Section 16 Techworks Custom PCs Terms

Effective September 2026

These specific terms apply to complete custom desktop PCs built and supplied by Section 16 Techworks.

They apply alongside the general Section 16 Techworks Terms & Conditions. Where these terms deal specifically with a Section 16 Techworks custom PC and conflict with the general terms, these specific terms take precedence. Nothing in either set of terms removes or restricts statutory consumer rights.

1. Build specification and component availability

The agreed quotation or order sets out the intended build specification and price.
Component availability and pricing can change. If a quoted component becomes unavailable before procurement, Section 16 Techworks may propose an equivalent or better alternative, but a materially different substitution will not be made without the customer's agreement.
Performance descriptions, benchmark estimates and expected frame rates are guidance unless Section 16 Techworks has expressly guaranteed a particular figure in writing. Actual performance can vary with software, game version, drivers, resolution, settings and workload.
Any upfront payment required for component procurement is governed by the general Section 16 Techworks Terms & Conditions and will be stated before ordering.

2. Customer-supplied components

Section 16 Techworks custom PCs are supplied only using components sourced and supplied by Section 16 Techworks.
Customer-supplied internal components will not be incorporated into a new Section 16 Techworks custom PC build.
This allows Section 16 Techworks to maintain a known component history, verify compatibility, test the completed specification and provide clear warranty responsibility for the finished system.
This restriction applies to the Section 16 Techworks custom PC product and does not prevent Section 16 Techworks from separately agreeing ordinary repair or upgrade work on an existing customer-owned PC.

3. 12-month Section 16 Techworks Custom PC Warranty

Every new Section 16 Techworks custom PC includes a 12-month parts and labour warranty beginning on the date the completed PC is collected, delivered or otherwise handed over to the customer.
During this period, Section 16 Techworks will diagnose and, where covered by this warranty, repair faults affecting components supplied as part of the original Section 16 Techworks build.
Where a covered component has failed, Section 16 Techworks will normally repair or replace the affected component and complete the labour required to return the PC to working order.
There is no diagnostic, parts or labour charge for a fault covered by this warranty.

4. What the warranty covers

Hardware components supplied by Section 16 Techworks as part of the completed PC.
Faults arising from assembly or workmanship carried out by Section 16 Techworks.
The hardware and operating configuration supplied and tested by Section 16 Techworks.
Reasonable diagnostic work required to identify a covered hardware or workmanship fault.
Labour required to repair or replace a covered component.
Accessories and external peripherals are not included in the Custom PC Warranty unless the order or invoice specifically states otherwise. Statutory rights relating to any goods supplied remain unaffected.

5. Built and tested specification

Every Section 16 Techworks custom PC is supplied in a defined hardware and operating configuration assembled, configured and tested by Section 16 Techworks.
This may include memory profiles, cooling and fan configuration, BIOS/UEFI settings and other settings specifically configured by Section 16 Techworks before handover.
The Custom PC Warranty covers the system in this Section 16 Techworks-supplied specification.
Section 16 Techworks does not warrant the stability, performance or operation of configurations subsequently created by the customer or another third party.

6. Modifications, overclocking and voltage changes

Opening the PC case does not by itself cancel the Section 16 Techworks Custom PC Warranty.
The warranty does not cover the stability, performance, operation, fault or damage of a configuration modified beyond the specification supplied and tested by Section 16 Techworks.
This includes CPU, GPU or memory overclocking not configured by Section 16 Techworks; CPU, GPU or memory undervolting or overvolting; alteration of power limits or boost behaviour; operation of memory outside the validated configuration; customer or third-party BIOS/UEFI tuning; replacement, removal or modification of supplied components; incorrectly installed additional hardware; and faults caused by customer-installed or third-party components.
Where a system has been modified from its Section 16 Techworks-supplied specification, Section 16 Techworks may require the original hardware and configuration to be restored before a warranty assessment can be completed.
Section 16 Techworks is not responsible under this commercial warranty for diagnosing or correcting instability that exists only in a modified configuration.
A modification does not automatically remove warranty coverage for a separate defect that was not caused or contributed to by that modification.

7. Local collect and return

During the 12-month warranty period, complimentary collection and return is available for covered warranty work where the PC is located within the published Section 16 Techworks local collection area.
Eligibility is determined by the location of the PC when support is required, not the address at which the PC was originally purchased or handed over.
Moving outside the local collection area does not cancel the warranty, but complimentary local collection no longer applies. The warranty will normally operate on a return-to-base basis, with arrangements agreed before the PC is sent or delivered.
This geographical limitation applies only to the additional complimentary collection service. It does not affect any obligation Section 16 Techworks may have under consumer law to bear necessary costs associated with a statutory remedy.

8. Making a warranty claim

All claims under the Section 16 Techworks Custom PC Warranty must first be reported directly to Section 16 Techworks.
The customer must give Section 16 Techworks a reasonable opportunity to inspect, diagnose and, where appropriate, repair or replace the affected hardware before arranging repair elsewhere.
Section 16 Techworks may ask the customer to carry out reasonable basic checks before the PC is returned.
If the problem cannot reasonably be identified or resolved without examining the PC, the system must be made available to Section 16 Techworks for assessment.
Section 16 Techworks aims to reproduce and observe a reported fault before attempting to repair it. Intermittent faults may require extended testing.

9. Warranty assessment and potential diagnostic charges

Section 16 Techworks may, where appropriate, require the customer to agree to a potential diagnostic fee before a warranty assessment begins.
The amount of any potential diagnostic fee will be disclosed before diagnostic work starts and must be agreed before the assessment proceeds.
No diagnostic fee will be charged where assessment confirms a fault covered by the Section 16 Techworks Custom PC Warranty.
No diagnostic fee will be charged where Section 16 Techworks accepts that the fault requires a remedy Section 16 Techworks is legally required to provide under the customer's statutory rights.
If assessment establishes that the reported fault falls outside both the Custom PC Warranty and any applicable statutory remedy, the agreed diagnostic charge may become payable.
This may include cases where no hardware fault is identified after reasonable testing, or where the issue is caused by customer modification, overclocking, undervolting, overvolting, customer-installed hardware, software, malware, configuration changes, accidental damage or another excluded cause.
A diagnostic charge covers the agreed assessment only. No additional chargeable repair will be carried out without the customer's agreement.

10. Section 16 Techworks-provided warranty repairs

Repairs under the Section 16 Techworks Custom PC Warranty will be carried out by Section 16 Techworks or by a manufacturer, repairer or service provider specifically authorised by Section 16 Techworks for that claim.
Customers must not arrange third-party repair work on behalf of Section 16 Techworks without prior agreement.
The Custom PC Warranty does not provide reimbursement for diagnostic, repair, replacement, postage or other costs independently incurred through another repairer unless Section 16 Techworks agreed to those costs in advance.
If a customer independently chooses to have the PC inspected or repaired elsewhere without first giving Section 16 Techworks a reasonable opportunity to assess and provide the warranty remedy, that work does not become a Section 16 Techworks warranty repair.
Third-party inspection or repair does not automatically cancel all remaining warranty coverage. However, Section 16 Techworks does not cover faults or damage caused or contributed to by third-party work, components supplied by another repairer, or problems introduced by that work.
Where third-party work has materially altered the PC, Section 16 Techworks may require restoration to the Section 16 Techworks-supplied specification before assessing a subsequent warranty claim.

11. Repair and replacement components

Where a component covered by the warranty is confirmed as defective, Section 16 Techworks will determine an appropriate repair or replacement.
Where the identical component is reasonably available, Section 16 Techworks will normally use the same component.
Where it is no longer reasonably available, Section 16 Techworks may propose an alternative of equivalent or better functional specification. Any materially different substitution will be discussed before installation.
Replacement components may be new or manufacturer-authorised replacement products where appropriate to the relevant warranty process.
A repair or component replacement does not restart the original 12-month Section 16 Techworks commercial warranty period. Statutory rights applying to repaired or replacement goods remain unaffected.

12. Manufacturer warranties

Individual components may include manufacturer warranties extending beyond the 12-month Section 16 Techworks Custom PC Warranty.
These manufacturer warranties are additional and vary between manufacturers and components. They do not replace rights the customer may have against Section 16 Techworks.
After the Section 16 Techworks commercial warranty has expired, Section 16 Techworks may use the retained build information to help identify whether a failed component appears to retain manufacturer warranty coverage.
Diagnosis, removal, installation, postage, administration or other work associated with a manufacturer warranty claim after the Section 16 Techworks warranty period may be chargeable. Any charge will be agreed before paid work begins.

13. What the warranty does not cover

Accidental, impact, liquid or physical damage.
Misuse, neglect or operation contrary to reasonable use.
Modification outside the Section 16 Techworks-supplied specification.
Customer or third-party overclocking, undervolting or overvolting.
Incorrect installation of additional or replacement components.
Customer-installed or third-party hardware where that hardware causes or contributes to the fault.
Third-party repair or modification where that work causes or contributes to the fault.
External electrical faults, inappropriate power sources or power events outside the PC.
Excessive contamination, dust or debris where this has caused or materially contributed to the fault.
Malware, viruses or other malicious software.
Third-party software or software configuration changes not arising from the original Section 16 Techworks installation.
Cosmetic wear that does not affect normal operation.
Routine maintenance or cleaning.
These exclusions apply to the additional commercial warranty only and do not restrict rights that cannot legally be excluded.

14. Software and operating-system issues

The Section 16 Techworks Custom PC Warranty is principally a hardware and workmanship warranty.
A fault with the original Section 16 Techworks installation or configuration which was present when the machine was supplied will be investigated as part of the warranty.
Problems subsequently caused by software installation, customer-installed drivers, malware, user configuration, unsupported software, modifications to Windows or other operating-system changes are not normally hardware warranty faults.
If assessment establishes that the reported problem is a non-warranty software or configuration issue, any further chargeable work will only proceed with the customer's agreement.

15. Data and storage

Customers remain responsible for maintaining an appropriate backup of important files.
Hardware diagnosis or repair can require a storage device to be replaced, reformatted or have its operating system reinstalled.
Section 16 Techworks will take reasonable care of customer equipment and data while the PC is in its possession. Where practicable, Section 16 Techworks will discuss any action expected to erase customer data before carrying it out.
If preservation of particular data is essential, the customer should make this clear when arranging the repair.
Data backup, transfer or recovery that is not necessary to perform a covered warranty repair may be chargeable and will be agreed separately.

16. Packaging and return transport

Customers are encouraged to retain the original PC case and system packaging supplied at handover, particularly during the 12-month warranty period.
Retaining original packaging is not a condition of the Section 16 Techworks Custom PC Warranty.
Where the customer arranges transport by courier or another carrier, the PC must be packaged appropriately for its size, weight and construction. Section 16 Techworks is not responsible under the commercial warranty for transport damage caused by inadequate packaging arranged by the customer.
Where appropriate, Section 16 Techworks may offer suitable return packaging or transport arrangements. Any applicable charge will be agreed in advance.
Nothing in this section affects any obligation Section 16 Techworks may have under consumer law to bear necessary return costs as part of a statutory remedy.

17. No fault found and intermittent faults

Some faults are intermittent and may not appear immediately during testing. Section 16 Techworks will make reasonable efforts to reproduce the symptoms described by the customer.
If reasonable testing establishes that the PC operates correctly in its Section 16 Techworks-supplied specification and no covered fault can be identified, the assessment may be treated as a non-warranty diagnostic assessment in accordance with section 9, provided the potential diagnostic charge was agreed before testing began.
If additional or extended testing beyond the agreed assessment is appropriate and may be chargeable, Section 16 Techworks will discuss this with the customer before that additional work is undertaken.

18. Section 16 Techworks Support Track

Every Section 16 Techworks custom PC is assigned a build record within the Section 16 Techworks Support Track.
The record may include the original component specification, build or system number, relevant configuration information, build and testing information, warranty dates, repairs carried out by Section 16 Techworks and subsequent upgrades performed by Section 16 Techworks.
The Support Track helps Section 16 Techworks understand the history and known specification of a machine when it returns for future servicing, repair or upgrades.
The Support Track is not an extended warranty and does not provide unlimited or lifetime free technical support.
After the 12-month Custom PC Warranty expires, future diagnostics, repairs, maintenance, upgrades and other work are normally chargeable at the prices applicable at that time.
Personal information associated with a Support Track record will be handled in accordance with the Section 16 Techworks Privacy Policy and applicable data-protection requirements.

19. Statutory rights

The Section 16 Techworks Custom PC Warranty is an additional commercial warranty.
Nothing in these terms excludes, restricts or replaces rights available to consumers under applicable UK consumer law.
Goods supplied by a trader must meet the standards required by law, including being of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose where applicable and as described.
Where consumer law gives a customer a right to a repair, replacement, price reduction, rejection or another remedy, those rights remain unaffected by the expiry or limitations of the additional Section 16 Techworks commercial warranty.
Where Section 16 Techworks is required by law to provide a repair or replacement, it will do so in accordance with the requirements imposed by applicable consumer law, including requirements relating to reasonable time, significant inconvenience and necessary costs.

20. Contacting Section 16 Techworks

For warranty support, contact Section 16 Techworks using the current contact details published on the website.
Where possible, provide the customer's name, Section 16 Techworks build or invoice number, a description of the problem and any relevant error messages, photographs or other useful information.
Contact Section 16 Techworks before transporting, posting or arranging third-party work on a PC for which a Section 16 Techworks warranty claim is intended.