Terms and Conditions
Hammersmith Removals Terms and Conditions of Service
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Hammersmith Removals provides removal, transport, packing, storage and related services. By placing a booking or allowing work to commence, you agree that these Terms and Conditions form the contractual agreement between you and Hammersmith Removals for all services carried out in the United Kingdom.
1. Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions shall have the meanings set out below:
1.1 The Company means Hammersmith Removals.
1.2 The Customer means the person, firm or organisation requesting the services of the Company.
1.3 Services means any removal, packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, transport, storage, waste removal or associated services carried out by the Company.
1.4 Goods means the items, belongings, furniture, equipment and other property which are the subject of the Services.
1.5 Quotation means the written or electronic estimate issued by the Company setting out the proposed Services, relevant details and charges.
1.6 Contract means the legally binding agreement between the Company and the Customer incorporating these Terms and Conditions, the accepted Quotation and any agreed variations in writing.
1.7 Working Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in England.
2. Basis of Contract
2.1 These Terms and Conditions apply to all Services provided by the Company and take precedence over any other terms proposed by the Customer unless otherwise agreed in writing and signed by an authorised representative of the Company.
2.2 Any Quotation issued by the Company is an invitation to treat and does not constitute a binding offer until it is accepted by the Customer and confirmed by the Company.
2.3 The Contract is formed when the Company confirms a booking in writing or by electronic confirmation following the Customer's acceptance of the Quotation.
2.4 The Customer confirms that they have authority to enter into the Contract and, where acting on behalf of a third party or business, that they have full power to bind such third party or business.
3. Quotations and Service Area
3.1 Unless otherwise stated, Quotations are based on information provided by the Customer regarding the addresses, property access, volume of Goods, special items, and any additional services required such as packing or storage.
3.2 The Company operates primarily within London and surrounding areas but may, at its discretion, undertake moves to or from other locations across the United Kingdom. Any distance or access issues that differ from the information originally supplied may result in additional charges.
3.3 Quotations are valid for 30 days from the date of issue unless withdrawn earlier. After this period, the Company may revise the Quotation to reflect changes in costs, availability or other factors.
3.4 Unless expressly stated in the Quotation, the following are not included: dismantling or reassembly of furniture or fittings, disconnection or reconnection of appliances, removal of fixtures, packing or unpacking services, or disposal of waste and unwanted items.
3.5 The Company reserves the right to amend or withdraw a Quotation in the event of obvious error, miscalculation or omission.
4. Booking Process
4.1 To make a booking, the Customer must accept the Quotation and provide all required details, including full collection and delivery addresses, access information, preferred dates, and any special requirements.
4.2 Bookings are subject to availability. The Company will confirm the booking date and time window in writing or by electronic confirmation. No booking shall be treated as confirmed until the Customer has received such confirmation.
4.3 The Customer must notify the Company promptly of any changes to the booking, including changes to addresses, access arrangements, dates, times, volume of Goods, or requested services. Changes may affect the Quotation and may incur additional charges.
4.4 The Company will make reasonable efforts to accommodate changes in booking details, but cannot guarantee the availability of specific dates or times if altered after confirmation.
5. Access, Parking and Customer Obligations
5.1 The Customer is responsible for ensuring that suitable parking and access are available at both collection and delivery addresses. This includes arranging any parking permits, suspension of parking bays or other local permissions required for the vehicles used.
5.2 Any parking charges, fines or penalties incurred as a direct result of inadequate arrangements by the Customer may be charged to the Customer, together with a reasonable administration fee.
5.3 The Customer must ensure that the property is safe and that the Company has clear routes for moving Goods in and out, including adequate lighting and safe stairways or lifts where applicable.
5.4 The Customer must be present, or ensure that an authorised representative is present, at both collection and delivery addresses to direct operations, confirm items, and sign any job sheets, inventories or delivery notes.
5.5 The Customer must remove or secure any hazardous materials, valuables, cash, and important documents prior to the commencement of Services, unless there is a specific written agreement to transport such items.
6. Payments and Charges
6.1 The charges for the Services will be as set out in the Quotation or as otherwise agreed in writing. Prices may be calculated on a fixed price basis, hourly rate, or a combination of both, depending on the nature of the job.
6.2 Unless otherwise agreed, a deposit may be required at the time of booking, with the balance payable prior to or on the day of the move. For business customers or larger moves, specific payment schedules may be agreed.
6.3 Payment must be made using accepted methods as specified by the Company. The Company is not obliged to commence or continue Services if cleared funds have not been received when due.
6.4 If the move takes longer than reasonably estimated due to circumstances outside the Company's control, additional time may be charged at the prevailing hourly rate, subject to a minimum period as stated in the Quotation.
6.5 All sums payable under the Contract are exclusive of any applicable taxes, which shall be added to the invoice if applicable in accordance with current law.
6.6 If the Customer fails to make any payment on the due date, the Company may charge interest on the overdue amount at the statutory rate and may suspend further Services until full payment is received.
7. Cancellations, Postponements and Refunds
7.1 If the Customer wishes to cancel or postpone a booking, they must notify the Company in writing or by electronic message as soon as possible.
7.2 The following cancellation charges may apply, based on the notice period given before the scheduled move date:
a. More than 7 Working Days notice: any deposit paid may be refunded or transferred, subject to a reasonable administration fee.
b. Between 3 and 7 Working Days notice: up to 50 percent of the quoted price may be charged.
c. Less than 3 Working Days notice or on the day of the move: up to 100 percent of the quoted price may be charged.
7.3 In the event of postponement, the Company will use reasonable efforts to reschedule the move, subject to availability. Charges for postponement may apply, particularly where less than 7 Working Days notice is given.
7.4 The Company may cancel or suspend the Services if the Customer fails to comply with these Terms and Conditions, fails to make due payments, or where the Company reasonably considers that proceeding would be unsafe or unlawful. In such cases, cancellation charges may apply.
8. Customer Warranties and Excluded Items
8.1 The Customer warrants that:
a. They are the owner of the Goods or have full authority from the owner to enter into the Contract.
b. The Goods do not include any items that are prohibited, hazardous or illegal under UK law.
8.2 Unless expressly agreed in writing, the Company will not carry the following: live animals, plants, perishable goods, jewellery, watches, precious metals, cash, bonds, securities, firearms, explosives, flammable or corrosive substances, or any items of exceptional value or special risk.
8.3 If any such items are transported without the Company's knowledge, the Company shall have no liability for loss or damage to them and the Customer shall indemnify the Company against any resulting loss, damage, or expense.
9. Liability for Loss or Damage
9.1 The Company will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing the Services. The Company's liability for loss of or damage to Goods or property is subject to the limitations set out in this clause.
9.2 The Company will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from:
a. Goods packed or unpacked by the Customer or by third parties not engaged by the Company.
b. Defective or inadequate packing materials supplied by the Customer or third parties.
c. Inherent defects, natural deterioration or pre existing damage to the Goods.
d. Weather conditions, normal wear and tear, or atmospheric or temperature changes.
e. Any act or omission of the Customer or persons acting under the Customer's instruction.
f. Indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, loss of use, or loss of enjoyment.
9.3 The Company's total liability for loss of or damage to Goods, howsoever arising, shall not exceed a reasonable market value of the damaged or lost items up to a maximum amount per job as specified in the Quotation or any separate written agreement.
9.4 The Company shall have no liability for any loss or damage unless the Customer notifies the Company in writing of any visible loss or damage at the time of delivery or, in the case of non apparent damage, within 7 days of completion of the Services.
9.5 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall limit or exclude the Company's liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, fraud, or any other liability which cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law.
10. Delays and Events Beyond Our Control
10.1 The Company will use all reasonable endeavours to carry out the Services on the agreed date and within a reasonable time frame. However, timing is not of the essence unless expressly agreed in writing.
10.2 The Company shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform the Services due to events or circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to traffic congestion, road closures, accidents, breakdowns, adverse weather, strikes, acts of God, or public authority action.
10.3 If an event beyond the Company's control occurs, the Company will notify the Customer as soon as reasonably practicable and will take reasonable steps to minimise the impact, which may include rescheduling the Services.
11. Waste, Disposal and Environmental Regulations
11.1 The Company operates in accordance with applicable UK waste and environmental regulations. Any removal or disposal of waste, unwanted items, or rubbish must be expressly included in the Quotation.
11.2 The Customer must clearly identify any items to be disposed of in advance. The Company reserves the right to refuse removal of any items it reasonably believes to be hazardous, unlawful or not covered by the agreed Services.
11.3 Where waste removal services are provided, the Company will use licensed waste transfer stations or lawful disposal routes in accordance with applicable regulations.
11.4 The Customer shall not request or permit the Company to dispose of items in a manner that would breach UK waste laws or local regulations. Any costs, penalties or claims arising from unlawful disposal requested by the Customer shall be the responsibility of the Customer.
12. Insurance
12.1 The Company maintains appropriate insurance cover in respect of its legal liabilities in providing removal and related services.
12.2 The Customer is encouraged to obtain additional insurance for Goods of high value or particular sensitivity, especially where the value of Goods exceeds the Company's stated liability limits.
12.3 Details of the Company's standard liability limits may be provided upon request and may also be set out in the Quotation or supplementary documents.
13. Storage Services
13.1 Where the Company provides storage services, the terms in this clause shall also apply in addition to the rest of these Terms and Conditions.
13.2 Storage charges are payable in advance, usually on a monthly basis, unless otherwise agreed. Failure to pay storage charges when due may result in the Company exercising a lien over the Goods and, ultimately, disposing of them in accordance with applicable law to recover unpaid sums.
13.3 The Customer must provide an up to date correspondence address and contact details for the duration of any storage period and notify the Company promptly of any changes.
13.4 Access to stored Goods may be subject to reasonable notice periods and handling charges, as communicated by the Company.
14. Data Protection and Privacy
14.1 The Company will collect and process personal data about the Customer for the purpose of providing the Services, administering the Contract, and complying with legal obligations.
14.2 The Company will handle personal data in accordance with applicable UK data protection laws and will take appropriate measures to safeguard such information.
15. Complaints and Dispute Resolution
15.1 If the Customer is dissatisfied with any aspect of the Services, they should notify the Company as soon as reasonably practicable so that the Company can attempt to resolve the issue.
15.2 The Customer must provide reasonable details of any complaint, including dates, locations and a description of the concern, together with any supporting evidence where available.
15.3 The Company will review all complaints promptly and will seek to resolve them amicably. This may include repair, replacement, partial refund or another appropriate remedy where liability is accepted.
16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
16.1 These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, the Services, or the Contract, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
16.2 The parties agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising from or relating to these Terms and Conditions, the Services or the Contract.
17. General Provisions
17.1 If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is held by a court or competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall, to the extent required, be deemed to be deleted and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
17.2 No failure or delay by the Company in exercising any right or remedy under the Contract shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy.
17.3 The Customer may not assign or transfer any of their rights or obligations under the Contract without the prior written consent of the Company. The Company may assign or subcontract its rights and obligations where necessary to provide the Services.
17.4 These Terms and Conditions, together with the accepted Quotation and any written variations, constitute the entire agreement between the Company and the Customer and supersede any prior understandings, representations or agreements relating to the subject matter.
17.5 The headings in these Terms and Conditions are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation.
