Thomas Rainsford Ltd

Last updated: 27 June 2026

1. About Us

Thomas Rainsford Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”) provides bespoke picture framing, art direction, curation, consultancy, exhibition planning, art presentation and related services.

Registered office: 8 Arundel Mews, Brighton, BN2 1GG
Email: info@thomasrainsford.com
Telephone: 07398 221318

These Terms apply to all work undertaken by Thomas Rainsford Ltd unless we agree otherwise in writing.

2. Estimates, Quotations and Acceptance

Initial estimates, including those given by telephone, email or message, are indicative only. They may be based on approximate measurements, photographs or preliminary information provided by the client.A final quotation may be issued once we have inspected, measured or received fuller information about the artwork, materials, specification or scope of work.A quotation will normally set out the agreed specification, including where relevant:artwork dimensions;frame moulding, mount, glazing and backing choices;any conservation, restoration or specialist handling requirements;delivery, installation, collection or storage arrangements;expected timescale; andprice and VAT status.Quotations are valid for 30 days unless stated otherwise.A contract is formed when you confirm acceptance in writing, pay a requested deposit, or instruct us to proceed with the work.We will not normally order materials or schedule bespoke framing work until we have received written acceptance and cleared payment of any required deposit.

3. Prices and VAT

All prices are in pounds sterling.Each quotation or invoice will state whether VAT is included. Unless a quotation expressly states “plus VAT”, the stated price includes VAT where applicable.We may charge separately for delivery, collection, travel, installation, specialist handling, storage, courier costs, insurance arrangements, subcontractors or other third-party costs where these have been agreed with you in advance.

4. Bespoke Framing Orders and Deposits

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, bespoke framing orders require a 50% deposit upon acceptance of the quotation.The deposit allows us to order materials, reserve workshop time and begin the work.The remaining balance is payable upon completion and before collection, delivery or installation.We may agree alternative payment terms for repeat commercial clients, larger projects or consultancy work. Any variation must be confirmed in writing.We reserve the right to pause work, withhold release of completed work, or delay ordering materials where payment is overdue.

5. Changes to Specification

Once a quotation has been accepted, any change to the agreed size, moulding, mount, glazing, finish, delivery method, installation requirement or other specification may affect the final price and timescale.We will notify you of any material change before proceeding where reasonably possible.Natural materials, including timber mouldings, veneers, hand-finished surfaces and handmade papers, may vary in grain, colour, tone, texture and finish from samples. Such variation is part of the nature of these materials and will not be treated as a defect.

6. Artwork Condition and Handling

You are responsible for telling us about any known fragility, previous damage, instability, restoration, loose paint, cracking, staining, mould, insect damage, adhesive residue or other condition issue affecting your artwork.We may photograph artwork on receipt for condition-record purposes.We will take reasonable care in handling, storing and framing artworks entrusted to us. However, we cannot accept responsibility for:existing damage or deterioration;hidden defects or inherent fragility;deterioration caused by unstable or deteriorating materials;damage arising from previous restoration, adhesives, mounting methods or unsuitable materials applied before the artwork reaches us; orchanges caused by normal ageing, light exposure, humidity, temperature or environmental conditions after collection or delivery.Unless expressly agreed in writing, our services do not include restoration, conservation, authentication or valuation.Please provide a declared replacement value for valuable artworks before handing them over. A declared value does not itself create a valuation, guarantee insurance cover or confirm that an artwork is insured for that amount. Any specific insurance arrangement must be agreed in writing.

7. Timescales

Any completion date or turnaround time we provide is an estimate unless we have expressly agreed a fixed deadline in writing.We will make reasonable efforts to meet agreed timescales but cannot be held responsible for delays caused by supplier availability, courier delays, material shortages, client changes, late approval, late payment, illness, transport disruption or other circumstances outside our reasonable control.

8. Collection, Delivery and Storage

Completed work must be paid for in full before collection, delivery or installation.We will notify you when work is ready. Please arrange collection within 30 days of notification unless another arrangement has been agreed.Where completed work remains uncollected after 30 days, we may charge a reasonable storage fee, provided we give notice before doing so.We may retain artwork, framing or completed work until all related invoices, agreed costs and storage charges have been paid in full, where permitted by law.Where we arrange delivery, risk passes to you once the work has been delivered to the agreed address or accepted by you, your representative or your carrier.

9. Cancellations and Refunds

Because bespoke framing is made specifically to your artwork and agreed specification, materials may be ordered or cut shortly after acceptance.If you cancel before materials have been ordered and before work has begun, we will refund any deposit paid, less any reasonable costs already incurred for design, consultation, measurements, samples, administration or work completed.If you cancel after materials have been ordered or work has begun, we may retain or charge an amount reflecting our reasonable direct loss, including:materials and supplier costs already incurred, workshop time and labour already completed, design, consultation or specification work, delivery, collection or third-party costs that cannot be recovered; and any reasonable cost of returning, storing or disposing of bespoke materials.We will refund any part of a deposit that exceeds our reasonable direct loss.Bespoke or made-to-measure framing cannot normally be returned or refunded simply because you have changed your mind once work has begun or materials have been ordered. This does not affect your statutory rights where work is faulty, not as described or has not been carried out with reasonable care and skill.

10. Consumer Cancellation Rights

Where you are a consumer and place an order online, by telephone, email or away from our premises, statutory cancellation rights may apply.However, bespoke goods made to your specifications, including custom framing made for a particular artwork, may not be subject to the usual cancellation right once they are being made.Where you ask us to begin a service during any applicable cancellation period, we will ask you to confirm this request in writing. If you then cancel, you may be required to pay a reasonable amount for work completed and costs incurred up to the point of cancellation.Nothing in these Terms removes or restricts statutory rights that cannot legally be excluded.

11. Faulty Work and Concerns

If you are unhappy with completed work, please contact us as soon as reasonably possible at info@thomasrainsford.com and include photographs where helpful.We will inspect the issue and, where appropriate, offer a remedy such as repair, repeat performance, replacement, price reduction or refund, in line with your legal rights and the circumstances of the work.You must give us a reasonable opportunity to inspect and, where appropriate, remedy any issue before arranging work with another supplier.

12. Consultancy, Curation and Art Direction

For consultancy, curation, art direction, exhibition planning, collection advice or project management, the scope, fees, deliverables and timeframes will be set out in a written quotation, proposal, email or agreement.Unless otherwise agreed in writing, consultancy invoices are payable within 14 days of issue.Where a project is cancelled after work has begun, all fees for work completed and costs incurred up to the date of cancellation remain payable.

13. Third-Party Suppliers

We may recommend or coordinate trusted third-party suppliers, including specialist framers, printers, transporters, installers, art handlers, conservators or fabricators.Unless our quotation expressly states otherwise, contracts for third-party services are made directly between you and the relevant supplier.We will take reasonable care when recommending or coordinating suppliers but are not responsible for the independent performance, pricing, availability or delays of third parties.

14. Intellectual Property

All proposals, designs, framing specifications, written materials, images, plans and concepts produced by us remain the intellectual property of Thomas Rainsford Ltd unless otherwise agreed in writing.They may not be copied, shared, reproduced, used for another project or given to another supplier without our prior written permission.

15. Confidentiality and Privacy

We treat client information, artwork details, project plans, addresses, communications and commercial information as confidential.We will only share information where necessary to carry out agreed work, obtain quotations, arrange delivery or installation, comply with legal obligations, or where you have given permission.Personal data is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable UK data-protection law.

16. Liability

We will provide our services with reasonable care and skill.Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any consumer rights that cannot legally be excluded.For business clients, our total liability arising from a particular project is limited to the fees paid or payable for the relevant services, except where the law does not allow such a limitation.We are not liable for indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, loss of opportunity, business interruption, damage caused by third-party suppliers contracted directly by you, or events outside our reasonable control.

17. Force Majeure

We are not responsible for any failure or delay in performing our obligations where this is caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including supplier disruption, material shortages, illness, strike action, transport disruption, severe weather, fire, flood or other unforeseen events.

18. Termination

Either party may terminate a consultancy or ongoing project agreement in writing.Termination does not affect any obligation to pay for work completed, materials ordered, costs incurred or services provided before the termination date.

19. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.Any dispute will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, unless consumer law gives you the right to bring a claim elsewhere.

20. Contact

For questions about these Terms, quotations, framing orders, cancellations or completed work, please contact:Thomas Rainsford Ltd
8 Arundel Mews, Brighton, BN2 1GG
info@thomasrainsford.com
07398 221318