Interpretation
“Company” Means FAIRMONT REED LTD (Registered In England and Wales under No. 14385428) whose registered office is at Office 1, Orchard House, Tugby Orchards Business Centre, Wood Lane, Tugby, Leicestershire, LE7 9WE trading as FAIRMONT REED LTD; “Customer” Means the individual, firm, company or other party with whom the company contracts; “We/Us/Our” Means FAIRMONT REED LTD; “Contract” Means a contract for the purchase and sale of goods; “Goods” Means any goods and any instalment of the goods or any parts for them which the Company has agreed to supply under the Contract.
Product Categories
Our products fall into several categories, with each of them having their own set of terms associated with them as follows. Please see the appropriate section below.
Solid Wood Tables & Benches
Solid Wood & Resin River Tables
Natural Stone Tables
Dekton® and Solid Wood & Dekton® Strip Tables
Goods, Pricing and Availability
Each product we sell is sold subject to its product description. Every care is taken to ensure that all product details, prices and descriptions on our website and other marketing materials are accurate at the point they are entered onto our systems or sent for printing. Should we become aware of any error, every effort will be made to correct these mistakes as quickly as possible and inform the Customer of them, so that you may either confirm your purchase or cancel your order.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure any images on our website reflect as accurately as possible the actual product colours and finishes, colour variations can occur due to factors such as monitor settings and/or photographic lighting used. Also, our products are primarily manufactured from natural materials and as such will be subject to slight variations from the images displayed on our website.
Please also be aware of any product care instructions included with the product and/or within the descriptions on our website. We will accept no responsibility for any damage that has occurred as a result of incorrect care for as per our guidelines and recommendations.
Please note that we are unable to confirm the price of a product until your order is accepted in line with our order acceptance conditions.
Payment
Please be aware that you will be charged for the whole value of your order as soon as you place it, not after you have received the goods.
Deliveries
Any delivery charges are included in the total cost of your order. However, should there be any exception to this, for whatever reason, our customer services department will contact you prior to work starting on your order to confirm you would still like to proceed with your purchase. Before you submit your order, please ensure you have entered the correct delivery address details as any errors could result in additional delivery charges.
Deliveries are available to the UK Mainland addresses only.
Risk & Ownership
Risk of Goods (responsibility of Goods) is transferred at the point of delivery; Ownership of Goods is transferred once Goods are paid in full and delivery has taken place.
Faulty, damaged or incorrect Goods
For any faulty or damaged Goods, please take a photo and email us within 24 hours of receiving the goods at [email protected]. Please do not simply return damaged or faulty Goods without contacting us first. For incorrect Goods please contact the Company within 24 hrs of receiving the Goods.
Cancelling and Returning Goods
If for some reason you are unhappy with your online or showroom purchase, please let us know within 14 days. All items for return must be in perfect condition for resale and returned in original packaging within 14 days of receipt.
At the point of delivery please ensure you check your purchase over thoroughly with the delivery team. If any faults, damage or defects are apparent then please contact us immediately by email to [email protected] or by phone 01780 433515.
Bespoke items cannot be returned or cancelled so please ensure you are happy with all the details with respect to finish size and design on placing your order. Please note that whilst we make every effort to meet your exact measurements you should allow a tolerance of +/- 5% as we are working with boards of wood which do vary in width and thickness.
If you become aware of any fault, damage or defect within 14 days of delivery please contact us by email at [email protected] with a clear description and images of the issue.
Please contact us 01780 433515 to arrange a return.
We reserve the right to refuse a refund if goods are not returned in resaleable condition.
The buyer is responsible for any transport costs for the return.
Due to the nature of the wood and stone within our products, there are certain characteristics which we deem to be acceptable, in fact, they are desirable in our pieces and we will not be able to offer a refund or replacement due to personal taste.
We will endeavour to replace/repair any damaged furniture as soon as we possibly can, however, if a replacement is needed this may result in a wait of up to 4 weeks whilst a replacement is manufactured.
Cancellations
You are entitled to cancel your contract if you so wish, provided that you exercise your right no longer than 14 days after the day on which you receive the goods or services.
Your right to return or cancel products does not apply to goods that are made to measure or are made to your specification or that have been clearly personalised. This doesn't affect your statutory rights if goods are faulty or not as described.
If you wish to exercise your right of cancellation, you are obliged to retain possession of the goods and take reasonable care of them.
To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us of your decision to cancel your contract by a clear statement, including details of your name, geographical address, details of the order you wish to cancel and, where available, your phone number and email address.
You can cancel by email to [email protected] or by phone 01780 433515.
If you decide to cancel, you should return the goods to us at your cost within 14 days of such cancellation and we will reimburse to you (by the method used to pay for the original transaction) the amount in relation to goods to which cancellation rights apply.
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you. We will make the reimbursement no later than 14 days after the day we receive back from you any goods supplied.
Force Majeure
In this clause “Force Majeure” means an overpowering force itself, which prevents the fulfilment of a contract. If the Company is affected by Force Majeure, it shall promptly notify the other party of the nature and extent and will not be liable to the customer and not deemed as in breach of these conditions.
Other Terms
These terms and conditions (“Terms”) apply to each purchase of goods made from our website www.fairmontreed.uk or by telephone 01780 433515. These Terms also cover emails and any other promotional material such as catalogues. We may change or update these Terms occasionally and will publish changes on this website. By placing an order, the Customer agrees to be bound by these terms and conditions. If you do not agree with them you should refrain from placing an order with us. If you have any questions relating to them please contact our customer services department on 01780 433515 or by email [email protected]. These Terms and Conditions may be revised at any time. We would advise the user to check them regularly.
Law and Jurisdiction
The formation, performance, validity and all aspects of the Contract shall be governed by the laws of England and the parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
PRODUCT CATEGORIES
Solid Wood Tables & Benches
1. Cracking in the wood
Prior to production
Cracks may be present in the timber pieces when we make our tables (and other furniture). These cracks appear for one of two reasons – Firstly from the kiln drying process, which is the commercial seasoning of timber to prepare it for use indoors. Secondly from the air-drying process, which is the seasoning of the tree before kiln drying.
During the production process the cracks can be treated in several ways. Typical we will fill these cracks with a naturally dark coloured filler, but they can also be left open and hand finished if you would prefer the table to have a rustic look with more character. The final option would be to stabilise the crack with a contrasting wood “bowtie”, a wooden insert which is inlaid into the tabletop, tying together the surrounding wood to prevent the crack from expanding further.
After the furniture is made and in your home:
It is perfectly normal for cracking to occur in a once your new table has been installed. Depending on the season and the indoor conditions (see below), this can happen immediately or any time during the first 12 months.
The initial shrinkage / cracking of wood indoors is primarily caused by the moisture content of the air indoors being lower than the moisture content of the kiln dried timber. The dry air inside a home is generally a result of central heating drying the air out, combined with a lack of fresh air circulating to replace the lost moisture. Modern homes with underfloor heating and / or air conditioning, combined with well-sealed doors between rooms, normally have the driest air.
Kiln dried timber products typically have a moisture content anywhere between 8% and 15% and the warm, dry indoor air will act as a kiln to dry / shrink the wood further, causing cracking and other visible changes in the surface and edges of the oak pieces.
To minimise this shrinkage and the chances of cracking, the following steps are designed to allow the oak to acclimatise to the indoor conditions of your home as gently and slowly as possible.
- Have a house plant or plants growing in the room. They will put moisture back into the air through their breathing process (photosynthesis).
- Use a humidifier to control the moisture level in the room
- Allow fresh air to circulate through the home as much as possible. When your central heating / air conditioning is on and the doors are closed there will be virtually no moisture in the air of a room, resulting in the fastest and greatest degree of shrinkage and cracking, visible even within hours.
The Settling / Acclimatisation Period
As the timber acclimatises, new tables may develop cracks (new or widening of existing cracks), splits at glued joints, bends or deflected straight edges. This wood movement will normally take place over the first 12 months in the table’s new home (the acclimatisation / settling period) as it experiences the changing humidity levels through the changing seasons in your home for the first time.
2. Natural timber features
Wood is renowned for its natural beauty, but this can also include knots, areas of lighter or darker colour and other natural features of the wood being visible. During the manufacturing process our craftsmen will consider any natural flaws and decide how best to incorporate or avoid them, unless specifically asked to do otherwise by the customer at the time of order. A dark brown filler is used to fill any open cracks, knots and other voids during the manufacturing process, unless specifically instructed to do otherwise.
3. Nominal Table Width
The overall table width may vary by up to 5% so we can avoid natural imperfections in individual pieces that would cause an aesthetic or structural issue.
After production, the wood may lose moisture resulting in shrinkage of up to 5% across the grain, or width and thickness, of the table during the first 5 years.
4. Live Edge Table Width
Because the live-edge of a table undulates, the finished table width in a live edge table top may be +/-5% of the specified width at the time of order.
5. Colour variations
Because we use 100% natural timbers, variations in the colour within a plank, between planks and between different pieces of furniture in the same order are to be expected.
6. Colour Matching
Because of the individual nature of each tree, we are unable to offer exact colour-matching due to natural variations in wood tone. We may be able to use a particular finish that we don’t offer as standard, just ask at the time of ordering for details. Please be aware that a non-standard finish is likely to incur an additional cost.
7. Staining and Marking
The wood finishes we use provide a high level of protection against staining and marking, but the finish can still mark and stain, so we strongly recommend using placemats and coasters at all times. If your table is accidentally marked or damaged, we may still be able to help, so get in touch with some photos to find out your options.
The lacquers and finishes used in Fairmont Reed furniture is UV stabilised to it will not yellow over time like traditional varnishes and lacquers. However, we would recommend that you avoid subjecting your furniture to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
8. Restoration Work
Our tables are designed so that if any part of the table is damaged it can be removed and repaired or, if necessary, replaced. We can provide a quote for any restoration, refurbishment or damage repair on request.
9. Painted Finish
Our powder coated and painted table bases may become chipped when subject to any impact from another object. Any paint damage should be repaired by a qualified professional to avoid corrosion of the underlying steel.
Solid Wood & Resin River Tables
1. The Resin Colour
Our website shows examples of previous resin tables and pours we have made, as well as swatches of actual resin pours, in order to assist customers in selecting a suitable resin colour for their table. Please be aware that in some cases the specific colour/pattern shown may not be exactly replicable. Please be aware there may be variation in the colouring between a past project, or a colour sample, and your finished table as every resin pour is unique.
We can also not guarantee how the pattern in the resin will look as it is the result of an organic process of the reactions within the resin pour as it cures, which is in-turn a result of the depth and surface area of each pour, amongst several other factors.
2. Resin Imperfections
The nature of the timber grain we use for our resin tables, combined with the irreversible nature of the resin pouring and setting process, means there can often be permanent imperfections within the resin layers. Generally, these occur due to the following factors.
A very time and labour-intensive process is carried out to fill all the air holes in the table to minimise any bubbles that may form in the resin after it is poured. Despite this, it is impossible to prevent more air bubbles developing and being captured in the resin or at the surface, as these holes can run deep into the timber.
During the production process we will undertake to eliminate and / or treat any air bubble holes within the surface layers, or at the finished surface, using all our acquired knowledge and experience but please be aware that air bubbles and filled air pockets are normal within the resin section of a table.
Between pours, any dust or debris that has stuck to the cured surface is painstakingly removed. But again, it’s not always possible to see every particle that has stuck adhered to the resin, and it may not always possible to remove everything (depending on its depth within the resin layer).
With all these factors in mind, please be aware that there may be some minor imperfections captured within the resin section that cannot be removed and will form part of the table’s permanent appearance.
Natural Stone Tables
1. The Stone Colour
Our website and printed media show examples of natural stone tables along with swatch images of actual natural stone samples, to assist customers in selecting the colour and finish for their table. Please be aware that due to the colour and pattern variations inherent in all natural stone products it is impossible to match exactly the colours and patterns displayed on the website or printed media.
2. Stone Imperfections
During the manufacturing process of your stone top any surface imperfections will be identified and removed as part of this process. Due to its crystalline structure, over time small imperfections can develop in the surface if a crystal becomes dislodged and these should be repaired by a professional – if possible, keep any dislodged material as it may be possible to incorporate it into the repair.
3. Caring for your Natural Stone top
Caring for your Natural Stone top is easy, just requiring a wipe down using a damp, soft cloth with a mild soap solution and then dry it off with a microfibre cloth. Never use harsh abrasives, any acid cleaner such as vinegar, lemon juice or anything containing bleach, ammonia or solvents. If you are concerned about bacteria then the use of an antibacterial cleaner is permissible, but do test first on an inconspicuous area to ensure that doesn’t stain or affect the surface in any way. Specialist stone cleaning products are available and again these should be tested before using on the top. Quartzite and granite have a high degree of resistance to both staining and scratching, but that is not to say they are 100% resist to these effects. Always wipe down any spills immediately or at least as soon as possible to avoid any chance of a permanent stain developing. Likewise, always use a chopping board if you intend to cut anything on your top and be aware the metal objects in contact with surface have the potential to create scratches. Natural stone is also heat resistant, but again, it always best to err on the side of caution and use a hot pad or trivet should you need to place hot pans etc on the surface - thermal stress fractures can develop if these precautions are not taken. Never, ever sit or stand on the table top as this can lead to a stress crack or fracture and result in potential injury.
Dekton® and Solid Wood & Dekton® Strip Tables
1. Dekton® Colour
Our website and printed media show examples of Dekton® tables, along with swatch images supplied by the manufacturer, to assist customers in selecting the colour and finish for their table. Please be aware that due to the production process, colour and pattern variations will occur (though to a lesser extent than natural stone) making it impossible to match exactly the colours and patterns displayed on the website or printed media.
2. Caring for your Dekton® table top
Your Dekton® table top is resistant to stains, scratches, knocks and high temperatures from hot objects and remains unaffected by UV rays. Its almost zero porosity will give you peace of mind, as it is easier to maintain. Caring for your top is easy, just requiring a wipe down using a damp, soft cloth with a mild soap solution and then dry it off with a microfibre cloth or paper kitchen towel. Cleaners that contain mild acids such as vinegar, lemon juice can also be used to remove specific stains, along with grease removers or solvents where necessary. Hydrofluoric acid products should be avoided, as they can damage the surface. If you are concerned about bacteria, then the use of an antibacterial cleaner is perfectly acceptable. Specialist stone cleaning products are also available, but these should be tested before using on the whole top. Dekton® is highly scratch-resistant and domestic utensils will not scratch it. However, we do recommend using chopping boards to protect your utensils. Dekton® is designed to withstand hot objects (saucepans, frying pans, coffee makers, etc.) and electrical apparatus that give off heat. The use of mats or other protection is recommended for exposure over extended periods of time.
Dekton® Garden Tables
1. General care advice
Whilst these tables are designed for uses outdoors we do recommend that a suitable table cover is used whenever possible, especially during periods of inclement weather. After any period of heavy rain, ensure that the table base is not left submerged in water.