Terms of Service

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern use of the BER Direct website and application (the "Platform"), operated by DGB Energy Consultants trading as BER Direct, a business name registered with the Companies Registration Office of Ireland under registration number 731435, with its registered office at 6 Joseph Terrace, Fairview, Dublin 3, D03 R9C6, Ireland ("BER Direct", "we", "us"). VAT registration status: [VAT number — TBC]. By creating an account or using the Platform, you agree to these Terms.

1. What BER Direct is — and isn't

BER Direct is an online marketplace that connects homeowners and other property owners ("Homeowners") seeking a Building Energy Rating (BER) assessment with independent, SEAI-registered BER assessors ("Assessors") who quote for and carry out that work.

BER Direct does not itself carry out BER assessments. Assessors are independent professionals — not employees, agents, or subcontractors of BER Direct. BER Direct is not a party to the contract for assessment services formed between a Homeowner and an Assessor when a quote is accepted; BER Direct's role is to facilitate that connection, process payment, and provide messaging and booking tools.

2. Eligibility and accounts

• You must be at least 18 years old and able to form a binding contract under Irish law.
• You must provide accurate information and keep your account credentials confidential.
• Assessor accounts require a valid SEAI BER registration number. BER Direct may verify this against the public SEAI register before or after account creation, and may suspend an Assessor account if registration cannot be confirmed or is later found to have lapsed.
• Admin accounts are provisioned directly by BER Direct and are not available via public signup.

3. Bookings, quotes, and the assessment contract

A Homeowner posts a property and requests an assessment; Assessors covering that county may submit a quote; the Homeowner may accept one quote, which books that Assessor for the job. Accepting a quote forms a direct contract between the Homeowner and the Assessor for the assessment itself — scope, price, and timing are as stated in the accepted quote.

BER Direct does not review, approve, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or professional quality of any quote or completed assessment. Assessors are solely responsible for complying with the National BER Assessment Procedures, the SEAI Code of Practice, and all applicable Building Regulations Technical Guidance Documents in carrying out their work.

4. Payments

• Payments are processed by Stripe. BER Direct does not store your card details — see our Privacy Policy for how payment data is handled.
• BER Direct charges a platform fee on each completed booking, deducted automatically from the payment before the balance is transferred to the Assessor. The fee percentage in effect at the time of booking is shown before you pay.
• VAT treatment of assessment fees depends on the nature of the service supplied and is [TBC — confirm with an accountant/Revenue guidance]; this is not something BER Direct determines on your behalf.
• Payment only becomes available to an Assessor once their Stripe Connect account is fully onboarded; Homeowners will see a message rather than a broken payment if this isn't yet the case.

5. Cancellations and refunds

Cancellation and refund terms for a specific booking are a matter between the Homeowner and the Assessor, subject to any consumer protection rights that apply under Irish and EU law (including, where applicable, distance-selling cancellation rights). BER Direct will assist in good faith with a dispute but is not obliged to issue a refund itself, since BER Direct is not the supplier of the assessment service. [TBC — a specific refund policy/process should be defined and reviewed before launch.]

6. Assessor obligations

• Maintain a current, valid SEAI BER assessor registration for the assessment type(s) you offer.
• Carry appropriate professional indemnity insurance for your assessment work — BER Direct does not provide this.
• Quote and deliver assessments in line with SEAI's procedures and all applicable regulations.
• Respond to Homeowner messages and requests in a timely, professional manner.

7. Prohibited conduct

You agree not to: circumvent the Platform to avoid its fees once a match has been made through it; misrepresent your identity, qualifications, or SEAI registration status; upload unlawful, abusive, or fraudulent content; or attempt to interfere with the Platform's security or normal operation.

8. Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by Irish law, BER Direct's liability arising from your use of the Platform is limited to direct losses and excludes indirect or consequential loss. Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, such as liability for fraud or for death or personal injury caused by negligence. [TBC — liability caps and exclusions need solicitor review before launch.]

9. Suspension and termination

BER Direct may suspend or terminate an account for breach of these Terms, fraudulent activity, or if an Assessor's SEAI registration lapses or cannot be verified. You may close your account at any time; bookings already accepted remain governed by these Terms until completed.

10. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Ireland. The courts of Ireland have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform, without prejudice to any mandatory consumer protections that entitle you to bring proceedings in your own jurisdiction.

11. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be flagged on the Platform; continued use after a change takes effect means you accept the updated Terms.

12. Contact

Questions about these Terms: [contact email — TBC].