Terms of Service – Utopia Tints Ltd
Last updated: 20th February 2026
Company Details
Utopia Tints Ltd Unit 1, Dragonville Industrial Park, Durham, DH1 2XJ Workshop also at units 3, 8a, 8b, 16 & 17 Phone: 0191 367 0011 Email: info@utopiatints.co.uk Website: https://www.utopiatintsnortheast.co.uk Privacy Policy: https://www.utopiatintsnortheast.co.uk/privacy-policy Company No. 11851873 | VAT 358 5050 89
By booking with Utopia Tints Ltd you accept these Terms. Please read them before your appointment. They are written in plain English so there are no surprises.
Deposits & Cancellations
A minimum deposit of £20 is required to secure your booking. Larger jobs may require a higher deposit, agreed at the time of booking.
Deposits secure time in our diary and cover preparatory costs.
If you need to cancel or rearrange, please call us on 0191 367 0011 at least 48 hours before your appointment. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice will result in the deposit being non-refundable.
If we cancel your booking (for example due to staff illness), your deposit will be refunded in full or moved to a new date, whichever you prefer.
Deposits on custom builds and special-order parts are non-refundable once materials or parts have been ordered.
Quotes
Written quotes are valid for 30 days unless stated otherwise. Prices may change after this period due to material or supplier cost changes.
Warranty
Window tinting workmanship is covered by a lifetime warranty for as long as you own the vehicle.
All other services (wrapping, dechroming, PPF, caliper painting, wheel refurbishment, detailing and similar) are covered by a 12-month workmanship warranty unless stated otherwise at the time of booking.
Warranty covers re-doing the affected work only. A refund will only be considered if we are unable to resolve the issue after three separate attempts.
Warranty does not cover damage caused by accidents, misuse, neglect, incorrect washing or care, stone chips, vandalism, or work carried out by anyone else after us.
Fuel and travel costs are not covered under warranty. If you need to return to us for warranty work, travel expenses remain your responsibility.
Window Tinting
Curing period. Freshly tinted windows can show a light haze, water pockets or a slightly cloudy appearance while the film cures. This is completely normal and usually clears within 2 to 6 weeks depending on weather and how much the vehicle is used. Please do not open tinted windows for at least 3 days after installation.
Dot matrix and frit bands. Many vehicles have a ceramic dotted border or textured band around the edge of the glass. Film cannot fully bond to these areas, so a slightly lighter or silvery edge may be visible. This is a characteristic of the glass, not a fault with the installation.
Finish standard. Window tinting is carried out in a clean, controlled environment, but it is not a laboratory. Industry standards accept that a small number of minor dust specks or imperfections may be visible on very close inspection. Anything beyond a normal standard will of course be corrected under warranty.
Front window tinting. UK law sets minimum light transmission levels for the windscreen and front side windows. It is your responsibility to ensure your vehicle remains road legal. We will advise on legal limits, but the final choice and any consequences (MOT, police enforcement, insurance) rest with you.
Tint Removal & Heated Rear Windows (Important)
The demister lines, aerial elements and any other printed elements on a rear or side window are printed onto the inside surface of the glass. They are not sealed inside it.
When window film is removed, whether fitted by us or by anyone else, there is always a risk that some of these elements lift away with the film or with the adhesive. This risk increases with the age of the film, previous poor-quality installations, aftermarket film types and how long the film has been bonded to the glass. It cannot be fully avoided, no matter how carefully the work is carried out.
By booking any service that involves removing window film, you accept this risk. Utopia Tints Ltd is not liable for damage to demister lines, aerials or other printed elements during film removal, and is not liable for the cost of glass replacement.
Where elements are affected, we will always discuss the options with you, which typically include tinting over the affected area (remaining elements continue to work) or removing the remaining elements for the cleanest possible finish (the demister or aerial will no longer function).
Vehicle Wrapping, Dechroming & Vinyl (Important)
Lacquer and paint peel. This is the single most important thing to understand before booking a wrap or dechrome.
Vinyl bonds strongly to the surface it is applied to. If the paint or lacquer underneath is not to factory standard, it can lift when vinyl is applied, repositioned during fitting, or removed at a later date. This applies especially to:
Resprayed or smart-repaired panels
Stone-chipped or lacquer-peeling areas
Aged, faded or oxidised paint
Previous poor-quality repairs, filler or blow-overs
Plastic trims and textured surfaces that have been painted
Factory paint in good condition is rarely affected. Non-factory paint can fail without warning, and it is often impossible to tell a panel has been repainted until the vinyl comes off.
You must tell us about any known repairs, resprays or paintwork issues before work begins. Whether disclosed or not, Utopia Tints Ltd cannot accept responsibility for paint or lacquer failure during application, fitting or removal of vinyl, as the condition of the underlying paintwork is outside our control. By proceeding with the booking you acknowledge and accept this risk.
Wrap care and durability. A wrap is a vinyl film, not paint. Its lifespan depends on how it is cared for. Hand washing is recommended. Do not use a pressure washer at close range or directly on edges and seams. Do not use aggressive chemicals or automatic car washes with brushes. Damage caused by incorrect washing or care is not covered under warranty.
Edges, seams and complex areas. Deep recesses, extreme curves and certain trims may require relief cuts, seams or overlaps. These are a normal part of professional wrapping.
Removal of wraps and dechrome kits. The lacquer and paint risks above apply equally when a wrap or dechrome is removed in future, whether removed by us or anyone else.
Paint Protection Film (PPF)
PPF is applied to protect paintwork, but the same paint condition risks apply as with wrapping. Non-factory paint may lift during application or removal, and we cannot accept responsibility for this.
PPF requires the paint surface to be in sound condition. Existing chips, scratches or defects will remain visible under the film unless corrected beforehand, which may be quoted separately.
Minor moisture pockets can appear during the curing period and normally disappear within a few weeks.
Ceramic Coatings & Detailing
Ceramic coatings enhance protection and ease of cleaning but do not make a vehicle scratch-proof or maintenance-free. Correct washing and aftercare are required to maintain performance, and aftercare guidance will be provided. Damage or degradation caused by incorrect washing, harsh chemicals or neglect is not covered under warranty.
Caliper Painting
Calipers are subject to extreme heat, brake dust and chemicals. Minor wear over time is normal. Damage from stone strikes, kerbing, aggressive wheel cleaners or track use is not covered under warranty.
Wheel Refurbishment
Refurbishment quality. Wheel refurbishment restores appearance but does not make wheels new. Minor imperfections may remain, particularly on heavily corroded or previously repaired wheels.
Additional repairs. Buckled or cracked wheels may require straightening or welding at extra cost, quoted before work proceeds.
Diamond cutting. Diamond-cut wheels carry a six-month warranty. Diamond-cut finishes are more susceptible to corrosion than powder coat, particularly in winter conditions. Pattern variations may occur, especially if the wheel was previously buckled or refurbished. Wheels can typically only be diamond cut a limited number of times.
Powder-coated finishes. Standard powder-coated refurbishments carry a 12-month warranty.
All work is carried out to the highest standard possible within the limitations of the wheel's existing condition.
Wheel Security & Mandatory Re-Torque (Critical Safety Notice)
Where wheels have been removed and refitted by Utopia Tints Ltd, including for wheel refurbishment, tyre work, brake work, caliper painting or suspension-related services, you MUST have the wheel nuts or bolts re-checked and re-torqued within the first 10 to 50 miles of driving.
This is a critical safety requirement.
After refitting, wheel fixings can settle due to vibration, heat cycles, coating thickness (including powder coating or paint) and natural bedding between the wheel and hub. This settling is normal and can reduce clamping force if not re-checked.
Failure to re-torque wheel fixings within this mileage window may result in wheel loosening. This can lead to severe vehicle damage, loss of control, serious injury or death.
By collecting the vehicle you acknowledge and agree that:
You have been clearly advised of the requirement to re-check and re-torque wheel fixings within 10 to 50 miles.
Ongoing responsibility for wheel security rests entirely with you once the vehicle leaves our premises.
Utopia Tints Ltd accepts no liability for mechanical failure, damage or injury resulting from failure to follow this mandatory safety instruction.
If you cannot arrange this re-check yourself, contact us or a qualified garage immediately.
Defender Modifications & Body Kits
Fitting body kits and styling parts may involve drilling, bonding or permanent modification to panels. This will always be confirmed with you before work begins where it applies.
Bonded parts require curing time. Guidance on washing and use immediately after fitting will be provided and must be followed.
Genuine, OEM and aftermarket parts can vary in fitment tolerance. Minor adjustment gaps consistent with the part manufacturer's standard are normal.
Rear Seat Conversions (Important)
Rear seat conversions are supplied and fitted using tested, certified seat systems.
Adding rear seats to a commercial vehicle may change how the vehicle is classified for tax, VAT, benefit-in-kind and insurance purposes. This can have financial consequences, particularly for vehicles owned or operated through a business.
It is your responsibility to:
Notify your insurer of the conversion
Take advice from your accountant regarding VAT and tax treatment where the vehicle is business-owned
Notify DVLA or any relevant authority where required
Utopia Tints Ltd carries out the physical conversion only. We do not provide tax, VAT or insurance advice, and we accept no liability for reclassification, tax, VAT or insurance consequences arising from the conversion. Confirmation of your acceptance of this will be requested in writing before your order is placed.
Seat conversion deposits are non-refundable once the seat kit has been ordered, as kits are built to order.
Vehicle Security & Tracking Systems
Immobilisers and trackers are fitted to manufacturer specification.
Tracking systems require an active subscription, which is your responsibility to set up, maintain and pay for. A tracker without an active subscription does not provide tracking or theft recovery.
It is your responsibility to confirm with your insurer that a specific device meets their requirements before ordering, and to notify them once it is fitted.
No security device can guarantee a vehicle will not be stolen. Utopia Tints Ltd accepts no liability for theft or attempted theft of any vehicle fitted with a security or tracking system.
Trim Removal
Certain services require removal of trims, panels, badges or components.
While all care is taken, clips, fixings and trims can be fragile due to age, sun exposure or previous removal, and may break during removal through no fault of the installer. Replacement of worn, brittle or previously damaged clips may incur additional cost.
Electrical Systems
Modern vehicles contain sensitive electrical systems and control modules.
While we take extreme care during installation, Utopia Tints Ltd cannot accept responsibility for pre-existing electrical faults, software issues, or faults triggered by previous modifications or aftermarket installations carried out by others.
Additional diagnostic time may be chargeable if unrelated faults arise during work.
Pre-Existing Damage & Vehicle Condition
You must tell us about any prior damage, repairs, repainting, previous modifications or known faults before work begins.
We may photograph your vehicle on arrival to record its condition. We are not responsible for the failure of previously repaired, corroded or weakened components.
Aftermarket & Customer-Supplied Parts
Where you supply your own parts, we cannot guarantee fitment, finish, durability or compatibility, and our workmanship warranty does not extend to the parts themselves.
If supplied parts turn out to be wrong, faulty or unfit for purpose and we have reserved time in our diary, the booked labour remains payable.
Vehicles Left With Us
Vehicles left on our premises are stored with reasonable care. Please remove valuables and personal belongings, as we cannot accept responsibility for items left in vehicles.
Vehicles must be collected promptly once work is complete. Vehicles left more than 3 working days after notified completion may incur a storage charge of £20 per day unless agreed otherwise.
Vehicle Collection
We recommend inspecting your vehicle with us before leaving the premises, so anything can be addressed on the spot.
Vehicles collected by third parties on your behalf are released at your risk once handed over.
Custom Orders
Custom-made, painted-to-order or special-order parts are non-refundable once ordered.
Lead times given for special-order parts are estimates provided by suppliers and are outside our control.
Media Consent
We may photograph or film vehicles for marketing and social media purposes unless you specifically request otherwise in writing before work begins. Number plates can be hidden on request. No personal data will be shared.
Payment Terms
Full payment is due on completion, before the vehicle is released.
We reserve the right to retain the vehicle until payment is made in full (a lien), and to charge statutory interest on overdue balances in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998.
Legal Compliance & Modifications
It is your responsibility to ensure your vehicle complies with UK road laws following any modification, and to notify your insurer of modifications where required.
We will not be held liable for any fines, penalties, MOT failures, insurance issues or enforcement action resulting from vehicle modifications.
Force Majeure
We are not liable for delays caused by circumstances beyond our control, including supplier delays, shipping issues, part shortages, extreme weather, power outages or other unforeseen events. Where delays occur we will keep you informed and offer the earliest available alternative.
Limitation of Liability
Utopia Tints Ltd will not be liable for any indirect or consequential losses, including but not limited to loss of use, loss of profit, hire costs or travel costs.
Our total liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount paid for the specific service in question.
Nothing in these Terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any liability which cannot be excluded by law. Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
General Terms
By booking with Utopia Tints Ltd you confirm that you are over 18 and legally able to enter into this agreement.
These Terms apply to all customers of Utopia Tints Ltd and form the entire agreement between us.
We may update these Terms from time to time. The version in force at the time of your booking applies to your booking.
Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
Contact Us
Email: info@utopiatints.co.uk Phone: 0191 367 0011 Website: https://www.utopiatintsnortheast.co.uk/contact