Swiss Cottage Man And Van Terms and Conditions
These Swiss Cottage Man And Van Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which our removal and delivery services are provided to customers across the UK. By making a booking, the customer agrees to these terms, which are designed to create a clear and fair service agreement. These terms apply whether the work involves a single-item move, a small house relocation, furniture transport, business deliveries, or similar man and van services. They are intended to support safe, efficient, and lawful operations while protecting both the customer and the service provider.
In these terms, references to we, us, and our mean the service provider operating under the Swiss Cottage man and van name. References to you and your mean the customer making the booking or any person acting on their behalf. If a person books the service for another party, the person making the booking confirms that they are authorised to accept these terms on that party’s behalf. These conditions are written for service use in the UK and should be read carefully before confirming a booking.
We may update these terms from time to time to reflect changes in the law, business practice, or operational needs. The version in force at the time of booking will apply to that booking unless a change is required by law. Where any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply. Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer where those rights apply.
1. Booking Process
A booking is treated as a request for services until we confirm availability and accept it. When you submit a booking enquiry for man and van Swiss Cottage services, you must provide accurate details including the collection and delivery locations, access conditions, item descriptions, preferred dates, and any other information needed to assess the job. If the information changes after the booking is made, you must notify us as soon as reasonably possible so that we can review whether the service can still be completed on the same terms.
We reserve the right to decline any booking at our discretion, including where the job is outside our service scope, where access restrictions make the work unsafe or impractical, where the items are prohibited, or where the customer has provided incomplete or misleading information. A booking becomes binding only once we have issued a confirmation, whether by written message, email, or another agreed method. Any quotation given before confirmation is based on the details supplied at that time and may be adjusted if the scope of work changes.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all details are correct before acceptance. This includes the number of items, dimensions, weight, floor levels, parking arrangements, lifting requirements, and any need for dismantling or reassembly. If the actual job differs significantly from the original description, we may revise the price, modify the schedule, or refuse to proceed if the revised work cannot reasonably be completed within the agreed arrangement. We aim to keep the process straightforward, but the accuracy of the booking information is essential to a successful move.
2. Service Scope and Customer Responsibilities
Our Swiss Cottage van and man service is intended for transport and handling of household, commercial, and general goods that are legal, safe, and suitable for carriage. Unless specifically agreed in writing, we do not provide specialist packing, storage, insurance brokerage, or regulated disposal services. Customers must ensure that items are packaged appropriately for transport, especially fragile goods, electronics, liquids, and valuables. Where we agree to help with loading, unloading, or carrying, that assistance is limited to the practical scope of the job and to what can be carried out safely by the team assigned.
You are responsible for ensuring that access is available at both collection and delivery points, including suitable parking space, working lifts where needed, sufficient clearance, and any permissions required to enter premises or use private land. If access is obstructed or delayed due to circumstances outside our control, waiting time charges or rescheduling may apply. Customers should also remove or secure any items not intended for transport and should make arrangements to protect floors, walls, and surfaces where necessary.
We may refuse to handle items that are excessively heavy, hazardous, contaminated, illegally held, or likely to cause damage to property or pose a risk to health and safety. This includes, without limitation, pressurised containers, explosive materials, untreated asbestos, illegal drugs, firearms, and any item restricted by law. Where we identify a risk during the job, we may pause or stop the service until the issue is resolved. If the customer does not resolve the issue promptly, we may treat the booking as cancelled by the customer and apply reasonable charges for time already spent.
3. Payments, Prices, and Additional Charges
Prices may be quoted as fixed amounts, hourly rates, or estimates depending on the nature of the booking. Any quote is based on the information provided and may assume normal access, reasonable loading conditions, and standard handling requirements. Unless otherwise stated, prices exclude unexpected charges such as parking fees, tolls, congestion-related costs, ferry charges, storage costs, and disposal fees. Where such costs are incurred on your behalf, you agree to reimburse us, provided they are reasonably necessary for the completion of the job.
Payment terms will be agreed at the point of booking or at confirmation. We may require a deposit or full advance payment to secure the date. Unless stated otherwise, payment must be made in cleared funds on or before the completion of the service. If a commercial customer has been approved for invoicing, payment must be made within the stated credit period. We may suspend future services, refuse future bookings, or recover unpaid amounts through lawful means where payment is overdue. Any bank charges, failed payment fees, or collection costs may be added where permitted by law.
If the work takes longer than expected because of inaccurate information, delays caused by the customer, extra waiting time, or additional items not originally disclosed, we may charge for the extra time or labour at the applicable rate. Where the customer requests a material change to the job after confirmation, we will advise whether the revised scope can be accepted and what impact it may have on the price. All payments must be made using the approved methods we specify. We do not accept responsibility for delays in funds clearing caused by the payer’s bank or payment provider.
4. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Failure to Attend
We understand that plans may change, and we will try to accommodate reasonable amendments where possible. If you wish to cancel or reschedule your Swiss Cottage man and van service, you should notify us as early as possible. The amount payable on cancellation may depend on how much notice is given and whether costs have already been incurred. In some cases, a deposit may be non-refundable, particularly where the booking reserved a specific time slot or required preparation by us. Any agreed refund will be made using the original payment method where reasonably practicable.
If you are not present at the agreed time, fail to provide access, do not have the items ready, or are otherwise unable to proceed, we may wait for a reasonable period or attempt to contact you. After that, we may leave the site and charge a call-out fee, waiting time, or a cancellation fee reflecting the time reserved and any expense incurred. If a job is cancelled by us because of unsafe conditions, unlawful instructions, or conduct that makes completion unreasonable, we will act fairly and only charge for work already performed or costs legitimately incurred.
Rescheduling is subject to availability and may involve a revised price if the new date, location, or scope of work differs from the original booking. We are not liable for any indirect losses arising from cancellation or rescheduling, such as missed appointments, consequential business loss, or alternative hire costs, except where such liability cannot be limited by law. Our aim is to handle changes reasonably and professionally, but advance notice helps us reduce costs and maintain service standards.
5. Liability and Limitation of Responsibility
We will take reasonable care when handling your goods and carrying out the service. However, liability is limited to losses directly caused by our proven negligence, breach of these terms, or failure to use reasonable skill and care. We are not responsible for pre-existing damage, items that were inadequately packed, damage caused by defective packaging, or damage arising from the inherent fragility or condition of the item. Where items are transported as part of a normal Swiss Cottage van man service, you remain responsible for ensuring they are suitable for transport without specialist treatment unless such treatment has been agreed.
We will not be liable for loss of profit, loss of business, loss of opportunity, or any indirect or consequential loss. Our total liability in respect of any single booking will not exceed the amount paid or payable for that booking, except where the law states otherwise. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. If you believe a loss or damage has occurred, you must notify us as soon as reasonably possible and provide supporting evidence where requested.
Where damage is alleged, we may require you to make the item available for inspection and to allow us a fair opportunity to investigate the claim. You must not dispose of or repair damaged goods before inspection unless it is necessary to prevent further loss or comply with safety requirements. Any claim should be made promptly and in any event within a reasonable time after the service. We may reject claims that are unsubstantiated, late, or inconsistent with the facts of the booking and the item’s condition before transport.
6. Waste Regulations and Disposal
If our service includes the removal of waste, unwanted items, or recyclable materials, you agree that the waste is described accurately and lawfully. We only handle waste in accordance with applicable UK waste regulations and our own operational standards. You must not ask us to transport or dispose of hazardous waste, electrical waste requiring special treatment, clinical waste, or any material whose disposal requires a permit or specialist contractor unless we have expressly agreed to do so and are legally authorised. Where required, we may ask for further details before accepting waste-related work.
The customer remains responsible for confirming that any items presented as waste are lawfully disposed of and are not subject to ownership restrictions, tenancy restrictions, or third-party claims. We may refuse items that are contaminated, dangerous, or likely to breach environmental or safety rules. If waste is taken to an authorised facility, you agree to pay any relevant disposal charges, and you acknowledge that such charges may vary depending on the type and amount of material. We reserve the right to adjust the invoice where the waste load differs from what was originally declared.
Where the service involves removal of furniture or household items, the customer must separate any prohibited waste from general goods before collection. We are not responsible for hidden contents, mixed waste, or incorrect descriptions supplied by the customer. Any attempt to conceal regulated or hazardous items may result in immediate termination of the service and a report to the relevant authorities where required by law. Our approach to waste is to remain compliant, transparent, and environmentally responsible.
7. Conduct, Delays, and Force Majeure
All parties are expected to behave respectfully and in a manner that supports a safe working environment. We may refuse service where the customer or any person at the premises behaves abusively, threatens staff, interferes with safe handling, or provides instructions that would breach the law or compromise safety. If the job is delayed by events outside our control, including severe weather, road closures, accidents, vehicle breakdown, strikes, civil disturbance, or other force majeure events, we will act reasonably to rearrange or complete the service as soon as practicable. In such cases, we will not be liable for delay caused by those events.
Customers should understand that some delays are unavoidable in transport work and that estimated arrival times may vary. We will try to give notice where possible if there is a significant delay, but exact timing cannot always be guaranteed. If you require time-sensitive service, this must be disclosed in advance and accepted by us in writing. Even then, any timing commitment will be limited by traffic, access, and other operational factors outside our reasonable control.
We may use subcontractors or additional drivers where appropriate to meet operational requirements, provided the service quality remains reasonable and lawful. Any subcontractor acting on our behalf will be required to observe relevant safety and handling standards. The customer must not attempt to direct subcontractors in a way that conflicts with the agreed booking or with these terms. The contractual relationship remains between you and us unless otherwise agreed in writing.
8. Governing Law and General Terms
The contract formed under these Swiss Cottage man and van terms is governed by the laws of England and Wales. If you are resident in Scotland or Northern Ireland, mandatory consumer rights that apply in your jurisdiction will not be affected where they cannot lawfully be excluded. Any dispute arising from or connected with these terms shall be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, unless another forum is required by applicable law.
If we choose not to enforce any part of these terms on one occasion, that will not prevent us from enforcing it later. Any waiver must be in writing to be effective. Headings are included for convenience only and do not affect interpretation. These terms, together with the booking confirmation and any written amendments agreed by both parties, form the entire agreement relating to the service and replace previous discussions or informal understandings.
Swiss Cottage Man And Van services are designed to be practical, flexible, and lawful. By booking with us, you confirm that you have read and understood these terms, that you will provide accurate information, and that you will cooperate in good faith to allow the work to proceed safely and efficiently. If you do not agree with any part of these conditions, you should not proceed with the booking.