Terms and Conditions for Swiss Cottage Man And Van
These terms and conditions set out the basis on which Swiss Cottage Man And Van provides moving, delivery, collection, and related transport services within the United Kingdom. By making a booking, confirming a quotation, or allowing the service to begin, the customer agrees to these terms. They are intended to create a clear and fair framework for both parties, covering the booking process, payment arrangements, cancellations, liability, waste handling, and the law that applies to the agreement. These terms are written for a UK man and van service and should be read alongside any written quotation, booking confirmation, or service notes issued for a specific job.
In these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean Swiss Cottage Man and Van, and references to “you” or “the customer” mean the person, business, or organisation booking the service. A booking may cover a single item, a part-load move, a multi-item delivery, furniture collection, or general transport assistance. The service may involve loading, unloading, carrying, securing, and transporting goods, but only to the extent agreed in the booking. Any service requested outside the agreed scope may be refused, re-quoted, or carried out only if both sides agree to the revised terms.
All bookings are subject to availability and to the information provided by the customer being accurate and complete. If key details change after confirmation, including access conditions, number of items, property type, parking arrangements, collection time, or delivery address, we may revise the price, reschedule, or decline to proceed if the changes materially affect the service. The customer is responsible for ensuring that the items to be moved are properly described, and that any special handling requirements are declared in advance. Where a quotation is based on estimated volume, weight, time, or labour, the final price may change if the actual service differs from the original information supplied.
To place a booking, the customer may be asked to provide full pickup and delivery details, preferred dates and times, item descriptions, accessibility information, and any special instructions. A booking is not confirmed until we have issued acceptance in writing, by message, email, booking system, or other recorded communication. In some cases, we may require a deposit or card pre-authorisation before confirming the job. We reserve the right to refuse any booking that is unsafe, unlawful, impractical, or outside our operational capacity. We may also refuse to carry items that are prohibited, hazardous, improperly packed, or likely to cause damage to vehicles, people, or other property.
Customers must ensure that anyone making the booking has authority to do so. Where a booking is made on behalf of a company, landlord, tenant, or third party, that person confirms that they have permission to accept these terms. If a customer asks us to attend a site but the goods are not ready, access is blocked, or the job cannot proceed because of missing information, waiting time, re-attendance, or aborted visit charges may apply. Any estimates of arrival or completion times are approximate unless expressly guaranteed in writing. Traffic, weather, road restrictions, loading delays, and unforeseen circumstances may affect timing, and such delays do not automatically create a right to compensation.
We will normally carry out the service with reasonable care and skill, using suitable vehicles and staff for the agreed job. The customer must provide a safe and lawful place for loading and unloading, including necessary access permissions, permits, and parking arrangements unless we have expressly agreed to arrange them. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that items are ready for transit, securely packed where required, and suitable for handling by a man and van company. We may decline to lift or move items that appear unsafe, unstable, excessively heavy, or likely to cause injury or damage. In the middle of the service, if circumstances arise that were not disclosed beforehand, we may pause the work until the issue is resolved or adjust the service terms accordingly.
Payment terms will be set out in the quotation or booking confirmation. Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due on completion of the service, and we may require full or part payment in advance for certain jobs. We accept payment methods notified at the time of booking, and any bank charges, card fees, or failed payment costs may be charged to the customer where permitted by law. If an invoice is issued, it must be paid by the due date stated. Overdue amounts may incur reasonable interest and recovery costs in accordance with applicable UK law. The customer may not withhold payment because of a complaint unless we have agreed otherwise in writing or a court has ordered a set-off.
Prices are usually based on the service agreed at the time of booking and may be adjusted if the job changes. Examples include additional items, extra labour, waiting time, difficult access, parking charges, ferry or toll costs, longer travel distances, or disposal fees not included in the original quote. Where a quotation is described as fixed, it applies only to the exact service described and assumes the information supplied is accurate. If the work materially differs from the original description, we may issue a revised price before continuing. A revised quotation will be communicated as soon as reasonably practicable, and the customer may accept it, ask for the service to stop, or arrange an alternative solution.
Cancellations must be made as early as possible. If you cancel after confirming the booking, we may retain any deposit or charge a cancellation fee that reflects the loss of time, vehicle allocation, staff scheduling, and administrative costs. If you cancel with short notice, or if we are already en route or on site, a higher fee may apply. If we have to cancel because of breakdown, extreme weather, safety concerns, legal restrictions, or other events beyond our control, we will use reasonable efforts to rearrange the service or refund any advance payment for the undelivered portion. We are not responsible for indirect losses caused by cancellation, such as missed appointments, third-party charges, or business interruption.
Our liability is limited to loss or damage caused by our negligence, breach of contract, or failure to use reasonable care and skill. We will not be liable for losses that are indirect, consequential, or not reasonably foreseeable at the time of booking, including loss of profit, loss of business, or emotional distress. We are not responsible for damage to items that are inadequately packed, already defective, unstable, or unsuitable for transport. Unless we have agreed in writing to provide packing services, the customer remains responsible for protecting fragile, valuable, or delicate items. This includes electronics, glass, mirrors, artworks, antiques, and sentimental belongings. Any claim for damage must be notified promptly and, where possible, before the service ends so that we can inspect the issue and record relevant details.
Where we handle goods, we will take reasonable care when lifting, carrying, loading, and securing them. However, the customer acknowledges that moving services involve a degree of risk, especially for large furniture, awkward access, multi-storey properties, and items with hidden defects. Our total liability for any claim arising from a single booking shall not exceed the amount paid for that booking, except where a different limit is required by law. Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot legally be limited or excluded. Customers are encouraged to arrange their own insurance where the value or nature of the goods makes that appropriate.
Waste regulations are an important part of a compliant UK man and van service. We may agree to transport, remove, or dispose of unwanted items only if that has been clearly included in the booking and is lawful to do so. The customer must accurately describe any waste, bulky items, or materials for removal. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that waste is correctly classified and that no prohibited, hazardous, or controlled waste is handed over without prior agreement. We reserve the right to refuse any waste that may require specialist handling, licences, or disposal methods. Where disposal is agreed, the customer may need to provide evidence of ownership, origin, or appropriate authority to remove the items.
When waste removal forms part of the service, the customer must not place in the load any items that are dangerous, infectious, explosive, flammable, chemical, or otherwise regulated unless we have expressly consented and confirmed lawful handling arrangements. Examples may include asbestos, gas cylinders, oils, paint, batteries, solvents, clinical waste, and electrical equipment requiring special treatment. If such items are discovered after collection has begun, we may stop the service and require the customer to take immediate responsibility for the item. Any additional costs incurred because the waste was misdescribed, mixed incorrectly, or unlawfully presented for collection may be charged to the customer. We will act in accordance with applicable environmental and waste transfer rules and may ask the customer to sign or acknowledge any documents needed for lawful movement or disposal.
Ownership of goods remains with the customer until the service is completed and payment has been received in full, unless another arrangement has been agreed in writing. The customer confirms that they own the goods or have authority from the owner to instruct us to move or dispose of them. We are entitled to rely on the customer’s instructions and descriptions. If an item is later claimed by a third party, the customer must indemnify us against reasonable losses, costs, or claims arising from following the customer’s instructions, provided we acted in good faith and without negligence. Any item left unattended, delivered to a nominated location, or handed to a person nominated by the customer is deemed delivered in accordance with the booking unless we have been told otherwise.
These terms may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in our services, business practices, or legal requirements. The version in force at the time of booking will normally apply to that booking unless a later written variation has been agreed. If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remainder will continue in effect. A failure by us to enforce any right or provision immediately does not mean that we waive that right. These Swiss Cottage Man And Van terms and conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any dispute arising from them shall be dealt with by the courts of England and Wales, unless mandatory law requires otherwise.