Man and a Van Barnes Service Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Man and a Van Barnes provides removal, delivery, transportation, and related services to customers. By booking or using our services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions have the meanings set out below:

Customer means the individual, business, or organisation that books or uses our services.

Services means any removal, man and van, delivery, loading, unloading, packing, unpacking, or related services provided by us.

Goods means any items, belongings, furniture, equipment, or materials that we move or handle as part of the services.

Contract means the agreement between the customer and Man and a Van Barnes, incorporating these Terms and Conditions.

2. Scope of Services

Man and a Van Barnes provides local and UK-wide removal and man and van services, including household moves, small office moves, single-item transport, and related collection and delivery services. The exact scope of services for each booking will be confirmed at the time of quotation and acceptance.

We reserve the right to refuse to carry certain items, including but not limited to hazardous materials, illegal items, perishable goods, cash, precious metals, valuable documents, or items that, in our reasonable opinion, may pose a risk to our staff, vehicles, or third parties.

3. Booking Process

All bookings must be made directly with Man and a Van Barnes. A booking is only confirmed when we have provided a clear quotation and you have expressly accepted it. Quotations may be provided verbally or in writing.

When requesting a quotation, you must provide accurate and complete information, including:

1. The collection and delivery addresses and any access restrictions.

2. A clear description and approximate quantity or volume of the goods.

3. Details of any heavy, fragile, or high-value items.

4. Any special requirements such as packing services, dismantling, or reassembly.

Our quotation is based on the information you provide. If the information is incomplete or inaccurate, we may adjust the price, modify the service, or decline to proceed with the booking.

Bookings are subject to availability. We will aim to accommodate your preferred date and time but cannot guarantee this until the booking has been confirmed.

4. Quotations and Pricing

All quotations are given in good faith based on the information supplied by the customer. Quotations may be based on an hourly rate, a fixed price, or a combination of both, which will be made clear at the time of booking.

We reserve the right to adjust the quotation or charge additional fees if:

1. The actual work required differs from what was described when the quotation was given.

2. There are delays not caused by us, such as waiting for keys, third-party contractors, or building access.

3. There are unexpected access issues, such as long carrying distances, restricted parking, or unsuitable staircases.

4. Additional services are requested on the day that were not included in the original quotation.

Unless otherwise stated, quotations do not include insurance for high-value items beyond our standard liability limits.

5. Payments and Charges

Payment terms will be confirmed at the time of booking. We may require a deposit to secure your booking, especially for larger moves or peak times. The balance is usually payable on completion of the service, unless we agree otherwise in writing.

We accept various forms of payment, which will be advised during the booking process. All charges are payable by the customer and must be settled promptly in accordance with the agreed terms.

If payment is not made when due, we reserve the right to:

1. Charge interest on any overdue amounts at a reasonable commercial rate.

2. Withhold delivery of goods until full payment has been received.

3. Recover from you any reasonable costs incurred in pursuing overdue payments, including debt recovery and legal costs.

All prices are provided exclusive of any applicable taxes or charges unless we specifically state otherwise.

6. Cancellations and Amendments

You may cancel or amend your booking, subject to the following terms.

If you cancel more than 48 hours before the scheduled start time, any deposit paid may be refunded at our discretion, less any reasonable administrative costs incurred.

If you cancel within 48 hours of the scheduled start time, we reserve the right to retain some or all of the deposit, or to charge a cancellation fee up to a reasonable percentage of the quoted price, to cover our costs and loss of opportunity.

If you cancel on the day of the service, a higher cancellation fee may apply, up to the full quoted amount, particularly where we have already dispatched staff and vehicles.

Requests to change the time or date of a booking are subject to availability. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate changes, but we cannot guarantee that your preferred new time or date will be available. Significant amendments to the job specification may result in a revised quotation.

7. Customer Responsibilities

The customer is responsible for:

1. Ensuring that adequate and lawful parking is available at collection and delivery locations.

2. Obtaining any necessary permits or permissions for parking or building access.

3. Packing goods safely, unless packing is part of the service we have agreed to provide.

4. Properly securing or disconnecting appliances and electronic equipment prior to the move, unless otherwise agreed.

5. Ensuring that all goods to be moved are ready for transport and clearly identified.

6. Being present, or appointing an authorised representative, at both collection and delivery addresses to oversee the move and sign any relevant documentation.

If the customer fails to fulfil these responsibilities, we may charge additional fees for any delay, extra work, or parking penalties incurred as a result.

8. Our Responsibilities

We will provide our services with reasonable care and skill, using appropriately maintained vehicles and personnel who are trained to handle household and commercial goods.

We will make reasonable efforts to arrive at the agreed time. However, arrival times are estimates and may be affected by traffic, weather, accidents, or other circumstances beyond our control. We will inform you as soon as practicable if we anticipate a significant delay.

We will handle your goods with care, load and unload them safely, and transport them to the agreed destination, subject to these Terms and Conditions.

9. Parking, Access and Delays

The customer must ensure that suitable parking is available close to the property at both collection and delivery points. Any parking charges or penalties incurred due to inadequate arrangements by the customer may be added to the final bill.

You must notify us of any access issues in advance, such as narrow roads, low bridges, height restrictions, limited lift access, or internal access problems. If we encounter access issues that were not disclosed or anticipated, we may charge additional fees or, in extreme cases, decline to complete part or all of the service.

Where delays occur for reasons beyond our reasonable control, including congestion, accidents, road closures, or issues at the property that are not caused by us, you may be charged for waiting time at our standard rates.

10. Liability for Loss or Damage

We will take reasonable care of your goods while they are in our custody and control. Our liability for loss of or damage to goods is, however, limited as set out in this section.

We will not be liable for:

1. Loss or damage arising from your failure to adequately pack or protect items, where packing was your responsibility.

2. Damage to items that are inherently fragile or have a pre-existing defect, including but not limited to glass, mirrors, delicate ornaments, or poorly assembled furniture.

3. Loss or damage to valuables, including jewellery, watches, cash, important documents, or collections, which we strongly advise you to carry personally.

4. Indirect or consequential loss, such as loss of profits, loss of use, or loss of enjoyment.

Our total liability for any claim or series of related claims shall be limited to a reasonable amount relative to the value of the goods and the price paid for the service, unless otherwise agreed in writing prior to the service.

You should consider arranging your own insurance cover for high-value items or for wider protection than is provided by our standard liability limits.

11. Reporting Loss or Damage

You must inspect your goods as soon as reasonably practicable following completion of the service. Any visible loss or damage should be reported to us on the day of the move or as soon as reasonably possible thereafter.

To enable us to investigate and, where appropriate, resolve any claim, you must provide details of the items affected, the nature of the damage or loss, and any supporting evidence such as photographs and receipts. Failure to notify us within a reasonable timeframe may affect our ability to consider or respond to your claim.

12. Waste, Disposal and Environmental Regulations

Man and a Van Barnes operates in accordance with applicable waste and environmental regulations in the United Kingdom. We are not a general rubbish removal or licensed waste carrier service unless explicitly stated as part of a specific arrangement.

We will not remove or dispose of hazardous or controlled waste, including chemicals, oils, asbestos, clinical waste, flammable substances, or any items requiring specialist disposal. It is your responsibility to arrange lawful disposal of such materials with an appropriate service provider.

Where we agree to dispose of certain unwanted items as part of a removal service, we will do so in a lawful and responsible manner, using appropriate disposal or recycling facilities. Additional charges may apply for disposal services, which will be confirmed at the time of booking or prior to removal.

You must not request or permit us to dispose of items in any way that would breach waste, fly-tipping, or environmental regulations. We reserve the right to decline any disposal request that we believe may be unlawful or inappropriate.

13. Exclusions and Limitations

We will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations where such failure or delay is caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to extreme weather, road closures, accidents, strikes, civil unrest, or acts of government.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall limit or exclude our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

14. Complaints

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service, you should raise your concern with us as soon as possible so that we have the opportunity to address the issue. We will make reasonable efforts to investigate and resolve complaints promptly and fairly.

15. Personal Data

We will collect and use certain personal information in order to provide our services, including names, addresses, and contact details. We will handle such information in a lawful, fair, and secure manner and only use it for purposes related to the provision and administration of our services or where required by law.

16. Changes to These Terms

We may update or amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time of your booking will apply to your contract with us. You are advised to review the Terms and Conditions periodically if you use our services on a recurring basis.

17. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions, and any contract between you and Man and a Van Barnes, are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Any disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions or the provision of our services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, except where applicable law permits you to bring proceedings in another jurisdiction.

18. Severability

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found by a court or other competent authority to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed deleted, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

19. Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions, together with any quotation or written confirmation we provide, constitute the entire agreement between you and Man and a Van Barnes in relation to the services. You acknowledge that you have not relied on any statement, representation, or warranty that is not expressly set out in these Terms and Conditions.

20. No Waiver

Any failure or delay by us in exercising any right or remedy under these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy. Any waiver must be in writing to be effective.