terms and conditions
of gratus GmbH

1. Scope of Application

1. 1. The following General Terms and Conditions apply exclusively to all our deliveries (including repeat orders) and services (including consultations). Conflicting (purchase) conditions require our written approval and are not recognized even through acceptance or execution of an order.
   2. Our General Terms and Conditions apply only to entrepreneurs, legal entities under public law, or special funds under public law within the meaning of § 310 (1) of the German Civil Code (BGB).
   3. Deliveries within the meaning of these Terms and Conditions also include ancillary services such as assembly in the case of purchase or work deliveries, as well as other supplementary services or consulting services.
   4. In the event of any contradictions between the provisions of the main contract (usually in the form of an order confirmation) and these General Terms and Conditions, the provisions of the main contract shall prevail.

2. Offer / Contract Conclusion / Entire Agreement Clause

1. 1. Our offers are non-binding. Information contained in offers and attached documents regarding dimensions, weights, performance, load capacity, and other product characteristics does not constitute guarantees or warranted characteristics. These only become binding characteristics of the delivery item and part of the contract if they are listed in the order confirmation or confirmed in other written agreements. The same applies to drawings, sketches, plans, illustrations, dimensions, weights, and other performance data provided by the customer or their agents before the conclusion of the contract.
   2. The contract is only concluded upon receipt of our written order confirmation by the customer, or, in any case, upon execution of the delivery.
   3. Provided it is reasonable for the customer, we reserve the right to make design changes if they appear technically necessary or reasonable, and if they do not impair the value or usability of the goods. Minor changes that are reasonable for the customer are permissible at any time.
   4. No further agreements or assurances have been made. Contract amendments and additions, as well as supplements and declarations affecting the structure of the contract, must be made in writing. This also applies to the waiver of the written form requirement.

3. Price / Price Adjustment / Payment / Set-off and Retention

1. 1. Our prices are exclusive of value-added tax at the statutory rate applicable on the date of invoicing.
   2. Unless otherwise stated in the order confirmation, our prices are in euros, “ex works,” plus additional costs such as packaging, transport, and installation. If inspection fees, building permit fees, or other public charges arise in connection with the purchase or installation of the contract item, these shall be borne by the customer. This applies in particular to land transfer tax. The customer is obligated to notify the relevant tax office of the acquisition immediately after conclusion of the contract (§ 19 para. 1 sentence 1 no. 3 GrEStG). If a service not stipulated in the contract is requested, we are entitled to additional compensation.
   3. If we accept checks or bills of exchange by special agreement, this is only for the purpose of fulfillment; any related bank charges or fees are borne by the customer.
   4. Unless other agreements have been made and all conditions for payment are met, the price/wage is to be paid without deductions within 10 days from the invoice date. From the due date, we charge 5% interest on overdue payments. If the customer is in default, we are entitled to charge interest of 9 percentage points above the base interest rate from the time of default. In addition, we may suspend performance of the contract.
   5. In the absence of other instructions, incoming payments will be used at our discretion to settle the oldest or least secured debts.
   6. We reserve the right to adjust our prices for contracts in which more than two months lie between conclusion and delivery/acceptance, if cost reductions or increases occur after contract conclusion due to changes in material prices. These changes and the basis for the pricing will be provided to the customer upon request. If the increase exceeds 5%, the customer has the right to terminate the contract.
   7. If the customer fails to meet agreed payment terms due to reasons within their control, has significant payment arrears, or if we become aware of a threat to our claim for counter-performance after conclusion of the contract due to the customer’s lack of financial capacity—such as through the filing of insolvency proceedings—we are entitled to suspend outstanding deliveries and perform only against advance payment or provision of security. If, in such cases, the customer does not fulfill our request—within a reasonable period—to provide consideration or security concurrently with our performance, we may, after the deadline has passed, and without prejudice to further statutory rights, withdraw from the contract if the legal requirements are otherwise met. A threat to our claim for counter-performance attributable to the customer also entitles us, if we have already rendered our performance, to declare all other outstanding claims immediately due and payable.
   8. The customer’s right to set off counterclaims is excluded unless such counterclaims are legally established, undisputed, or acknowledged by us. A right of retention is likewise excluded to that extent.

4. Assembly / Minimum Wage Act / Delivery / Delivery Delay / Exceptional events / Transport / Construction Site / Use of Planning Services

1. 1. The application for and obtaining of required official or other permits is not part of our service obligations, unless otherwise agreed in the contract. The delivery period does not begin until all technical details have been finally clarified and all documents, official approvals, and permits to be provided by the customer have been received, and the agreed payment terms and other obligations have been fulfilled.
      If these customer obligations are not fulfilled in a timely manner, the delivery period will be extended accordingly, provided we are not responsible for the delay. The delivery period is deemed met if the customer has received notification of readiness for shipment before its expiration, unless the shipment is delayed due to reasons attributable to us.
   2. War, civil unrest, lawful labor disputes, orders from higher authorities, shortages of energy and raw materials, transportation and unavoidable operational disruptions, as well as all other cases of force majeure (including those affecting our suppliers), release us from our delivery obligations for the duration of the disruption and to the extent of its impact.
      The customer may only withdraw from the contract due to delivery delays within the framework of legal provisions if the delay is attributable to us or if continuing the contract is unreasonable for the customer. The above provision does not entail a shift in the burden of proof to the detriment of the customer.
   3. If we fall into delivery delay, we are liable in accordance with the statutory provisions in the case of a fixed-date transaction. If the delay is attributable to us, this also applies if the customer’s interest in fulfilling the contract has legitimately ceased.
   4. In the event of a delivery delay, we are liable in accordance with statutory provisions if we have culpably breached essential contractual obligations, or if gross negligence or intent is attributable to us, our legal representatives, or agents.
      Essential contractual obligations are those that define the nature of the contract and on whose fulfillment the contracting partner may rely, that create the conditions for the performance of the contract, and that are indispensable for achieving the contract’s purpose.
      Except in cases of intent, our liability for damages is limited to the foreseeable, typically occurring damage.
   5. If we are liable in the event of a delivery delay, such liability is limited to a flat-rate compensation for delay amounting to 0.5% of the delivery value per week, up to a maximum of 5% of the delivery value.
      All other statutory claims and rights of the customer in connection with delivery remain unaffected.
   6. Unless otherwise specified in the order confirmation, delivery is agreed “ex works.” If the place of performance is our company headquarters and the delivery item is shipped to the customer’s address at the customer’s request, the risk passes to the customer as soon as the delivery item has been handed over to the transport company at our warehouse; this also applies if we bear the transport costs.
      If we use our own means of transport in this case, the risk passes to the customer as soon as the item has been unloaded at the construction site or at the customer’s premises.
      If we have also undertaken the installation or assembly of the delivery item, the risk passes only upon handover or acceptance.
      Unless the delivery is an obligation to deliver to the customer’s premises (“Bringschuld”), we will, at the customer’s request, arrange transport insurance for the delivery, the cost of which will be borne by the customer.
      We are liable according to statutory provisions if we culpably breach essential contractual obligations (see section 4.4 above).
   7. The customer is obligated, at their own expense, to ensure the buildability of the construction site prior to the start of assembly. This includes, in particular, clearing the site and ensuring that the ground is level and properly compacted, providing sufficient free space and access routes, as well as supplying the agreed-upon work equipment and necessary power connections.
      Any underground cables and pipelines, as well as any electrical and plumbing installations running through walls, ceilings, and floors, must be communicated to us by the customer in a timely manner before assembly begins, including precise plans with depth and axis specifications. The same applies to the routing of overhead lines as per section 5.10.
   8. If customer-prepared preliminary work is required for our service delivery, it must be sufficiently advanced before we begin our work so that we can start immediately after delivery and carry out the work without interruption.
   9. If, at the customer’s request, assembly is carried out with the customer’s auxiliary personnel, the customer shall bear the costs for the deployment of their personnel and must register the helpers with the relevant professional association.
      The customer commits to complying with the provisions of the Minimum Wage Act when remunerating the personnel they deploy, including the personnel of any subcontractors engaged by the customer.
      If the customer or their subcontractors violate the Minimum Wage Act, the customer shall indemnify us against any liability under the Minimum Wage Act.
      If, due to a culpable violation by the customer pursuant to § 4 i) sentence 2 above, we are imposed a fine for a negligently committed administrative offense under § 21 of the Minimum Wage Act, the customer shall owe a contractual penalty equal to the amount of the fine upon its finality.
      The assertion of any further claims for damages remains unaffected.
      We have no authority to issue instructions regarding the customer’s auxiliary personnel; this authority lies exclusively with the customer.
   10. If the customer commissions us to plan a facility but does not engage us for its construction, the customer is only entitled to pass on the planning services we have provided to third parties with our prior consent.
       To grant this consent, the customer must submit to us the third party’s written commission for both the construction planning and execution of the facility we have already planned.
       Another prerequisite is that the third party indemnifies us against any liability arising from negligently faulty planning of the facility vis-à-vis the customer.
       The customer must ensure that supply lines, especially overhead (power) lines running over or next to the location designated by the customer for placing the contract object, maintain the minimum distance to the delivery item as stipulated by law or regulation.
   11. Partial deliveries are permissible to a reasonable extent and will be invoiced separately.

5. Liability for defects in the delivery of new sales and work items / Construction site risk / Electrical power lines

1. 1. The customer’s rights regarding defects require that they have properly fulfilled their inspection and notification obligations pursuant to § 377 of the German Commercial Code (HGB), whereby any complaint about defects must be made in writing.
   2. In the case of justified complaints, we will, at our discretion—or at the customer’s choice in the event of a recourse claim pursuant to §§ 478, 479 of the German Civil Code (BGB)—repair, replace, or re-perform the defective parts or services. We are not obligated to remedy minor defects.
      We will bear the necessary expenses for defect remediation, in particular transport, travel, labor, and material costs, unless these costs increase because the purchased item was moved to a location other than the place of delivery.
      If the subsequent performance fails within a reasonable period—generally allowing us two attempts to remedy—the customer may withdraw from the contract or reduce the payment.
      Claims for damages and compensation for futile expenses are available to the customer under the conditions specified in sections 5.3 to 5.10 below.
   3. We may refuse to perform the subsequent remedy as long as the customer has not fulfilled their due payment obligations to us to an extent corresponding to the defect-free portion of the service provided.
      If the complaint about defects was unjustified, we are entitled to claim reimbursement from the customer for the expenses incurred as a result.
   4. We are liable for damages under statutory provisions for intentional or grossly negligent breaches of duty, including intentional or grossly negligent breaches by our legal representatives or vicarious agents, as well as in cases of culpable impossibility and significant breaches of duty.
   5. We are liable under statutory provisions if we culpably breach essential contractual obligations (see above under 4.4).
   6. In the aforementioned cases 5.4 and 5.5, and also when the customer is entitled to claim damages instead of performance, our liability is limited to compensation for foreseeable, typically occurring damage, unless we are found to have acted intentionally.
   7. In the event of injury to life, body, or health caused by us, our legal representatives, or our vicarious agents, we are liable under statutory provisions. The same applies if we have provided a guarantee regarding the quality of our goods, the achievement of a performance result, or assumed a procurement risk, as well as in cases of liability based on hazardous activities (especially under the Product Liability Act).
   8. Unless otherwise stipulated above, our liability is excluded. Any further or other claims by the customer against us, our representatives, or our vicarious agents due to a material defect, beyond those regulated in this section 5, are excluded.
   9. Claims and rights due to material defects expire after 12 months, starting from the delivery of the goods to the customer, unless the law prescribes longer periods according to § 438 para. 1 no. 2 BGB (buildings and items for buildings), §§ 478, 479 BGB (recourse against suppliers), and § 634a para. 1 no. 2 BGB (construction defects). The 12-month limitation period does not apply in cases for which we or our representatives or vicarious agents are liable for injury to life, body, or health, fraudulent concealment of a defect, intentional or grossly negligent breach of duty, breach of essential contractual obligations, or liability based on hazardous activities.
   10. The customer bears the risk related to the building ground. If we have also taken on the assembly of the delivered item or have inspected the building ground, our obligation to inform the customer about any building ground defects we identify or visually detect and their possible consequences remains unaffected. We have no further duty to investigate. In particular, we are not liable for defects in construction work caused by unevenness of the building ground for which we are not responsible. The customer must ensure that overhead lines, especially overhead power lines, running over or next to the intended installation site of the contract object maintain the minimum distance prescribed by law or regulation.
   11. For orders of goods or components whose design and composition features are specified by the customer, the customer is responsible for ensuring that the design and composition do not infringe on third-party intellectual property rights. The customer indemnifies us in the event of any claims.
   12. A reversal of the burden of proof is not associated with the above provisions in section 5.

6. Liability for defects in work performance

If the contract concluded between the customer and us is, in whole or in part, to be classified as a contract for work and services, then—subject to Section 635 (3) of the German Civil Code (BGB)—the provisions set out in Clauses 5.2 to 5.12 as well as the provisions of Clauses 7 and 8 shall apply accordingly to defects in work performance and to claims for damages or reimbursement of futile expenses, with the exception of the right of rescission, which is excluded if the defect liability relates to a construction service. The customer’s right to self-performance under Section 637 BGB is excluded. The customer’s right of termination under Section 649 BGB remains unaffected. The limitation period begins upon acceptance, or—where acceptance is not possible—upon completion of the work.

7. Warranty for Defects in Used Purchased and Work-Delivered Items and in the Use of Used Components / Construction Ground Risk

1. 1. If used items are sold, or if a work is constructed by us wholly or partially from used parts or components in accordance with contractual agreements, any liability for material defects regarding these items and parts is excluded, unless otherwise agreed. The exclusion of liability under sentence 1 does not apply if one of the cases mentioned in Section 5.10 sentence 2 above applies.
   2. If we have contractually assumed liability for material defects, or if such liability applies to us for other reasons regarding a work performance constructed wholly or partially from used parts or components, the provisions in Section 6 above shall apply. However, contrary to Section 5.10 sentence 1, the limitation period shall be six months, unless one of the cases mentioned in Section 5.10 sentence 2 above applies.

8. Total liability

1. 1. Any further liability for damages beyond what is set forth in the preceding Sections 5, 6, and 7 is excluded—regardless of the legal nature of the asserted claim. This applies in particular to claims for damages arising from culpa in contrahendo, other breaches of duty, or tort claims for compensation of property damage pursuant to Section 823 of the German Civil Code (BGB).
   2. The limitation under paragraph 1 also applies insofar as the customer, instead of claiming damages in lieu of performance, demands compensation from us for futile expenses.
   3. For the limitation period of all claims not subject to the statute of limitations due to a defect in the item, an exclusion period of 18 months applies, unless one of the cases referred to in Section 5.10 sentence 2 above applies. It begins upon knowledge of the damage and the identity of the party causing the damage.
   4. To the extent that liability for damages on our part is excluded or limited, this also applies to the personal liability for damages of our employees, workers, staff, representatives, and vicarious agents.
   5. Clause 5.12 applies accordingly.

9. Assignment prohibition

The assignment of claims for performance, payment claims, warranty claims, or other secondary claims for damages against us to third parties is only permitted with our consent. Section 354a of the German Commercial Code (HGB) remains unaffected.

10. Eigentumsvorbehalt

1. 1. Wir behalten uns das Eigentum an dem Liefergegenstand (Vorbehaltsware) und an den vom Liefergegenstand beigefügten Dokumenten vor, solange uns noch Forderungen, gleich welcher Art, aus der gegenwärtigen und künftigen Geschäftsbeziehung mit dem Kunden zustehen. Bei laufender Rechnung dient dieser Eigentumsvorbehalt auch zur Sicherung unserer jeweiligen Saldo-Forderung.
   2. Der Kunde kann die Vorbehaltsware im ordentlichen Geschäftsgang weiterveräußern. Ein ordentlicher Geschäftsgang liegt nicht vor, wenn die Vorbehaltsware nicht unter Eigentumsvorbehalt weiterverkauft wird oder der Käufer der Vorbehaltswareeine Abtretung der gegen ihn bestehenden Kaufpreisforderung nicht gestattet. Die Ermächtigung erlischt, sobald der Kunde in Zahlungsverzug gerät,ein Antrag auf Eröffnung des Insolvenzverfahrens gestellt ist, Zahlungseinstellung vorliegt oder eine nachträgliche Minderung seiner Kreditwürdigkeit eintritt.
      Der Kunde tritt uns bereits jetzt alle Forderungen aus dem Weiterverkauf der Vorbehaltsware samt Neben- und Sicherungsrechten in Höhe des Rechnungswertes der Vorbehaltsware ab. Wird Vorbehaltsware in fremden Grund und Boden eingebaut, so tritt uns der Kunde schon jetzt die daraus entstehende Forderung auf Vergütung in Höhe des Rechnungswertes der Vorbehaltsware ab. Die vorstehend aufgeführten Abtretungen werden hiermit von uns angenommen.
      Bis zum Erlöschen der vorstehend erteilten Ermächtigung ist der Kunde auchzur Einziehung der abgetretenen Forderungen befugt. Bei Erlöschen dieser Befugnis sind wir berechtigt, die Abnehmer des Kunden von der Abtretung zu unterrichten und die Forderungen selbst einzuziehen. Bei Erlöschen der Einziehungsbefugnis hat uns der Kunde darüber hinaus alle Auskünfte zu erteilen und alle Unterlagen auszuhändigen, die zur Geltendmachung der abgetretenen Forderung benötigt werden.
   3. Sicherungsübereignung bzw. -abtretung sowie Verpfändung der Vorbehaltsware bzw. der abgetretenen Forderungen sind unzulässig. § 354 a HGB bleibt unberührt. Von Pfändungen oder sonstigen Eingriffen Dritter hat uns der Kunde unverzüglich schriftlich zu benachrichtigen.
   4. Der Kunde verwahrt die Vorbehaltsware und die Dokumente unentgeltlich für uns und behandelt sie pfleglich. Er hat sie gegen die üblichen Gefahren wie z.B. Feuer, Diebstahl, Transport sowie Leitungswasserschäden zum Neuwert zu versichern. Die aus einem Schadensfall entstehenden Forderungen gegen Versicherer und dritte Personen tritt der Kunde schon jetzt in Höhe des Rechnungswertes der betroffenen Vorbehaltsware an uns ab. Wir nehmen diese Abtretung an. Erforderliche Wartungs- und Inspektionsarbeiten hat der Kunde auf eigene Kosten rechtzeitig durchzuführen.
   5. Übersteigt der Wert der uns zustehenden Sicherheiten unsere Forderungen insgesamt um mehr als 10 %, sind wir auf Verlangen des Kunden oder eines durch die Übersicherung beeinträchtigten Dritten insoweit zur Freigabe von Sicherheiten nach unserer Wahl verpflichtet.

12. Vertragsstrafe

Erklärt der Kunde – ohne hierzu berechtigt zu sein – vor unserer vollständigen Erfüllung des Vertrages den Rücktritt vom Kaufvertrag oder Werkliefervertrag, verwirkt er hierdurch eine Vertragsstrafe in Höhe von 30 % des vereinbarten Gesamtkaufpreises. Die Geltendmachung eines höheren Schadens durch uns ist dadurch nicht ausgeschlossen. Machen wir die in Satz 1 geregelte Vertragsstrafe geltend, gilt dies als Genehmigung des zuvor unberechtigten Rücktritts.

14. Sonstiges

1. 1. Soweit der Kunde Kaufmann im Sinne des Handelsgesetzbuches, juristische Person des öffentlichen Rechts oder öffentlich-rechtliches Sondervermögen ist, ist München ausschließlicher Gerichtsstand für alle sich aus dem Vertragsverhältnis unmittelbar oder mittelbar ergebenden Streitigkeiten. Wir sind jedoch berechtigt, den Kunden auch an seinem Sitzgericht zu verklagen.
   2. Es gilt das Recht der Bundesrepublik Deutschland; die Geltung des UN-Kaufrechts ist ausgeschlossen.
   3. Sofern sich aus der Auftragsbestätigung nichts anderes ergibt, ist unser Geschäftssitz Erfüllungsort.
   4. Für die Abwicklung der geschäftlichen Beziehungen und zur firmeninternen Bearbeitung der Geschäftsvorgänge setzen wir elektronische Datenverarbeitung ein. Der Kunde wird, gemäß den Bestimmungen des Bundesdatenschutzgesetztes, darauf hingewiesen, dass wir die hierfür erforderlichen personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und ausschließlich firmenintern verwenden.