Highbury Removals Service Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Highbury Removals provides removal, relocation, packing, storage and related services to private and business customers. By booking or using our services you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before confirming your booking.

1. Definitions

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

Company means Highbury Removals, the removal service provider.

Customer means the person, firm or organisation requesting and paying for the services.

Services means any removal, packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, transport, storage, disposal or related services provided by the Company.

Goods means the items of property which are the subject of the Services.

Premises means any property, building, access road, driveway or land at or from which the Services are provided.

Contract means the agreement between the Company and the Customer comprising these Terms and Conditions and any written quotation or confirmation issued by the Company.

2. Scope of Services

The Company provides household and office removals, packing and unpacking, furniture handling, short and long distance moves within the UK, and related services. The specific Services to be provided will be set out in the written quotation or booking confirmation.

Any additional work requested on the day of the move, or after the Contract has been agreed, will be subject to the Companys agreement and may incur additional charges. The Company is under no obligation to perform services which were not agreed in advance.

3. Quotations

All quotations are based on the information supplied by the Customer and are subject to survey where applicable. Quotations are normally provided as a fixed price or as an estimate based on hourly rates. The basis of the quotation will be stated in the written document.

Quotations are valid for a limited period from the date of issue, as stated on the quotation. If no period is stated, quotations will be valid for 30 days. The Company reserves the right to revise or withdraw a quotation if the information provided by the Customer was inaccurate or incomplete, or if the scope of work changes.

The quotation will not include customs duties, parking or suspension fees, tolls, congestion charges, permits, ferry charges, or any charges imposed by third parties unless expressly stated. Such charges will be payable by the Customer in addition to the quoted price.

4. Booking Process

A booking is made when the Customer accepts the quotation in writing or by clear verbal agreement and the Company confirms acceptance. The Company may require completion of a booking form or acceptance in a specified format.

For moves on specific dates, bookings are subject to availability. The Company does not guarantee availability until the booking has been confirmed. Provisional dates are not secure until confirmed by the Company.

The Company may require a deposit to secure the booking. Any deposit requirements will be notified to the Customer at the quotation or booking stage. The Company reserves the right to refuse bookings or to cancel a booking if deposits are not paid when due.

5. Customer Responsibilities

The Customer is responsible for ensuring that all information given to the Company is accurate, including addresses, access details, parking arrangements, the volume and nature of the Goods, and any special handling requirements.

The Customer must arrange suitable parking and access at all Premises and obtain any necessary permits or authorisations. Any fines or charges arising from inadequate parking arrangements that result directly from the Customers failure to make suitable provisions will be added to the Customers bill.

The Customer must ensure that all Goods to be moved are properly packed and ready for transport unless the Company has agreed to provide packing services. The Customer remains responsible for the correctness of any self-packed cartons and the adequacy of their packing.

The Customer must be present, or represented by an authorised person, at all collection and delivery locations to direct the placement of Goods and to sign relevant documentation. If no authorised person is present, the Company will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from following reasonable assumptions as to where Goods should be placed or how access should be obtained.

6. Payments

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

For standard domestic moves, payment of any required deposit is due on booking and the balance is due no later than the day before the move or immediately upon completion of the Services, depending on the terms stated in the quotation or confirmation.

For hourly rate work, the total charge will be calculated based on the actual time taken, subject to any minimum charge period. Time is normally charged from departure from the depot until return, unless otherwise stated.

For business customers or larger moves, the Company may require staged payments or payment in full in advance. Any such terms will be indicated in the quotation or invoice.

Payment methods accepted will be specified by the Company. The Company may refuse to commence or continue the Services if payment terms are not met. Interest may be charged on overdue amounts at the statutory rate permitted under UK law, accruing on a daily basis until payment is made in full.

7. Cancellations and Postponements

If the Customer wishes to cancel or postpone a booking, written or clear verbal notice must be given to the Company as soon as possible.

The Company may apply cancellation or postponement charges, calculated as a percentage of the agreed price, based on the notice period provided before the scheduled move date. Typical charges may include cancellation more than 7 days before the move at no charge, between 3 and 7 days before the move at up to 50 percent of the price, and less than 3 days before the move at up to 100 percent of the price. The specific charges will be as stated in the quotation or booking confirmation or as reasonably applied by the Company.

If the Company incurs costs which cannot be recovered due to the cancellation or postponement, including third party booking costs or permit fees, these may be charged to the Customer in addition to any cancellation fee.

The Company reserves the right to cancel or postpone the Services for reasons beyond its reasonable control, including severe weather, road closures, vehicle breakdowns, staff illness, industrial action, or safety concerns. In such cases, the Company will notify the Customer as soon as practicable and will offer a rebooked date or, where payment has been made but no services provided, a refund of sums for the unused Services. The Company will not be liable for additional costs or losses arising from such cancellation or postponement, except where required by law.

8. Excluded Goods

Unless expressly agreed in writing, the Company will not carry or store the following items: hazardous or explosive materials, flammable liquids or gases, firearms or ammunition, illegal items, perishable or refrigerated goods, live animals or plants, cash or negotiable instruments, jewellery, watches, precious metals, valuable collections, or any items of exceptional value, sentimental or otherwise.

The Customer must not include such items in the Goods. The Company accepts no liability for loss of or damage to excluded items, whether or not the Company is aware of their presence, and the Customer will indemnify the Company against any loss or damage arising from the presence of such goods.

9. Liability for Loss or Damage

The Company will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing the Services. The Companys liability for loss of or damage to Goods arising from its negligence or breach of Contract shall be limited as set out in this section.

Unless a higher value has been agreed in writing and any additional charges paid, the Companys liability for loss or damage to Goods shall be limited to a fixed amount per item or per cubic metre, or an overall cap per move, as stated in the quotation or booking confirmation. The Customer should arrange additional insurance if the value of the Goods exceeds the Companys liability limit.

The Company will not be liable for loss of or damage to Goods which arises from the following causes: defective or inadequate packing by the Customer, inherent vice or defect in the Goods, normal wear and tear, gradual deterioration, atmospheric or climatic conditions, vermin or infestation, or acts or omissions of the Customer or third parties.

The Company will not be liable for indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, loss of opportunity, or emotional distress, whether or not the Company has been advised of the possibility of such losses.

Where the Company is liable for loss or damage, it may choose to repair the item, replace it with an item of similar age and condition, or pay the reasonable cost of repair or replacement, subject to the agreed limits.

10. Damage to Premises

The Company will make reasonable efforts to avoid damage to Premises during the provision of the Services. The Customer must ensure that floors, walls, staircases, doors and other vulnerable surfaces are adequately protected if required.

The Companys liability for damage to Premises caused by negligence will be limited to the reasonable cost of repair or reinstatement, subject to any overall limit stated in the quotation or booking confirmation. The Company will not be liable for pre-existing damage or for damage arising where the Company followed the Customers instructions against its advice.

11. Claims and Time Limits

The Customer must inspect the Goods and Premises upon completion of the Services. Any visible loss or damage must be reported to the Company as soon as reasonably practicable and confirmed in writing within 7 days of the move or delivery date.

For loss or damage which is not immediately apparent, the Customer must notify the Company in writing as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within 14 days of becoming aware of the issue.

Failure to notify the Company within these time limits may affect the Companys ability to investigate the claim and may prejudice any potential recovery from insurers. The Company may, at its discretion and subject to applicable law, reject claims notified outside these periods.

12. Waste and Disposal Regulations

Where the Company agrees to remove and dispose of unwanted items, such services will be carried out in accordance with applicable waste and environmental regulations in the UK.

The Company will only transport waste or items for disposal to authorised sites and will comply with its obligations as a waste carrier where applicable. The Customer must not request the Company to dispose of items unlawfully or in a manner contrary to environmental regulations.

Certain items, including electrical appliances, mattresses, construction debris, hazardous materials and large volumes of waste may be subject to additional charges and conditions. The Company will advise of any such charges where known in advance.

The Customer remains responsible for ensuring that items presented for disposal are lawfully theirs to dispose of and do not contain confidential information that the Customer wishes to keep secure. The Company does not provide secure data destruction services unless specifically agreed.

13. Storage Services

Where the Company provides storage, the terms of storage, including charges, access arrangements, notice periods and insurance, will be stated in a separate storage agreement or in the quotation. The Customer must keep the Company informed of their current contact details for the duration of storage.

If storage charges are not paid when due, the Company may exercise a lien over the Goods and, after giving reasonable notice, may sell or dispose of some or all of the Goods to recover unpaid charges and reasonable costs, in accordance with applicable law.

14. Access and Safety

The Customer must ensure that safe and adequate access is available at all Premises for the Companys vehicles and staff. This includes notifying the Company in advance of any restricted access, low bridges, narrow roads, height or weight limits, or internal access issues such as tight staircases.

The Company may refuse to move items which, in its opinion, cannot be moved safely or without risk of damage to the item, the Premises, or the health and safety of staff or others. The Company may require the Customer to obtain specialist services or equipment at the Customers cost in order to move unusually heavy, large or delicate items.

15. Data Protection

The Company will collect and use personal information provided by the Customer for the purpose of arranging and performing the Services, managing payments, and complying with legal obligations. Personal data will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws in the UK.

The Customer has certain rights in relation to their personal data, which may include rights of access, correction and, in some circumstances, deletion or restriction. Further information on how personal data is processed can be provided by the Company on request.

16. Subcontracting

The Company may use carefully selected subcontractors or agents to carry out all or part of the Services. Where subcontractors are used, the Company will remain responsible for the performance of the Contract and these Terms and Conditions will continue to apply.

17. Events Beyond Our Control

The Company will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations due to events or circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, natural disasters, accidents, traffic congestion, road closures, acts of terrorism, industrial disputes, or failures of utilities or transport networks.

In such circumstances, the Company will take reasonable steps to minimise disruption and will, where possible, agree an alternative date or arrangement with the Customer.

18. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

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.

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 their subject matter.

19. General Provisions

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

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.

These Terms and Conditions, together with any written quotation or confirmation issued by the Company, constitute the entire agreement between the parties in relation to the Services and supersede any prior discussions or agreements.

The Customer may not assign or transfer their rights or obligations under the Contract without the prior written consent of the Company. The Company may assign or transfer its rights and obligations to another entity as part of a business transfer or restructuring.

By confirming a booking with the Company, the Customer acknowledges that they have read, understood and agree to these Terms and Conditions.