Terms and Conditions
Movers Barnes Terms and Conditions for Removal Services
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Movers Barnes provides domestic and commercial removal and related services within the United Kingdom. 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 Movers Barnes, the provider of removal and related services.
Customer means the individual, business, or organisation booking or receiving services from the Company.
Services means removal, packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, storage handling, and any associated services provided by the Company.
Goods means all items of furniture, personal belongings, equipment, and any other property to be packed, removed, transported, stored, handled, or otherwise dealt with by the Company.
Premises means any property or location from or to which the Services are to be provided.
Contract means the agreement between the Company and the Customer for the supply of Services, incorporating these Terms and Conditions and any written quotation or confirmation provided by the Company.
2. Scope of Services
The Company provides domestic and commercial removal and related services within the UK. Services may include packing, loading, transport, unloading, positioning of Goods, and where agreed in writing, short-term handling for storage.
The exact scope of Services will be set out in the written quotation or booking confirmation issued by the Company. Any additional services requested on the day of the move are subject to availability, additional charges, and the Companys agreement.
3. Quotation and Price
All quotations are provided based on information supplied by the Customer, including but not limited to property access, number and type of Goods, distance, parking arrangements, and any special handling requirements.
Unless otherwise stated in writing, quotations are estimates only and not a fixed price. The final price may vary if the information provided is incomplete or inaccurate, if the circumstances of the move change, or if additional Services are requested or required.
Prices are normally calculated by reference to the volume or nature of Goods, travelling time, labour required, and distance between locations within the service area.
Any quotation will state the period for which it is valid. After this period, the Company reserves the right to revise the quotation.
4. Booking Process
A booking is considered provisional until the Customer has accepted the quotation and complied with any deposit or prepayment requirements specified by the Company.
The Customer may accept a quotation by written confirmation or other method expressly accepted by the Company, subject to availability of vehicles and personnel for the requested date.
The Company will confirm acceptance of the booking in writing. No Contract will exist until such confirmation is issued. The Company reserves the right to decline any booking at its discretion.
The Customer is responsible for ensuring that all details in the quotation and booking confirmation, including addresses, dates, access details, and the list of Goods, are correct. Any discrepancies must be notified promptly.
5. Customer Responsibilities
The Customer must ensure that adequate and accurate information is supplied to the Company regarding the nature and quantity of Goods, access arrangements, any parking restrictions, and any items requiring special handling.
The Customer is responsible for arranging appropriate parking permissions or permits for the Companys vehicles, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Any fines, penalties, or additional costs arising from inadequate parking arrangements may be charged to the Customer.
The Customer must ensure that all Goods are made available on the agreed date and time, and that the Premises are accessible. Any delays caused by the Customer may give rise to additional charges.
The Customer is responsible for securing valuables, documents, money, jewellery, and other high-value items, and is advised not to include such items in the Goods to be moved unless specifically agreed in writing.
6. Packing and Preparation of Goods
Unless the Company has agreed to provide packing services, the Customer is responsible for adequately packing and protecting all Goods prior to the move. This includes the use of suitable boxes, wrapping materials, and protective coverings.
The Customer must ensure that all appliances are disconnected, defrosted where relevant, drained of fluids, and made safe prior to the commencement of Services. The Company does not undertake plumbing, electrical, or gas disconnection or reconnection unless specifically agreed and then only via appropriately qualified personnel.
The Company will take reasonable care in handling and transporting Goods. However, the Company is not liable for damage resulting from inadequate packing or preparation where such work has been carried out by the Customer or a third party rather than the Company.
7. Excluded Goods
The Customer must not submit for removal or storage any of the following without prior written agreement from the Company: hazardous materials, explosives, flammable or corrosive substances, perishable goods, live animals, plants, cash, securities, or any item of extraordinary value.
If such Goods are included without the Companys knowledge, the Company may remove, dispose of, or render them harmless at the Customer's expense, and the Company will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from such action.
8. Payments and Charges
Payment terms will be stated in the quotation or booking confirmation. Unless otherwise agreed, a deposit or full prepayment may be required to secure the booking.
The balance of any charges is payable on or before completion of the Services as stated in the booking confirmation. The Company reserves the right to withhold commencement or completion of the Services if payment has not been made in accordance with the agreed terms.
Where payment is not received by the due date, the Company reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts at the statutory rate applicable in England and Wales, as well as reasonable costs of collection.
Any additional charges arising from delays, changes in scope, waiting time, parking issues, or other circumstances outside the Companys control may be added to the final invoice.
9. Cancellations and Postponements
The Customer may cancel or postpone the Services by giving the Company written notice. The following cancellation charges will normally apply, unless otherwise stated in the booking confirmation.
If cancellation occurs more than seven days before the scheduled service date, any deposit paid may be refundable at the Companys discretion, less any reasonable administration costs.
If cancellation occurs within seven days but more than forty-eight hours before the scheduled service date, the Customer may be liable for a percentage of the quoted price to cover allocated resources and potential loss of business.
If cancellation or postponement occurs within forty-eight hours of the scheduled service date, the Company may charge up to the full quoted price.
Where the Service is postponed, the Company will endeavour to accommodate a new date, subject to availability. Additional charges may apply for rescheduling, especially during busy periods or where resources have already been committed.
10. Access, Parking, and Delays
The Customer must ensure that there is suitable access to the Premises for the Companys vehicles and personnel. This includes informing the Company of any height, width, or weight restrictions, narrow roads, or other constraints.
If access is inadequate or restricted, the Company may need to use alternative methods or smaller vehicles, or may have to make multiple trips. Any additional time or costs incurred may be charged to the Customer.
The Company is not liable for delays beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to traffic congestion, road closures, severe weather, industrial action, accidents, or delays caused by third parties.
If the move cannot be completed within the estimated time due to circumstances beyond the Companys control, the Company reserves the right to complete the work at a later time or date, or to negotiate an additional fee with the Customer for extended working hours.
11. Liability and Limitation of Liability
The Company will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing the Services. The Companys liability for loss or damage to Goods, however caused, is subject to the limitations set out in this section.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Companys total liability for loss of or damage to Goods, whether arising in contract, tort, or otherwise, shall not exceed a reasonable market value of the item at the time of loss or damage, subject to an overall limit per consignment as may be specified in the quotation or imposed by applicable law.
The Company will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the following:
Loss or damage to Goods that are packed by the Customer or a third party.
Inherent defects, natural deterioration, or perishable nature of Goods.
Normal wear and tear, minor scratches, scuffs, or cosmetic damage that does not materially affect the use of the item.
Damage to premises that arises from moving large or heavy items where the Customer has requested such movement and the risk has been explained.
Consequential or indirect losses of any kind, including loss of profit, loss of business, or loss of opportunity.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall limit or exclude the Companys liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, for fraud, or for any other liability that cannot legally be limited or excluded under UK law.
12. Claims and Complaints
Any visible loss or damage to Goods or premises must be reported to the Company as soon as reasonably possible and in any event within a reasonable period after completion of the Services.
The Customer should provide a written description of the loss or damage, together with supporting evidence such as photographs or purchase receipts where available.
The Company will investigate any complaint and may request access to inspect any alleged damage. Failure to give the Company a reasonable opportunity to inspect may prejudice the investigation and assessment of any claim.
The Company will respond to complaints within a reasonable time and will seek to resolve disputes amicably. This does not affect the Customer's statutory rights.
13. Waste and Disposal Regulations
The Company complies with UK waste and environmental regulations in relation to the handling, transport, and disposal of unwanted items and rubbish.
The Company is not obliged to remove or dispose of waste, unwanted items, or rubbish unless this has been specifically agreed as part of the Services and any additional charges have been accepted by the Customer.
Where the Company agrees to remove waste or unwanted items, such items must be lawfully capable of disposal and must not include hazardous, controlled, or prohibited materials without the Companys prior written consent.
The Customer is responsible for ensuring that any items presented for disposal are lawful to transport and dispose of, and for providing accurate information about the nature of such items. Any additional costs arising from incorrect or incomplete information may be charged to the Customer.
14. Insurance
The Company maintains appropriate insurance cover for its activities in accordance with industry practice and applicable law.
The Customer is encouraged to ensure that their own contents or business insurance policy covers Goods during removal and transit. The Customer should review their insurance arrangements in advance of the move.
Any optional additional cover offered by the Company will be subject to separate terms and conditions, which the Customer should review carefully.
15. Force Majeure
The Company shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations where such failure or delay results from events, circumstances, or causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to extreme weather, natural disasters, acts of government, strikes, lockouts, or other industrial disputes, road closures, or serious accidents.
In such circumstances, the Company will use reasonable endeavours to perform the Services as soon as reasonably practicable but may suspend or reschedule services where necessary. Any additional costs or adjustments will be discussed with the Customer.
16. Data Protection and Privacy
The Company will collect and process personal data relating to the Customer and, where applicable, their representatives for the purpose of providing the Services, administering the Contract, and complying with legal obligations.
Personal data will be handled in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation. The Company will take reasonable steps to keep personal data secure and will not share it with third parties except where necessary to provide the Services, comply with legal obligations, or with the Customers consent.
17. Variation of Terms
The Company may amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time of booking will govern the Contract unless a later version is expressly agreed in writing.
No variation to these Terms and Conditions shall be effective unless agreed in writing by an authorised representative of the Company.
18. Severability
If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable by a court or competent authority, that provision shall be treated as deleted and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
19. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, their subject matter, or formation 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.
20. Entire Agreement
These Terms and Conditions, together with any quotation and booking confirmation issued by the Company, constitute the entire agreement between the Company and the Customer in relation to the Services and supersede any prior understandings or arrangements, whether written or oral.
The Customer acknowledges that in entering into the Contract they have not relied on any statement, representation, assurance, or warranty not expressly set out in these Terms and Conditions or in the written documentation provided by the Company.
