General terms

These terms apply to every quote and every contract of D'Hondt Service (“we”) with a client (“you”). Where a rule applies only to a consumer (a private person not acting for their trade or profession) or only to a business, this is stated. Deviations only apply if agreed in writing (email included). The client's own terms do not apply unless we accept them in writing. If a provision is invalid, the others remain in force.

A quote is valid until the date shown on it. The price is based on the situation visible during the site visit.

If during the work we find contamination, damage or infestation that could not reasonably be seen during the site visit, we tell you immediately, with photos, and send you a written price (email included) before doing any extra work. That work is only carried out and charged after your written agreement. If you do not agree, you can end the contract free of charge for the part not yet carried out; you then only pay for the work already done, at the prices in the quote.

Work not included in the quote is only carried out after your written agreement (email included) to a price. It is invoiced separately.

We work according to the applicable safety and hygiene rules. If we come across unexpected risks, such as biological hazards, dangerous substances, asbestos, needles or chemicals, we may stop work in that area for as long as the safety of our staff cannot be guaranteed. We inform you immediately and propose an approach and a price. Article 2 applies to any extra costs.

We dispose of waste according to the applicable rules. Special or hazardous waste (for example asbestos, chemicals or tyres) whose disposal is not included in the quote is only charged after you have agreed to the price beforehand.

Before we start, you remove everything you want to keep, or mark it clearly. If we find money, jewellery, securities, personal documents or photos during the work, we set them aside and return them to you. What the quote says is to be removed, we may dispose of, have recycled or give away.

Odour removal is carried out according to professional standards. We cannot guarantee that all odours disappear permanently when building materials, floors, walls or structural parts are permanently affected.

We are not liable for damage to the home, installations or contents that existed before the work began, or that results solely from long-term contamination, damp, mould, vermin or other circumstances from before the job. We do remain liable for damage that we or our staff cause through a fault in carrying out the work. This provision in no way limits our liability for intent or gross negligence, or for death or personal injury.

You declare that you are entitled to give the job, for example as owner, as tenant, or as heir with the agreement of the other heirs. You provide access to the home and, unless agreed otherwise, the necessary permits or permissions, such as for a container on the public road.

Before, during and after the work we may take photos of the rooms we work in, solely to record the state of the home and the work done, for example as proof in a disagreement about existing damage or extra work. As far as possible we keep people, personal documents and personal photos out of the picture. These photos are not published and not given to anyone, except to a lawyer, insurer or court if needed for a dispute. We keep them until two years after the last payment, or longer while a dispute is ongoing.

We only publish photos (on our website, social media or in print) if you give separate consent on the form “Consent for photos”. Refusing has no effect whatsoever on the job or the price.

Invoices are payable within 14 days of the invoice date. If the quote includes an advance, it is payable before the work starts and is deducted in full from the final invoice. If the contract ends for a reason attributable to us, or if you withdraw from the contract, we repay the advance within 14 days, less the amount for work already done where the law allows this.

If you do not pay by the due date, we first send you a free reminder. If you do not pay within 14 calendar days, counted from the third working day after that reminder was sent (if sent by email: from the day after sending), the following are due: late-payment interest on the outstanding amount at the rate of article 5, second paragraph, of the Belgian law of 2 August 2002, and a fixed compensation of €20 if the outstanding balance is €150 or less; €30 plus 10% of the amount between €150.01 and €500 if the balance is between €150.01 and €500; €65 plus 5% of the amount above €500, up to a maximum of €2,000, if the balance is above €500. If we fail to meet our obligations, you are entitled to equivalent compensation.

For a client acting as a business, late-payment interest under article 5 of the Belgian law of 2 August 2002 is due by law and without notice of default if payment is not made by the due date, together with the fixed compensation of €40 under article 6 of that law, without prejudice to reasonable compensation for higher recovery costs.

A consumer who concludes the contract away from our business premises or at a distance has a 14-day right of withdrawal. The explanation and the model withdrawal form are attached to the quote.

Please report a complaint as soon as possible, preferably in writing, to dhondtservice.ninove.001@outlook.com or 0465 08 13 97. We will look for a solution with you. If that does not work, a consumer can turn to the Belgian Consumer Mediation Service (www.consumentenombudsdienst.be).

Terry D'Hondt (D'Hondt Service) is responsible for your data. We use your contact and address details to draw up the quote, carry out the job and invoice it (performance of the contract and our legal accounting obligations), and the photos of article 10 as proof (our legitimate interest; you can object to this). You have the right of access, rectification, erasure, restriction and objection, and you can lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Authority (www.dataprotectionauthority.be). More information: dhondtservice.be/en/privacy.

The contract is governed by Belgian law. For disputes with a consumer, the courts designated by law have jurisdiction. For disputes with a client acting as a business, only the courts of the judicial district of East Flanders have jurisdiction.