do not carry any warranty due to the age and possible prior storage of these parts. However, any NOS part will be inspected as best as possible prior to fitting.
  5. USED parts do not carry any warranty. All used parts will be inspected prior to fitting to ensure they are safe to use. Rust Republic reserve the right to refuse the fitting of used parts if new options are available or they deem the part unsafe
  6. Rust Republic are not responsible for any consequential damage caused by the failure of any parts fitted (New/NOS or Used)
  7. The Warranty does not include damage caused by misuse or poor maintenance.
  8. Rust Republic reserves the right to investigate the circumstances of the mechanical defects, as some defects occur as a result of poor maintenance, care and/or storage of the vehicle or excessive use or abuse of the vehicle, and to also use their discretion in granting work under warranty.
  9. Where work is covered by warranty, Rust Republic reserves the right to refuse warranty work if the owner cannot provide invoices to show appropriate maintenance work carried out by other qualified garages/persons if needed.
  10. Rust Republic also reserves the right to refuse warranty work if work carried out by the customer/others is seen to be substandard or the cause of the defects.
  11. Rust Republic recommends that while under warranty any servicing and/or maintenance work be carried out by us wherever possible
  12. Rust Republic are not responsible for any costs incurred in transporting the vehicle to their premises for any element of inspection or warranty work

11. Subcontract Work:

  1. Although we try to keep all repairs inhouse at Rust Republic wherever possible, there is sometimes the need to utilise external specialists to support the repairs on your vehicle. Typical examples of this include trimming, some gearbox rebuilds, tyres, wheel refurbishing, 4-wheel alignment etc. Where we have to use an external supplier, we shall endeavour to choose the best fit supplier for your vehicle that we can. Any subcontract work shall be itemised on your invoice.
  2. The warranty of subcontract work will be as per the terms and conditions of said subcontractor
  3. Rust Republic are not responsible for covering the costs of any labour involved in removing/refitting parts needed to the return items for subcontract repairs after the standard labour warranty as per section 10.1
  4. Rust Republic are not responsible for any costs incurred in transporting the vehicle to their premises for any element of inspection or warranty work

12. Handover:

  1. Once the vehicle is finished Rust Republic will carry out a Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) to make sure everything is up to standard.
  1. Road tests may need to be completed as part of the PDI process and can range between 10 and 150 miles depending on the work having been completed. The fuel costs for these journeys will be met by the customer and added to their invoice where necessary
  2. If any extras have been found or items have been added to the spec and previously agreed then vehicle will not be signed over to the owner until any outstanding invoices has been paid with cleared funds.
  3. Acceptance of the vehicle upon collection or delivery is acknowledgement that the customer is satisfied with all works carried out

13. Additional Work:

  1. Rust Republic accepts no responsibility and cannot be held liable for any additional work resulting from the discovery of previous poor repairs or age/ rust related damage to the vehicle. All discoveries will be notified to the customer and priced accordingly. It is then up to the customer to decide the course of action with the vehicle.
  2. The nature of full rebuilds and repair work, mean various aspects of the vehicle will need adjustment and attention after a short period of time. Rust Republic will not be liable for issues arising from adjustments not being made. It is the customers responsibility to check the vehicle over once in their possession. Rust Republic is happy to assist the customer with the adjustments and an appropriate charge will be made to cover the time spent in doing so.

14. Fuel:

  1. We ask that customers bringing vehicles to us for general workshop repairs leave their vehicles with plenty of fuel in the tank, unless otherwise requested, If the vehicle runs out of fuel while in our care we reserve the right to add fuel up to 1/4 of a tank full and charge this at £2.00 per litre to the customer to cover our time in going to the nearest petrol station and dealing with the inconvenience.

15. Batteries:

  1. We ask that customers bring their vehicles to us with a fully charged battery. The battery must also be able to keep charge and not discharge abnormally.
  2. If the battery supplied is not in a serviceable condition, Rust Republic reserve the right to replace it and charge the customer for the parts and labour necessary to do this
  3. If no battery comes with the vehicle and one is needed to conduct/complete the repairs, Rust Republic reserve the right to replace it and charge the customer for the parts and labour necessary

16. Legal Action: In the event of a disagreement between Rust Republic and the customer. Rust Republic will do all it can to settle the dispute amicably. In the event of the above not being possible, Rust Republic will seek court proceeding to recover any monies owed. Legal proceedings will also be initialised to protect Rust Republic from excessive costs brought by the customer.