Unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing between the parties, these general terms and conditions, printed on or attached to offers, invoices or any other documents, shall be deemed to be in writing and considered fully accepted without reservation by those who receive them without objection. These general conditions take precedence over those of the client, unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing by the interior architect.
Art. 1 – The term “client” refers to the person who has placed an order with SRL Maxime De Campenaere Studio, whose registered office is at Avenue Albert Giraud 39, 1030 Brussels (Belgium), and which is registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises under number 0874.806.079 (hereinafter referred to as the “interior architect”).
SERVICES
Art. 2 – The interior architect provides advice on the layout and transformation of public or private spaces. He ensures and/or coordinates, where necessary, the supply of furniture and/or decorative items. However, the interior architect does not carry out any tasks that fall within the exclusive scope of an architect under the law of 20 February 1939. This means, for example, that the client is solely responsible for hiring, at their own expense, an architect if an urban planning permit is required. Likewise, if the execution of the design requires the involvement of contractors or trades, these are always considered to be contracted directly by the client. The interior architect is not to be considered a general contractor. The client is strongly advised to verify the registration status of contractors before signing any work agreements and throughout the project (via www.checkobligationderetenue.be) to avoid joint liability for their social and/or tax debts. The interior architect assumes no financial responsibility for the failure of any third-party contractors, including deregistration or lack of registration. The client waives the right to bring joint action or third-party claims against the interior architect in the event of neighbor disputes.
Art. 3 – The client agrees to provide the interior architect with all documents, details, and information necessary to carry out the agreed services and to ensure accessibility of the premises. The client must respond to any request for clarification within 5 working days. If not, it will be assumed that the client agrees with the decisions made by the interior architect. The client’s approval at each stage of the project is final and irrevocable. The client shall not interfere in the mission of the interior architect and must not give technical instructions to contractors without consultation. Otherwise, the client assumes full liability for any resulting issues. The client confirms that the property is insured against all risks for which they could be held liable (fire, water damage, injuries, etc.) and acknowledges the option to take out all-risk construction insurance covering all site participants and related damages.
QUOTATIONS AND ORDERS
Art. 4 – Any quote or offer signed by the client constitutes acceptance of the services and products described and their respective prices. However, the interior architect is only committed to the project after the agreed deposit is paid. Work provided without a quote will be invoiced based on the applicable hourly and material rates. For goods (furniture or decorative items), full payment must be made by the time of quote acceptance. Custom-made goods (e.g., blinds or items that cannot be returned) cannot be returned or exchanged. Unless otherwise stated, the interior architect’s services include reasonable oversight of works carried out by a general contractor known to him. If the client chooses a contractor unknown to the interior architect and/or multiple distinct companies, an additional fee (typically around 7%) may apply. If the contractor selected by the client does not meet the interior architect’s standards for competence or solvency, he may withdraw from the project by notifying the client via registered letter. He will then be entitled to full fees for services rendered and possible damages.
Art. 5 – The interior architect commits to making every reasonable effort to fulfill the proposed project but does not guarantee absolute satisfaction, as the work includes subjective and artistic elements. He is not responsible for internal design or manufacturing defects of materials or products.
Art. 6 – The client acknowledges that the interior architect’s quote is based on a cost estimate made according to the visible and/or known state of the premises, and unforeseen issues may affect the final cost. The client should inform the interior architect in writing of any specific features in advance.
Art. 7 – If the client cancels an accepted quote, they will owe a minimum compensation of 40% of the total amount, with a minimum of €300. This does not exclude the interior architect’s right to claim additional damages.
PAYMENT
Art. 8 – The client agrees to receive invoices in electronic format.
Art. 9 – Invoices are payable immediately. If payment is not made within 15 days, interest of 12% per year will apply automatically, along with a fixed penalty fee of 40% of the unpaid amount, with a minimum of €125.
Art. 10 – Any late payment will result in the immediate suspension of all services and/or deliveries until full payment is received. The interior architect is not liable for any direct or indirect consequences resulting from such suspension.
Art. 11 – Delivered goods remain the property of the interior architect until full payment is received, although the risk passes to the client upon shipment.
TIMELINES
Art. 12 – Execution and delivery times are indicative only. While the interior architect will strive to meet them, they are not guaranteed. The client agrees to remain available and to ensure site access throughout the project.
Art. 13 – Delays caused by third-party contractors are never attributable to the interior architect. He will nonetheless attempt to secure timely completion from such parties. These delays do not justify contract termination or claims for damages against the interior architect.
Art. 14 – Any delay does not justify cancellation or claims. Force majeure (e.g., fire, strike, accident) releases the interior architect from all responsibility. If the order cannot be fulfilled under these conditions, he may terminate the contract without liability.
Art. 15 – The interior architect may terminate the agreement at any time without cause or compensation, subject to one month’s notice.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Art. 16 – The interior architect retains full intellectual property rights over all his work and materials (e.g., plans, studies, photos, videos, logos, and conceptual designs). He is the exclusive owner of all moral and economic copyrights and may use photographs/videos of the completed work for reference or promotional purposes on any platform, including social media. The client may not reproduce or publicly share the content (other than for private use) without prior written permission and credit.
COMPLAINTS AND LIABILITY
Art. 17 – Any complaint must be sent by registered letter within 7 working days of its cause (invoice receipt, defect noticed, etc.). Liability for minor hidden defects is limited to one year from project acceptance (defined as delivery, takeover, or final payment).
Art. 18 – Unless required otherwise by mandatory consumer protection laws, the interior architect’s liability is limited to the price of the related service or product.
Art. 19 – In case of serious default by the client, the interior architect may terminate the contract immediately by registered letter without prior notice. Non-payment always constitutes serious default. If termination is due to the client’s fault, the client will owe full payment for services rendered, plus 40% of remaining fees, and any additional proven damages.
RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL
Art. 20 – If the contract was concluded off-premises and the client is a consumer, they may cancel it within 14 days. For goods, the period starts from physical delivery. The client must clearly notify the interior architect in writing and return any goods (at their own expense) within 14 days, per Articles VI.67+ of the Code of Economic Law. Refunds will be made within 15 days of notice (or receipt of returned goods). The interior architect may deduct any loss in value due to misuse. No withdrawal right applies if the service began with the client’s consent or for custom-made goods.
APPLICABLE LAW & JURISDICTION
Art. 21 – This contract is governed by Belgian law. All disputes fall under the jurisdiction of the French-speaking courts of Brussels (Belgium). However, the interior architect and the client mutually agree to first attempt an amicable resolution.