Terms and Conditions
Man and a Van Swiss Cottage Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Man and a Van Swiss Cottage provides removal and related services in the United Kingdom. By booking or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before placing a booking.
1. Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions have the meanings set out below:
Service means any removal, man and van, transport, packing, loading, unloading, delivery, or related services provided by us.
We, us, our means Man and a Van Swiss Cottage.
You, your means the customer who books or uses our services, whether as an individual, business, or organisation.
Goods means any items, belongings, furniture, equipment, or other property in respect of which we provide the Service.
Premises means the collection address, delivery address, or any other location where we provide the Service.
2. Scope of Services
We provide man and van and removal services, typically involving the collection, transportation and delivery of goods within our service area, which commonly includes Swiss Cottage, nearby neighbourhoods and wider UK destinations where agreed. The exact scope of services, including the number of operatives, size of vehicle, duration, and any additional services such as packing or furniture assembly, will be confirmed at the time of booking.
We reserve the right to refuse to carry any goods that we reasonably consider to be hazardous, illegal, unsafe, or outside the scope of our usual services, including but not limited to explosives, flammable substances, corrosive materials, stolen goods, perishable items, live animals, and any items prohibited by law.
3. Booking Process
3.1 All bookings must be made directly with us and are subject to availability and acceptance. We may request details of your move, including addresses, access conditions, approximate volume of goods, special items, and preferred dates and times.
3.2 Quotations are based on the information you provide and are given on the assumption that this information is accurate and complete. If the information is incomplete or inaccurate, we reserve the right to adjust the quotation, refuse the booking, or charge additional fees to reflect the actual work required.
3.3 A booking is only confirmed once you have accepted our quotation and we have acknowledged your acceptance. We may request a deposit or full payment in advance as a condition of confirming the booking.
3.4 You are responsible for ensuring that all details provided to us are correct, including dates, times, addresses, and any access restrictions. Any changes must be notified to us as soon as possible and may result in a revised quotation or change of availability.
4. Pricing and Quotations
4.1 Prices may be based on hourly rates, fixed fees, or a combination of both, depending on the nature of the Service. Our quotation will specify the basis on which charges are calculated.
4.2 Unless expressly stated otherwise, our prices do not include parking charges, congestion charges, tolls, ferry charges, storage fees, packing materials, or additional labour beyond what was agreed. Any such charges reasonably incurred in the performance of the Service will be payable by you as additional costs.
4.3 Quotations are valid for a limited period as stated at the time of issue. We reserve the right to amend or withdraw a quotation that has not been accepted within that period.
4.4 We may apply additional charges where the Service is carried out during evenings, weekends, bank holidays, or other peak times, or where the work involves long travel distances, difficult access, or unusual handling requirements.
5. Payments
5.1 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due either in full in advance of the Service or immediately upon completion of the Service on the day, as notified at the time of booking.
5.2 We may accept a range of payment methods, such as card payments or bank transfers, as notified to you during the booking process. We are not obliged to accept any particular payment method and may vary available options from time to time.
5.3 If payment is not received when due, we reserve the right to suspend or cancel the Service and to charge interest on any overdue amounts at the statutory rate from the date payment fell due until the date payment is received in full.
5.4 For business customers, we may agree credit terms in advance. Where credit terms apply, payment must be made strictly in accordance with the agreed terms. Failure to do so may result in withdrawal of credit facilities and the application of late payment charges.
6. Cancellations and Amendments
6.1 You may cancel or amend your booking by notifying us. Cancellation and amendment are subject to the following conditions and, where applicable, charges.
6.2 If you cancel more than a specified minimum period before the scheduled start time of the Service, which will be notified to you at the time of booking, any prepaid amount may be refunded subject to a reasonable administration fee. If you cancel within that minimum period, we may retain all or part of any deposit or prepayment to cover our costs and loss of business.
6.3 If you request changes to the date, time, addresses, or scope of the Service, we will try to accommodate these where possible but cannot guarantee availability. Any changes may result in a revised quotation or additional charges.
6.4 We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule the Service in the event of circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, road closures, vehicle breakdowns, staff illness, accidents, or legal restrictions. In such cases, we will seek to offer an alternative time or date. If no suitable alternative can be arranged, any payments made for the affected Service will be refunded, and this shall be your sole remedy.
7. Your Responsibilities
7.1 You are responsible for ensuring that the Premises are accessible and safe for our team and vehicle, including obtaining any necessary permissions, permits, or parking arrangements for loading and unloading.
7.2 You must ensure that goods are ready for removal when we arrive, unless we have agreed to provide packing services. This includes properly packing items in suitable containers, securing fragile items, and dismantling any items that cannot be moved in one piece, unless we have expressly agreed to undertake such tasks.
7.3 You must not request our team to undertake any activity that is unsafe, illegal, or outside the agreed scope of work, including lifting items beyond safe manual handling limits, moving items through clearly unsuitable routes, or handling prohibited goods.
7.4 You should check that nothing has been left behind at the collection address before our departure. We do not accept responsibility for items left at the Premises that were not brought to our attention or not reasonably identifiable as goods to be moved.
8. Loading, Transport and Delivery
8.1 We will use reasonable care and skill in loading, transporting, and unloading your goods. Our team will take appropriate steps to protect goods and property, but we cannot guarantee that minor marks or scuffs will not occur in tight access situations or where items are inherently fragile.
8.2 You or your representative should be present at collection and delivery addresses to provide access, instructions, and confirmation of completion. If no one is present, we will take reasonable steps to contact you. If we are unable to obtain instructions, we may return goods to our base or storage at your cost or wait at the address for a reasonable time, also at your cost.
8.3 Any time estimates given for arrival or completion are approximate and cannot be guaranteed due to traffic, parking, and other operational factors. We will use reasonable efforts to adhere to agreed times, but we shall not be liable for minor delays that do not arise from our negligence or wilful default.
9. Liability and Limitations
9.1 We are liable for loss or damage to goods only where such loss or damage is caused by our negligence or breach of duty while the goods are in our care and control. Our liability is subject to the exclusions and limits set out in this section.
9.2 We are not liable for loss or damage arising from:
a) Defective or inadequate packing carried out by you or a third party.
b) Inherent defects, pre existing damage, or vulnerability of goods, including items that are brittle, poorly constructed, or not designed to be moved when assembled.
c) Normal wear and tear, minor scuffs or scratches, or damage that is reasonably attributable to difficult access, where you were notified of the risk and asked to consent to proceed.
d) Loss or damage to valuable items such as money, jewellery, watches, precious metals, important documents, or artwork, unless we have specifically agreed in writing to handle such items and you have provided a full description and declared value.
e) Any loss or damage arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to accidents caused by third parties, severe weather, or unforeseen road conditions.
9.3 Our total liability for loss or damage to goods, property or other loss arising out of or in connection with the Service shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be limited to a reasonable amount proportionate to the fee paid for the Service, subject to any specific limits notified to you at the time of booking.
9.4 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits or excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be limited or excluded.
10. Claims and Complaints
10.1 If you believe that any loss or damage has occurred to your goods or property as a result of our Service, you must notify us as soon as reasonably practicable and provide full details of the issue.
10.2 We may request photographs, supporting evidence, and an opportunity to inspect any alleged damage before any repair or disposal takes place. Failure to allow such inspection may affect our ability to assess and, where appropriate, resolve your claim.
10.3 Complaints will be handled in a fair and timely manner. Where we are found to be at fault, we may, at our discretion, arrange repair, replacement, or compensation up to the applicable liability limit.
11. Waste and Disposal Regulations
11.1 We comply with applicable UK waste and environmental regulations. We are not a general waste removal company and will only remove waste items where this has been expressly agreed as part of the Service.
11.2 You must not present for removal any waste that is hazardous, contaminated, or subject to special disposal requirements unless we have expressly agreed to handle such items and you have provided full details in advance.
11.3 Where we agree to remove unwanted items or waste, we will dispose of them lawfully at authorised facilities. Any disposal charges, including fees at recycling centres or transfer stations, will be payable by you as an additional cost.
11.4 Fly tipping or unlawful dumping of waste is strictly prohibited. We will never knowingly dispose of waste illegally and reserve the right to refuse any request that might breach waste regulations or environmental law.
12. Parking, Access and Third Party Charges
12.1 You are responsible for arranging suitable legal parking for our vehicle at the Premises where possible. Any parking fines, penalties, or enforcement charges incurred because adequate arrangements were not made, or due to restrictions that you did not inform us about, may be charged to you.
12.2 Where access is restricted, such as narrow streets, height limits, or controlled zones, you must inform us in advance. If our vehicle cannot safely access the Premises, we may need to park further away and transport goods by hand or trolley, which may result in additional time and charges.
13. Insurance
13.1 We maintain insurance appropriate to our operations as a man and van and removal service provider. This may include cover for public liability and goods in transit, subject to policy terms, conditions and exclusions.
13.2 Our insurance is intended as a safeguard but is not a substitute for your own insurance. You are encouraged to maintain your own contents or business insurance to cover your goods during removal and transit, particularly for high value items.
14. Data Protection and Privacy
14.1 We collect and use personal information necessary to provide our services, manage bookings, process payments, and communicate with you.
14.2 We will handle your personal data in accordance with applicable UK data protection laws and will not sell or share your details with third parties for marketing without your consent, except where required by law or necessary to deliver the Service.
15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
15.1 These Terms and Conditions and any dispute arising out of or in connection with them or the Service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
15.2 You and we 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.
16. General Provisions
16.1 If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found by a court or other competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed deleted and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
16.2 Our failure or delay in enforcing any right or remedy under these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of such right or remedy.
16.3 We may update or revise these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time of your booking will apply to the Service provided under that booking.
16.4 These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between you and us in relation to the provision of the Service and supersede any prior understandings or agreements, whether written or oral, relating to the same subject matter.
