Terms and Conditions for Removal Companies Balham
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which removal companies in Balham provide domestic and commercial moving services within the United Kingdom. By making a booking, the customer agrees to be bound by the terms below. Please read them carefully before confirming any removal, packing, storage, or related service. In these terms, references to “we”, “us” and “our” mean the removal company providing the service, and references to “you” and “your” mean the customer or any person acting on the customer’s behalf.
1. Booking process All bookings are subject to availability and acceptance by us. A booking request may be made through our usual written or verbal channels, and will only become binding once we have confirmed the service details, date, time, address information, and any agreed special requirements. We may ask for photographs, inventory lists, access details, or other information needed to assess the job properly. If the information supplied is inaccurate or incomplete, we may revise the quotation, adjust the scope of work, or decline the booking.
Any quotation provided by removal companies Balham is based on the information available at the time and may be conditional on the actual volume, weight, access conditions, parking arrangements, staircase use, lift availability, dismantling needs, and whether any additional labour is required. Quotations are usually valid for a stated period only. Unless we confirm otherwise in writing, no quotation shall be treated as fixed if the job differs materially from the description provided at booking.
2. Customer responsibilities before collection You are responsible for ensuring that all items to be moved are packed safely unless packing has been included in the service. You must make sure that all boxes are properly sealed, fragile items are labelled, and any prohibited or hazardous items are removed. You must also ensure that all pathways, entrances, stairwells, driveways and parking spaces are accessible on the agreed date and time. If access is delayed or restricted, additional charges may apply.
Where permits, parking permissions, or building approvals are required, it is your responsibility to obtain them unless we have expressly agreed in writing to arrange them on your behalf. You should also ensure that appliances are disconnected safely, utilities are isolated if needed, and any items requiring specialist handling are declared in advance. We will not be liable for delays arising from your failure to meet these responsibilities.
3. Payments Payment terms will be stated on the quotation, invoice, or booking confirmation. Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due on completion of the service or in advance for certain services such as deposits, storage, or out-of-hours work. We may require a deposit to secure the booking, and that deposit may be non-refundable in the circumstances set out below. Accepted payment methods will be confirmed at the time of booking.
All prices are subject to change where the scope of work changes, there are access difficulties, waiting time is incurred, the number of items increases, or the customer requests additional services such as packing, furniture dismantling, reassembly, crate hire, or waste removal. If additional charges become payable, we will notify you as soon as reasonably practicable. If payment is not made when due, we may charge interest on overdue sums at the statutory rate and recover reasonable costs incurred in collecting the debt.
4. Cancellations and rescheduling If you wish to cancel or rearrange a booking, you must notify us as soon as possible. Cancellation charges may apply depending on how close the cancellation is to the scheduled move and whether we have already reserved vehicles, labour, or specialist equipment. If you cancel at short notice, we may retain all or part of any deposit to cover administrative costs, lost time, and unrecoverable expenses. If we arrive at the property and are unable to complete the work because access is denied, the property is unsafe, or the customer is not ready, a call-out fee or waiting charge may apply.
We reserve the right to reschedule or cancel a booking where circumstances beyond our control make performance impracticable, unsafe, or unlawful. Such circumstances include severe weather, road closures, vehicle breakdown, staff illness, strikes, accidents, or events affecting public safety. In those circumstances, we will use reasonable efforts to arrange an alternative date or refund any sums paid for services not performed, subject to any work already completed.
5. Service performance and timeframes Any estimated arrival or completion time is provided in good faith but is not guaranteed unless expressly stated in writing. Delays may occur due to traffic, loading conditions, weather, or earlier jobs overrunning. We will use reasonable efforts to keep you informed of significant delays. Time shall not be of the essence unless we agree otherwise in writing. If the service requires completion over more than one day, the scope and sequence of work may be adjusted where reasonably necessary.
We may refuse to handle items that are unsafe, excessively heavy, illegally held, poorly packed, contaminated, or likely to cause damage or injury. This includes, without limitation, gas cylinders, solvents, fireworks, unlabelled chemicals, live electrical installations, and any items that the law prohibits us from transporting. We may also decline to move certain antiques, pianos, fine art, aquariums, or high-value objects unless they have been declared in advance and accepted by us in writing under suitable conditions.
6. Liability We will exercise reasonable care and skill in carrying out the service. However, our liability is limited to losses or damage caused by our negligence, breach of contract, or wilful misconduct. We are not responsible for loss or damage arising from pre-existing defects, inadequate packing, ordinary wear and tear, hidden weaknesses, items not properly secured, or information withheld by the customer. Any claim for damage must be reported to us as soon as reasonably possible and, in any event, within a reasonable time after completion of the service.
Where our team packs items on your behalf, our liability for damage to those items will be assessed in light of the circumstances, including whether the item was inherently fragile or unstable. If you choose to pack items yourself, you remain responsible for the suitability of the packing materials and method. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under English law. In all other cases, our total liability for any single claim or series of related claims shall be limited to the amount paid or payable for the service giving rise to the claim, except where a higher limit is required by law or agreed in writing.
7. Insurance and valuation We maintain insurance cover that is customary for a professional removal service. However, insurance does not replace your duty to declare particularly valuable or fragile items before the move. If you wish to make a special valuation arrangement, this must be agreed before the service begins and may affect the price. Items of extraordinary value should be covered by your own contents insurance unless otherwise confirmed in writing. You should retain receipts, valuations, and photographs where appropriate to support any claim.
8. Waste regulations Where our service includes disposal, clearance, recycling, or removal of unwanted items, all waste handling will be conducted in accordance with applicable UK waste regulations. We will only transport, transfer, or dispose of waste where it is lawful to do so and where we have the correct authorisation, records, and procedures. You must not ask us to remove hazardous waste unless we have specifically agreed to do so and are legally permitted to handle it.
Under the relevant waste rules, the customer remains responsible for declaring the nature of the waste and for ensuring that no prohibited items are mixed with general waste unless permitted. We may refuse to collect any material that is contaminated, dangerous, incorrectly described, or likely to breach compliance obligations. Where required, we may separate recyclable materials from general waste and use appropriate transfer or disposal facilities. We may also keep records of waste movements and descriptions for legal compliance. Any request for disposal services is subject to local facility acceptance, regulatory requirements, and the contents of the load being lawfully transportable.
9. Goods left behind and storage If items are unintentionally left behind after completion of the move, you must notify us promptly. We may, at our discretion, arrange return delivery, collection, or storage, subject to additional fees. Any storage service is provided on terms notified separately or, where none are provided, on a reasonable care basis only. We do not accept responsibility for deterioration caused by inherent defects, unsuitable packaging, dampness, temperature changes, pests, or the passage of time unless we have expressly agreed otherwise in writing.
10. Customer conduct and site conditions You and anyone acting on your behalf must behave reasonably towards our staff and contractors. We may suspend or terminate the service if there is abuse, threats, unsafe behaviour, interference with equipment, or any condition that makes it unreasonable to continue. You must ensure that pets are secured, children are supervised, and the premises are in a condition that allows safe work. If the site contains bodily fluids, mould, vermin, sharps, or other biohazards, you must tell us in advance so we can decide whether the service can proceed.
11. Changes to the service We may make reasonable changes to the service where necessary to comply with law, improve safety, or respond to unforeseen circumstances. This may include changing the vehicle used, the order of collection, the number of crew members, or the route taken. Any substantial change will be discussed with you where practicable. If you request a material change to the agreed scope, we may revise the quotation and require acceptance before continuing.
Nothing in these terms prevents us from exercising a reasonable discretion in the interests of safety, legal compliance, or efficient performance. If a request would require us to act unlawfully, operate unsafely, or exceed the agreed service description, we may refuse that request without being in breach of contract. The same applies where the request would create a risk of property damage, injury, or regulatory non-compliance.
12. Complaints and claims If you are dissatisfied with any part of the service, you should raise the matter with us as soon as possible so that we may investigate. You must provide reasonable details of the issue, including photographs where available and a description of the affected items. Failure to notify us promptly may make it more difficult to assess the circumstances and may affect the remedy available. Where a claim is valid, we may choose to repair, replace, compensate, or otherwise resolve the issue at our discretion, subject to the limits of liability stated above.
13. Data and confidentiality Any personal information supplied for the purpose of booking or delivering the service will be used only for legitimate operational, accounting, compliance, and customer administration purposes, unless the law permits or requires otherwise. We will take reasonable steps to keep confidential information secure. You should not ask us to move documents or items containing sensitive personal data unless their handling has been expressly agreed. We are not responsible for the content of any documents, files, or records included among your belongings.
14. Governing law These terms, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, except where mandatory legal rules provide otherwise. If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
15. General provisions No failure or delay by us in exercising any right or remedy shall operate as a waiver of that right or remedy. You may not transfer your rights or obligations under the contract without our prior written consent. We may assign or subcontract part of the service where reasonably necessary, provided this does not materially reduce the standard of performance. These terms form the entire agreement between the parties in relation to the service and replace any previous discussions or understandings, unless we agree otherwise in writing.