Man and Van Swiss Cottage Service Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Man and Van Swiss Cottage provides man and van, removals and related services within its operating area. By placing a booking, confirming a quotation or allowing work to proceed, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before using our services.

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions have the meanings given below.

Client refers to the person, company or organisation booking the service or on whose behalf the service is booked.

Company refers to Man and Van Swiss Cottage.

Services refers to man and van, removals, transport, loading, unloading, packing, furniture moving, and any related services provided by the Company.

Goods refers to any items, furniture, equipment, personal effects, or other property that the Company is requested to move, handle or store.

Booking refers to a confirmed request for Services, whether made online, by message or in writing.

2. Scope of Services

The Company provides man and van and removal services for domestic and commercial clients, including collection, transport and delivery of Goods, and any agreed additional services such as packing or furniture assembly. The exact scope of the Services will be set out in your quotation or booking confirmation.

The Company operates primarily within its local area and surrounding districts but may, by agreement, carry out moves to and from other locations within the United Kingdom. Any such arrangements will be subject to availability, mileage considerations and any additional charges confirmed in advance.

3. Booking Process

All Services are subject to availability and must be booked in advance. A Booking is only confirmed when the Company has provided a quotation and you have accepted it, and any required deposit or pre-payment has been received where applicable.

When making a Booking, you must provide accurate and complete information, including but not limited to the collection and delivery addresses, access details, parking arrangements, the nature and approximate quantity of Goods, any particularly heavy or bulky items, and any special handling requirements.

The Company reserves the right to amend the quoted price or cancel the Booking if the information provided is incomplete or inaccurate, or if the actual work required differs materially from that described at the time of booking.

Any changes to the Booking, including time, date, addresses, or the scope of work, must be communicated to the Company as early as possible. The Company will make reasonable efforts to accommodate changes, but cannot guarantee availability. Changes may result in additional charges.

4. Quotations and Prices

All quotations are based on the information you provide and are normally offered as either a fixed price or an hourly rate, as specified in the quotation. Quotations are valid for a limited period as stated at the time of issue, after which the Company may revise them.

Prices may take into account factors such as travel distance, parking restrictions, access conditions, number of operatives required, volume and weight of Goods, number of floors, and any additional services requested. If on the day of service additional work is required, or if access is more difficult than advised, the Company may revise the charge to reflect the extra time, labour or equipment needed.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, prices do not include congestion charges, tolls, parking fees, fines, storage fees or third party costs. These will be payable by the Client in addition to the quoted price where applicable.

5. Payments

Payment terms will be set out in the quotation or booking confirmation. The Company may require a deposit to secure your Booking, with the balance due on completion of the Services or in advance for certain jobs.

Payment methods accepted will be confirmed at the time of booking. All charges are payable in pounds sterling unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Where payment is due on completion, it must be made immediately once the agreed work is finished and before the team leaves the final address. For longer distance removals or larger moves, part or full payment may be required before the vehicle is loaded or before departure.

If payment is not made when due, the Company reserves the right to charge reasonable interest on overdue amounts and to recover any costs incurred in pursuing late payment. The Company may also withhold delivery of Goods until payment is received in full.

6. Cancellations and Postponements

You may cancel or postpone your Booking by notifying the Company as early as possible. Because the Company allocates vehicles and staff in advance, cancellation charges may apply depending on how much notice you provide.

If you cancel with sufficient notice as defined in your quotation or booking confirmation, any deposit paid may be refundable or transferable at the Companys discretion. If you cancel with short notice, including on the day of the move, the Company may retain part or all of the deposit and may charge a cancellation fee to cover lost time and costs.

If the Company is unable to perform the Services on the agreed date due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, such as severe weather, road closures, vehicle breakdown, illness, accidents, or unforeseen access issues, it will attempt to reschedule the work as soon as practical. In such cases, the Company will not be liable for any consequential loss arising from delay or cancellation, but any payments made for unperformed Services will be adjusted or refunded as appropriate.

7. Client Responsibilities

The Client is responsible for ensuring that adequate and legal parking is available at both collection and delivery addresses for the duration of the move. Any parking fees or penalty charges incurred because of unavailable or unsuitable parking will be added to the final bill.

The Client must ensure that properties are accessible and that any necessary permissions, lift bookings or entry arrangements are in place. The Company is not responsible for delays or additional charges arising from restricted access, waiting times, or the need to carry Goods over greater distances than advised.

The Client must be present or represented during loading and unloading to provide instructions, confirm items and check premises. In the absence of supervision, the Company will use its reasonable judgment but shall not be liable for lost items or items left behind where clear instructions were not given.

The Client is responsible for properly securing or disconnecting any appliances, and for ensuring that all fragile, valuable or delicate items are suitably packed and labelled, unless packing services have been specifically booked.

8. Goods Not Accepted and Client Declarations

The Company does not carry certain items, including but not limited to hazardous materials, flammable or explosive substances, illegal goods, live animals, perishable food, or any item whose carriage would contravene health, safety or transport regulations.

The Client must not include any of these prohibited items within the Goods. The Client confirms that the Goods are their own property or that they have the authority of the owner to arrange their removal and transport.

9. Liability and Insurance

The Company will take reasonable care in handling and transporting your Goods. However, all work is carried out at the Clients risk subject to the limitations set out in this clause.

The Companys liability for loss of or damage to Goods, arising from its negligence or breach of contract, shall be limited to a reasonable amount in proportion to the value of the affected items and the charges paid for the Services, subject to any specific limits stated in your quotation or booking confirmation.

The Company shall not be liable for loss or damage arising from inherent defects, fragility, inadequate packing by the Client, normal wear and tear, atmospheric or climatic conditions, or pre-existing damage. The Company is not responsible for internal contents of boxes, drawers or containers packed by the Client.

The Company will not be liable for consequential or indirect losses, including loss of profit, loss of business, loss of goodwill or any other similar damages, whether foreseeable or not.

The Client is encouraged to arrange their own insurance cover for Goods in transit where appropriate. The Company may maintain its own insurance, but this does not replace the Clients responsibility to ensure adequate protection.

10. Damage to Property

The Company will take reasonable care to avoid damage to property when moving Goods. However, the Client should take steps to protect floors, walls and fittings where necessary, particularly in narrow hallways or staircases.

The Company shall not be liable for damage to premises or property that arises from moving large or heavy items where the Client has requested that such items be moved despite reasonable concern raised by the Company about access or suitability.

Any alleged damage to property or Goods must be reported to the Company as soon as reasonably possible and in any event within a short period after completion of the Services, allowing the Company an opportunity to inspect and, if appropriate, rectify or respond to the claim.

11. Delays and Waiting Time

The Company will use reasonable efforts to arrive and complete work within the agreed time frame, but arrival and completion times are estimates and not guaranteed. Traffic, weather, roadworks, and other factors outside the Companys control may cause delays.

If the Company experiences delays beyond its control, it will keep the Client informed where possible. The Company will not be responsible for any costs or losses incurred by the Client as a result of such delays.

Where delays are caused by the Client, such as waiting for keys, lack of access or incomplete packing, additional waiting time charges may be applied at the Companys standard hourly rates.

12. Waste, Disposal and Environmental Regulations

The Company operates in accordance with relevant waste and environmental regulations. It is not a general waste carrier and cannot remove or dispose of household rubbish, construction waste, hazardous materials or other controlled waste unless this has been specifically agreed as part of a lawful and compliant service.

Where the Company agrees to remove items for disposal, it will do so only in accordance with applicable legislation and at licensed facilities. Additional charges will apply for any disposal or recycling services, which will be confirmed in advance where possible.

The Client must not request the Company to transport or dispose of waste in a way that breaches local or national regulations. Any fines, penalties or costs arising from unlawful disposal requested or caused by the Client will be the responsibility of the Client.

13. Storage Services

If the Company arranges or provides storage, either directly or via a third party, the terms relating to storage, including access, charges, insurance and notice periods, will be set out separately. Goods placed into storage may be subject to an inventory and separate contractual conditions.

14. Complaints and Dispute Resolution

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the Services, you should raise your concerns with the team on the day where possible so that they have an opportunity to address the issue. If the matter is not resolved, you should contact the Company in writing with details of your complaint.

The Company will review complaints and respond within a reasonable time. Both parties will use reasonable efforts to resolve disputes amicably. Nothing in this clause affects either partys right to pursue legal remedies through the courts.

15. Data Protection and Privacy

The Company will collect and use personal data only as necessary to manage your Booking, provide the Services, take payment and handle any follow-up communications. Personal information will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws and will not be sold to third parties.

16. Amendments to These Terms

The Company may update or amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time you make your Booking will normally apply to that Booking. You should check the current Terms and Conditions periodically to stay informed of any changes.

17. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

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

The parties 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, the Services, or their subject matter.

By proceeding with a Booking or using the Services of Man and Van Swiss Cottage, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.