Service Terms & Condition

Houssmax Realty Marketing Ltd. (http://houssmax.ca), as "Houssmax" in below, is committed to providing high quality services & customer support in a timely & friendly manner. In order to ensure that we can continue doing so, we need to be confident that our clients understand and agree to our company’s service agreement.

By placing an order with Houssmax, you, could be the property owner or real estate agent, as "Client" or "You" in below, agree to the following terms and conditions:

Scheduling an Appointment

Clients need to contact Houssmax to schedule a service appointment by email, phone call or order online. Houssmax will contact the client through email or phone to confirm the schedule within 12 hours after the order is completely placed on Houssmax.ca website. Houssmax is NOT responsible for any loss due to a late response to confirmation email or call.

For orders that are placed before 5:00PM on a regular business day, we will contact you by 7:00PM that day. We schedule appointments based on our availability under the first-come-first-serve basis.

Our regular appointment openings are Monday to Saturday - 9:30AM to 5:30PM. The twilight and night photography service must be confirmed by phone call and email only. If you require a same-day rush appointment or servicing on Sunday or any public holiday, there will be an additional charge applied on top of the regular service fee (i.e. CA$20). This does not include rush turnaround. Please inquire for more details.

If a Houssmax photographer arrives at the property but can not access the property (i.e. lock-box cannot be opened or agent/owner does not show up) within 15 minutes after the booking, the Houssmax photographer will not be able to provide service at the time because they need to catch up with the next order without delay. If this happens, you will need to reschedule a new appointment with Houssmax by calling customer service. The client will be charged $10 (plus the travel fee if applicable) for any on-site cancellation service to compensate.

If a return trip of photography service is requested, there will be a minimum Return Trip Service Fee of $60 CAD (up to 6 HDR photos) per trip plus traveling Fee if applicable. If the client orders more service items (i.e. HDR photos, floor plan, etc.) that are priced more than $60, then the second trip service fee will be waived from the bill.

Photography Service Preparation & Turnaround

For photography service, our photographers are expected to be on time for your services. We will give you timely notice if there is any possible delay due to the traffic or other reasons. The service will be finished in 45 minutes to 3 hours depending on the number of items you order, so please arrange your time accordingly.

Please make sure the property is ready for photo shooting. Houssmax is not responsible for any improper landscaping or interior display during the shooting time. We are NOT responsible for cleaning and organizing the property and we do not undertake any consequences due to the staging issue. Our photographers and technicians are NOT allowed to change any setup or move any item that is more than 10 kilogram or valued more than $200 without the agent and/or owner’s permission. It is the agent and/or owner’s responsibility to make sure the property is clean and organized. We suggest the agent and/or owner of the property to thoroughly de-clutter prior to our arrival. Taking off the personal belongings and daily stuff in the property as much as possible and keep the property clear and bright. Also make sure all lightings work well so we can avoid dark shadow.

The following is a list of things you might like to check before the photography session:

Exterior

  • Clean landscape. Mow lawns and clear driveway. If the outdoor landscape is a very strong part of the property, please consider hiring a landscape professional.
  • Colorful flowers and potted plants always help.
  • Remove vehicles or keep in the garage and close the garage door.
  • Tidy up tools, toys, and coil outside water hoses.
  • Tidy up deck, BBQ area. (In summer), position outdoor furniture & cushions.
  • Make sure your hot tub is clean and full to ensure a good picture with the lid up.
  • Clean windows.

Interior

  • Please arrange for pets to be relocated during the shoot. Remove all signs of pets (bowls, rugs, pillows, toys). Houssmax photographers have the absolute right to cancel the appointment if animals are not properly contained on the premises in the property. Client will be charged $45 CAD On-site Surcharge per trip plus Travel Fee if the cancellation happens due to this reason. If Houssmax photographers/technicians get hurt by the non-contained animals from the property, and without advanced notice of awareness to pets and animals, The clients (Agent and Owner) will be fully responsible.
  • Make sure that all light globes are working where you want to photograph - both indoor and outdoor. Even during the day, they will very likely be switched on for the session.
  • Clear kitchen countertops. Leave a maximum of 1-2 appliances per countertop area.
  • Empty bathrooms of toiletries. Polish windows, doors and mirrors. Toilet lids down.
  • Fix or replace blinds and curtains if necessary. It is very hard to exclude those items from the pictures.
  • Declutter rooms and position the furniture in their best places.
  • Colorful flowers, (fresh or fake) and battery powered candles improve any scene.
  • Setting the dining table with your best dinner setting and candles if you like that look.
  • Remove all Post-Its, magnets, kid's drawings, personal photos from the fridge and walls.

Photo shooting times vary between 45 minutes to 3 hours for photos, motion videos, floor plan measurement, matterport, etc. depending on the size of the property. If you require additional photos at other locations (e.g. parks, school, neighborhood), there will be an additional fee accordingly.

Our regular photo turnaround is WITHIN 24 hours from the point of the on-site service. We can guarantee that the photo will be ready by the next morning, but we cannot guarantee the photo will be released on the same evening. Usually the photos can be ready at around midnight, but it depends on the photographer’s workload. We try our best to release the photo as soon as possible but we need to make sure all the photos are processed with professional color correction and touch ups.

We provide standard large size (1800x1200 pixels) and MLS size (1200x800 pixels) photos to the client. The high-resolution photo (5100x3400 pixels) will ONLY be released to clients who purchase feature sheet design and printing with us, otherwise the client needs to pay extra $20 to get the high resolution photos. The high-resolution photo will be sent to the client separately through Dropbox and will keep the link alive for 7 days to download.

Floor Plan and Matterport Service Rate & Turnaround

Floor plan and Matterport service price is based on the total measured living area which is not include Garage, Deck, Patio, Opening Space and unfinished basement WITHOUT FRAME (if you have special request, please notice us). The finished basement will be accounted for as a total measured living area calculation. Garage, Deck, Patio, Opening Space and Unfinished Basement area are not accounted into final area calculation. Price will be adjusted based on the rate on our website if the final area over the initial estimated quotation.

Please be noticed the floor plan drawing and 3D Matterport models can NOT be finished on the same day and they usually take up to 2 - 3 business days to finish depending on the size of the property.

Travel Fee, Reschedule & Cancellation

The Travel Fee compensates some of our time in traffic, wear-and-tear on vehicles, and fuel costs for the extended travel. For more details, please visit:
http://www.houssmax.ca/Public/travelfee

When placing an order on Houssmax website, the quoted price has not included travel fee. The Travel Fee will be charged if applicable, beside the summed quoted price. In case if Travel Fee is applied, Houssmax customer service will confirm with the client about the Travel Fee amount before the appointment confirmation email or over the phone call.

We experience a large amount of workload and tight appointment schedule everyday. Therefore if you want to reschedule or cancel the service, please notify us at least 4 hours before your appointment time. Otherwise, an extra $29 Reschedule Fee or $49 Cancellation Fee will be charged. The reschedule or cancellation request must be submitted to us through the email or phone call (9:00AM to 6:00PM).

Feature Sheet Design & Printing

If there is feature sheet/brochure printing in your order, please understand that it will take up to two days to finish after completion of the photos because we need to design your draft and wait for your confirmation.

Houssmax Designer will send the design draft to you through the email and it is clients’ responsibility to reply to the opinion of approval or revision. We are NOT responsible for the print delay due to the unconfirmed design draft.

When you receive the design draft, you need to check if all text information is correct. Considering time efficiency, it will be better to combine all revision ideas together every time. Please give us explicit "approval to print" order if you completely satisfied the design draft. We will only start to print the design file once the agent confirms everything and we are not responsible for any mistake after print completion with your permission.

Feature Sheet/Brochure Delivery

When the feature sheet is ready, you could either choose to pick them up in our office by yourself, or you can choose our "Second Business Day" delivery service.

"Second Business Day" Delivery means Houssmax will deliver the prints to the indicated address (listing address or brokerage office) by the second day of the printing completion. The cut-off time of date count is 3PM. For example, if you can confirm a printing draft on 1PM of today, it means we will process the printing today and forward them to the courier tomorrow morning and will deliver it to you by 7PM. If the printing is confirmed on Friday, then we will send them out on Monday morning, Or you can come to the office to pick them up by yourselves.

Domain Registration

The custom domain (such as www.2345bayview.com) registration depends on the domain availability, Houssmax customer service will check the availability of the custom domain when we confirm the order detail. However, the domain registration will only be proceeded when the service payment is fully made. Houssmax does not guarantee the registration at the time of the order confirmation and does not undertake any responsibility for failure of the domain registration.

Pricing

Pricing as per Houssmax website. Additional work above and beyond menu pricing on the website at $100/ hr. Houssmax may update its pricing at any time without notice. Most up to date pricing is available at our website houssmax.ca

The entire quoted service prices on Houssmax website shall be based on the real information of the property, such as the property size and location which shall be provided by the client accurately. If the information client provides is incorrect and causes the price discrepancy, Houssmax will adjust the final price based on the correct information and client is agreed to pay for the bill upon the updated price.

In case in a completely paid order, the real price is less than the quoted price on the website due to the incorrect information or any other reason, Houssmax will convert the difference to credit under client’s account for the next service or refund the difference to client within 7 days after the completion of the service.

Client agrees to incur additional costs or pay full package price for the partial work that is completed during the allotted time for the appointment if the property is not properly staged or prepared prior to the arrival of the photographer.

Deposit and Payment

Houssmax do not request advance payment for clients when place the order through our website houssmax.ca When client’s order is confirmed, Houssmax will send you the invoice with detailed payment instruction, client then can make the payment before the service, or clear the balance within 15 days from the first on site service date.

For a client (individual realtor or brokerage office) who wants to sign up the monthly payment term with Houssmax, must qualify Houssmax Premium Client Program. Houssmax Premium Client must at least order services that valued $2500 per month and has on time clean payment history for at least 10 orders.

We currently accept three payment options:

1. Online Credit Card Payment (Recommended)

Our online payment link is encrypted and 100% secure (hosted by PayPal.com), we cannot reach your credit card information. You can pay your bill by using your Credit Card through the payment link that we provide in the payment reminder email. The photo download link and other service files will be automatically sent to the client when payment is made.

2. Interac Email Transfer

You can e-transfer the billing amount to info@houssmax.ca and set the transfer password to "houssmax" (No capital word).  The photo download link will be released once the payment is confirmed.

3. Cheque Payment

The cheque can be either handed to the photographer during the on site service or mail to our office directly. Please email to notify us when you mail out the check, we will only release the service files to the client when we receive the cheque.

The Payee is: 
Houssmax Realty Marketing Ltd.
Mailing Address:
16 Esna Park Dr, Unit 3, Markham, ON L3R 5X1

In case of a chargeback of cheque payment, client would be notified by phone from Houssmax and the client would be required to submit the payment online by credit card or email bank transfer with an additional $14 chargeback fee. The cheque payment option for the client will be prohibited permanently.

Client understands that all the service bills will be charged 13% HST.

Liability

Clients should assume all risk for damage and loss resulting from the preparation, assembly, use and operation of Houssmax products and services. Client agrees to release Houssmax from all liability for any damage or loss resulting from Client use of the products and services. Client will indemnify Houssmax against all claims and expenses, including legal fees, on a full indemnity basis, arising from injury to person or property resulting from the preparation, assembly, use and operation of the products and services.

Property Website (Virtual Tour)

When it comes to showcasing your property listing to potential buyers, having a dedicated property website can make a lasting first impression. Houssmax offers a professional and responsive property website service that caters to this need.

With our property websites, you can display high-quality photos, engaging 3D tours, captivating videos, and detailed floor plans, allowing prospective buyers to explore your property virtually. Additionally, our property websites also integrate Google Maps, walk score, nearby schools to help potential buyers to get a better understanding of the surrounding area.

Please note that the Property Website operates under the domain of Houssmax.ca. We are not responsible for transferring data from the Property Website to any other website outside of the Houssmax.ca domain.

Hosting

Houssmax offers one year hosting for your property website (virtual tour), media files include of photos and floor plans from the date of their initial release on our platform. To continue showcasing your property website, or extend the download availability of your media for an additional 12 months, we kindly ask for a payment of $20 as an Extending Service Fee.

All 3D Matterport models are valid for 90 days only. The model will be archived from the Matterport cloud server after the expiration and will no longer be available to access or displayed on your Houssmax property website links either. To extend your 3D Matterport model by an additional 60 days, the client must reply to the email reminder and pay a hosting fee of $29 for the extension.

Photo Copyrights and Usage

All works produced for the Client may be used by that Client for general marketing associated with the current sale of the photographed property in accordance with local MLS rules. Marketing in larger publications or as a special feature in print requires that photos be marked with the following copyright notice near the photos printed: "Copyright © Houssmax". Copyright in work (photos, videos, floor plans and other artistic and intellectual property) shall be owned entirely by Houssmax Realty Marketing Ltd.

A license is granted only to the Client and not to any third party. The license is only valid from the time full-payment for services have been made. Client agrees that any usage of the photos by a third party, including but not limited to architects, builders, stagers, designers, sellers, or buyers is prohibited unless approved in writing by Houssmax.

Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability

HOUSSMAX SITE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND ARE MADE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE OPERATION OF THIS SITE OR THE INFORMATION, CONTENT, MATERIALS, OR PRODUCTS INCLUDED ON THIS SITE. TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY APPLICABLE LAW, HOUSSMAX DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THIS SITE’S OWNER DOES NOT YOUR USE OF THIS SITE IS AT HE/SHE SOLE RISK. WARRANT THAT THIS SITE, ITS SERVERS OR E-MAIL SENT FROM THIS SITE ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. THIS SITE’S OWNER WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS SITE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. CERTAIN PROVINCIAL AND STATE LAWS DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES. IF THESE LAWS APPLY TO CLIENT, SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE DISCLAIMERS, EXCLUSIONS, OR LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU AND YOU MIGHT HAVE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS.