Terms and Conditions
These conditions set out the terms of the contract between the Removal and/or Storage Contractor (“the Contractor”) and you (“the Customer”) and explain your rights and obligations and responsibilities and those of the Contractor.
1. Interpretation
1.1 Any reference in these conditions to “we” or “us” is a reference to the Contractor.
Any reference in these conditions to “you” is a reference to the Customer.
Any reference to “Insurance Option” is to the Insurance Option set out in Clause 9A.“Goods” means the goods being removed and/or stored.
2. Quotations
2.1 Quotations do not include VAT and any customs duties levies or fees payable to government or other statutory bodies and all such duties or fees (if any) will be payable by you in addition to the quoted price.
2.2 Although we quote a fixed price we reserve the right to amend it or make additional charges if any of the following have not been taken into account when preparing the quotation:-
2.2.1 If due to any circumstances outside our control the work is not carried out or completed within three months of the quotation date
2.2.2 Our costs increase as a result of currency fluctuations or changes in taxation or freight charges beyond our control
2.2.3 We have to collect or deliver Goods above the first upper floor
2.2.4 We supply any additional services that were not agreed in original quote.
2.2.5 There are delays outside our reasonable control in which event we will make additional charges calculated in accordance with our standard rates applicable at the time.
2.2.6 Access to the collection or delivery point is more than 10 metre or inadequate or the approach is unsuitable for our vehicles.
2.2.7 Any parking or other fees or charges that incur and we have to pay in order to carry out the services you require. In all these circumstances you will be responsible for the extra charges
2.3 The Insurance Option will only apply if it is stated on the Quotation. A summary of the insurance cover maintained by us and any main exclusion from the cover is either enclosed with these conditions or is available on request.
2.4 Our quotation is not a guarantee that we have vehicles available on the day you require. Accordingly your signed acceptance of our quotation does not constitute a contract between us until you have our written confirmation that we can move your Goods on your required date. We will send our written confirmation within one working day of our receipt of your acceptance of our quotation.
3. Work excluded from our quotations
Unless previously agreed in writing we will not: –
3.1 Dismantle or assemble unit-furniture (flat-pack), fittings or fitments
3.2 Disconnect or reconnect appliances, fittings or equipment.
3.3 Remove or lay fitted floor coverings.
3.4 Take down or re-hang curtains, blinds or other window coverings.
3.5 Move night storage heaters unless they are dismantled.
3.6 Move or store any items excluded under Clause 4.
3.7 Move any item or items which our removal crew reasonably believe they cannot move safely or the removal of which may damage the item or items in question or its or their surroundings
3.8 Clear driveways or other access areas (at either collection or delivery address) from snow or ice or other materials.
4. Excluded Property
The following items are specifically excluded from this contract and will not be removed and covered: –
4.1 Jewellery, watches, trinkets, precious stones, money, deeds, securities, stamps, coins, or goods or collections of a similar kind.
4.2 Potentially dangerous, damaging or explosive items.
4.3 Goods likely to encourage vermin or other pests or to cause infection.
4.4 Refrigerated or frozen food or drink.
4.5 Any animals and their cages or tanks including pets, birds or fish.
4.6 Cars, boats and caravans.
4.7 Furs, perfumery, wines, spirits, tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, foodstuffs, perishable goods or any kind of explosives.
Such goods will not be removed by us except without prior written agreement. If you submit such goods without our knowledge and prior written agreement we will not be liable for any loss or damage except when death or injury is caused by our negligence or that of our employees or agents and you will indemnify us against any charges, expenses, damages or penalties claimed against us by third parties. In addition we shall be entitled to dispose of (without notice) any such goods which are listed under paragraphs 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, & 4.7.
4.8 Breakage of owner packed property unless the box or container shows signs of external damage
4.9 Theft of goods while one crew member was hired and vehicle was unattended due to being single worker.
5. Customer’s responsibility
It is your sole responsibility to:-
5.1 Declare to us the proper value of the Goods in valued inventory form prior to commencing of any service we are providing.
5.2 Obtain at your expense all documents necessary for the removal to be completed.
5.3 Be present yourself or appoint a representative at the departure and destination points to ensure that nothing is removed or left in error or is left in the wrong room.
5.4 Prepare adequately and stabilise all appliances prior to their removal.
Other than by reason of our negligence we will not be liable for any loss or damage, costs or additional charges that may arise from any of these matters.
6. Ownership of the goods
By entering into this contract you confirm to us that:-
6.1 The Goods are your own property; or
6.2 You have the authority of the owner of the property to make this contract in respect of the Goods.
You will be responsible to pay for any claim for damages and/or costs against either of the above if this proves to be untrue.
7. Postponements/Cancellations
7.1 If you postpone or cancel this contract we may charge according to how much notice you provide prior to the agreed removal date:-
Between 4-7 days: 50% of the total removal charges
3 days: 75% of the total removal charges
1-2 days: 90% of the total removal charges
Less than 24 hours: 100% of the total removal charges
7.2 Condition 7.1 will not apply if you elect to take any removal postponement/cancellation protection waiver for which we have quoted.
8. Payment of Removal Charges
Unless you have our written agreement to the contrary you must pay our charges so we have cleared funds in advance of the removal. Unless we agree otherwise, you may not withhold any part of the agreed price. Interest at 2% per month calculated on a daily basis, is charged on all overdue accounts.
We reserve the right to terminate this contract if payment is not received before the removal date, and not to carry out any services quoted for. Failure to comply with our payment terms will also mean that we will not insure our liability for the goods.
9. Our liability for loss or damage
9.1 Your goods will not be covered for loss or damages unless a valued inventory is completed and signed by you or owner of the Goods prior to the commencement of services or transit for goods. In the event that we lose or damage your goods, if we offer you insurance and we are liable, we will pay you up to a maximum of £50.00 sterling for each item which is lost or damaged, to cover the cost of repairing or replacing that item. In this respect an item is defined as any one article, suite, pair, set, complete case, package, carton or other container.
9.2 We may choose to repair or replace the damaged or lost item. However if we choose to repair the item we will not be liable for any depreciation in value.
9.3 Other than because of our negligence, we will not be liable for any loss, damage or failure to deliver the goods if it is caused by any of the following circumstances:
9.3.1 Fire howsoever caused.
9.3.2 War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities (whether war is declared or not), civil war, terrorism, rebellion and/or military coup, Act of God, industrial action or other such events outside our reasonable control.
9.3.3 Normal wear and tear, natural or gradual deterioration, leakage or evaporation or from perishable or unstable goods. This includes goods left within furniture or appliances.
9.3.4 Cleaning, repairing or restoring unless we did the work.
9.3.5 Moth or vermin or similar infestation.
9.3.6 Electrical or mechanical derangement to any appliance, instrument or equipment unless there is evidence of external impact.
9.4 Additionally we will not be liable for any loss of or damage to:
9.4.1 Any goods in wardrobes, drawers or appliances, or in a package, bundle, case or other container not both packed and unpacked by us.
Jewellery, watches, trinkets, precious stones or metals, money, deeds, securities, stamps, coins, or goods or collections of a similar kind, unless you have previously given us full information including value, and we have confirmed in writing that we will accept responsibility in accordance with 9.1 above
9.4.3 Goods which have a relevant proven defect or are inherently defective.
9.4.4 Animals and their cages or tanks including pets, birds or fish.
9.4.5 Plants.
9.4.6 Refrigerated or frozen food or drink.
9.5 Other than because of our negligence, we will not be liable for damages or costs resulting indirectly from, or as a consequence of loss, damage, or failure to deliver the goods.
9A Insurance Option
This Condition applies only if you have accepted the Insurance Option. In that event, the following provisions of this Condition 9A shall apply.
9A.1 we shall take out and maintain a contract of insurance in accordance with the summary of terms provided to you providing cover to us for the Goods and for the purposes of such insurance cover, the replacement value of the Goods shall be the value of the Goods determined by the insurer expert.
9A.2 If loss or damage occurs to the Goods as a result of any matter which may result in a claim under such insurance cover, we shall notify the insurer accordingly of receipt from you of a written direction to notify a claim in the form attached to the summary of terms. For the purposes of processing any such claim you shall provide us, the insurer or any agent of the insurer appointed to investigate such claim with such information and existence as may reasonably be required in relation to the claim. We will also provide to you, or the insurer, or any agent of the insurer appointed to investigate the claim, with such information and assistance in relation to the claim as may reasonably be required. In addition, we will send to you a copy of all correspondence with the insurer or any agent of the insurer relating to the claim (including the notification). While we will, in accordance with the previous provisions of this paragraph, notify claims to the insurer, we are not under any circumstances obliged to start or threaten to start any legal proceedings in relation to any such claim (unless specifically agreed with you in writing).
9A.3 In the event that we make a claim under such insurance cover in respect of damage or loss caused to the Goods, we shall pay or arrange for payment to You that part of any proceeds of such claim made by us which relates to such damage or loss to the Goods after deduction of any outstanding sums due to us from you. For the avoidance of doubt, You acknowledge that our liability in respect of any claim under such insurance cover is restricted to the payment to You of those sums which we recover which relate to the Goods.
9A.4 We do not give any advice concerning the insurance cover referred to in Condition 9A.1 and it is for you to make your own judgement whether such insurance is appropriate to cover the Goods and risks to them.
9A.5 insurance access is payable by customer
Nothing in this Condition 9A shall make us Your agent.
10. Delays in transit
10.1 Unless we give a specifically agreed written timescale then arrival and departure times are estimated only.
This contract will then be fulfilled and any additional service(s), including storage and delivery, will be at your expense.
We shall not be in breach of this agreement nor liable for delay in performing, or failure to perform, any of our obligations under this agreement if such delay or failure results from events, circumstances or causes beyond our reasonable control including but not limited to adverse weather conditions. In such circumstances we shall be entitled to a reasonable extension of time for performing such obligations, provided that if the period of delay or non-performance continues for 4 weeks then you may terminate this agreement, without penalty by giving not less than 7 days written notice to us.
In the event that the agreement is terminated and we have part performed any of our obligations under this agreement, including but not limited to a completed or part-completed packing service and/or any storage requirement, any charges incurred by us at the time of your termination under shall become chargeable in accordance with our standard rates applicable at the time.
In the event of termination under, any monies already paid will be refunded save that we reserve the right to set off such sums.
10.2 We shall not be liable for any costs or charges you incur as a result of the termination of the agreement.
11. Damage to premises
We shall only be liable for damage to premises caused by our negligence. Any damages to premises must be noted on the delivery receipt and confirmed in writing to us within seven days unless you request a reasonable extension which we agree in writing. We will not accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused due to design of the property, height and width of any large item being moved in or out.
12. Time limits for claims
We will not be liable for any loss or damage to any goods unless any claim for loss or damage is notified to us in writing by recorded delivery post or email WITHIN SEVEN DAYS (this is a requirement of insurers) of either their collection by you or delivery by us to their destination, unless y
ou request a reasonable extension which we agree in writing. Day one of seven to start the day after either their collection by you or delivery by us to their destination.
13. Our rights to withhold or dispose of goods
We have a legal right to withhold or (subject to complying with the notice procedure in condition 16.6) ultimately dispose of some or all of the goods until you have paid all our charges and other payments due under this contract. These include any charges that we have paid out on your behalf. While we hold the goods and wait for payment you will be liable to pay all storage charges and other costs incurred as a result of our withholding your goods and these terms and conditions will continue to apply.
Sub-contracting the work
14. We reserve the right to sub-contract some or all of the work for which we have provided a quotation without reference to you. Insurance and insurance policies of sub-contract will apply.
15. If we sub-contract these conditions will still apply in full.
16. Storage services
16A- Goods which cannot be stored
You must not store (and You must not allow any other person to store) any of the following:-
16A.1- Food or perishable goods unless securely packed so that they are protected from and do not attract vermin;
16A. 2-Birds, fish, animals or any other living creatures;
16A. 3- Combustible or flammable materials, gasses or liquids such as paint, petrol, oil or cleaning solvents;
16A. 4- Firearms, explosives, weapons or ammunition;
16A. 5- Chemicals, radioactive materials, biological agents;
16A. 6- Toxic waste, asbestos or other materials of a potentially dangerous nature;
16A. 7- Any item which does or could emit any fumes, smell or odour;
16A. 8- Any illegal substances, illegal items or goods illegally obtained;
16A. 9- Compressed gases; or
16A. 10- Any bullion, coin, precious stones, jewellery;
16A. 11- Antiques and fine art unless specifically agreed with us in writing, in advance of storing such Goods in the Unit.
16B-Our Right to alter Our Fees
We use third part storage and we may alter Our Fees at any time by giving You written notice and the new Fees shall take effect on the first Due Date occurring not less than 14 days after the date of Our notice. If You do not agree with the level of the new Fees under this Agreement, You may serve notice on Us to terminate the Agreement
We will always act reasonably in reviewing our storage charges.
16C-Late payment / non-payment of Our Fees
16C.1-The prompt payment of each and every sum (including interest) whether invoiced or not, owing from You to Us from time to time under this Agreement (“Your Debt”) is an extremely important part of this Agreement, and if You fail to pay any sum owing under this Agreement on the Due Date for such sum, We shall seek to recover the outstanding sums owed by You to Us together with;
16C.2- Any interest on these sums. Interest on all amounts overdue will be charged at the rate of 2% above the base rate of the Bank of England, calculated from the date when Your payment becomes due up to and including the date of actual payment including all accrued interest, whether before or after judgement, and whether or not We exercise the right of sale under this agreement; and
16C.3-An administrative charge for late payment which is 10% of Our Fees or £5 whichever sum is greater.
In addition to our rights to recover payment of Your Debt pursuant to Condition We may also terminate this Agreement
16C.4 -Additionally, on each occasion any cheque is dishonoured, at our option you must pay us an administrative charge of £12.
16C.5- If you invoice is overdue more than 12 weeks we will dispose /dump your stuff and cast will be added to your outstanding invoice.
D-Our Duties to You in the event of late payment /non-payment
In default of Prompt Payment of Your Debt:-
16D.1- We are relieved of any duty howsoever arising in respect of the Goods, except for any loss or damage to the Goods caused wilfully or negligently by Us and Our agents and contractors; and
16D.2- The Goods are held solely at your risk and will continue to be at your risk even where the rights described below in Condition E.4 are exercised.
In default of Prompt Payment of Your Debt, We shall be entitled to:-
16D.a- Keep and hold of some or all of Your Goods until We have received payment in full of all the charges You owe Us and You shall pay Us fees and charges at the same rates as under this Agreement or if this Agreement has been terminated at the rate payable immediately prior to termination. If You pay Us by cheque, We shall not be considered to have received payment, until the cheque has been paid by Your bank; or
16D.b- Exercise immediately the rights described below.
If we decide to exercise either of our rights you authorise Us:-
b2- To refuse you and your agents access to the Goods, the Unit and the Site;
b3. To enter the Unit and if necessary break your lock to gain entry;
b4 To remove and retain the Goods; and
b5 To ultimately dispose of some or all of the Goods.
16C- Before we dispose the Goods, We will give You notice in writing / by email on the email you have provided to us. If payment is not made within seven days after the date of the notice/ email, we will dispose the Goods. We will not give you any further notice of any intended disposal.
16D- The terms of this Condition are additional to and without prejudice to all or any rights You or We may have at common law or otherwise.
E- Delivery of Goods
We need minimum one week notice after the cleared payment of full charges owing from you owe us whether invoiced or not.
The following terms in addition to all other terms set out in this document will apply to all contracts for the storage of goods:-
16.1 If you require storage facilities you are obliged to provide a forwarding address and notify us in writing if it changes. All correspondence and notices will be deemed to have been received by you seven days after posting it to the last forwarding address recorded by us.
16.2 The manner in which goods are transported and whether we use conventional or containerised storage shall be within our sole discretion unless otherwise confirmed in writing.
16.3 Where we provide an inventory of goods stored on your behalf it will be accepted as accurate unless you provide us with written notice of any errors or omissions.
16.4 All charges for storage services are payable in advance. All our charges including removal charges must be paid in full in cleared funds before any goods are released from storage and we shall be entitled to exercise a lien over those goods until we receive payment of all charges due from you to us.
16.5 On giving you 14 days’ notice we are entitled to require you to remove your goods from our custody and pay all money due to us. Any such notice will tell you that we will dispose of your goods three months thereafter if you fail to pay all outstanding sums due to us and, in that event, we will do so without further notice. The cost of the sale or disposal will be charged to you.
16.6 If your payments are up to date we will not end this contract except by giving you three calendar months’ notice in writing. If you wish to terminate your storage contract you should give at least 14 days’ notice. Whilst we will use reasonable endeavours to arrange the release of your goods on the dates you require, specific dates cannot be guaranteed.
16.7 If you choose someone else to collect your goods from our storage facilities we are entitled to make a charge for handing them over. Our responsibility for such goods will cease upon their being handed over to your chosen representative.
17. Whole agreement
These Terms and Conditions together with our quotation and any other part of agreement are intended to form the whole agreement between us and to prevail over any verbal discussions. Should we mutually agree to any variation of these terms such variation should be confirmed in writing. Any variation however agreed shall never invalidate the remainder of these Terms and Conditions.
18. Jurisdiction
This contract is subject to the laws of England and Wales if our principal place of business is situated in England or Wales, or to the laws of Scotland if our principal place of business is situated in Scotland.