Terms and Conditions

1. About these terms

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") set out the basis on which ASPIRE STUDIOS LTD, trading as Mapmakers Opera ("we", "us", "our"), sells goods and supplies services to you. They apply to every quotation we issue, every order you place and every contract between us, whether agreed by email, by telephone, in our workshop or through this website.

Please read these Terms carefully before approving a quotation. By approving a quotation, paying a deposit or otherwise instructing us to proceed, you confirm that you accept these Terms and that you have authority to bind the person or organisation named as the customer.

These Terms, together with our written quotation, the approved specification and drawings, form the entire agreement between us. They override any terms you seek to impose, including any printed on a purchase order, unless a director of ours has agreed otherwise in writing.

Consumers: if you are buying as an individual and not for the purposes of your trade, business, craft or profession, you have statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. Nothing in these Terms affects those rights. Sections that apply only to consumers, or only to businesses, are marked as such.

2. Definitions

• Bespoke Goods — goods made to your specification or clearly personalised, including tables built to your dimensions, chips carrying your artwork, and engraved or inlaid items.
• Standard Goods — goods supplied from stock without personalisation, such as house-blank chips, cloth by the metre or maintenance kits.
• Services — restoration, re-felting, fitting, installation, consultancy, aftercare, storage, relocation and hire.
• Quotation — the written document issued by us specifying the goods, services, price, lead time and any assumptions.
• Specification — the drawings, dimensions, species, cloth, finish, hardware and artwork approved by you in writing before manufacture begins.
• Contract — the agreement formed under section 3.
• Working Day — Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England.

3. Quotations and formation of contract

1. Prices shown on this website are indicative starting points, not offers. Only a written Quotation is capable of acceptance.
2. A Quotation is valid for 60 days from its date unless it states otherwise. After that period we may re-quote to reflect material and labour costs.
3. Your approval of a Quotation is an offer to buy. A Contract is formed only when we issue a written order confirmation, or when we begin work with your agreement, whichever happens first.
4. We may decline any order. If we decline, we refund any sum you have paid in full within 14 days.
5. Obvious clerical errors in a Quotation — for example a transposed figure or a missing digit — do not bind us. If we discover one, we tell you promptly and you may confirm the corrected price or cancel with a full refund of anything paid.
6. You are responsible for the accuracy of the Specification, including room dimensions, access measurements, seat counts and artwork. We are not liable for a table that cannot be installed because access measurements you supplied were wrong.

4. Price, payment and late payment

1. The price is the amount stated in the Quotation. It is fixed once you approve it and does not change, save where you request a variation under section 6 or where an assumption stated in the Quotation proves incorrect.
2. Prices are stated exclusive of VAT unless marked otherwise. VAT is charged at the rate in force on the tax point date.
3. Unless the Quotation says otherwise, our standard payment schedule for a bespoke commission is: 40% on approval of drawings, 40% on completion and photographing of the frame, and 20% on satisfactory delivery and fitting.
4. Standard Goods and Services under £1,000 are payable in full before dispatch or before the service visit.
5. We accept bank transfer and major debit and credit cards. We do not store full card details.
6. Time for payment is of the essence. If a payment is late we may charge interest at 4% above the Bank of England base rate, and for business customers we may claim statutory interest and compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
7. If a stage payment is more than 14 days overdue we may suspend work. Suspension extends the lead time by at least the period of delay, and we may re-programme your build into the next available bench slot.
8. Discounts published on this website apply to the build price only, cannot be applied retrospectively, and may not exceed 25% in aggregate on any single Contract.

5. Bespoke goods, materials and tolerances

1. Timber is a natural material. Variation in colour, figure, grain and shade between boards, and between a sample and the finished article, is inherent and is not a defect.
2. Solid timber moves with humidity. Our tables are built with floating tops and expansion allowances for use in normally heated interiors between 40% and 60% relative humidity. Movement outside that range is not a defect.
3. Dimensional tolerance on tables is ±5 mm on overall length and width and ±3 mm on height, unless the Specification records a tighter tolerance agreed in advance.
4. Chip colour is matched to an approved physical sample chip. A tolerance of one Pantone shade step either side of the approved sample is normal in clay pressing and is not a defect.
5. Cloth, foam, leather and vinyl are wearing parts. Their expected life depends on use and is not covered by the structural warranty in section 10.
6. Where you supply artwork, you warrant that you own it or are licensed to use it, and you indemnify us against any claim that its reproduction infringes a third party's rights. We may decline artwork that appears to infringe, that is unlawful, or that we reasonably consider offensive.
7. We photograph and archive every commission. We may use those photographs in our portfolio and marketing in anonymised form. If you prefer that we do not, tell us in writing before delivery and we will not publish them.

6. Changes and variations

1. You may request a change to the Specification at any time before the relevant stage of manufacture begins. We will confirm in writing whether the change is possible, and any effect on price and lead time, before acting on it.
2. A change requested after materials have been cut, artwork has been pressed or finishing has begun may require new materials at your cost. We will always tell you the cost before proceeding.
3. We may make minor changes to a Specification to reflect a change in applicable law or safety requirements, or to implement a technical improvement that does not reduce quality or performance. We will tell you about any such change.
4. No variation is binding unless recorded in writing and confirmed by us.

7. Delivery, installation and risk

1. Lead times quoted are estimates given in good faith and run from the date the Specification is approved and the first payment is received. A typical single-table commission is 8 to 12 weeks.
2. We will agree a delivery date with you in advance. Delivery within the United Kingdom and to most of Europe is made by our own blanket-wrapped transport. Elsewhere we crate the goods and appoint a freight agent, or fly a fitter at cost, as stated in the Quotation.
3. You must provide safe, clear and lawful access, adequate parking or unloading space, a suitable floor surface and, where relevant, a functioning lift. Costs and delays caused by inadequate access are chargeable at our standard day rate.
4. If nobody is available to accept delivery at the agreed time, we may charge the cost of the abortive visit, redelivery and any storage.
5. Risk in the goods passes to you on completion of delivery, or on installation where we install.
6. Title to the goods passes only when we have received payment in full. Until then you must store the goods separately, keep them identifiable as ours, insure them for their full price, and not pledge or charge them.
7. You should inspect the goods on delivery and note any visible damage or shortage on the delivery record. Tell us about visible damage within 7 days of delivery — consumers' statutory rights are unaffected by this timescale.
8. We are not liable for delay caused by an event outside our reasonable control (section 13), but we will tell you promptly and agree a revised date.

8. Cancellation and returns

8.1 Consumers — statutory cancellation rights

If you are a consumer and the Contract was concluded at a distance (for example by email or telephone) or off our premises, you generally have 14 days from the day you receive the goods to cancel without giving a reason, under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

Where the right does apply, tell us by a clear statement — email to [email protected] is enough. Return the goods within 14 days of telling us, in the condition you received them. We refund within 14 days of receiving the goods back, including standard outbound delivery, but we may reduce the refund to reflect handling beyond what is needed to establish the nature and characteristics of the goods. You pay the cost of return, which for a table is the actual cost of specialist transport.

If you asked us to begin a Service during the cancellation period and then cancel, you must pay for what was supplied up to the point of cancellation.

8.2 Cancellation of a bespoke commission by agreement

Where you cancel a bespoke commission outside any statutory right, we charge the following, reflecting work done and materials committed:

8.3 Standard Goods

Unused Standard Goods in their original packaging may be returned within 30 days of delivery for a full refund of the goods price. Cut cloth and opened chip sets cannot be returned unless faulty.

8.4 Cancellation by us

We may cancel a Contract if you fail to make a payment when due and do not remedy it within 14 days of written notice, if you fail to supply information we reasonably need, or if an event outside our control prevents performance for more than 60 days. In those cases we refund sums paid less the charges in section 8.2 that reflect work already done.

9. Faulty goods and your remedies

Consumers. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 goods must be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality. If they are not, you may have a short-term right to reject within 30 days for a full refund; a right to repair or replacement thereafter; and a right to a price reduction or final rejection if repair or replacement fails or cannot be provided within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience. Services must be performed with reasonable care and skill; if they are not, you may require repeat performance or a price reduction. These rights are in addition to the warranty in section 10.

Businesses. Where goods do not conform to the Specification, notify us in writing within 14 days of delivery for visible defects, or within 14 days of discovery for latent defects and in any event within 12 months of delivery. We will, at our option, repair, replace or refund the non-conforming goods. That is your sole remedy for non-conformity, and the implied terms in sections 13 to 15 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 are excluded to the extent permitted by law.

We are not liable for a defect arising from fair wear and tear, wilful damage, negligence, abnormal working conditions, failure to follow our care instructions, storage in unheated or damp conditions, alteration or repair carried out without our written approval, or use of the goods outside their intended purpose.

To make a claim, email [email protected] with your order reference, a description of the issue and photographs. We may need to inspect the goods at your premises or recall them to the workshop.

10. Warranty and aftercare

1. We warrant the frames, joinery and rail cores of tables we manufacture against failure in normal use for 10 years from delivery.
2. We warrant chips against manufacturing defects — including delamination, inlay failure and abnormal colour loss — for 3 years from delivery.
3. We warrant restoration and re-felting work for 2 years from completion.
4. Cloth, foam, leather, vinyl, castors and other consumable or wearing parts are not covered; we replace them under our aftercare programme at published member rates.
5. The warranty covers parts and labour, including transport within the United Kingdom. Outside the UK, we cover parts and labour and you cover transport.
6. The warranty is transferable to a subsequent owner of the goods for the balance of its term, provided you tell us in writing within 30 days of the transfer.
7. The warranty is void where the goods have been altered, repaired by a third party without our written approval, or kept in conditions outside those described in section 5.2.
8. We archive artwork, moulds and colour formulas for 10 years so that reorders match. This is a service commitment rather than a warranty, and it depends on the original artwork remaining lawful to reproduce.
9. This warranty is in addition to, and does not affect, your statutory rights.

11. Hire, storage and site services

1. Hired equipment remains our property at all times. You must not sub-hire, move it between venues, or alter it without our written consent.
2. You are responsible for hired equipment from delivery until collection, and must insure it for its full replacement value. Damage beyond fair wear is chargeable at repair cost, or replacement cost if beyond economic repair.
3. Hire periods, rates and delivery windows are as stated in the Quotation. Late return is charged pro rata at the daily rate.
4. Goods held in our storage are insured by us to their declared value. You must declare an accurate value; under-declaration limits recovery to the declared figure.
5. For site work, you must ensure the site is safe, that we have been told about asbestos, live services or other hazards, and that our staff have access to welfare facilities. We may stop work where a site is unsafe and charge for the abortive visit.

12. Our liability

Consumers. If we fail to comply with these Terms, we are responsible for loss or damage you suffer that is a foreseeable result of our breach. We are not responsible for loss or damage that is not foreseeable. We are not liable for business losses; if you use the goods for any commercial purpose we will have no liability to you for loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption or loss of business opportunity.

Businesses. Subject to the paragraph above, our total liability arising under or in connection with a Contract, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty or otherwise, is limited to 100% of the price paid under that Contract. We are not liable for loss of profit, loss of revenue, loss of anticipated savings, loss of business or goodwill, loss of data, or any indirect or consequential loss, however arising.

We maintain public liability and product liability insurance. Certificates are available to business customers on request.

13. Events outside our control

We are not liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations where that failure or delay results from an event beyond our reasonable control, including fire, flood, storm, epidemic or pandemic, war, terrorism, civil unrest, industrial action, failure of utilities or transport networks, import or export restriction, the collapse of a building, or the failure of a supplier where no equivalent material is available.

If such an event occurs we will tell you as soon as reasonably possible, and our obligations are suspended for the duration of the event with the time for performance extended accordingly. If the event continues for more than 60 days, either party may cancel the Contract by written notice; in that case we refund sums paid for goods not yet manufactured and charge only for work already properly done.

14. General

1. Assignment. We may assign or subcontract our obligations, remaining responsible for performance. You may not transfer your rights without our written consent, which we will not unreasonably withhold.
2. Third parties. Except as stated in section 10.6, a person who is not a party to the Contract has no rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
3. Severance. If any provision is found unlawful, invalid or unenforceable, it is severed and the remainder continues in force.
4. Waiver. A delay or failure to enforce a right is not a waiver of it.
5. Notices. Notices must be in writing to the addresses in section 15. Email notices are deemed received on the next Working Day; posted notices two Working Days after first-class posting within the UK.
6. Entire agreement. The Contract constitutes the entire agreement between us and supersedes all prior discussions, save that nothing excludes liability for fraudulent misrepresentation.
7. Complaints and disputes. Our complaints procedure is set out on our Legal Information page. Consumers may also seek help from Citizens Advice or their local Trading Standards service.
8. Governing law. The Contract is governed by the law of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction, except that a consumer resident in Scotland or Northern Ireland may bring proceedings in their own jurisdiction.
9. Changes to these Terms. We may amend these Terms from time to time. The version in force when your Contract is formed governs that Contract; later changes do not apply retrospectively.

15. How to contact us

ASPIRE STUDIOS LTD (trading as Mapmakers Opera)
5 Torrington Gardens
Thingwall
Wirral
England
CH61 7US

Orders and general enquiries: [email protected]
Commissions: [email protected]
Complaints: [email protected]
Legal notices: [email protected]

Bench hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00–18:00 (GMT). Saturday by appointment. You can also use the form on our Contact page.