Terms and Conditions for Removal Van Swiss Cottage

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Removal Van Swiss Cottage services are provided by us to customers in the UK. By making a booking, confirming a quotation, or allowing our crew to begin work, you agree to be bound by these terms. They are designed to create a clear, fair, and practical framework for both parties, covering the booking process, payments, cancellations, liability, waste handling, and the law that applies to the service. Where the expression “we”, “us”, or “our” is used, it refers to the service provider; “you” refers to the customer or the person arranging the move.

These terms apply to domestic and commercial removals, single-item transport, loading and unloading support, and any related services agreed in writing. Unless we expressly agree otherwise, all services are provided on the basis of these terms only. Any changes to a booking must be confirmed by us in writing. If any part of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue to apply.

We aim to provide a professional removal van service with reasonable care and skill, but moving goods can involve risks that are sometimes outside our control. For that reason, it is important that you read this document carefully before confirming a booking. These terms do not affect any rights you may have under applicable UK consumer law.

1. Booking Process

A booking for a removal van in Swiss Cottage is only confirmed when we have accepted your request and issued written confirmation. Enquiries made by phone, email, or online are treated as requests for a quotation and do not guarantee availability. We may ask for details about the property, access conditions, parking, volume of items, fragile goods, and any special handling requirements before confirming the service.

It is your responsibility to provide accurate and complete information at the time of booking. This includes details about stairs, lifts, restricted access, long carry distances, heavy or oversized items, and any items requiring disassembly or extra manpower. If the information supplied later proves to be materially incorrect, we may revise the quotation, adjust the schedule, or refuse to complete the service if the original arrangement is no longer practical or safe.

1.1 Service specification

Our standard booking will usually confirm the date, estimated arrival time, service scope, vehicle type, crew size if relevant, and price basis. Unless stated otherwise, quotations are based on the information you provide and on normal access conditions. Additional charges may apply where the actual service differs from the booked details, including waiting time, congestion, additional labour, parking penalties, or extra journeys required by circumstances at the property.

We reserve the right to decline or cancel a booking if we believe the move would breach legal restrictions, exceed safe working limits, involve unsafe access, or require equipment or staffing not arranged in advance. Any request to change the booking time or service scope is subject to availability and may affect the price.

2. Prices and Payments

Prices for our removal van services may be supplied as a fixed fee, hourly rate, or estimated charge depending on the nature of the job. Any estimate is based on the information available at the time and is not a guaranteed final price unless we expressly say so in writing. If the actual service differs from the estimate, we may make a reasonable adjustment.

Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due in full on the day of the service or before the work begins. We may require a deposit to secure the booking, particularly for larger removals or peak-date reservations. Deposits are normally non-refundable except where cancellation rights under these terms or statutory rights apply. We accept payment by the methods notified at the time of booking, and you must ensure sufficient funds are available.

If payment is not made when due, we may suspend or stop the service, retain goods already loaded if lawful to do so, and charge reasonable administrative costs and interest where permitted by law. Any dispute about an invoice must be raised promptly and in good faith. You remain responsible for paying undisputed amounts on time.

Where parking charges, congestion charges, tolls, permits, waiting fees, disposal fees, or third-party charges arise in the course of the work, these may be added to the final invoice if they were not included in the original quotation. We will normally seek your approval where practicable, but you agree to pay unavoidable costs incurred as part of carrying out the agreed service.

3. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Delays

You may cancel or reschedule your removal van booking by giving us notice in writing. If you cancel sufficiently in advance, we may, at our discretion, refund part or all of any deposit, less any genuine costs already incurred. Cancellations made close to the scheduled date may be subject to a cancellation charge reflecting reserved vehicle time, labour allocation, and other losses we cannot reasonably avoid.

If you are not present at the agreed time, cannot provide access, fail to secure parking where required, or are not ready for collection within a reasonable period, we may treat this as a late cancellation or abortive attendance. In such cases, full or partial charges may still apply. We are not responsible for delays caused by traffic, weather, road closures, accidents, or other events outside our control, although we will make reasonable efforts to complete the service safely and efficiently.

3.1 Force majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including severe weather, strikes, public emergencies, vehicle breakdowns, fires, or government action. Where possible, we will contact you to rearrange the service or agree an alternative solution. Any rescheduled booking will remain subject to availability.

4. Customer Responsibilities

You must ensure that all items are packed suitably for transit unless we have agreed in writing to provide packing services. Fragile items, electronics, artwork, glass, antiques, and valuables should be declared in advance and packaged appropriately. You are responsible for securing loose items, disconnecting appliances where required, and ensuring that items are safe to move. We may refuse to carry goods that appear unsafe, improperly packed, or likely to cause damage to other property.

You must also ensure that any goods handed over are lawful to transport and are not prohibited, dangerous, flammable, corrosive, explosive, or otherwise unsuitable for carriage in a removal vehicle. If we discover undeclared hazardous goods, we may stop the job and remove those items from the vehicle at your expense. You are responsible for obtaining any permissions required from landlords, managing agents, local authorities, or building management for access, parking, or lift use.

Where you ask us to move furniture or appliances, you should tell us in advance about dismantling needs, water disconnection, or special handling. We are not responsible for identifying hidden defects in items, walls, floors, doors, fixtures, or fittings. If moving an item is likely to cause damage due to its size, condition, or the available access route, we may decline to handle it.

We may transport your goods in our vehicles or, if agreed, use subcontractors or partner carriers to perform part of the service. In either case, we will exercise reasonable care in selecting suitable personnel and equipment. Unless otherwise agreed, loading and unloading are included only to the extent specified in your quotation. Any services beyond the agreed scope may incur additional charges.

During the move, we may rearrange the order in which items are loaded to make efficient use of space and to protect the goods. You agree to provide a person authorised to make decisions on site, particularly if changes to access, service scope, or timing are needed. If you are not available, our crew may proceed based on the instructions already given and on what appears reasonable in the circumstances.

Where we carry items on your behalf, title to the goods remains with you or the lawful owner at all times. We do not acquire ownership merely by handling, storing, or transporting items. If you ask us to dispose of items, separate waste-handling terms apply, and you must identify the items clearly as waste or for disposal rather than retention or delivery.

5. Liability and Insurance

We will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing our moving van service, but our liability is limited to the extent permitted by law. We are not responsible for loss or damage arising from matters outside our control, including inherent defects in goods, inadequate packing, pre-existing damage, or your failure to provide correct information. We are also not liable for indirect or consequential loss such as lost profits, missed opportunities, business interruption, or emotional distress, except where such exclusion is not permitted by law.

For damage or loss caused by our negligence, our liability may be limited to the repair cost, replacement value, or a reasonable market value of the affected item, subject to any insurance arrangements and proof of value. You must notify us of any apparent damage or shortage as soon as reasonably possible and in any event within a reasonable time after completion of the service. Failure to do so may make it harder to investigate the issue fairly.

5.1 Claims procedure

Any claim should include a description of the item, the nature of the loss or damage, photographs where available, and evidence of value or repair estimates. We may request an inspection before the item is repaired, disposed of, or altered. You must take reasonable steps to minimise any loss. No clause in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be limited or excluded.

Where third-party contractors, building managers, or other persons cause damage or delay beyond our control, we will not be responsible for their acts or omissions. If you wish to arrange additional insurance cover, you should do so before the service date and ensure it is suitable for the value and nature of the goods being transported.

6. Waste Regulations and Disposal

If, as part of the service, you request removal and disposal of unwanted items, both parties must comply with applicable UK waste regulations. Waste must only be removed, transported, or disposed of in a lawful manner. You remain responsible for accurately describing items as waste and for identifying whether they contain electrical components, batteries, refrigerants, oils, chemicals, asbestos, or other controlled materials. We may refuse to handle any waste that requires specialist licensing, treatment, or documentation beyond our standard service.

We do not agree to act unlawfully as a waste carrier or disposer. Where waste collection is included, it will be carried out only in accordance with the permissions, registrations, and disposal routes we are legally entitled to use. You must not ask us to dispose of items in a way that would breach environmental law, local restrictions, or recycling rules. Any illegal or misdescribed waste may be left behind, returned to you, or handed to an authorised facility where permitted.

If you leave items for disposal without clear instructions, we may treat them as retained goods rather than waste until you confirm otherwise. We are not liable for any penalty, fine, or claim arising from your failure to declare hazardous or regulated materials properly. You agree to reimburse reasonable costs arising from contamination, incorrect classification, or the need for specialist disposal caused by information you supplied or failed to supply.

7. Storage, Abandoned Goods, and Access Issues

If goods are left with us temporarily by agreement, any storage arrangement will be subject to a separate written confirmation or additional terms where applicable. We will not accept responsibility for items left unattended at a property unless we have expressly agreed to do so. If we are unable to complete the move because access is blocked, keys are unavailable, or the premises are unsafe, we may charge for the attendance and any waiting time incurred.

If goods appear to be abandoned, or if you fail to collect items we are holding after reasonable notice, we may charge storage or handling fees and, where lawful, dispose of or sell the goods to recover costs after giving appropriate notice. Any proceeds will be applied first to outstanding charges and lawful expenses, with any balance handled as required by law.

8. Complaints and Disputes

We aim to resolve issues promptly and fairly. If you believe there has been a problem with the service, you should notify us as soon as possible with clear details. We may ask for photographs, item descriptions, or other information needed to investigate. Nothing in this section prevents you from pursuing any statutory rights or remedies available to you under UK law.

If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, the parties should try in good faith to settle the matter before starting legal proceedings. This may include reviewing the quotation, the booking notes, the condition of the goods, and any relevant communications. Our records, including booking confirmations and invoices, may be used as evidence of the agreed service and price basis.

9. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from them or in connection with them, shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, except where applicable consumer law provides otherwise. If you are a consumer resident elsewhere in the UK, any mandatory rights available to you under local law remain unaffected.

By booking a Swiss Cottage removal van service, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these terms. We may update them from time to time, and the version in force at the time of your booking will apply unless a change is required by law or agreed in writing. It is your responsibility to review the latest version before confirming any future service.

Summary of the agreement: the booking is only confirmed in writing; prices depend on the agreed scope and may change if details are inaccurate; cancellation charges may apply; liability is limited by law; waste must be handled lawfully; and English law governs the contract.