Queensland Flooring Systems — Terms & Conditions of Installation

1. Site Readiness and Client Obligations

1.1 Running Water

The Client must ensure a continuous supply of clean running water is available on-site throughout the duration of the installation. This is required for surface preparation, equipment cleaning, and installation processes.

If running water is unavailable at the time of installation, QFS reserves the right to delay, pause, or cancel the works. Any costs, call-out fees, or re-scheduling charges incurred as a result are payable by the Client.

1.2 Electrical Supply

The Client must provide uninterrupted access to a minimum 15-amp single-phase power supply (240V) at or near the work area. Extension leads exceeding 30 metres must be of adequate gauge to prevent voltage drop.

Works will not commence without confirmed electrical access. If power is unavailable, interrupted, or insufficient during installation, any resulting delays, failed applications, or additional site visits are at the Client's cost.

1.3 General Site Preparation

Prior to QFS commencing works, the Client is responsible for:

• Clearing the work area of all furniture, equipment, stored goods, and personal items
• Ensuring vehicles, machinery, or heavy loads are removed from the floor surface
• Providing safe, unobstructed access to the entire installation area
• Notifying QFS of any known buried services, underfloor heating systems, or embedded conduits
• Ensuring adequate ventilation is available throughout and after installation

2. Concrete Substrate Conditions

2.1 Client Disclosure Obligation

The Client must disclose, prior to commencement, any known or suspected issues with the concrete substrate including but not limited to:

• Previous coatings, sealers, adhesives, or contaminants applied to the slab
• Known water ingress, flooding history, or drainage issues
• Cracking, spalling, delamination, or structural movement
• Age of the slab and curing history
• Any recent concrete pours, repairs, or remediation works

Failure to disclose known substrate issues prior to installation releases QFS from liability for any resultant coating failure.

2.2 Pre-Installation Assessment

QFS will conduct a visual and practical assessment of the substrate prior to and during surface preparation. This assessment is not a structural or geotechnical investigation and does not supersede the Client's obligation to disclose known issues. QFS cannot be held liable for latent defects or conditions that were not visible, detectable, or disclosed at the time of assessment.

3. Osmotic Pressure and Moisture-Related Failure

3.1 Nature of Risk

Osmotic pressure arises when moisture beneath a concrete slab migrates upward through the substrate. When this moisture becomes trapped beneath a coating system, it can cause blistering, delamination, bubbling, or complete coating failure. This is a known risk in the flooring industry and is independent of the quality of materials or workmanship applied.

3.2 Moisture Testing

QFS will conduct standard site moisture assessments where reasonably practicable. These may include plastic sheet tests, calcium chloride or relative humidity (RH) probe testing, and visual inspection for efflorescence, rising damp, or surface moisture.

Moisture testing is indicative only and does not guarantee the absence of latent or seasonal moisture migration. Ground conditions, seasonal water tables, and subterranean drainage patterns can change and are beyond QFS's control.

QFS accepts no liability for coating failure caused by osmotic pressure, hydrostatic pressure, rising damp, or moisture vapour transmission from within or beneath the concrete substrate. This exclusion applies whether or not moisture testing was conducted prior to installation.

3.3 Moisture Mitigation Products

Where elevated moisture readings are detected, QFS may recommend a moisture mitigation primer or vapour barrier system at an additional cost. Application of a mitigation product reduces but does not eliminate the risk of moisture-related failure.

The decision to proceed with or without a recommended moisture mitigation system rests solely with the Client. If the Client elects to proceed without the recommended system, QFS's liability for any subsequent moisture-related failure is expressly excluded.

4. Failing or Non-Compliant Concrete

4.1 Weak, Contaminated, or Structurally Compromised Slabs

Epoxy and polyaspartic coating systems bond to the surface layer of the concrete. If the substrate is structurally weak, has a low tensile strength, is contaminated with oils, chemicals, or sealers, or is otherwise unable to support a surface bond, coating failure may occur regardless of application quality.

QFS accepts no liability for coating failure caused by weak, friable, contaminated, or structurally compromised concrete. Liability for substrate adequacy rests with the Client and, where applicable, the original concrete supplier or builder.

4.2 Delamination of Existing Concrete Surface Layer

Diamond grinding and surface preparation will expose the concrete as it presents on the day. In some instances, preparation works may reveal or accelerate the delamination of a weak surface layer (laitance). Where this occurs, QFS will notify the Client and provide options for remediation at additional cost.

If the Client elects to proceed over a surface QFS has identified as compromised, or refuses recommended remediation works, any resulting coating failure is at the Client's risk.

4.3 Cracking

Existing cracks in the substrate may reflect through the coating system over time, particularly where structural movement, thermal expansion, or settlement is occurring. QFS will fill static cracks where identified prior to coating. QFS does not warrant against crack reflection and accepts no liability for cracks appearing in the finished surface following installation.

5. Warranty and Liability

5.1 Workmanship Warranty

QFS warrants that all installation works will be carried out with reasonable skill and care, using industry-standard materials and application techniques. Any warranty provided by QFS applies to workmanship only and is subject to the exclusions set out in this Agreement.

5.2 Warranty Exclusions

The QFS workmanship warranty does not cover failure resulting from:

• Osmotic pressure, rising damp, hydrostatic pressure, or moisture vapour transmission
• Weak, friable, contaminated, or structurally deficient concrete substrates
• Cracking, movement, or settlement of the underlying slab
• Client-applied chemicals, solvents, or abrasive cleaning agents post-installation
• Impact damage, heavy point loads, or dragging of sharp or heavy objects
• Inadequate ventilation or extreme temperature fluctuations during or after curing
• Works carried out by third parties on or adjacent to the installed surface
• Failure caused by site conditions not disclosed prior to commencement

5.3 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Australian Consumer Law, QFS's total liability to the Client for any claim arising from or related to an installation is limited to the total amount paid by the Client for the relevant installation works. QFS is not liable for consequential loss, loss of use, loss of income, or damage to goods or property caused by coating failure.

6. Payment Terms

A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total quoted amount is required to secure a booking. The remaining 50% balance is due on the day of completion, prior to QFS vacating the site. Works will not commence without a confirmed deposit payment. QFS reserves the right to suspend or withhold works where payment obligations are not met. Invoices not settled on the day of completion may incur late payment fees at QFS's discretion.

7. Variations and Additional Works

Any scope variations, additional preparation works, or remediation identified during the installation process will be quoted separately and require written Client approval before proceeding. Where urgent site conditions require immediate action, QFS will seek verbal approval and confirm in writing as soon as practicable.

8. Photographs and Marketing

QFS reserves the right to photograph completed installation works for use in marketing, training, and promotional materials. If you do not consent to photography of your premises, you must notify QFS in writing prior to commencement.

9. Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia. Any disputes arising under this Agreement are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Queensland.

10. Acceptance

By accepting a quote or permitting installation works to commence, the Client acknowledges they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions in full.