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MASTER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE

The Ethical Stone Company Limited

Last updated: May 2026

1. ABOUT US

These Terms and Conditions are issued by The Ethical Stone Company Limited, a company registered in England and Wales under company number 08264773 (“Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”).

These Terms apply to all quotations, orders, sales and supplies of goods and services by the Company whether placed:

  • through any website operated by us;
  • by email;
  • by telephone;
  • in person;
  • through a trade account;
  • by quotation;
  • by invoice; or
  • otherwise.

By placing an order with us, the Customer agrees to be bound by these Terms.

Nothing in these Terms affects statutory rights afforded under applicable law.

2. DEFINITIONS

“Customer” means the person, company or organisation purchasing goods or services from the Company.

“Consumer” means an individual acting for purposes wholly or mainly outside their trade, business, craft or profession.

“Business Customer” means a customer acting wholly or mainly in connection with a trade, business, craft or profession.

“Goods” means all products supplied by the Company including, without limitation:

  • natural stone;
  • reclaimed stone;
  • terrazzo;
  • porcelain;
  • tiles;
  • paving;
  • slabs;
  • fabricated products;
  • bespoke products;
  • furniture;
  • accessories; and
  • associated materials.

“Contract” means the agreement between the Company and the Customer for the sale and supply of Goods.

3. BASIS OF CONTRACT

All quotations are invitations to treat only and are non-binding until accepted by the Company.

A Contract shall only come into existence when:

  • written acceptance is issued by the Company;
  • payment is received; or
  • Goods are dispatched,

whichever occurs first.

These Terms shall apply to the exclusion of any terms proposed by the Customer unless expressly agreed in writing by the Company.

4. PRODUCT INFORMATION, NATURAL VARIATION AND SAMPLES

Many Goods supplied by the Company are manufactured from natural, reclaimed or handmade materials and inherently contain variation.

Natural stone, terrazzo and handmade products may contain variations in:

  • colour;
  • tone;
  • veining;
  • aggregate distribution;
  • fossils;
  • pitting;
  • texture;
  • surface markings;
  • pinholes;
  • edge detail;
  • dimensions;
  • thickness; and
  • finish.

Such characteristics are inherent features of the material and shall not constitute defects.

Samples, photographs, brochures, showroom displays, website images and marketing materials are provided for general guidance only and are not intended to represent the exact appearance of the Goods supplied.

Reasonable variation between batches, production runs and individual pieces is normal and shall not constitute grounds for rejection, cancellation or claim.

All stated dimensions are approximate and subject to normal manufacturing tolerances.

Samples cannot represent the full range of variation present within larger quantities or future production batches.

5. MADE-TO-ORDER, BESPOKE AND FABRICATED GOODS

Many Goods are manufactured, fabricated, processed, cut, finished, imported or otherwise prepared specifically to the Customer’s order.

Such Goods shall be regarded as:

  • bespoke;
  • made-to-order;
  • fabricated;
  • special-order; or
  • customised goods.

Once manufacture, fabrication, cutting, processing, finishing, packing, palletising or preparation for dispatch has commenced, orders for such Goods may not be cancelled except where required by law.

Consumers acknowledge that cancellation rights under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 may not apply to bespoke or made-to-order goods pursuant to Regulation 28.

6. CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

The Customer is responsible for:

  • verifying all measurements and quantities;
  • checking suitability for intended use;
  • ensuring compatibility with substrates, adhesives, sealers and installation methods;
  • ensuring suitable site conditions; and
  • ensuring safe and suitable access for delivery.

Any advice provided by the Company regarding installation, maintenance or suitability is provided in good faith but without liability.

The Company accepts no responsibility for:

  • installation methods;
  • workmanship;
  • substrate preparation;
  • site conditions;
  • sealing products used by third parties; or
  • installer error.

7. PRICING AND PAYMENT

All prices are stated in Pounds Sterling (£).

VAT and delivery charges shall be added where applicable.

Payment terms shall be as specified on quotations or invoices.

The Company reserves the right to amend pricing prior to acceptance of an order where:

  • pricing errors;
  • supplier increases;
  • currency fluctuations; or
  • typographical errors

have occurred.

Interest may be charged on overdue sums at 4% above the Bank of England base rate.

Ownership of Goods shall not pass until payment has been received in full.

8. DELIVERY

Delivery dates and times are estimates only and are not guaranteed.

The Company shall not be liable for delays caused by:

  • courier delays;
  • manufacturing delays;
  • supply shortages;
  • customs delays;
  • weather conditions;
  • transport disruption; or
  • events beyond our reasonable control.

Deliveries are made on a kerbside basis only using third-party pallet courier services unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Drivers are only required to deliver Goods as close to the delivery address as is reasonably safe and accessible using a tail lift and pallet truck.

Pallet trucks can only operate safely on smooth, level and solid surfaces such as concrete or tarmac.

Drivers are not required to move pallets over:

  • gravel;
  • loose stone;
  • grass;
  • mud;
  • soil;
  • uneven surfaces;
  • inclines;
  • narrow accessways; or
  • steps.

Final positioning of Goods remains entirely the Customer’s responsibility.

Delivery remains subject to driver discretion and safe access at all times.

Where delivery cannot be completed due to:

  • unsafe access;
  • failed attendance;
  • unsuitable surfaces;
  • restricted access; or
  • incorrect delivery details,

the Company reserves the right to charge additional delivery, storage or re-delivery costs.

Risk in the Goods passes upon delivery.

9. INSPECTION, DAMAGE AND SHORTAGES

Customers must inspect Goods immediately upon delivery and prior to installation.

Any visible damage, shortage or issue with packaging must be:

  • clearly noted on the delivery note; and
  • reported to the Company within 48 hours of delivery with supporting photographs.

Delivery notes should be marked:

  • “DAMAGED”; or
  • “UNCHECKED”

where appropriate.

Failure to notify the Company within this timeframe may affect our ability to investigate or pursue claims against carriers.

No claims for transit damage or shortages may be accepted where delivery notes have been signed “received in good condition” without qualification.

10. TRANSIT DAMAGE, WASTAGE AND TOLERANCES

Natural stone, terrazzo and porcelain products are heavy and fragile materials. Minor chips, edge imperfections, isolated cracks or breakages may occasionally occur during handling and transit.

The Company may include additional material within an order to allow for reasonable:

  • breakage;
  • cuts;
  • fitting; and
  • wastage.

Minor defects, isolated damaged pieces or reasonable manufacturing tolerances shall not constitute a defect in the overall order.

Where appropriate, the Company’s liability shall be limited to replacement of affected pieces only.

Customers should always order sufficient overage material for cutting, fitting and future maintenance.

11. STORAGE, HANDLING AND INSTALLATION

All Goods must be stored:

  • in dry conditions;
  • off the ground where possible; and
  • protected from contamination and moisture.

Corrugated separators and packaging materials should be removed promptly after delivery.

Goods should be removed from pallets as soon as reasonably possible after delivery.

No installation should commence while materials are wet or damp.

The Customer and/or installer is responsible for ensuring suitability prior to installation.

Installation, sealing, cutting or use of the Goods constitutes acceptance of the Goods.

No claims shall be accepted for:

  • installed materials;
  • variation reasonably visible prior to installation;
  • poor workmanship;
  • incorrect installation;
  • substrate failure; or
  • damage caused during storage, handling or installation.

12. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Nothing in these Terms excludes liability for:

  • death or personal injury caused by negligence;
  • fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or
  • liability which cannot legally be excluded.

Subject to the above, the Company shall not be liable for:

  • indirect or consequential loss;
  • loss of profit;
  • loss of business;
  • project delays;
  • contractor costs;
  • crane hire;
  • labour costs;
  • installation costs;
  • removal costs;
  • reinstatement costs; or
  • third-party expenses.

The Company’s total liability shall not exceed the purchase price of the Goods supplied.

Where Goods are defective, the Company’s liability shall be limited to:

  • repair;
  • replacement; or
  • refund,

at the Company’s discretion and subject to applicable law.

13. FORCE MAJEURE

The Company shall not be liable for failure or delay caused by events beyond its reasonable control including:

  • acts of God;
  • war;
  • terrorism;
  • industrial disputes;
  • port delays;
  • transport disruption;
  • shortages of materials;
  • energy interruption;
  • pandemics; or
  • governmental restrictions.

14. RETENTION OF TITLE (BUSINESS CUSTOMERS ONLY)

Ownership of Goods supplied to Business Customers shall not pass until payment has been received in full.

Until title passes:

  • the Goods shall remain the property of the Company;
  • the Customer shall store them separately and clearly identifiable; and
  • the Company may recover the Goods if payment is overdue.

15. CONSUMER RIGHTS

Nothing in these Terms affects statutory rights afforded to Consumers under:

  • the Consumer Rights Act 2015;
  • the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013; or
  • other applicable consumer protection legislation.

Where cancellation rights apply, Consumers may cancel eligible orders within 14 days of delivery.

Cancellation rights do not apply to:

  • bespoke goods;
  • made-to-order goods;
  • customised goods; or
  • goods produced to specification.

16. BUSINESS CUSTOMERS

Business Customers shall inspect Goods immediately upon delivery.

Any defect, shortage or issue must be reported within 48 hours.

Business Customers acknowledge that:

  • Goods are often natural or handmade products;
  • variation is inherent;
  • suitability for use is the Customer’s responsibility; and
  • no implied terms as to fitness for purpose shall apply unless expressly agreed in writing.

17. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All intellectual property rights in:

  • designs;
  • photographs;
  • brochures;
  • drawings;
  • samples; and
  • marketing materials

remain the property of the Company.

18. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Consumers may bring proceedings in their local UK jurisdiction where applicable by law.

Business Customers submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.