Terms and Conditions
South Kensington Man and Van Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which South Kensington Man and Van supplies removal and related services. By making a booking, using our services, or allowing work to commence, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
1. Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions, the following words have the meanings given:
Customer means the individual or business that makes the booking and is responsible for payment.
We, us, our means South Kensington Man and Van, the removal service provider.
Services means man and van services, household or office removals, transport, loading and unloading, and any other services we agree in writing to provide.
Goods means the items, belongings, furniture, equipment or any other property that you ask us to move or handle.
Contract means the agreement between you and us for the provision of services, incorporating these Terms and Conditions.
2. Scope of Services
We provide man and van and removal services to domestic and commercial customers. The specific services, including locations, vehicle size, number of operatives and any additional requirements, will be agreed at the time of booking.
Any quotation or estimate is based on the information you provide. If at the time of service it becomes apparent that the work required differs substantially from the information supplied, we reserve the right to adjust the price, time required, or refuse to carry out part or all of the services.
3. Booking Process
Bookings must be made directly with us using our accepted communication channels. When making a booking, you must provide accurate information, including but not limited to collection and delivery addresses, access details, approximate volume or list of goods, any items requiring special handling, and any parking or time restrictions.
Your booking is only confirmed when we have acknowledged it and provided you with confirmation of the service details and the agreed price or charging structure. We may refuse any booking at our sole discretion.
For larger moves or longer-distance services, we may require additional information or a pre-move assessment before confirming the booking.
4. Estimates and Quotations
Any estimate or quotation given is based on the information you provide at the time. It will normally specify whether it is a fixed price or an hourly rate. Unless stated otherwise, our quotations do not include packing materials, dismantling or reassembly of furniture, disconnection or reconnection of appliances, removal of doors or windows, or storage services.
We reserve the right to revise a quotation or to make additional charges if:
The work is materially different from that described at the time of booking.
Access is significantly restricted or involves unusual difficulties, such as long carrying distances, limited parking, or narrow staircases not disclosed at booking.
Additional services are requested on the day, including extra stops, additional items or delays caused by you or third parties.
Any additional charges will be discussed with you as soon as reasonably practicable.
5. Customer Responsibilities
You are responsible for:
Ensuring that you have the full legal right, ownership or authority to move the goods.
Obtaining all necessary permissions, permits and authorisations for collection and delivery premises, including any parking dispensations or access permissions.
Ensuring that goods are properly packed, secured and labelled, unless we have expressly agreed to provide packing services.
Ensuring that any fragile, valuable or delicate items are clearly identified and, where necessary, separately packed and protected.
Ensuring that all appliances are disconnected, defrosted, drained and made safe prior to the move.
Supervising loading and unloading where necessary to ensure that the correct items are taken and delivered.
You must not request us to transport any prohibited, illegal, dangerous or hazardous items including but not limited to explosives, flammable substances, chemicals, firearms, drugs, live animals, perishable foods, or items that may cause harm or damage. We may refuse to transport any item at our discretion.
6. Access and Parking
You must ensure that there is suitable access at both collection and delivery addresses for our vehicle and team, including any necessary parking arrangements. Where parking restrictions apply, it is your responsibility to obtain and pay for any permits or dispensations required.
If our team incurs parking charges or penalties as a direct result of carrying out the services, these costs may be added to your final bill. We are not liable for any delays caused by lack of access, parking problems or restrictions beyond our control.
7. Payments and Charges
Our charges will be explained at the time of booking. We may charge on a fixed-price basis or on an hourly rate, with a minimum charge period. Travel time, waiting time and any additional services requested on the day may also be chargeable.
We reserve the right to request a deposit or full payment in advance, particularly for larger moves or long-distance work. Any deposit is payable by the deadline specified at the time of booking. If payment is not received on time, we may cancel or refuse to carry out the services.
Unless otherwise agreed, all outstanding balances are payable immediately on completion of the services. We accept the payment methods notified to you at the time of booking. If payment is not made when due, we may charge interest on the overdue amount at the statutory rate and may take legal action to recover any outstanding sums and associated costs.
8. Cancellations and Changes
You may cancel or amend your booking by giving us notice. Any cancellation or change must be communicated using our accepted communication channels. The following cancellation terms will normally apply unless otherwise stated in writing:
If you cancel more than 7 days before the scheduled service date, any deposit paid may be refunded or transferred at our discretion.
If you cancel within 7 days but more than 48 hours before the service date, we may retain part or all of any deposit to cover administrative and scheduling costs.
If you cancel within 48 hours of the service date, we reserve the right to charge up to 100 percent of the agreed price.
If you are not present, do not provide access, or are otherwise not ready at the agreed start time, we may treat this as a late cancellation and charge accordingly. Any changes to the service date, time, addresses or scope are subject to availability and may result in price adjustments.
We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a booking due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, vehicle breakdown, staff illness, accidents, road closures or safety concerns. In such cases, we will seek to offer an alternative date or a refund of any deposit paid, but we will not be liable for any consequential loss.
9. Delays and Waiting Time
We will make reasonable efforts to arrive at the agreed time, but all times are approximate and may be affected by traffic, roadworks, weather and other factors beyond our control. We are not liable for any losses or inconvenience arising from delays.
Where waiting time occurs due to circumstances attributable to you or to third parties, such as keys not being available, completion delays, or lack of access, we may charge for waiting time at our standard hourly rate or as otherwise agreed.
10. Liability for Loss or Damage
We will take reasonable care in handling, loading, transporting and unloading your goods. However, our liability is subject to the limitations set out in this section.
We are not liable for:
Loss or damage arising from your failure to properly pack, protect or label items.
Loss or damage to fragile, valuable or delicate items, including but not limited to glass, mirrors, artwork, antiques, jewellery, cash, important documents, electronic data or similar, unless we have expressly agreed in writing to pack and move such items.
Loss or damage arising from inherent defects, weaknesses or pre-existing damage in goods.
Loss or damage caused by atmospheric or environmental conditions such as damp, mould, rust, temperature changes or infestations.
Loss arising from delays, missed appointments, third-party actions, or events beyond our reasonable control.
Our total liability for loss of or damage to goods, whether arising from negligence, breach of contract or otherwise, shall not exceed the reasonable replacement value of the item or items affected, up to an overall limit to be agreed or, if no specific amount is agreed, a reasonable cap in line with our standard insurance arrangements at the time.
You must notify us in writing of any loss or damage as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, within 7 days of the service date. You must provide evidence of the loss or damage and cooperate with any reasonable investigation. Failure to notify within this time may affect your ability to make a claim.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability that cannot be limited or excluded under applicable law.
11. Excluded Items and Special Risks
Unless expressly agreed in writing, we do not accept liability for:
Valuables such as cash, jewellery, watches, precious metals, securities, or important documents.
Items of sentimental value where the value is disproportionate to their market or replacement cost.
Electrical or mechanical items that fail to operate following transport where there is no evidence of physical damage caused by us.
Plants, foodstuffs or other perishable items that may be affected by time or temperature.
You are advised not to include such items in your goods for transport. If you choose to do so, you do so at your own risk.
12. Waste Regulations and Disposal
We operate in accordance with relevant waste and environmental regulations. We are not a general waste disposal company and will not remove household refuse, builder waste, hazardous materials, or any items that require specialist disposal unless expressly agreed in advance.
If we agree to remove unwanted items, this will be on the basis that they are non-hazardous, lawful to dispose of and suitable for handling by our team. Additional charges may apply for disposal services, and any such charges will be communicated to you.
You must not request us to dispose of any prohibited or hazardous materials. If we discover such items among your goods, we may refuse to transport or dispose of them and may require you to arrange appropriate specialist disposal. You will be responsible for any costs or penalties arising from breach of waste regulations attributable to your instructions or omissions.
13. Insurance
We maintain insurance cover appropriate to the nature of our business. Details of our insurance and any applicable limits, exclusions or conditions are available on request. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have adequate additional insurance cover for your goods if you require protection beyond the scope of our policy or liability limits.
14. Complaints
If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of the services, you should raise your concerns as soon as possible so that we have an opportunity to address them. Formal complaints should be submitted in writing, setting out the details of the issue and any supporting evidence. We will aim to acknowledge your complaint and respond within a reasonable timescale.
15. Data Protection
We will collect and use your personal data for the purpose of managing your booking, providing the services, processing payments and handling any queries or complaints. We will handle your personal information in accordance with applicable data protection laws and only retain it for as long as necessary for these purposes or as required by law.
16. Force Majeure
We are not liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations where such failure or delay results from events, circumstances or causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to extreme weather, natural disasters, accidents, road closures, strikes, lockouts, civil unrest or actions of third parties.
17. Variation
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 your contract. Any variation to these Terms and Conditions will only be effective if agreed in writing by us.
18. Severability
If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is held by a court or competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable. If such modification is not possible, the relevant provision shall be deemed deleted. The remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
19. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, their subject matter or formation, 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 out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions or the provision of our services.
20. Entire Agreement
These Terms and Conditions, together with any written quotation, booking confirmation or other documents expressly agreed between you and us, constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede any prior discussions, correspondence or understandings relating to the subject matter.
By proceeding with a booking or allowing the services to commence, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to these Terms and Conditions.
