Terms and Conditions for Man With Van Balham
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Man With Van Balham provides moving, delivery, and related transport services to customers in the UK. By making a booking, confirming an estimate, or allowing work to begin, you agree to be bound by these terms. They are intended to be clear and practical, covering the main responsibilities of both parties during a move, collection, delivery, or transport assignment. For the avoidance of doubt, these terms apply to all services supplied under the trading name Man With Van Balham, whether the service involves a single-item move, a partial load, or a larger domestic or commercial transport job.
These terms are written for use as a legal page and should be read carefully before any service is confirmed. If there is any inconsistency between a written quotation and these terms, the quotation will normally take priority in relation to the specific job details, provided it has been accepted in writing or electronically. However, any matters not expressly covered in the quotation remain subject to these conditions. The customer is responsible for ensuring that all information provided is accurate, complete, and up to date.
Man With Van Balham may update these terms from time to time. Any revised version will apply to future bookings after publication or issue, as applicable. The version in force at the time of booking will govern the relevant service unless a later update is specifically agreed. Nothing in these terms affects any rights you may have under applicable UK consumer law, including mandatory protections that cannot be excluded or limited by contract.
1. Booking Process
A booking is normally made after the customer provides the service details, including collection and delivery addresses, access conditions, items to be moved, preferred dates and times, and any special handling requirements. Man With Van Balham may offer an estimate based on the information supplied. Estimates are generally non-binding unless expressly stated otherwise, and the final price may change if the actual job differs from the description provided at booking.
To secure a booking, the customer may be asked to confirm acceptance of the quotation and provide additional details such as inventory, stair access, parking arrangements, lifting requirements, or whether assembly and disassembly are needed. The customer must inform us of any item that is unusually heavy, fragile, valuable, hazardous, or awkward to move. If such information is withheld, we reserve the right to amend the booking, adjust the price, or refuse the item for safety reasons.
Booking acceptance is only complete when we have confirmed the date, time, scope of work, and any deposit or advance payment that may be required. A booking may be made by phone, email, or other agreed communication method, but the customer remains responsible for checking that the details are correct. Any special conditions, including access restrictions, waiting time limits, or assistance requirements, should be disclosed before the job starts. Failure to do so may result in additional charges or cancellation of the service.
2. Service Scope and Customer Duties
The service provided by Man With Van Balham is limited to the transport and handling arrangements agreed at the time of booking. Unless specifically included, the service does not automatically cover packing materials, dismantling, reassembly, appliance disconnection, storage, or disposal. Any additional tasks must be agreed in advance and may incur extra charges. The customer must ensure that all items are ready for collection at the agreed time and that the destination is prepared to receive them.
Customers must obtain any necessary permissions for access, parking, loading bay use, building entry, lifts, or road restrictions. If permits, parking suspensions, or building approvals are needed, the customer is responsible for arranging them unless we have agreed in writing to do so. If delays arise because of restricted access, missing permits, or inaccurate directions, waiting time and other reasonable costs may be charged to the customer.
It is the customer’s duty to ensure that paths, entrances, stairways, and loading areas are reasonably safe and accessible. We may refuse to move an item if, in our reasonable opinion, the conditions present a risk to property, people, or the vehicle. Where assistance from the customer is required, any person helping must act safely and follow reasonable instructions. We do not accept responsibility for damage caused by unsafe premises, poorly secured loads prepared by the customer, or faulty item packaging supplied by the customer.
3. Payments and Charges
All prices are stated in pounds sterling unless otherwise agreed. Charges may be based on hourly rates, fixed fees, mileage, volume, weight, number of staff, specialist handling, or a combination of these factors. Man With Van Balham may also charge for fuel, congestion-related costs, tolls, parking, waiting time, difficult access, and additional labour where these were not included in the original quotation. The final invoice may therefore differ from the initial estimate if the job changes materially.
Payment terms will be agreed at booking or before the service begins. We may require a deposit or full prepayment, particularly for large jobs, urgent jobs, weekend services, or where third-party costs are involved. Unless otherwise stated, payment is due immediately upon completion of the service. We accept the payment methods that are confirmed in advance and may refuse cashless or delayed payment arrangements unless approved in writing.
If payment is not made when due, we may charge interest and reasonable recovery costs in accordance with applicable law. We also reserve the right to suspend or refuse further services until outstanding amounts are paid. Any dispute about part of an invoice must be raised promptly and in good faith, but the customer must pay any undisputed amount by the due date. Where a quote is based on inaccurate information supplied by the customer, we may adjust the charge to reflect the actual work carried out.
4. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Delays
If you need to cancel or reschedule, you should notify us as soon as possible. Cancellations made with sufficient notice may avoid or reduce charges, depending on the notice period and any costs already incurred. Where a booking has been reserved exclusively for your job, short-notice cancellations may result in a cancellation fee to cover lost time, administration, and any non-recoverable expenses.
If the customer is not ready at the agreed time, or if access cannot be gained, we may treat this as a late cancellation, waiting-time event, or failed booking. We may leave the premises after a reasonable waiting period and charge for the time spent. If the job cannot proceed because the customer is unavailable, because access is denied, or because the goods are not ready, the full or partial service charge may still apply.
We will make reasonable efforts to attend on time, but estimated arrival windows are not guaranteed unless expressly stated. Delays may occur due to traffic, weather, vehicle issues, accidents, or events outside our control. In such cases, we will aim to keep the customer informed and to attend within a reasonable alternative time. We are not liable for losses caused by delay unless the delay results from our failure to exercise reasonable care and skill in carrying out the service.
5. Liability and Property Care
We will carry out services with reasonable care and skill. However, liability is limited to the extent permitted by law. We are not responsible for pre-existing damage, hidden defects, wear and tear, or damage caused by items being unsuitable for transport, inadequately packed, or structurally weak. The customer should identify any items that require special handling or insurance arrangements. Fragile goods, antiques, artwork, electronics, and high-value items should be declared in advance and may be moved only under agreed conditions.
Where we are found liable for direct loss or damage caused by our negligence, our liability will generally be limited to the cost of repair or replacement of the affected item, subject to reasonable depreciation and any contractual limit stated in the quotation. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential losses such as lost profits, missed appointments, or business interruption.
The customer must ensure that goods are adequately insured if the customer considers the risk to be significant. Any claim for loss or damage should be reported as soon as reasonably possible and, where practical, before the items are used, altered, or moved further. Failure to notify us promptly may affect our ability to inspect and investigate the issue. Our team may request photographs, item descriptions, proof of value, and other reasonable evidence to assess any claim fairly.
6. Waste, Disposal, and Environmental Compliance
If the service includes removal of unwanted items, the customer must clearly state what is to be removed and whether those items are intended for disposal, donation, reuse, or transfer. Man With Van Balham does not automatically act as a waste carrier unless this is specifically agreed and undertaken in accordance with the relevant legal requirements. Items removed for disposal must be lawful to collect, transport, and dispose of under applicable UK waste rules.
The customer must not present prohibited, hazardous, or regulated waste without prior disclosure and written acceptance. This includes, by way of example only, chemicals, solvents, asbestos, clinical waste, gas cylinders, batteries that require specialist handling, and items contaminated by hazardous substances. If such materials are discovered during a job, we may refuse collection, terminate the service, or charge additional costs for safe handling or lawful disposal where permitted. The customer remains responsible for the accuracy of any waste description.
Where waste collection or disposal is agreed, the customer acknowledges that items may be taken to licensed facilities or handled through lawful reuse, recycling, or disposal channels. We aim to comply with applicable environmental and duty-of-care requirements, including proper segregation and record-keeping where relevant. The customer must not misdescribe rubbish or mixed loads in a way that would breach waste regulations. Any fines, penalties, or costs arising from inaccurate declarations by the customer may be passed on to the customer to the extent allowed by law.
7. Customer Representations and Prohibited Items
The customer confirms that they have the right to arrange the transport or removal of the items covered by the booking. Items must not be stolen, unlawfully possessed, or transported in breach of any law or court order. We may ask for proof of authority or ownership where needed. If we reasonably suspect that an item is prohibited, unsafe, or unlawfully obtained, we may refuse to carry it and may end the job without liability to the customer.
We do not normally transport firearms, explosives, illegal drugs, perishable goods requiring refrigeration, live animals, or any item that is restricted by law unless this has been specifically agreed and is lawful to do so. The customer is responsible for declaring any substance or item that may pose a risk during transit. If a prohibited item is concealed among lawful goods, the customer may be liable for any resulting delay, contamination, damage, or enforcement action.
Any advice we provide about loading, handling, or access is given in good faith but does not amount to a warranty that the item is fit for travel or that the premises are suitable. The customer remains responsible for verifying that goods are adequately prepared. If the customer asks us to proceed despite an identified risk, we may decline, proceed at the customer’s risk where lawful, or require a written acknowledgement before continuing.
8. Ending the Service and General Terms
We may suspend or terminate a booking if the customer breaches these terms, if payment is not made, if unsafe conditions arise, or if continuing would be unlawful or impractical. If the service is terminated for customer breach, the customer may still be charged for work already performed, travel already undertaken, and any costs reasonably incurred. We may also end the service immediately where behaviour is abusive, threatening, or creates a safety concern.
Nothing in these terms creates a partnership, employment relationship, or agency arrangement between the customer and Man With Van Balham. If any part of these terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force. A failure to enforce any right on one occasion does not waive that right on another occasion. Headings are included for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.
These terms and any dispute or claim arising from them, whether contractual or non-contractual, are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction unless mandatory consumer law provides otherwise. By confirming a booking with Man With Van Balham, the customer acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions in relation to the service provided.