Man with Van Balham Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Man with Van Balham provides removal and related services. By making a booking, you agree that you have read, understood, and accepted these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before confirming your booking.

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions have the following meanings:

1.1 "Company" means Man with Van Balham, providing man and van, removal and associated services.

1.2 "Customer" means the individual, partnership, company, or organisation requesting the services of the Company.

1.3 "Services" means any removal, transportation, loading, unloading, packing, unpacking, furniture assembly, or related services provided by the Company.

1.4 "Goods" means all items handled, transported, or stored by the Company on behalf of the Customer.

1.5 "Service Area" means the geographical areas in which the Company operates removal and man with van services, including but not limited to Balham and surrounding districts.

2. Scope of Services

2.1 The Company provides man and van removal services, including local household moves, office moves, student moves, furniture collection and delivery, and other related transport services within its Service Area and to other destinations as agreed at the time of booking.

2.2 The Company is not a storage provider unless expressly agreed in writing. Any short-term holding of items in a vehicle while in transit is part of the removal service and not separate storage.

2.3 The Company does not undertake specialist removal services such as the transport of hazardous materials, illegal items, live animals, perishable goods requiring refrigeration, or items that require specialist handling or insurance unless expressly agreed in advance.

3. Booking Process

3.1 Bookings can be made by the Customer through the Company’s accepted communication channels. A booking is only confirmed once the Company has provided written or clearly recorded confirmation and, where required, the Customer has paid any applicable deposit.

3.2 The Customer is responsible for providing accurate and complete information at the time of booking, including:

(a) Collection and delivery addresses.

(b) Details of access at each property, including floor level, parking restrictions, and any limitations such as narrow staircases or lifts.

(c) An accurate description of the Goods to be moved, including any particularly heavy, bulky, fragile, or valuable items.

3.3 The quotation and booking are based on the information supplied by the Customer. If the information provided is incomplete or inaccurate, the Company reserves the right to adjust the quotation, additional charges, or the time required to complete the Services.

3.4 The Company may, at its discretion, conduct a pre-move assessment, either remotely or in person, to confirm the volume of Goods and access conditions before finalising the booking.

4. Quotations and Pricing

4.1 Quotations may be provided on an hourly rate or fixed price basis, as specified at the time of booking.

4.2 Unless otherwise stated in writing, quotations do not include:

(a) Fees for parking, permits, tolls, congestion or emission charges.

(b) Fees or charges payable to third parties, such as building management or local authorities.

(c) Packing materials, disassembly and reassembly of furniture, or any additional services not expressly included in the quotation.

4.3 The Company reserves the right to amend any quotation where:

(a) The Customer requests additional services.

(b) The work is found to be substantially greater than described.

(c) Access is significantly more difficult than advised, resulting in increased labour or time.

(d) There are delays outside the Company’s control, including waiting times at collection or delivery addresses.

5. Payments and Charges

5.1 The Customer agrees to pay the charges in accordance with the quotation and these Terms and Conditions.

5.2 The Company may require a deposit at the time of booking. Any deposit will be deducted from the final invoice.

5.3 Payment methods accepted will be indicated at the time of booking. The Company may request payment in advance, on arrival, during the move, or immediately upon completion of the Services, depending on the type and scale of the job.

5.4 Where Services are charged by the hour, the minimum booking period and subsequent increments will be clearly stated. Time is usually calculated from the arrival of the vehicle at the first address until completion of unloading at the final destination, including any agreed travel between multiple addresses.

5.5 All waiting time caused by the Customer, including delays in gaining access to properties or delays in packing, may be chargeable at the agreed hourly rate.

5.6 If payment is not made when due, the Company reserves the right to:

(a) Suspend or cancel Services.

(b) Charge reasonable late payment fees and interest in line with applicable laws.

(c) Retain Goods as security until full payment is received, subject to applicable legal provisions.

6. Cancellations and Amendments

6.1 The Customer may cancel or amend a booking by giving notice to the Company using the same communication channel used to make the booking or as otherwise agreed.

6.2 The following cancellation terms will normally apply unless otherwise specified in writing:

(a) Cancellations made more than 72 hours before the scheduled start time may be made without charge, except for any non-refundable third-party costs already incurred.

(b) Cancellations made between 24 and 72 hours before the scheduled start time may incur a cancellation fee, which may be up to 50 percent of the agreed price.

(c) Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the scheduled start time may be charged up to 100 percent of the agreed price, in recognition of the time reserved and resources allocated.

6.3 If the Customer wishes to change the date, time, or scope of the Services, the Company will endeavour to accommodate such changes but cannot guarantee availability. Changes may result in revised charges.

6.4 The Company reserves the right to cancel or postpone a booking due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to adverse weather, vehicle breakdown, staff illness, accidents, or legal restrictions. In such cases, the Company will offer an alternative date or a refund of any pre-paid charges relating to the affected Services. The Company will not be liable for any consequential loss arising from such cancellation or postponement.

7. Customer Responsibilities

7.1 The Customer is responsible for:

(a) Ensuring that all Goods are properly packed and prepared for transport, unless packing services are included in the booking.

(b) Securing or removing any fixtures, fittings, or items attached to walls, ceilings, or floors, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

(c) Obtaining any necessary permissions, permits, or authorisations for parking, building access, or loading and unloading.

(d) Being present, or appointing an authorised representative, at the collection and delivery addresses to oversee the move and check Goods.

7.2 The Customer must ensure that the Goods do not include prohibited or dangerous items. The Company may refuse to transport any item that it reasonably believes may cause harm, damage, or legal issues.

8. Access, Parking and Delays

8.1 The Customer must provide clear and accurate information about access at both collection and delivery points. This includes information about stairs, lifts, narrow corridors, parking restrictions, and distances from parking to the property entrance.

8.2 The Customer is responsible for arranging adequate parking facilities for the Company’s vehicles. Any parking tickets, fines, or penalties resulting from instructions given by the Customer, or lack of suitable arrangements, may be charged to the Customer.

8.3 The Company is not liable for delays caused by traffic, road closures, adverse weather, accidents, or other events beyond its reasonable control. Any additional time incurred as a result may be chargeable in accordance with the agreed rates.

9. Liability for Loss or Damage

9.1 The Company will exercise reasonable care and skill in handling and transporting the Goods. However, the Company’s liability is subject to the limitations set out in this clause.

9.2 The Company will not be liable for:

(a) Loss or damage arising from the Customer’s failure to pack items properly, unless packing services have been provided by the Company.

(b) Damage to items that are inherently fragile or have a pre-existing defect, including but not limited to glass, mirrors, and delicate furniture.

(c) Loss of cash, jewellery, precious metals, watches, important documents, or items of particular value, unless these have been specifically declared, agreed in writing, and accepted by the Company for transport.

9.3 The Company’s liability for loss of or damage to Goods, where found to be at fault, will not exceed the reasonable replacement or repair cost of the item, taking into account age, condition, and normal depreciation.

9.4 The Customer must inspect Goods upon delivery and note any suspected damage or loss as soon as reasonably practicable. Any claim for loss or damage must be notified to the Company in writing within a reasonable period after completion of the Services, providing details and supporting evidence where possible.

9.5 The Company will not be liable for indirect, consequential, or purely economic loss arising from any loss, damage, delay, or failure to perform the Services, except where such exclusion is not permitted by law.

10. Exclusions and Limitation of Liability

10.1 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits or excludes the Company’s liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, fraud, or any other liability which cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

10.2 Subject to clause 10.1, the Company’s total aggregate liability arising out of or in connection with the Services shall be limited to a sum no greater than the total charges paid by the Customer for the specific job giving rise to the claim.

11. Waste and Environmental Regulations

11.1 The Company operates in accordance with applicable waste and environmental regulations. The Company is not a general waste disposal service and will only remove items as part of a removal service where lawful and appropriate.

11.2 The Customer must not request the Company to dispose of items that constitute hazardous waste or are otherwise subject to special disposal requirements, including but not limited to chemicals, asbestos, gas cylinders, paint, or electrical items requiring special treatment, unless expressly agreed and legally permissible.

11.3 Where the Company agrees to remove unwanted items for disposal or recycling, this may be treated as a separate service subject to additional charges and must comply with all relevant laws and regulations.

11.4 The Customer is responsible for ensuring that any items presented for removal as waste are legally suitable for disposal and that the Customer has the right to dispose of them.

12. Insurance

12.1 The Company maintains appropriate insurance cover in relation to its vehicles and operations as required by law.

12.2 The Customer is encouraged to maintain their own contents or removals insurance to cover Goods during transit, particularly for high-value items or where the value of the Goods exceeds the Company’s liability limits.

13. Complaints

13.1 If the Customer is dissatisfied with any aspect of the Services, they should notify the Company as soon as possible so that issues can be addressed promptly.

13.2 The Company will investigate complaints and aim to resolve them fairly, taking into account the evidence provided by both parties and the terms of this agreement.

14. Data Protection and Privacy

14.1 The Company may collect and process personal data relating to the Customer in order to manage bookings, provide Services, and comply with legal obligations.

14.2 The Company will take reasonable steps to keep personal data secure and will not share it with third parties except where necessary to provide the Services, process payments, or comply with the law.

15. Force Majeure

15.1 The Company shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations where such failure or delay results from events, circumstances, or causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to extreme weather, natural disasters, strikes, lock-outs, war, terrorist acts, pandemics, or government restrictions.

16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

16.1 These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter or formation, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

16.2 The parties irrevocably agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions or their subject matter.

17. General Provisions

17.1 If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is held by a court or competent authority to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that provision shall, to the extent required, be deemed deleted, and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected.

17.2 No variation of these Terms and Conditions shall be effective unless it is in writing and agreed by the Company.

17.3 The Customer may not assign or transfer any of their rights or obligations under these Terms and Conditions without the prior written consent of the Company.

17.4 These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between the Customer and the Company in relation to the Services and supersede any prior understandings, agreements, or representations.