Governing Law & Terms of Service

1. Introduction & Acceptance

Welcome to TimberCraft Pro. This document outlines the governing law, terms of service, conditions of contract, and dispute resolution mechanisms applicable to all carpentry contracting services provided by TimberCraft Pro ("Company," "we," "our," or "us"). By engaging our services, requesting estimates, signing contracts, or utilizing our website, you ("Client," "you," or "your") acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms.

2. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

All agreements, contracts, estimates, and communications related to services provided by TimberCraft Pro shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

Any legal actions, claims, or disputes arising out of or in connection with our services shall be exclusively subject to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Sangamon County, Illinois. Both parties consent to personal jurisdiction and venue in these courts.

3. Scope of Services & Contracts

3.1 Written Agreements

No work shall commence until a written contract, signed by both parties, is executed. The contract will detail the scope of work, materials, timelines, payment schedule, and applicable warranties.

3.2 Change Orders

Any modifications to the original scope of work must be documented in a written Change Order, signed by both parties, specifying adjustments to cost, timeline, or specifications. Verbal agreements or site instructions are not binding unless subsequently ratified in writing.

3.3 Site Conditions & Access

Clients are responsible for ensuring clear, safe access to work areas, securing necessary permits, and maintaining utilities (water, electricity) as required. TimberCraft Pro reserves the right to delay or suspend work if site conditions are unsafe, inaccessible, or materially different from those disclosed during estimation.

4. Payment Terms & Remedies

4.1 Payment Schedule

Unless otherwise stated in the contract, a 50% deposit is required upon acceptance of the estimate. The remaining balance is due upon substantial completion of the project. Late payments incur interest at 1.5% per month or the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is lower.

4.2 Lien Rights & Mechanics Liens

If payment is not received within 30 days of the invoice date, TimberCraft Pro reserves all rights under Illinois mechanics lien statutes, including filing a lien against the property, suspension of work, and pursuit of legal remedies for recovery of unpaid amounts, costs, and attorneys' fees.

5. Limitation of Liability

TimberCraft Pro shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from the performance or non-performance of services, including but not limited to loss of use, business interruption, or property damage unrelated to direct carpentry work. Our total liability shall not exceed the total contract value of the specific project giving rise to the claim.

Client is responsible for protecting non-related property, valuables, and furnishings within the work area. TimberCraft Pro exercises reasonable care to minimize disruption and dust but does not guarantee a completely undisturbed environment during active construction.

6. Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute, both parties agree to pursue the following tiered resolution process before initiating litigation:

• Direct Negotiation: Parties shall attempt to resolve the matter through good-faith discussions within 14 days of written notice.
• Mediation: If unresolved, parties shall submit to non-binding mediation administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or a mutually agreed-upon mediator.
• Binding Arbitration: Should mediation fail, disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with AAA construction rules, with the exception of claims seeking injunctive relief or amounts under $10,000, which may be pursued in small claims court.

The prevailing party in any arbitration or legal action shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

7. Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, severe weather, natural disasters, labor disputes, supply chain disruptions, government actions, or pandemics. In such events, timelines shall be extended accordingly, and the Client shall be notified promptly.

8. Intellectual Property & Design Rights

All design concepts, blueprints, CAD files, 3D renderings, and custom carpentry patterns created by TimberCraft Pro remain the intellectual property of the Company unless explicitly transferred in writing. Clients are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use these materials solely for the intended project.

9. Privacy & Data Usage

TimberCraft Pro collects and processes client information in accordance with applicable privacy laws. Contact details, project specifications, and payment information are stored securely and used solely for project execution, billing, and quality assurance. We do not sell, rent, or share personal data with third parties except as required for service fulfillment or legal compliance.

10. Modifications & Severability

TimberCraft Pro reserves the right to update these terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of revised terms. If any provision of this document is found to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.