Terms and Conditions for Man With A Van Swiss Cottage
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Man With A Van Swiss Cottage provides removals, transport, delivery, and related services within the United Kingdom. By making a booking, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms. They are intended to provide a clear legal framework for both parties and to reduce misunderstandings about service scope, payment, responsibility, and the handling of items during transit. In these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the service provider, and references to “you” and “your” mean the customer or person making the booking.
These terms apply to all services arranged under the name Man With A Van Swiss Cottage, including single-item transport, part-load moves, small removals, collection and delivery, and related labour where agreed in advance. They should be read together with any written quote, booking confirmation, or service-specific agreement. If there is any conflict between these terms and a written quotation accepted by both parties, the written quotation will take precedence only to the extent of that specific conflict.
We reserve the right to update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time of booking will apply to that booking unless otherwise stated. It is your responsibility to review the terms before confirming any booking. Continued use of our van service or acceptance of services will be treated as acceptance of the applicable terms.
Booking process begins when you submit an enquiry and provide the information reasonably required to prepare a quotation or availability estimate. This may include the pickup and drop-off locations, dates, access conditions, item descriptions, approximate volumes or weights, and any special handling requirements. We may ask for photographs, measurements, or additional detail if the nature of the job is unclear. All quotes are based on the information supplied by you. If the information later proves to be incomplete or inaccurate, we may revise the price, timing, or service arrangement accordingly.
A booking is not confirmed until we have accepted it and, where required, received any requested deposit or advance payment. Confirmation may be given by email, message, invoice, or another written method. We recommend that all key details are checked carefully before confirmation, including dates, addresses, access arrangements, item lists, and any agreed waiting time. Changes made after confirmation may be accepted at our discretion and may affect the final charge.
You must ensure that someone authorised to deal with the booking is available at the pickup or delivery point, unless we have agreed otherwise. If you are not present, you must ensure that clear instructions are provided in writing. Where items are to be collected from or delivered to a third party, you remain responsible for all booking details and for ensuring that the third party is aware of the arrangements. Any failure by a third party to cooperate may result in delays, rebooking charges, or cancellation fees.
Payments and charges
Payment terms will be set out in the quotation, invoice, or booking confirmation. Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due in full upon completion of the service or at another time specified in advance. For some bookings, a deposit or part-payment may be required to secure the date. Deposits are usually non-refundable except where we cancel the service or where mandatory consumer law requires otherwise. All prices are quoted in pounds sterling and may be subject to VAT where applicable.
Our charges may be based on time, distance, load size, labour, access conditions, parking restrictions, additional waiting time, or any combination of these factors. If the job takes longer than expected because of circumstances outside our control, additional charges may apply. Examples include delays caused by poor access, lift failures, incomplete packing, items not ready for collection, traffic disruption, or changes requested by you during the service. Any extra charges will be calculated reasonably and explained where practicable.
We may require immediate payment by bank transfer, card payment, or another agreed method. If payment is not made on time, we reserve the right to suspend or withhold services, retain goods where lawful, or recover reasonable costs associated with late payment. You are responsible for ensuring that the payer has sufficient authority and funds to complete the transaction. Man With A Van Swiss Cottage does not accept responsibility for bank or card processing delays caused by third-party providers.
Cancellations and rescheduling requests should be made as soon as possible. If you cancel more than a reasonable period before the booked time, we may refund any deposit at our discretion, less any non-recoverable expenses already incurred. If you cancel at short notice, a cancellation fee may apply to cover reserved time, administration, and any costs already committed. The exact fee may depend on the timing of the cancellation and the nature of the booking.
If you request to reschedule, we will try to accommodate the change, but availability cannot be guaranteed. Where a new date is agreed, the original booking may be treated as cancelled and rebooked. If we arrive and cannot complete the service because you are unavailable, access is denied, or the goods are not ready, we may treat the job as a failed attendance and charge a reasonable call-out or waiting fee. Repeated changes, late cancellations, or inaccurate booking details may lead us to decline future bookings.
Liability is limited to the extent permitted by law. We will use reasonable care and skill in carrying out our services, but we are not responsible for losses arising from inaccurate instructions, unsuitable packing by the customer, inherent defects in items, normal wear and tear, or events outside our control. This includes, without limitation, delays caused by traffic, road closures, severe weather, accidents, acts of public authorities, or the actions of third parties. Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
Liability for goods transported under a man and van service will generally be limited to direct loss or damage caused by our proven negligence. We do not accept responsibility for fragile, high-value, sentimental, or irreplaceable items unless this has been specifically declared and agreed in writing before the service begins. Customers should remove cash, jewellery, passports, private documents, and other valuables before collection. Where appropriate, items should be properly packed, labelled, and protected by the customer unless we have agreed to do so as part of the service.
Claims for damage or loss must be notified promptly and supported by evidence, such as photographs and a description of the affected item. You must allow us a reasonable opportunity to inspect the item and assess the matter. If any item is damaged due to our negligence, our liability will usually be limited to repair, replacement, or the reasonable depreciated value of the item, subject to any applicable legal restrictions and the circumstances of the claim. We do not accept liability for indirect, consequential, or financial losses, including missed deadlines, loss of earnings, or business interruption.
We may refuse to carry items that are unsafe, excessively heavy, improperly packed, illegal to transport, or likely to cause damage to vehicles, property, or people. We also reserve the right to stop work if we believe continuing would create a health and safety risk. In such cases, we may still charge for time spent, any completed part of the service, and any costs already incurred.
Waste, disposal, and regulatory compliance
Waste regulations are taken seriously. Unless specifically agreed in writing, our service does not include the removal, treatment, or disposal of waste. If any goods are to be disposed of, they must be described accurately in advance and must comply with all relevant UK environmental and waste-handling rules. You are responsible for ensuring that any waste presented for collection is legal, safe, and properly separated where required. We may refuse to transport waste that appears contaminated, hazardous, prohibited, or not lawfully presented for transfer.
Where we agree to remove waste, you confirm that you have the lawful right to arrange its transfer and that the waste has been accurately described. You must not include hazardous materials, chemicals, asbestos, clinical waste, batteries, oils, gas cylinders, paint, solvents, electrical waste requiring specialist treatment, or any other regulated material unless we have expressly agreed and are legally permitted to handle it. If restricted items are discovered, we may refuse collection, return the goods, or require you to arrange lawful disposal at your expense.
We may ask for additional information to comply with our legal obligations, including details needed for a waste transfer note or similar record where applicable. You agree to provide accurate information and to cooperate with any lawful compliance requirement. If your instructions would cause us to breach any transport, safety, licensing, environmental, or local authority rule, we may refuse the job without liability. Any customer who knowingly provides false or incomplete waste information may be responsible for all resulting costs, penalties, and losses.
Customer obligations and service conditions
You must ensure that access routes are safe and suitable for the service. This includes arranging parking where possible, checking building access, and making sure there is enough room for loading and unloading. If special equipment is required, such as trolleys, straps, lift access, or additional labour, you should notify us in advance. We are not responsible for delays or extra costs caused by limited access, stairs, long carries, narrow entrances, or lack of parking unless the issue was specifically included in the quotation.
You are responsible for packing items adequately unless packing has been expressly included. Boxes should be secure, and fragile contents should be protected. We will handle goods with reasonable care, but we do not inspect the internal contents of sealed packages. If you ask us to dismantle, reassemble, connect, or disconnect items, we may do so only where safe and suitable, and we are not responsible for pre-existing faults, missing fittings, or improper installation.
We may subcontract or assign part of the work to suitable partners where necessary, while remaining responsible for the agreed service as far as required by law. Any subcontractor will be expected to operate under standards consistent with these Terms and Conditions. If a booking involves multiple stages or waiting time, the service may be completed in phases, and charges may reflect the time and resources used at each stage.
Force majeure means an event outside our reasonable control that prevents or delays performance of the service. This may include extreme weather, vehicle breakdown, road closure, fire, flood, strike action, emergency incident, public transport disruption affecting staff, or government action. In such cases, we may postpone, alter, or cancel the service without being liable for losses caused by the delay, provided we act reasonably and keep you informed where possible. If the service cannot be performed, any refund or rebooking arrangement will be handled fairly in light of the circumstances.
Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer where those rights apply. If you are booking for business purposes, you confirm that you have authority to bind the business and that the service is for business use. Business customers may be subject to different remedies and limitations to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Governing law and jurisdiction: these Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute, claim, or matter arising from or in connection with the services or these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, except where consumer law requires otherwise. If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
By proceeding with a booking, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms. The aim of Man With A Van Swiss Cottage is to provide a reliable, transparent, and professionally managed van transport service while balancing customer convenience with proper legal and operational safeguards. If a quotation, invoice, or booking confirmation includes any additional terms, those terms will also form part of the agreement where they do not conflict with these Terms and Conditions.
These Terms and Conditions are intended to be fair and workable for everyday service arrangements, including domestic moves, commercial collections, and general transport tasks. They are written to protect both the customer and the service provider by setting out the expected process, payment rules, cancellation rules, responsibilities, and compliance obligations in clear language. If any clarification is needed before booking, it should be resolved in writing before the service date.
Nothing in this document creates a partnership, agency, or employment relationship between the parties. Each booking is treated as a separate service contract unless otherwise agreed in writing. The customer remains responsible for making full and accurate declarations about the goods, access conditions, and any legal requirements affecting the job. By using Man With A Van Swiss Cottage, you agree to cooperate reasonably so the service can be carried out safely and efficiently.