Man With a Van Earls Court Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of man and van and related removal services by Man With a Van Earls Court. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or allowing our operatives to begin work, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before confirming any service.

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions, the following definitions apply:

Customer means the individual or business booking or receiving the services.

Company means Man With a Van Earls Court, the provider of man and van and removal services.

Services means any removal, transportation, loading, unloading, packing, furniture assembly, or related service supplied by the Company.

Goods means any items, furniture, personal belongings, equipment or other property in respect of which the Services are provided.

Job means the particular booking or assignment agreed between the Customer and the Company.

2. Scope of Services

The Company provides man and van and removal services for domestic and commercial customers. This may include collection, loading, transport and delivery of Goods, as well as optional services such as packing, unpacking and assembly, where agreed in advance.

The exact scope of each Job, including the locations, access details, timing, vehicle size, number of operatives and any additional services, will be agreed at the time of booking based on the information supplied by the Customer.

The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry any Goods that are illegal, dangerous, hazardous, or unsuitable for transport in normal removal vehicles.

3. Booking Process

3.1 Quotation

Quotations are based on the information provided by the Customer, including but not limited to property access, parking, number and type of items, and distance. Quotations are normally provided as an estimated price or hourly rate and are not binding if the information given is incomplete or inaccurate.

3.2 Making a Booking

A booking is only confirmed when the Company has accepted the Customer's request for Services and provided confirmation of the date, time and key details of the Job. The Company may require a deposit or pre-authorisation as part of the booking process.

3.3 Changes to Bookings

The Customer must inform the Company as soon as possible of any changes to the Job details, including changes to addresses, access conditions, or the volume of Goods. The Company may revise the quotation or charges to reflect such changes and may not be able to accommodate significant changes at short notice.

3.4 Access and Parking

The Customer is responsible for ensuring suitable access and legal parking for the Company’s vehicle at all collection and delivery addresses. Any parking charges, permits, fines or penalties incurred as a result of insufficient arrangements or restrictions may be added to the final bill.

4. Customer Responsibilities

The Customer must:

Provide accurate and complete information at the time of booking, including details of heavy, fragile or high value items, and any access restrictions such as stairs, lifts, narrow doorways or limited parking.

Ensure that all Goods are properly packed and protected unless the Company has explicitly agreed to provide packing services.

Secure or remove any fixtures or fittings, disconnect and prepare appliances in accordance with manufacturer instructions, and ensure that items are ready for transport at the agreed time.

Be present, or represented by an authorised adult, at both the collection and delivery addresses to grant access, give instructions and sign any relevant documentation.

Check the premises carefully before departure to ensure that nothing has been left behind.

5. Payments and Charges

5.1 Pricing

Charges may be based on a fixed price quotation for the Job or on an hourly rate with a minimum charge, as stated at the time of booking. Pricing may also reflect travel time, congestion zones, tolls, stairs, waiting time, and any additional labour required.

5.2 Deposits and Pre-payment

The Company may require a deposit or partial pre-payment to secure a booking. Deposits are generally non-refundable unless otherwise stated in these Terms and Conditions or agreed in writing.

5.3 Payment Methods

Payment is due in full upon completion of the Job, unless alternative arrangements have been agreed in advance. The Company may accept a range of payment methods, and the Customer is responsible for ensuring that cleared funds are available.

5.4 Late or Non-Payment

If payment is not made when due, the Company may charge interest on the outstanding amount at a reasonable rate, recover any costs incurred in pursuing payment, and retain Goods until payment is received in full. The Company is not responsible for any loss or inconvenience arising from the lawful exercise of a lien over Goods.

6. Cancellations and Amendments

6.1 Cancellation by the Customer

Cancellations must be communicated directly to the Company as soon as possible. The following charges may apply:

No cancellation fee if the Customer cancels more than a specified reasonable period before the scheduled start time, as notified at booking.

A partial charge or loss of deposit where cancellation occurs within a short notice period before the Job.

Up to the full quoted price where cancellation occurs on the day of the Job, or where the Company has already dispatched vehicles or staff.

The exact cancellation terms in force at the time of booking will be communicated to the Customer and will prevail.

6.2 Amendments by the Customer

Amendments to dates, times, addresses, or the scope of work are subject to availability and may result in revised pricing. If the Customer significantly alters the Job so that it cannot reasonably be completed as originally agreed, the Company may treat this as a cancellation and apply relevant charges.

6.3 Cancellation by the Company

The Company reserves the right to cancel or postpone a Job due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, vehicle breakdown, staff illness, safety concerns, or legal restrictions. In such cases, the Company will offer an alternative date or, if unable to fulfil the Job, will refund any deposit or pre-payment received. The Company is not liable for any indirect loss or consequential damage arising from such cancellation.

7. Performance of the Services

The Company will use reasonable care and skill in providing the Services and will endeavour to complete the Job within the estimated time. However, all times are estimates only and are not guaranteed. Delays can occur for reasons such as traffic, access issues, unforeseen volume of Goods, or other factors outside the Company’s direct control.

The Customer should not schedule time-critical events immediately following the planned completion of the Job and accepts that the Company is not liable for losses arising from delays that are reasonable in the circumstances.

8. Excluded Items and Special Goods

The Company does not transport:

Illegal items, drugs, stolen goods or contraband.

Explosives, flammable or hazardous substances, gas cylinders, paint, chemicals or toxic materials.

Live animals, plants requiring special care, or perishable food that may spoil in transit.

Cash, jewellery, watches, precious metals, stones, important documents or items of exceptional value unless expressly agreed in writing.

The Customer must not include such items among the Goods without prior agreement. The Company accepts no responsibility for loss or damage where the Customer has failed to declare restricted items.

9. Liability for Loss or Damage

9.1 Standard Liability

The Company will take reasonable care of the Goods while they are in its custody and control. If loss or damage occurs due to the Company’s negligence, its liability will be limited to a reasonable cost of repair or replacement, subject to any applicable limits communicated at the time of booking.

9.2 Exclusions of Liability

The Company is not liable for:

Loss or damage arising from defective or inadequate packing carried out by the Customer.

Damage to Goods that are inherently fragile or have a pre-existing defect, wear or tear.

Minor cosmetic damage such as small scratches, scuffs or marks that may reasonably occur during handling, especially where access is restricted.

Loss of any item not packed, prepared or secured in accordance with normal removal practices or manufacturer guidelines.

Loss or damage resulting from war, terrorism, civil unrest, or other events beyond the Company’s reasonable control.

9.3 Indirect and Consequential Loss

The Company will not be liable for indirect, special or consequential losses, including loss of profit, income, business, anticipated savings, data or opportunity arising out of or in connection with the Services.

9.4 Maximum Liability

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Company’s total liability for any Job will not exceed a reasonable capped amount taking into account the nature and value of the Goods. The Customer is advised to arrange appropriate insurance cover for high value belongings if required.

10. Claims and Complaints

Any visible loss or damage should be reported to the Company’s operatives at the time of delivery where possible and noted on any Job record. The Customer must notify the Company of any claim in writing within a reasonable period after becoming aware of the issue.

The Customer must allow the Company a reasonable opportunity to inspect the alleged damage and, where appropriate, to repair or replace affected items. Failure to notify the Company within a reasonable timeframe may affect the ability to investigate and resolve the claim.

11. Waste and Disposal Regulations

The Company operates in accordance with applicable UK waste and environmental regulations. The Company is not a general waste carrier and will only remove unwanted items or rubbish as part of a Job where this has been agreed in advance and is compliant with current legislation.

The Customer is responsible for accurately describing any items for disposal and ensuring they are suitable for lawful transport and disposal. The Company will not collect hazardous, clinical, chemical or other regulated waste streams.

Any additional disposal charges, including fees at licensed facilities, will be notified to the Customer and added to the final invoice where applicable. The Customer must not request or require the Company to dispose of waste unlawfully, for example by fly-tipping or leaving items at unauthorised locations.

12. Access, Property Damage and Safety

The Customer must ensure safe and clear access to and within the premises at all times. The Company is not liable for damage caused where the Customer has insisted that furniture or Goods be moved in a way that is unreasonable in light of access restrictions.

The Customer should protect floors, walls and fixtures where they have particular concerns and should inform the Company’s operatives of any vulnerable areas. The Company will take reasonable care but is not responsible for unavoidable minor scuffs or marks occurring during normal removal work in confined spaces.

The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry out any action that, in its opinion, would put staff, the Customer, the public or property at risk.

13. Customer Conduct

The Customer and anyone acting on their behalf must treat the Company’s staff with respect and must not behave in a threatening, abusive or discriminatory manner. The Company may withdraw services or terminate a Job immediately if staff are subjected to unacceptable behaviour, and the Customer may remain liable for charges incurred up to that point.

14. Data Protection and Privacy

The Company will collect and use personal data provided by the Customer for the purposes of administering bookings, providing Services, processing payments and handling enquiries or complaints. Personal information will be processed in accordance with applicable data protection laws and will not be sold to third parties.

The Company may retain records of Jobs as required for legal, accounting or operational purposes, for a reasonable period.

15. Subcontracting

The Company may, where necessary, subcontract all or part of a Job to trusted third-party contractors. The Company will remain responsible for the overall performance of the Services, but liability may be subject to the subcontractor’s own terms where applicable. The Customer authorises the Company to share relevant booking information with such subcontractors solely for the purpose of carrying out the Job.

16. Variation of Terms

The Company may update or vary these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in effect at the time of the Customer’s booking will apply to that Job. Any variation to these Terms and Conditions requested by the Customer will only be valid if agreed in writing by an authorised representative of the Company.

17. Severability

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

18. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or the Services, 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 or their subject matter.

By proceeding with a booking or allowing the Company to commence work, the Customer confirms that they have read, understood and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.