Terms and Conditions for Man With Van Petersham

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Man With Van Petersham provides transport, lifting, loading, unloading, and related moving services to customers in the United Kingdom. By making a booking, you agree to be bound by these terms, which are designed to ensure clarity, fairness, and a safe working arrangement for both parties. For the purposes of this document, the expressions man with van Petersham, Petersham man with a van, van and man service, and moving service provider refer to the same business and service offering.

These terms apply to domestic, commercial, and personal transport jobs, including furniture moves, appliance collection, store deliveries, single-item transport, and similar assignments. They do not create a partnership, employment relationship, or agency arrangement between the customer and the service provider. Any variation to these terms must be agreed in writing before the job begins. In the event of any inconsistency between a written quote and these terms, the written quote shall prevail only to the extent of that inconsistency.

Customers are responsible for reading the full terms before confirming a booking. If any part of these terms is unclear, the customer should request clarification before the service commences. The company may update these terms from time to time, and the version applicable to a booking will be the version in force at the time the booking is confirmed.

1. Booking process

A booking request may be made by providing the required job details, including collection and delivery addresses, access conditions, item descriptions, estimated weight and size, preferred dates and times, and any special handling requirements. The accuracy of the information supplied is essential because the quote and the scheduling of resources depend on it. The company may refuse a booking if the job is unsafe, unlawful, impractical, or outside the scope of the service.

Once details are received, an estimate or quotation may be issued. A quote may be based on hourly rates, fixed rates, mileage, crew requirements, waiting time, parking restrictions, or other relevant factors. A booking is not confirmed until the customer accepts the quote, agrees to these terms, and, where required, pays a deposit or booking fee. The company is entitled to rely on the information provided by the customer when allocating vehicle size, manpower, and time.

Customers must ensure that access is available at both the collection and delivery locations, and that any restrictions are disclosed in advance. This includes limited parking, stair access, lifts, narrow entrances, permit requirements, and any items requiring dismantling or specialist handling. If the actual job differs materially from the description supplied, the company may revise the price, alter the completion time, or decline to carry out the work if it cannot be completed safely.

2. Payments and pricing

All prices are stated in pounds sterling unless otherwise agreed. The amount payable may include labour, vehicle use, fuel, tolls, congestion or access charges, parking costs, waiting time, additional handling, and disposal charges where applicable. Prices quoted may be exclusive of VAT unless expressly stated otherwise. The customer will be informed of any material chargeable additions where reasonably possible before they are incurred.

Payment must be made in accordance with the terms stated on the quotation or invoice. Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due immediately on completion of the service. The company may require full or partial advance payment for certain bookings, particularly where a large move, specialist equipment, long-distance travel, or busy seasonal dates are involved. A booking fee or deposit may be non-refundable except where the company cancels the job or otherwise agrees in writing.

If the customer fails to make payment when due, the company reserves the right to charge interest on overdue sums at the statutory rate, recover reasonable collection costs, and withhold any further services until all outstanding amounts are settled. The customer shall not be entitled to set off or deduct any amount from the invoice unless required by law or expressly agreed in writing. Disputed charges should be raised promptly and in good faith.

3. Cancellations, postponements, and changes

Customers may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving notice as early as possible. Cancellation fees may apply depending on the notice period, the resources already allocated, and any costs incurred by the company. Where a deposit has been paid, it may be retained in whole or in part to reflect lost time, administrative expense, or unrecoverable scheduling commitments. The closer the cancellation is to the scheduled date, the greater the likely fee.

If the customer changes the scope of the work after confirmation, the company may amend the price, time allocation, or vehicle/crew arrangement. Changes may include additional items, altered addresses, extended waiting periods, access restrictions, or requests for packing and dismantling not previously disclosed. The company is not obliged to provide the revised service at the original price if the booking details have materially changed.

If the company must cancel or reschedule due to illness, vehicle issues, weather conditions, safety concerns, or events beyond its reasonable control, it will aim to notify the customer as soon as practicable and may offer an alternative date or a refund of any deposit paid for the affected service. The company will not be liable for indirect losses arising from a reasonable cancellation or postponement, provided that it acts in good faith and with reasonable care.

4. Customer responsibilities

The customer must ensure that all items are properly packed, labelled, and ready for loading unless packing has been specifically included in the service. Fragile items should be protected using suitable materials. The customer must disclose any items that are exceptionally heavy, valuable, hazardous, or difficult to handle. The company is entitled to refuse to move items that are unsafe, illegal, contaminated, or unsuitable for transport in the vehicle provided.

The customer must also ensure lawful access, valid parking arrangements, and the necessary permissions for loading and unloading. Any fines, penalties, clamp charges, parking charges, or enforcement costs caused by incorrect instructions, inadequate access information, or customer negligence will be the customer’s responsibility. If the customer is not present, they must appoint an authorised representative with full authority to give instructions and accept completion of the service.

The customer warrants that they own the goods or have full permission from the owner to arrange their transport. The company will not knowingly assist in the movement of stolen property, prohibited goods, or items whose transport would breach any law or regulatory requirement. The customer must not request that the crew performs any task that is unsafe, unlawful, or beyond the agreed service scope.

5. Liability and limitations

The company will exercise reasonable care and skill in performing the service. However, liability is limited to direct loss or damage caused by proven negligence of the company or its employees acting within the scope of the booking. The company does not accept responsibility for pre-existing damage, wear and tear, defective packaging, inherent fragility, or damage resulting from circumstances outside its control. Items transported at the customer’s request remain subject to these limitations, even where the customer assists with the loading or unloading.

The company is not liable for loss of profits, business interruption, loss of opportunity, emotional distress, consequential loss, or any indirect or special damages arising from or connected with the service, except where such exclusion is not permitted by law. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted under UK law.

Where liability is established, any compensation will ordinarily be limited to the lesser of the repair cost, replacement value of the damaged item, or the amount recoverable under any applicable insurance policy, subject to proof of value and condition. Customers are encouraged to arrange suitable insurance for high-value, fragile, or irreplaceable goods. Claims for damage or loss must be reported within a reasonable time and, where practicable, before the vehicle departs or the goods are otherwise dispersed.

6. Waste regulations and disposal

If the service includes disposal, clearance, or transport to a waste facility, the customer must disclose the nature of all waste beforehand. The company will only remove and dispose of waste in accordance with applicable UK waste laws, environmental rules, and duty-of-care obligations. The customer must not present items that are prohibited, hazardous, improperly segregated, or otherwise unsuitable for lawful disposal without prior agreement and appropriate handling arrangements.

The customer remains responsible for ensuring that waste is accurately described. If any item is incorrectly declared, the company may refuse collection, adjust the quote, or require the customer to take responsibility for additional compliance costs. The company may request proof of contents, photographs, or other information where needed to assess legal handling requirements. Waste transfer documentation may be issued where required, and the customer agrees to cooperate with any reasonable legal or administrative process.

Bulky waste, mixed waste, electrical items, mattresses, appliances, garden waste, and similar materials may attract additional charges due to handling, recycling, or disposal costs. The company does not undertake to remove unlawful waste or materials that it reasonably believes may cause contamination, health and safety risks, or regulatory breaches. Any attempted concealment of prohibited waste may result in immediate termination of the service and full recovery of associated costs from the customer.

7. Delays, access, and force majeure

While the company will make reasonable efforts to attend at the agreed time, arrival times are estimates and may be affected by traffic, road closures, weather, prior job overruns, parking difficulties, or matters outside the company’s control. Time-based bookings may be extended if loading, unloading, or access conditions take longer than anticipated. Additional charges may apply where waiting time, extended labour, or a second trip is required because of delays attributable to the customer or third parties acting on the customer’s behalf.

The company is not responsible for delays or failure to perform caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including extreme weather, accidents, breakdowns, civil unrest, strikes, fire, flood, pandemics, or governmental restrictions. If such an event occurs, the company may suspend performance, rearrange the booking, or cancel without liability for indirect loss. Any refund will be limited to sums paid for the unperformed portion of the service, after deduction of reasonable expenses already incurred where lawful and appropriate.

Customers should ensure that goods are ready and access is clear at the scheduled time. If the crew cannot begin work because the customer is absent, access is blocked, or the necessary instructions are unavailable, the booking may be treated as a late cancellation or a failed attendance, and an appropriate charge may be applied. The company may leave the location once the waiting time exceeds a reasonable period unless the customer and company agree otherwise.

8. Insurance, claims, and inspection

The company may hold public liability and, where appropriate, goods-in-transit insurance; however, the existence of insurance does not expand the company’s contractual liability beyond these terms. Customers should not assume that all items are covered for full replacement value. Any insurance claim may be subject to exclusions, excesses, evidence requirements, and insurer assessment. The customer must cooperate fully if information, photographs, receipts, or statements are required to support a claim.

The customer should inspect items at delivery or as soon as reasonably possible thereafter. Any visible damage, shortage, or concern should be reported promptly, with supporting details where available. Failure to give timely notice may make it harder to assess a claim fairly and may affect recovery. The company may inspect packaging, loading arrangements, and the condition of the item before accepting responsibility for any alleged loss or damage.

Where the customer or their representative directs the crew to place items in a specific location, the company is not responsible for subsequent damage caused by that placement if the customer insisted on the instruction despite a warning. The same applies to goods that are moved without adequate packing or are transported in a condition that makes damage reasonably foreseeable.

9. Acceptance of risk and standard of cooperation

The customer acknowledges that moving heavy, awkward, or fragile items can involve inherent risks, particularly in buildings with stairs, narrow corridors, tight corners, or limited parking. The crew may refuse to undertake a lift or carry if, in their reasonable opinion, the task presents an unacceptable risk to persons or property. Customers must cooperate with safety instructions and must not interfere with the crew’s judgment on safe handling methods.

The company may use trolleys, blankets, straps, protective covers, or other equipment as it considers appropriate. However, the company is not obliged to disassemble items, remove doors, disconnect appliances, or handle plumbing or electrical work unless such tasks have been expressly agreed and are lawful for the crew to perform. Any third-party specialist work required in connection with the move remains the customer’s responsibility unless otherwise stated.

Where the customer asks for assistance beyond the original booking scope, the company may agree to provide it at an additional charge, provided it remains lawful and safe to do so. Acceptance of an extra task does not remove the customer’s obligations or expand the company’s liability beyond what is set out in these terms.

10. Governing law and jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from or in connection with them, shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. If the customer is based in Scotland or Northern Ireland, the applicable mandatory consumer rights of that jurisdiction will still apply where required by law, but the contract itself shall otherwise be governed by the law stated here.

The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising under these terms, unless the customer is a consumer and local law grants the customer a different mandatory forum. If any provision of these terms is found to be unlawful, invalid, or unenforceable, that provision shall be severed to the extent necessary and the remainder of the terms shall continue in full force and effect.

By proceeding with a booking, the customer confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions for the man with a van Petersham service. These terms are intended to be fair, practical, and consistent with UK consumer and transport requirements, while allowing the service to operate efficiently and safely.