3. Terms and Conditions
Last updated: May 2025
3.1 About us
These terms and conditions govern your use of www.rhiannonpiper.com and apply to any services provided by Rhiannon Piper Conservation Ltd ("we", "us", "our"). By accessing our website or engaging our services, you agree to these terms.
If you have any questions, please contact us at rp@rhiannonpiper.com.
3.2 Use of this website
You may use this website for lawful purposes only. You must not:
• Use the website in any way that breaches applicable law or regulation
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the website or its systems
• Transmit any unsolicited commercial communications or malicious software
• Reproduce, copy, or redistribute any content without our prior written permission
3.3 Our services
Rhiannon Piper Conservation Ltd provides professional conservation services for fine art and decorative objects, working with private collectors, museums, galleries, heritage organisations, and estates. Our services include:
• Painting conservation — Structural and surface treatments for oil, tempera, and acrylic on canvas, board, and panel, including cleaning, consolidation, stabilisation, and retouching.
• Frame conservation — Stabilisation and restoration of antique and decorative frames, including gilded and painted finishes, structural repairs, and missing element reconstruction.
• Gilded objects — Conservation of water-gilded and oil-gilded surfaces, including consolidation of flaking gilding, toning, and sympathetic inpainting of losses.
• Condition reporting — Detailed written and photographic condition reports for insurance, sale, loan, or your own records, suitable for single works or whole collections.
• Collection surveys — Assessment of collections held by institutions, estates, or private collectors, with prioritised treatment recommendations and preventive care advice.
• Preventive care — Practical guidance on display, storage, handling, and environment for private clients who want to care for their collection at home.
All services follow a clear process: initial consultation and examination of the work; a written condition report and treatment proposal with a cost estimate; conservation treatment with progress photography throughout; and a full treatment report with before-and-after documentation on completion.
All services are subject to a separate written agreement or service contract, which will set out the specific scope, deliverables, timelines, and fees agreed between us.
3.4 Intellectual property
All content on this website — including text, images, logos, reports, and documents — is the intellectual property of Rhiannon Piper Conservation Ltd unless otherwise stated. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use any content without our prior written consent.
Any reports, condition reports, treatment records, or other deliverables we produce for you remain the intellectual property of Rhiannon Piper Conservation Ltd. Upon receipt of full payment, we grant you a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the deliverables for the specific purpose agreed in writing at the time of instruction. Use of deliverables for any other purpose requires our prior written consent.
3.5 Fees and payment
Our fees will be agreed in writing before work commences. Unless otherwise stated:
• Invoices are payable within [30] days of the invoice date
• We reserve the right to charge interest on overdue invoices 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
• We may suspend work if invoices remain unpaid beyond the payment term
• A deposit of 50% of the estimated treatment cost is required before treatment commences. The estimated cost will be agreed in writing following a consultation. Treatment will not begin until the deposit has been received
3.6 Cancellation and refunds
The client may cancel a confirmed project at any time prior to the treatment start date by notifying us in writing (email is acceptable). Cancellations received before the treatment start date will incur no charge, and any deposit paid will be refunded in full, less any costs already incurred (such as materials ordered or preparatory work undertaken).
Where a cancellation is made within 48 hours of the treatment start date, a late cancellation fee of 25% of the total agreed contract value will be charged to cover mobilisation and preparatory costs already incurred. This will be deducted from any deposit held, with any shortfall invoiced separately.
Once treatment has commenced, the full contract fee becomes due and payable in accordance with the payment terms set out in section 3.5. No refund will be issued in respect of work already carried out.
We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a booking in exceptional circumstances (including adverse weather conditions, site access issues, or events beyond our reasonable control). In such cases, we will offer an alternative date or a full refund of any deposit paid.
3.7 Liability
To the extent permitted by law:
• We provide our services with reasonable skill and care, but we do not warrant that our website or services will be uninterrupted, error-free, or meet your specific requirements
• Our total liability to you for any claim arising out of or in connection with our services shall not exceed the total fees paid by you in the preceding 12 months
• We shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, or special loss, including loss of profits, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such loss
Nothing in these terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law.
3.8 Insurance and objects in our care
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance. While works are in our physical possession, we take reasonable care of them and maintain appropriate insurance cover.
The client is responsible for ensuring adequate insurance cover for works during transit to and from our studio. We strongly recommend using a specialist fine art courier or carrier, and we are happy to advise on this. We accept no liability for loss or damage occurring during transit.
3.9 Photography and documentation
We routinely photograph works before, during, and after treatment for documentation purposes. These images form part of the treatment record and are shared with the client on completion.
We may wish to use before-and-after photography for portfolio, website, or professional development purposes. We will always seek your written permission before doing so. Images used for promotional purposes will not identify the client or the provenance of the work unless you expressly agree to this.
3.10 Third-party links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content or practices of those websites and we recommend you review their own terms and privacy policies.
3.11 Governing law
These terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
3.12 Changes to these terms
We may update these terms at any time. The most current version will be published on our website. Continued use of the website following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms.