Welcome to D S Associates. Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before using our website or engaging us for your architecture or interior design project.
1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing this website, contacting us, or engaging D S Associates for any architectural or interior design service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree, please do not use the website or our services.
2. Our Services
Darshan Shedge & Associates (D S Associates) provides architecture, interior design and related consultancy services. The exact scope of each project is defined in a written proposal, appointment letter or agreement signed by both parties. Typical services may include:
- Concept design, space planning and design development
- Architectural and interior drawings, 3D visuals and material selection
- Statutory approval drawings and liaison, where specifically agreed
- Site visits, design supervision and coordination with contractors
3. Engagement and Project Scope
A project begins only after we receive a signed agreement or written confirmation together with the agreed advance payment. Any work outside the agreed scope, including major redesigns, additional areas, or changes after design approval, will be treated as additional work and charged separately after prior written intimation.
4. Fees and Payment
- Fees, stage-wise payment schedule and taxes (including GST, where applicable) are stated in the proposal or agreement.
- Invoices are payable within the period mentioned on the invoice. Delayed payments may lead to a pause in work and, where agreed, interest on overdue amounts.
- The advance paid is generally non-refundable once work has commenced, as it covers time and resources already committed.
- Reimbursable costs such as travel outside the city, printing, authority fees, model making and courier are charged at actuals unless stated otherwise.
- Drawings and design deliverables are released stage by stage against payment of the corresponding instalment.
5. Client Responsibilities
To deliver on time and to a high standard, the client agrees to:
- Provide accurate information, requirements, site documents, survey data and ownership or permission papers when asked.
- Review and give feedback or approval on submitted designs within a reasonable time.
- Provide timely access to the site and make decisions in good time, as delays may extend the project timeline.
- Obtain, at the client's cost, any statutory permissions and third-party approvals unless these are expressly included in our scope.
6. Timelines and Revisions
Timelines shared by us are estimates and depend on prompt client approvals, availability of information and factors outside our control such as authority delays, weather, material availability and force majeure events. The number of design revisions included at each stage is stated in the agreement; additional revisions may be charged.
7. Contractors, Vendors and Site Execution
Unless our agreement expressly says otherwise, we are not the contractor for construction or execution work. Contractors, consultants and vendors recommended by us work under their own contracts with the client and are responsible for their workmanship, quality, schedules and safety. Where we provide site supervision, it is limited to periodic inspection and design-intent review and does not make us responsible for the contractor's means, methods or defaults.
8. Intellectual Property
- All drawings, designs, 3D models, renders, specifications and documents prepared by D S Associates remain our intellectual property until full payment is received.
- On full payment, the client receives a non-exclusive licence to use the designs for the specific project and site for which they were prepared.
- The designs may not be reproduced, sold or used for another project or location without our written permission.
- Content on this website, including text, photographs, logos, videos and graphics, belongs to D S Associates or its licensors and may not be copied or republished without consent.
9. Portfolio and Publicity
Unless the client requests confidentiality in writing before the project begins, D S Associates may photograph or record the completed project and display it, with the project name and general location, on our website, social media and marketing material. We will not disclose private financial details.
10. Reviews and Testimonials
Reviews submitted through our website are published only after approval by our team. By submitting a review you confirm that it is based on your genuine experience and you allow us to display your name, role or location, and review text on our website. We may decline or remove reviews that are abusive, misleading, unlawful or unrelated to our services.
11. Use of This Website
You agree to use this website only for lawful purposes. You must not attempt to gain unauthorised access, introduce malicious code, submit false or spam enquiries, or interfere with the site's operation. Information on the website, including project images and descriptions, is provided for general information and does not constitute a binding offer.
12. Confidentiality and Privacy
We treat the information you share about your property, requirements and finances as confidential and use it only to provide our services and respond to your enquiries. Personal details submitted through our contact or review forms are used to communicate with you and manage our projects, and are not sold to third parties. We may share necessary information with consultants, authorities or contractors working on your project.
13. Limitation of Liability
- Our services are provided with reasonable skill and care in line with professional practice.
- To the extent permitted by law, our total liability arising from a project is limited to the professional fees actually received by us for that project.
- We are not liable for indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit or use, or delays and defects caused by contractors, vendors, authorities, the client's decisions or events beyond our reasonable control.
- Visualisations, renders and material samples are indicative; final appearance may vary with site conditions, lighting and material batches.
14. Suspension and Termination
Either party may terminate the engagement by giving written notice as set out in the agreement. On termination, the client must pay for all work completed and expenses incurred up to the termination date. We may suspend work if payments are overdue or required information and approvals are not provided. Completed drawings are released on settlement of dues.
15. Governing Law and Disputes
These Terms are governed by the laws of India. We encourage both parties to resolve any disagreement through discussion first. If it cannot be settled amicably, it may be referred to arbitration or, failing that, the courts at Pune, Maharashtra will have exclusive jurisdiction.
16. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this page with a new "last updated" date. Terms agreed in a signed project agreement continue to apply to that project.
17. Contact Us
For questions about these Terms, please reach out to us:
- Darshan Shedge & Associates (D S Associates)
- Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Email: darshan.shedge@gmail.com
- Phone: +91 84464 63655