Terms and Conditions

Belsize Park Movers Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Belsize Park Movers provides removal, relocation, packing, storage handling and associated services within the United Kingdom. By making a booking or allowing work to commence, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions on your own behalf and on behalf of any person for whom you are acting.

1. Definitions

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

Agreement means the contract between you and Belsize Park Movers comprising these Terms and Conditions and any written quotation or booking confirmation issued by us.

We, us and our means Belsize Park Movers.

You and your means the customer who makes the booking or on whose behalf the booking is made.

Services means removal, packing, loading, transport, unloading, unpacking, handling, storage handling and any other related services that we agree in writing to provide.

Goods means the items and property that we agree to move, handle or transport under this Agreement.

2. Quotations and Service Area

All quotations are provided on the basis of the information supplied by you and are subject to these Terms and Conditions. Unless expressly stated otherwise in writing, quotations are not binding if:

1. the work does not take place within 30 days of the date of the quotation

2. there are changes to the collection or delivery addresses, including access restrictions or parking arrangements

3. the volume, weight or nature of the Goods differs from that described when the quotation was provided.

Our quotations normally cover removal and transport of domestic or commercial Goods within our usual service area and may include packing or other services if specified. Additional charges may apply for extended travel, waiting times, congestion, tolls, parking charges or access difficulties, which will be notified or reasonably estimated where possible.

3. Booking Process

A booking is only secure when we have confirmed acceptance of your requested date and the agreed price in writing, and where applicable, when we have received any requested deposit. Provisional dates or verbal estimates do not constitute a confirmed booking.

When making a booking you must accurately declare:

1. all addresses for collection and delivery

2. the nature and approximate quantity or volume of the Goods

3. any access issues, such as stairs, restricted entrances, lack of lifts, narrow roads or low bridges

4. any items that are particularly fragile, heavy, valuable or awkward in size.

We reserve the right to amend the quoted price or cancel the booking if the information you provide is incomplete or inaccurate in a way that materially affects the Service. We may also carry out a pre-move survey by visit, video or telephone to assess the work in more detail. Following such assessment, we may issue an updated quotation for your acceptance.

4. Customer Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

1. ensuring that you are legally entitled to move the Goods and that they do not contain any items that are illegal or prohibited for transport or disposal within the United Kingdom

2. arranging suitable access and parking at all addresses, including obtaining any permits or permissions required from local authorities, landlords or building managers

3. securing personal documents, valuables and items of special value, such as jewellery, cash, important paperwork, antiques or collections, which should not be included in the Goods unless we have expressly agreed in writing to handle them

4. properly preparing appliances and equipment, including defrosting fridges and freezers, disconnecting washing machines and cookers, and safely securing loose parts where applicable

5. ensuring that all boxes you pack are suitably strong, sealed and labelled and that fragile items are wrapped appropriately.

We may refuse to move any item that we reasonably consider to be unsafe, illegal or likely to cause damage to property, vehicles, equipment or personnel.

5. Packing and Dismantling

Where packing or dismantling services are included in your booking, we will exercise reasonable care and skill in carrying out such work. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, we do not undertake the disconnection or reconnection of appliances, fixtures, electrical items or plumbing, and we are not responsible for any resulting damage if you request us to assist with such work on an informal basis.

If you choose to pack your own Goods, we are not liable for damage arising from inadequate or improper packing, including the use of unsuitable containers. Our crews may, at their discretion, repack items that are clearly unsafe to move, and additional charges may apply.

6. Payments and Charges

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment for the Services is due as follows:

1. a deposit may be required at the time of booking to secure your date

2. the balance is payable on or before the day of the move, and in any event before unloading is completed at the destination address.

We accept commonly used methods of payment as advised at the time of booking. If payment is not received when due, we may withhold or suspend the Services and retain the Goods until full payment, including any additional costs reasonably incurred, has been made. Storage or waiting time charges may apply in such circumstances.

If payment remains outstanding after the due date, we reserve the right to charge interest on the overdue amount at a reasonable commercial rate and to recover from you all costs and expenses incurred in pursuing the debt, including legal costs and enforcement costs where applicable.

7. Cancellations and Postponements

If you need to cancel or postpone your booking, you must notify us as soon as reasonably practicable. The following charges may apply, unless otherwise stated in your quotation or confirmation:

1. cancellation or postponement more than 7 days before the booked date may be subject to a minimal administrative charge, or your deposit may be retained where costs have already been incurred

2. cancellation or postponement between 2 and 7 days before the booked date may result in a charge of up to 50 percent of the quoted price

3. cancellation or postponement less than 2 days before the booked date, or failure to be available when the crew arrives, may result in a charge of up to 100 percent of the quoted price.

We will take reasonable steps to mitigate our losses and will review each cancellation on a fair and reasonable basis. If we need to cancel or significantly change the booking due to circumstances beyond our control, such as severe weather, vehicle breakdown, illness, accidents or legal restrictions, we will notify you as soon as practicable and offer an alternative date or a refund of any sums paid for Services not delivered. We are not liable for consequential losses caused by such cancellations or changes.

8. Delays and Access

Times given for arrival and completion are estimates and are not guaranteed unless expressly agreed in writing as a specific timed service. We will make reasonable efforts to keep you informed of material delays arising from traffic, road closures, accidents or other unforeseen circumstances.

If our crew is unable to gain access to the property or is delayed in starting or completing the work due to factors within your control, including lack of keys, incomplete packing, insufficient access or waiting for other parties, we may apply additional hourly or fixed charges for waiting time, extra labour, or a return visit.

9. Excluded and Restricted Items

Unless specifically agreed in writing in advance, we do not accept for removal or transport:

1. hazardous, flammable or explosive materials, including fuel, gas cylinders, paints, chemicals or solvents

2. illegal goods, stolen items or contraband

3. live animals, plants requiring specialist care, or perishable foodstuffs likely to deteriorate in transit

4. items of exceptional value, including but not limited to high value jewellery, precious metals, rare artworks or irreplaceable documents.

If such items are included within the Goods without our knowledge, we will not be liable for any loss, damage or deterioration and you will be responsible for any resulting costs, claims or penalties.

10. Liability for Loss or Damage

We will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing the Services. Our liability for loss of or damage to Goods arising from our negligence or breach of contract is limited as follows, unless a higher level of cover has been expressly agreed in writing and additional charges have been paid:

1. we are not liable for loss or damage that arises from inherent defects, weaknesses or pre-existing damage in the Goods

2. we are not liable for damage to the internal workings of electrical or mechanical items where there is no external evidence of impact or mishandling

3. we are not liable for damage caused by your failure to adequately pack or protect items where you have chosen to pack yourself.

We are not liable for indirect or consequential losses, such as loss of income, loss of profits, loss of opportunity, or emotional distress, arising directly or indirectly from the Services or from any delay or failure to perform the Services.

Any claim for loss or damage must be notified to us in writing as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within 7 days of completion of the Services, giving sufficient detail to allow us to investigate. We may inspect the damage before any repair or disposal takes place. Failure to notify us within this time may prejudice our ability to investigate and may affect the outcome of any claim.

11. Damage to Property

We will take reasonable care to avoid damage to property, including buildings, fixtures and fittings. Our liability for damage to property that arises as a result of our negligence is limited to the reasonable cost of repair or reinstatement. We are not liable for damage that occurs due to:

1. the movement of Goods at your express direction where we have advised that damage is likely or where you require us to move items that are too large for the access available

2. pre-existing structural defects or weakness in floors, walls, staircases, doors or other parts of the property.

12. Waste, Disposal and Environmental Regulations

Where we provide removal of unwanted items or waste as part of the Services, such work will be carried out in accordance with applicable waste and environmental regulations in the United Kingdom. We will only transport and dispose of items that we are legally permitted to handle and may refuse any items that are hazardous, restricted or subject to special control.

If you request disposal of items, you confirm that you are the owner or have authority from the owner to arrange their removal and disposal. You remain responsible for any penalties, fines or enforcement action that result from your failure to declare hazardous or controlled waste or from providing misleading information about the nature of the items.

We may apply additional charges for the handling, segregation, transport or disposal of bulky, heavy or difficult waste, or where items must be taken to specialist facilities. Such charges will be advised where reasonably practicable in advance.

13. Insurance

We maintain appropriate liability insurance to cover our legal responsibilities arising from the Services. This insurance does not automatically provide full replacement cover for all Goods and is subject to limitations and exclusions imposed by the insurer. If you require additional or separate insurance cover for your Goods, it is your responsibility to arrange this independently or to request details of any enhanced cover options that we may offer.

14. Complaints and Dispute Resolution

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of the Services, you should raise the issue with our office as soon as possible so that we have an opportunity to resolve matters promptly. We will investigate complaints in good faith and respond within a reasonable time. Both parties agree to act reasonably and to attempt to resolve any disputes amicably before resorting to legal proceedings.

15. Force Majeure

We are not liable for any failure or delay in performing the Services where such failure or delay is caused by events or circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, natural disasters, accidents, road closures, strikes, lockouts, war, civil unrest, epidemics, fuel shortages or legal restrictions. In such cases we may suspend or reschedule the Services and will endeavour to provide alternative arrangements where feasible.

16. Data Protection

We will process personal information about you in accordance with applicable data protection laws in the United Kingdom. Your information will be used for the purpose of providing the Services, managing our relationship with you, handling payments, and, where permitted, offering related services that may be of interest. We will take reasonable measures to keep your data secure and will not share it with third parties except where necessary to deliver the Services, comply with legal obligations or enforce our rights.

17. Variation

We reserve the right to 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 Agreement. Any variation to these Terms and Conditions must be agreed in writing by us.

18. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, or with the Services provided under them, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. You and we 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 this Agreement or its subject matter.

By confirming your booking or allowing our team to commence work, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.