Terms and Conditions for Man With A Van Cowley
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Man With A Van Cowley provides removal, transportation, loading, unloading, and related van moving services to domestic and commercial customers. By making a booking, confirming a quotation, or allowing work to begin, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms. Please read them carefully before placing a booking for man and van services, a single-item collection, a part-load move, or any other agreed transport service.
These terms are designed to be fair and practical. They explain how bookings are accepted, how payments are handled, when cancellations may apply, what liability is accepted or excluded, how waste and disposal work, and which law governs the agreement. If any part of these terms is unclear, it is the customer’s responsibility to request clarification before the service starts. Nothing in these terms affects the customer’s statutory rights under UK law.
In these terms, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to the service provider operating as Man With A Van Cowley. “Customer”, “you”, or “your” means the person requesting the service, including any individual, business, landlord, tenant, agent, or other representative who makes the booking or authorises the work. These terms apply to all van and driver bookings unless we expressly agree otherwise in writing.
Bookings may be made by telephone, email, online form, messaging platform, or any other channel we make available from time to time. A booking is not confirmed until we have accepted the job, confirmed availability, and, where requested, received a deposit or advance payment. Quotations are generally based on the information you provide, including access details, item description, volume, floors, distance, parking restrictions, and any handling requirements. If the job changes materially, we may revise the quotation before or during the service.
It is your responsibility to provide accurate and complete information. This includes the number and type of items, estimated weight, collection and delivery addresses, access arrangements, lift availability, stairs, waiting time expectations, packing status, and any likely difficulties. If the information provided is incomplete or inaccurate, we may adjust the price, alter the vehicle size, change the staffing requirement, or refuse to proceed if the work cannot safely be completed as originally quoted.
We may request photographs, inventory details, or other supporting information to help assess the booking. This is especially relevant for bulky items, fragile goods, trade equipment, student moves, office relocations, or jobs involving potential waste removal. Any estimate supplied before inspection is based on the details available at the time. The final service plan may be updated on arrival if the actual conditions differ from the description provided.
Payment terms will be confirmed at the time of booking or in the quotation. Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due on completion of the service and must be made in full by cash, bank transfer, card, or any other payment method we accept. For certain bookings, we may require a deposit, pre-authorisation, or full prepayment to secure the date. Any deposit taken may be non-refundable where stated, subject to applicable consumer law.
All prices are quoted in pounds sterling unless stated otherwise. Prices may be given as a fixed amount, hourly rate, or an estimate. If the work takes longer than expected due to factors outside our control, including access delays, additional items, parking issues, or waiting for keys, the final charge may increase accordingly. We reserve the right to charge for extra time, additional labour, dismantling, reassembly, stairs, mileage, congestion, tolls, or disposal fees where these are not included in the original quotation.
If payment is not received when due, we may withhold delivery, retain goods where lawful, charge reasonable administration costs, and recover any debt collection or legal costs incurred in enforcing payment. Late payment may also result in interest and additional charges to the extent permitted by law. The customer remains responsible for all sums due even where the service was booked by a third party on their behalf.
Cancellations and rescheduling requests should be made as early as possible. If you cancel with sufficient notice, we may at our discretion offer a refund of any amount paid, subject to any non-refundable deposit or costs already incurred. If you cancel at short notice, fail to provide access, are not present at the agreed time, or are otherwise unable to proceed, we may charge a cancellation fee to cover lost time, vehicle allocation, staff costs, and associated expenses.
Where a booking is rescheduled, we will try to accommodate a new date, but availability cannot be guaranteed. Repeated changes to the booking, substantial alterations to the inventory, or changes to access conditions may require a revised quotation. If we attend a job and cannot complete it because the customer has not prepared adequately, has not obtained permission to park or enter, or cannot be reached, the booking may be treated as a late cancellation or abortive visit.
We reserve the right to cancel or suspend a booking if the service cannot be performed safely, lawfully, or commercially. This may include circumstances such as severe traffic disruption, adverse weather, vehicle failure, staff unavailability, suspected fraud, unsafe premises, or the presence of prohibited items. In such cases, we will aim to notify you promptly and, where appropriate, offer a new date, partial refund, or alternative arrangement, but we are not liable for indirect losses caused by cancellation beyond our control.
Our liability is limited to losses directly caused by our negligence or breach of contract and only to the extent required by law. We will take reasonable care when handling goods, furniture, and equipment, but we are not responsible for pre-existing damage, inadequate packaging, hidden defects, or items that are inherently fragile, unstable, or improperly assembled. You must ensure that goods are suitably packed and protected unless we have expressly agreed in writing to do so.
We are not liable for loss of earnings, missed appointments, business interruption, consequential loss, or other indirect losses arising from delays or failures outside our reasonable control. Where liability cannot be excluded under law, our total liability for any claim arising from a booking will be limited to the amount paid for the specific service in question, except in cases of death or personal injury caused by our negligence or any liability that cannot legally be limited.
Claims for damage, loss, or shortage must be notified as soon as reasonably possible and, in any event, within a reasonable time after completion of the service. You should inspect delivered items promptly. Where possible, keep packaging, photographs, and any supporting evidence so that concerns can be assessed fairly. We may require proof of value, proof of ownership, and evidence of the condition before and after transit.
If the service includes disposal, clearance, or removal of unwanted items, you must tell us in advance exactly what is to be removed and whether anything may be classed as waste, recyclable material, electrical equipment, or hazardous substance. We will only remove and dispose of items in accordance with applicable UK waste regulations and may refuse to handle anything we consider unsafe, unlawful, contaminated, or beyond our permitted scope of operation.
The customer is responsible for ensuring that any waste handed over for removal is lawfully owned by them or that they have authority to arrange its disposal. Fly-tipped materials, stolen property, clinical waste, chemicals, gas cylinders, asbestos, pressurised containers, batteries, oils, and other controlled substances must not be placed for collection unless we have expressly agreed and are legally able to transport them. Where special treatment, licensing, or documentation is required, additional charges may apply.
For waste removal and clearance work, the customer acknowledges that we may be required to sort, separate, or reject certain items in order to comply with environmental rules and duty-of-care obligations. If prohibited materials are discovered after collection has begun, we may stop the work and ask the customer to remove them, arrange specialist handling, or accept revised charges for compliant disposal. Any waste transfer documentation required by law will be completed where applicable.
Customers must ensure that the premises, route, and loading area are reasonably accessible and safe. This includes arranging any necessary parking permission, access codes, keys, permits, reception arrangements, and item preparation. You must secure pets, clear pathways, protect floors where needed, and notify us of any hazards such as loose wiring, narrow stairs, fragile surfaces, low ceilings, or restricted head height. We may refuse to move items if doing so would create a risk to people or property.
Unless we agree otherwise, the customer is responsible for disassembling and reassembling furniture, disconnecting appliances, and preparing items for transport. If we help with dismantling, wrapping, or carrying, this is provided on a reasonable-efforts basis only and subject to the item’s condition and suitability. We do not guarantee that all items can be moved through a particular access route, especially where measurements, weight, or structure make the move impractical.
Risk in the goods usually passes once the items have been loaded onto our vehicle, and returns to the customer upon delivery and unloading, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Title to goods remains with the owner at all times. We do not accept responsibility for items left unattended at the customer’s request if delivery cannot be completed due to access issues, refusal to receive, or lack of instructions. Where storage or redelivery is necessary, additional costs may apply.
Any time estimates, arrival windows, or completion times are given in good faith but are not guaranteed unless expressly agreed as a contractual commitment. Delays can occur because of traffic, weather, loading complications, waiting time, or other events beyond our control. We will use reasonable efforts to keep the customer informed where practicable. If a delay occurs, it does not automatically entitle the customer to compensation unless required by law or specifically agreed.
We may subcontract or assign part of the service to suitably qualified persons where necessary, but we remain responsible for the service as a whole subject to these terms. Any subcontractor will be expected to work to appropriate standards and comply with relevant legal obligations. You may not assign your rights or obligations under the booking without our prior consent.
These terms may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in our operations, pricing methods, or legal requirements. The version in force at the time of booking will normally apply to that booking, unless a later change is required by law or is expressly agreed by both parties. If any provision is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect.
Nothing in these terms limits or excludes liability where it would be unlawful to do so. In particular, these terms do not affect liability for fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or death and personal injury caused by negligence. Where we provide a consumer service, we will act with reasonable care and skill and perform the service within a reasonable time, unless otherwise agreed with you in advance.
For business customers, additional terms may apply if set out in a written quotation, contract, or invoice. In the event of inconsistency, any specific written agreement accepted by both parties will take precedence over these standard terms to the extent of the inconsistency. Silence, delay in enforcement, or a one-off waiver does not mean we give up any right under these terms.
The contract between you and us is formed when we accept your booking and/or begin performance of the agreed work. By proceeding, you confirm that you are authorised to accept these terms on behalf of yourself or the party for whom the service is arranged. You also confirm that all information supplied is accurate to the best of your knowledge and that you will cooperate in good faith to allow the job to be completed safely and lawfully.
This agreement and any dispute or claim arising from it shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any matter arising under or in connection with these terms, unless applicable consumer law provides otherwise. If a dispute arises, both parties should first try to resolve it informally and reasonably before starting formal proceedings.
These Terms and Conditions form the entire agreement between the parties regarding the service, except where a separate written agreement has been signed or explicitly accepted. No statement made before booking will override these terms unless confirmed in writing. By using Man With A Van Cowley, you agree that these terms represent a clear and binding framework for man with a van work, transport-only moves, and associated clearance or delivery services.