Terms & Conditions

These terms and conditions govern the provision of professional services by Volarex (Adam Whitehouse) to clients. By instructing Volarex to carry out services, you agree to be bound by these terms.

Please read these terms carefully. If you have any questions, contact us before instructing.

Volarex is regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and subject to RICS Rules of Conduct and professional standards.

In these terms:

"Volarex" / "we" / "us" means the professional services business operated by Adam Whitehouse trading as Volarex.

"Client" / "you" means the person, company, or organisation instructing Volarex.

"Services" means the RICS surveying, quantity surveying, valuation, or related services agreed between the parties.

"Report" means any written survey report, valuation report, cost plan, or other professional document produced by Volarex.

"Instructions" means the written or verbal instruction to proceed with Services.

3.1 The scope of Services will be agreed in writing (including email) before work commences. Any work outside the agreed scope will be subject to additional fees.

3.2 For RICS Home Surveys, the scope of inspection is as defined by the RICS Home Survey Standard. All surveys are visual inspections of accessible and visible elements only. We do not carry out specialist investigations (electrical, drainage, structural engineering, gas, asbestos) unless specifically agreed in writing.

3.3 For quantity surveying services, the scope will be as detailed in our fee proposal or engagement letter.

3.4 We will not carry out destructive investigations unless specifically agreed in advance.

4.1 Our fees are as agreed in the fee proposal or as stated on our website. Fees are exclusive of VAT (where applicable).

4.2 For residential surveys, payment is required before the survey report is released unless otherwise agreed.

4.3 For commercial quantity surveying services, payment terms are as set out in the engagement letter. Unless otherwise agreed, invoices are payable within 14 days of issue.

4.4 We reserve the right to charge interest on late payments at the rate of 8% per annum above the Bank of England base rate, in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

4.5 If a survey appointment is cancelled within 48 hours of the scheduled inspection time, a cancellation fee of 50% of the agreed fee may be charged.

5.1 Any report or advice produced by Volarex is confidential and prepared for the use of the named client only.

5.2 Reports produced for residential survey clients may be shared with their instructed solicitors and mortgage lenders. Reports should not be provided to estate agents, vendors, or third parties without our prior written consent.

5.3 We do not accept liability for any loss arising from reliance on our report by any party other than the named client, unless we have provided written consent for the report to be relied upon by that party.

6.1 Our liability to you in respect of any single claim arising from the Services is limited to the greater of: (a) The fee paid for the specific Services giving rise to the claim; or (b) £1,000,000 (one million pounds).

6.2 We shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, or special loss, including loss of profit, loss of opportunity, or loss of anticipated savings.

6.3 Nothing in these terms limits or excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be limited by law.

6.4 We maintain professional indemnity insurance in accordance with RICS requirements. Details of our insurance cover are available on request.

6.5 Any claim must be notified to us in writing within six years of the date the Services were completed.

7.1 The client or their authorised representative is responsible for ensuring access to the property for the survey. If access is not available on the agreed date, a re-inspection fee may apply.

7.2 Our surveys are visual inspections. We do not move furniture, lift fitted floor coverings, open up concealed areas, or carry out any action that might cause damage to the property.

7.3 We are not responsible for defects that were concealed at the time of inspection, or that were in areas not accessible during the survey.

7.4 Survey reports reflect the condition of the property at the date of inspection only.

7.5 Where we recommend further investigation by a specialist (structural engineer, drainage contractor, etc.), you should instruct that investigation before exchange of contracts. We are not responsible for issues identified by specialist investigations that we have recommended.

8.1 If you are dissatisfied with our services, please contact us in the first instance at info@volarex.co.uk or by telephone, so that we have the opportunity to address your concerns.

8.2 If your complaint is not resolved informally, we operate a formal complaints procedure. A copy of our complaints procedure is available on request.

8.3 As RICS members, we are subject to RICS professional standards and you may refer your complaint to RICS if it is not resolved through our internal procedure.

8.4 Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is available through RICS's consumer redress scheme for residential clients.

All intellectual property rights in reports, cost plans, and other documents produced by Volarex remain the property of Volarex until fees have been paid in full. Upon payment of all fees, the client receives a non-exclusive licence to use the document for the purposes for which it was commissioned.

These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

We reserve the right to update these terms and conditions from time to time. The current version will always be published at volarex.co.uk/terms. Changes will not affect instructions already accepted.

These terms were last updated in May 2025.