Watford Man and Van Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Watford Man and Van provides removal, man and van, transport and associated services. By making a booking or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before confirming any booking.
1. Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions have the meanings set out below:
1.1 "Company" means Watford Man and Van, the provider of the removal and man and van services.
1.2 "Customer" means any individual, business or organisation that requests, books or uses the services of the Company.
1.3 "Services" means removal, man and van, collection, delivery, loading, unloading, packing, transportation and any related services provided by the Company.
1.4 "Goods" means all items, furniture, belongings and materials that are handled, transported or otherwise dealt with by the Company as part of the Services.
1.5 "Job" means any individual booking or assignment for the provision of Services on a specific date and time.
2. Scope of Services
2.1 The Company provides removal and man and van services for domestic and commercial customers, including the loading, transport and unloading of Goods between agreed locations.
2.2 The Company may, by prior agreement, provide additional services such as packing, unpacking, disassembly and reassembly of basic furniture, subject to availability and any additional charges.
2.3 The Company does not provide specialist removal services such as removal of safes, pianos, hazardous materials, or items requiring specialist lifting equipment, unless expressly agreed in writing before the booking is confirmed.
2.4 The Company reserves the right to refuse the transport of any Goods which, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, are unsafe, illegal, excessively heavy or fragile, or which may cause damage to the vehicle, personnel or other Goods.
3. Booking Process
3.1 Bookings may be requested by the Customer by way of enquiry providing all relevant details including collection and delivery addresses, property type, access information, approximate volume or list of Goods, preferred date and time, and any special requirements.
3.2 Any quotation issued by the Company is based on the information provided by the Customer at the time of enquiry. The Customer is responsible for ensuring that all information is accurate and complete.
3.3 A booking is only confirmed when the Company has accepted the Customer's request and the Customer has expressly agreed to the quoted price and any applicable terms, including any required deposit.
3.4 The Company may, at its sole discretion, require a deposit or pre-payment to secure a booking. If the Customer fails to pay any required deposit or pre-payment by the date specified, the Company may cancel or release the booking slot.
3.5 Any changes to the booking details, including date, time, addresses, access conditions or scope of work, must be communicated to the Company as soon as possible. Changes may result in an adjusted quotation and the Company reserves the right to refuse changes that cannot reasonably be accommodated.
4. Quotations and Pricing
4.1 Quotations are usually provided either as an hourly rate with a minimum charge period, or as a fixed price for a specified Job, depending on the information provided and the nature of the Services.
4.2 Quotations are based on normal access conditions, including reasonable distance from parking to property, standard stair access and no unusual obstacles. The Customer must inform the Company in advance of any access restrictions such as limited parking, congestion, narrow hallways, multiple flights of stairs or lift restrictions.
4.3 The Company reserves the right to adjust the price if:
(a) the information provided by the Customer is incomplete or inaccurate;
(b) the scope of the work is greater than originally stated;
(c) there are delays outside the Company’s control, such as waiting for keys, legal completion, or access to the property;
(d) additional Goods or extra journeys are required.
4.4 Unless expressly stated otherwise, all prices are exclusive of any local charges such as congestion fees, tolls, parking fees or fines incurred as a direct result of insufficient or inaccurate information provided by the Customer. Such costs may be added to the final invoice.
5. Payments
5.1 Payment terms will be confirmed at the time of booking. The Company may require payment in full in advance, a deposit with balance due on completion, or full payment on the day of the Job before unloading.
5.2 The Customer must ensure that payment is made in accordance with the agreed terms. Failure to pay may result in suspension of Services, refusal to unload Goods or the application of late payment charges.
5.3 The Company reserves a lien over the Goods in its possession for all sums due and unpaid by the Customer. The Company may withhold delivery of the Goods until full payment has been received.
5.4 In the event that payment is not made when due, the Company may charge interest on overdue amounts at a reasonable commercial rate until payment is received in full.
5.5 All payments must be made in the agreed currency and by an approved method as notified by the Company.
6. Cancellations, Rescheduling and Waiting Time
6.1 If the Customer wishes to cancel or reschedule a booking, they must notify the Company as early as possible. Cancellation charges may apply, depending on the notice period given.
6.2 The Company may apply the following cancellation fees, unless otherwise specified at the time of booking:
(a) Cancellations with more than 72 hours' notice prior to the scheduled start time may be subject to no charge or a nominal administration fee;
(b) Cancellations with less than 72 hours but more than 24 hours' notice may incur a charge of up to 50 per cent of the quoted price;
(c) Cancellations with 24 hours' notice or less, or failure of the Customer to be available at the agreed time and place, may be charged up to 100 per cent of the quoted price.
6.3 If the Customer requests to reschedule a Job, the Company will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the new date and time, but availability cannot be guaranteed. Rescheduling on short notice may incur additional charges.
6.4 Waiting time caused by delays outside the Company’s control, such as delays in key collection, legal completion, or access to premises, may be charged at an agreed hourly rate. This applies whether or not the quotation was originally provided on a fixed-price basis.
7. Customer Responsibilities
7.1 The Customer is responsible for:
(a) ensuring that adequate and lawful parking is available at both collection and delivery addresses;
(b) obtaining any necessary permits or authorisations for parking and access where required;
(c) arranging suitable access to the premises, including lifts, stairways and doorways large enough to move the Goods safely;
(d) preparing the Goods for transport, including proper packing, labelling and securing of fragile items, unless packing services have been expressly agreed;
(e) being present, or ensuring an authorised representative is present, at both collection and delivery locations to oversee the Job and sign any necessary documentation.
7.2 The Customer must not present for removal any Goods that are prohibited by law, hazardous, flammable, explosive, perishable beyond reasonable transport conditions, or that may cause damage or contamination to other Goods or to the vehicle.
7.3 The Customer must inform the Company in advance of any particularly valuable or fragile items that require special care.
8. Liability and Limitations
8.1 The Company will take reasonable care in handling, loading, transporting and unloading the Goods. However, the Company’s liability is subject to the limitations set out in this section.
8.2 The Company will not be liable for:
(a) loss or damage arising from the Customer’s failure to pack Goods properly, unless the Company has provided packing services;
(b) loss or damage to Goods that are inherently fragile or have a pre-existing defect, including but not limited to items made of glass, stone, ceramics, or items with loose or weak parts;
(c) loss of value of antiques, works of art, jewellery, cash or other high-value items, unless specifically declared, agreed and covered by appropriate insurance prior to the Job;
(d) damage to premises or property where such damage arises due to inadequate protection of floors, walls, doorframes or fixtures where the Customer has not requested protective measures;
(e) any indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, loss of income, loss of business or loss of opportunity.
8.3 The Company’s total liability for loss of or damage to Goods in any one Job, whether arising from negligence, breach of contract or otherwise, shall be limited to a reasonable sum proportionate to the service provided, unless a higher level of cover has been expressly agreed in writing and any additional premium paid.
8.4 The Customer is encouraged to arrange suitable insurance to cover the full value of their Goods during removal and transport.
8.5 The Customer must notify the Company in writing of any visible loss or damage as soon as reasonably possible, and in any event within a reasonable time frame after completion of the Job, to allow for investigation. Failure to notify within a reasonable period may affect the ability to assess or resolve any claim.
9. Excluded Items and Waste Regulations
9.1 The Company is not a licensed waste carrier for general waste disposal unless this has been specifically stated and appropriate authorisations are in place. The Company will not remove or dispose of general household refuse, food waste, builder’s rubble or hazardous waste as part of a standard removal service.
9.2 The Customer must not present for removal any of the following without prior agreement:
(a) hazardous or toxic substances, including chemicals, paints, solvents, asbestos or gas cylinders;
(b) flammable or explosive materials, including fuels, fireworks and firearms;
(c) illegal items or items obtained unlawfully.
9.3 Waste items that are collected as part of a clearance service must comply with all relevant waste disposal regulations. The Customer must accurately describe the type and quantity of waste to be removed. Additional charges may apply for the removal of bulky items, electrical goods, mattresses, or items requiring special handling or licensed disposal.
9.4 The Company will dispose of any waste or unwanted items at authorised facilities where such services have been agreed. The Customer remains responsible for any penalties or costs arising from misdescribed or undisclosed waste.
10. Delays and Force Majeure
10.1 The Company will use reasonable efforts to carry out the Services at the agreed time and within a reasonable period. However, times are approximate and not guaranteed.
10.2 The Company shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations where such delay or failure is caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to adverse weather, traffic incidents, road closures, vehicle breakdowns, accidents, acts of God, strikes, or delays caused by third parties.
10.3 In such circumstances, the Company will inform the Customer as soon as reasonably practicable and will, where possible, arrange an alternative time or solution. Any additional costs incurred directly as a result of force majeure events may be chargeable.
11. Complaints and Disputes
11.1 If the Customer is dissatisfied with any aspect of the Services, they should raise the matter with the Company as soon as possible to allow for prompt resolution.
11.2 The Company will investigate all reasonable complaints and will aim to respond within a reasonable timeframe. The Customer agrees to cooperate fully in any investigation and to provide any relevant information or evidence requested.
11.3 If a dispute cannot be resolved amicably, the parties may consider using an appropriate mediation or alternative dispute resolution service before commencing court proceedings.
12. Privacy and Data Protection
12.1 The Company will collect and process personal information provided by the Customer for the purpose of administering bookings, delivering Services and managing accounts.
12.2 The Company will take reasonable steps to protect personal data and will not share it with third parties except where necessary to provide the Services, to comply with legal obligations, or where the Customer has given consent.
13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
13.1 These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or the Services, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
13.2 The parties 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 Services provided by the Company.
14. General Provisions
14.1 These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between the Company and the Customer in relation to the provision of the Services and supersede any prior understandings or agreements.
14.2 If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed deleted and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
14.3 No failure or delay by the Company in exercising any right or remedy under these Terms and Conditions shall operate as a waiver of that right or remedy.
14.4 The Company reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. Any updated version will apply to future bookings made after the date of publication.
