Terms and Conditions

Man with Van Swiss Cottage Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Man with Van Swiss Cottage provides removal, transport and related services. By booking or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before making a booking.

Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions, the following words have the meanings set out below.

We, us, our refers to Man with Van Swiss Cottage, providing removal and transport services.

You, your refers to the customer who books or uses our services.

Services refers to any removal, transport, loading, unloading, packing, furniture assembly, or similar service provided by us.

Goods refers to any items, belongings, furniture, boxes, equipment or other property transported or handled by us on your behalf.

Booking refers to a confirmed request for services on a particular date and time, whether made online, in writing or verbally.

Scope of Services

We provide man and van removal and transport services, primarily within Swiss Cottage and surrounding areas, and to and from other locations within the United Kingdom. Our services may include domestic removals, office moves, student moves, small moves, single item transport, loading and unloading assistance, packing assistance and related tasks as agreed at the time of booking.

The exact scope of the services to be provided for a specific job will be confirmed at the time of booking based on the information you supply. Any additional services requested on the day of the move are subject to availability and may incur extra charges.

Booking Process

You may request a quotation and make a booking by contacting us through our accepted communication channels. When requesting a quotation, you must provide accurate and complete information, including:

The collection and delivery addresses.

Access details at both addresses, including stairs, lifts, parking restrictions and distances to the property.

The date and preferred time of the move.

A clear description and, where possible, an inventory of the goods to be moved.

Any special handling requirements for fragile, bulky or high-value items.

We will provide an estimate or fixed quote based on the information you supply. A booking is only confirmed when we have accepted it and you have agreed to the price and key terms. We reserve the right to decline a booking at our sole discretion.

It is your responsibility to check the details on the booking confirmation and notify us promptly of any errors or changes. Changes to dates, times, addresses, the volume of goods or required services may affect the price and our ability to carry out the work as originally agreed.

Pricing and Payment Terms

Prices for our services may be based on hourly rates, fixed prices, or a combination of both, as confirmed at the time of booking. Our prices may take into account the size of the vehicle, number of staff required, estimated duration, distance travelled, access conditions and any additional services requested.

Unless agreed otherwise in writing, payment is due on completion of the job on the day of service. We may require a deposit to secure your booking, particularly for larger or long-distance moves. Any required deposit, and the method and deadline for payment, will be communicated at the time of booking.

We accept payment by methods advised to you during the booking process. All prices quoted are in pounds sterling and may be subject to applicable taxes where required by law.

If payment is not made when due, we reserve the right to:

Suspend or withhold services.

Retain goods until payment in full is received.

Charge reasonable late payment fees and interest in line with applicable law.

You are responsible for all charges for congestion zones, tolls, ferry crossings, parking and similar which are directly related to your job, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Cancellations and Changes

You may cancel or amend your booking by giving us reasonable notice. Because we reserve time, vehicles and staff for your booking, cancellation or major changes may incur charges as set out below.

If you cancel more than 48 hours before the scheduled start time, any deposit paid may be refundable or transferable, subject to our discretion and any costs already incurred.

If you cancel within 24 to 48 hours of the scheduled start time, we may retain all or part of any deposit and may charge a cancellation fee up to a reasonable proportion of the quoted price.

If you cancel less than 24 hours before the scheduled start time, you may be liable for up to 100 percent of the quoted price, depending on the circumstances and any unrecoverable costs.

Where we arrive at the collection address at the agreed time and are unable to gain access, or where you are not ready to proceed, this may be treated as a late cancellation and charges may apply. Waiting time may also be charged at our standard rates.

We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate changes to dates, times and service requirements, but such changes are subject to availability and may result in revised pricing.

Your Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

Ensuring that adequate and lawful parking is available for our vehicle at both collection and delivery addresses.

Obtaining any required permits or permissions for loading and unloading where applicable.

Ensuring that the premises are safe, with clear access routes for moving goods.

Properly packing and securing your goods, unless packing services have been expressly agreed as part of the booking.

Removing any fixtures or fittings that need to be transported, and disconnecting appliances in a safe manner before our team arrives, unless otherwise agreed.

Supervising the move or appointing a responsible adult to be present throughout the service, to provide instructions and check that all goods are loaded and unloaded as required.

Checking the vehicle at the end of the job to ensure no items are left behind.

You must not ask our staff to undertake any illegal activities or to move goods in a manner that is unsafe, unlawful or likely to cause damage to the property, the vehicle, the goods or any persons.

Excluded and Prohibited Items

We do not carry or handle:

Cash, precious metals, jewellery, watches or other high-value personal items unless expressly agreed in writing.

Hazardous materials including explosives, flammable liquids, gases, corrosive substances, toxic chemicals, or any goods classified as dangerous under relevant regulations.

Live animals, plants requiring special environmental conditions, or perishable food items.

Illegal goods or anything whose possession or transport is unlawful in the United Kingdom.

If such items are included in your goods without our knowledge or consent, we shall have no liability for any loss, damage or consequences arising from their transport or seizure. You will be responsible for any fines, penalties, losses or damage we incur as a result of carrying prohibited items on your behalf.

Waste and Disposal Regulations

We operate in accordance with applicable UK waste and environmental regulations. We are not a general waste collection service and will not remove household waste, rubble, builders waste, or items classed as controlled waste unless specifically agreed and compliant with relevant regulations.

Where we agree to take away unwanted items, these will be handled, reused or disposed of in line with legal requirements. Additional charges may apply for disposal, recycling, or handling of bulky, heavy or special waste items.

You must not ask us to dispose of any items in a way that breaches local or national regulations, such as fly-tipping or leaving goods in unauthorised locations. If you do so, you will be solely responsible for any associated fines or legal consequences.

Liability for Loss or Damage

We will take reasonable care of your goods while they are in our possession. However, our liability is subject to the limitations set out in this section.

We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from:

Your failure to adequately pack, protect or label fragile or valuable items, unless we have provided a packing service for those specific items.

Normal wear and tear, minor marks or scratches, or deterioration that occurs as a result of the normal handling and transport of goods.

Pre-existing damage, defects or inherent weaknesses in the goods, such as poor construction, defective materials, or the condition of older furniture.

Disassembly or reassembly of furniture or equipment carried out at your request, where damage arises from the structure or condition of the item rather than our negligence.

Loss or damage caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including weather conditions, traffic delays, accidents caused by third parties, road closures or acts of third parties over whom we have no control.

Our total liability for loss of or damage to your goods, caused by our negligence or breach of contract, shall not exceed a reasonable market value of the affected items at the time of the loss, and may be capped at a maximum amount per job as communicated to you before or at the time of booking.

You should consider arranging your own insurance coverage for your goods during transit and handling, particularly for high-value items. If you require enhanced liability or specific insurance arrangements, this must be agreed in writing before the service date and may incur an additional charge.

Indirect Losses and Time Limits

We are not responsible for any indirect or consequential loss, including but not limited to loss of profits, loss of business, loss of opportunity or emotional distress, even if caused by our negligence.

If you believe that we are responsible for any loss or damage, you must notify us in writing as soon as reasonably possible and, in any event, within seven days of the completion of the services. You must provide reasonable evidence of the loss or damage, including photographs, receipts or other documentation where available.

Failure to notify us within this time period may affect our ability to investigate the matter and may limit or extinguish any liability we might otherwise have had.

Access, Delays and Parking

You must ensure that suitable access is available at both collection and delivery addresses. This includes providing accurate information about stairs, lifts, narrow doorways, low ceilings, restricted corridors, long carrying distances and any other obstacles.

Where access is more difficult than described at the time of booking, we may need to adjust the price, require additional staff or equipment, or in extreme cases decline to carry out the move if it would be unsafe or impracticable.

We will make reasonable efforts to arrive at the agreed time, but arrival times are estimates and may be affected by traffic, weather, roadworks or other factors outside our control. We are not liable for any losses or costs you incur as a result of delays caused by such factors.

You are responsible for ensuring lawful parking for our vehicle. Any parking fees, fines, penalties or towing costs arising from inadequate or incorrect parking arrangements may be charged to you where they result from circumstances within your control.

Health and Safety

Our staff will operate in accordance with health and safety requirements. They may refuse to carry out any task that they reasonably consider unsafe, likely to cause personal injury or damage to property.

You must not require our staff to lift or carry items that are excessively heavy, dangerous or impractical to move safely with the available equipment and manpower. We may suggest alternative methods or additional staff, which may involve extra charges.

Complaints Procedure

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service, you should raise your concerns with our representative as soon as possible during the job so we have an opportunity to address the issue immediately.

If the matter is not resolved on the day, you should submit a written complaint within seven days of completion of the services. Please include your booking details, a clear description of the issue and any supporting evidence. We will review your complaint and respond within a reasonable time frame.

Variation of Terms

We may update or amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time of your booking will apply to that specific booking. It is your responsibility to read and understand the terms provided or referred to you at the time of booking.

Severability

If any part of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court or other competent authority, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or the services we provide, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

You and we agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising from or relating to these Terms and Conditions or the provision of our services.