House Clearance Chiswick Terms and Conditions of Service

These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of house clearance and waste collection services by House Clearance Chiswick to you as the customer. By booking or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before placing an order or confirming a booking.

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions, the following definitions apply:

Company refers to House Clearance Chiswick, the provider of house clearance and waste collection services.

Customer refers to any individual, business, landlord, agent or organisation that books or uses the Companys services.

Services refers to house clearance, part-clearance, waste collection, bulky waste removal, garden waste removal, and any related services carried out by the Company.

Premises refers to the property or site where the Services are to be carried out.

Waste refers to any items, materials, furniture, appliances, or rubbish to be removed as part of the Services.

2. Service Description

The Company provides house clearance and waste collection services, including the removal and lawful disposal or recycling of household items, furniture, appliances, and general rubbish. Services may also include light sorting, carrying, loading, and tidying of areas cleared, subject to the specific service booked.

The exact scope of the Services, including volume of waste, type of items, access requirements, and any additional tasks, will be agreed with the Customer at the time of quotation and booking. Any work requested beyond the agreed scope may be subject to additional charges.

3. Booking Process

3.1 Bookings may be made by telephone, email, or through an online enquiry or booking system where available. A booking is only considered confirmed when the Company has provided a written or verbal confirmation along with any applicable reference or job number.

3.2 The Customer must provide accurate and complete information when requesting a quotation or making a booking. This includes, but is not limited to, details of the Premises, access conditions, parking availability, approximate volume and type of Waste, and any items requiring special handling.

3.3 Quotations are based on the information provided by the Customer and on the assumption of normal access and working conditions. The Company reserves the right to revise the quotation or apply additional charges if the information provided was incomplete, inaccurate, or if conditions at the Premises materially differ from those described.

3.4 The Company may, at its discretion, request photographs, videos, or an on-site assessment before confirming a final quotation. Any quotation provided prior to an on-site assessment is indicative only and may be adjusted once the Company has inspected the Premises.

4. Pricing and Payment

4.1 Prices are typically calculated based on factors including volume of Waste, weight, type of materials, labour time, access difficulty, and any disposal or recycling fees. All prices will be communicated to the Customer before the commencement of the Services wherever reasonably possible.

4.2 Unless otherwise stated, prices quoted are exclusive of any applicable value added tax or similar charges. If VAT is chargeable, it will be clearly stated at the time of quotation and on any invoice issued.

4.3 The Company reserves the right to adjust prices in response to changes in disposal costs, recycling charges, fuel costs, or other relevant factors. Any such changes will not affect confirmed bookings unless previously agreed with the Customer.

4.4 Payment terms will be confirmed at the time of booking. Unless agreed otherwise in writing, payment is due immediately upon completion of the Services. The Company may, at its discretion, require full or partial payment in advance, particularly for larger clearances or commercial work.

4.5 The Company accepts payment by cash, bank transfer, and, where available, by card or other electronic payment methods. The acceptable payment methods will be notified to the Customer when confirming the booking.

4.6 Where payment is not received on time, the Company reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts at the statutory rate, along with any reasonable costs incurred in collecting the debt.

5. Cancellations and Rescheduling

5.1 The Customer may cancel or reschedule a booking by providing notice to the Company. The amount of notice required and any applicable charges will depend on the timing of the cancellation as set out below.

5.2 If the Customer cancels more than 48 hours before the scheduled start time, no cancellation fee will normally be charged, and any deposit paid may be refunded or applied to a future booking at the Companys discretion.

5.3 If the Customer cancels less than 48 hours but more than 24 hours before the scheduled start time, the Company may charge a reasonable cancellation fee to cover administrative and scheduling costs.

5.4 If the Customer cancels less than 24 hours before the scheduled start time, or if the Customer fails to provide access to the Premises or is not present where required, the Company reserves the right to charge up to the full quoted price.

5.5 The Customer may request to reschedule a booking subject to availability. The Company will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the request but does not guarantee that an alternative date or time can be provided.

5.6 The Company reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a booking due to unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to vehicle breakdown, staff illness, adverse weather, or other events beyond its reasonable control. In such cases, the Company will offer the earliest possible alternative date and time. The Company will not be liable for any loss resulting from such cancellation or rescheduling.

6. Access and Parking

6.1 The Customer is responsible for ensuring adequate access to the Premises, including the removal of any obstacles that could hinder the provision of the Services. This includes ensuring that items to be removed are disconnected, empty, and reasonably accessible.

6.2 The Customer must inform the Company of any access issues, such as narrow staircases, restricted entry points, or distance from parking to the Premises, at the time of booking.

6.3 The Customer is responsible for arranging and paying for any necessary parking permits or permissions for the Companys vehicles. If parking is not available or is restricted, the Company may charge additional time or labour costs, or may be unable to complete the work.

7. Items We Can and Cannot Remove

7.1 The Company will remove general household items, furniture, appliances, and non-hazardous waste in accordance with applicable waste regulations.

7.2 The Company cannot remove certain hazardous or restricted materials, including but not limited to asbestos, medical waste, chemicals, solvents, oils, gas bottles, explosives, and any items classified as hazardous waste unless specifically agreed in writing and handled under appropriate licences and regulations.

7.3 If the Company encounters restricted or hazardous items at the Premises that were not disclosed at the time of booking, it may refuse to remove those items and may apply additional charges for time lost, or in some cases may terminate the Services.

7.4 The Customer is responsible for ensuring that no valuable items, important documents, or personal belongings that should not be removed are left in areas designated for clearance. Once removed and disposed of, such items may not be retrievable.

8. Waste Regulations and Duty of Care

8.1 The Company will handle, transport, and dispose of Waste in compliance with relevant waste management legislation and regulatory requirements applicable in the United Kingdom.

8.2 The Company will only use licensed waste transfer stations, recycling facilities, or disposal sites and will take reasonable steps to maximise reuse and recycling where practicable.

8.3 The Company may issue a waste transfer note or similar documentation where required by law or requested by the Customer. The Customer should retain such documentation for their records.

8.4 Once the Company has collected the Waste, ownership of that Waste transfers to the Company, unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Company will then be responsible for its onward management in accordance with applicable regulations.

9. Customer Responsibilities

9.1 The Customer warrants that they are the legal owner of the items to be removed, or that they have the full authority and consent of the owner or relevant party to arrange the clearance.

9.2 The Customer must ensure that the Premises are safe for the Companys staff to work in, and must inform the Company of any known risks, such as structural defects, sharp objects, vermin, or hazardous conditions.

9.3 The Customer must disconnect appliances, cap off utilities where required, and empty fridges, freezers, and containers of perishable goods unless otherwise agreed as part of the Services.

9.4 The Customer agrees not to instruct the Companys staff to perform any illegal activity or to dispose of any items in breach of applicable regulations.

10. Liability and Limitations

10.1 The Company will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing the Services. However, the Company will not be liable for normal wear and tear, minor scuffs, or marks that may occur when removing large or heavy items from confined spaces, provided reasonable care has been taken.

10.2 The Customer should highlight any particularly delicate surfaces, fixtures, or items that require extra care before the Services commence. The Company will take reasonable steps to minimise the risk of damage.

10.3 The Companys total liability for any proven loss or damage arising from the Services, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, shall be limited to the total amount paid or payable by the Customer for the relevant Services, except where such limitation is not permitted by law.

10.4 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

10.5 The Company will not be liable for any indirect or consequential losses, including loss of profits, loss of business, or loss of opportunity, arising from or in connection with the provision of the Services.

11. Insurance

The Company maintains insurance cover appropriate for the nature of its business, including public liability insurance. Details of current insurance cover can be provided upon request. The existence of insurance does not extend or increase the Companys liability beyond that set out in these Terms and Conditions.

12. Complaints

12.1 If the Customer is dissatisfied with any aspect of the Services, they should notify the Company as soon as reasonably possible, ideally on the day of service or within 48 hours of completion.

12.2 The Company will investigate any complaint in a fair and timely manner and will seek to reach a reasonable resolution. The Customer must allow the Company an opportunity to inspect the Premises or any alleged damage before any remedial action is taken by third parties.

13. Force Majeure

The Company will not be in breach of these Terms and Conditions or liable for any delay or failure in performance where such delay or failure results from events, circumstances, or causes beyond its reasonable control. Such events may include, but are not limited to, extreme weather, fire, flood, strikes, lockouts, pandemics, transport disruptions, or acts of government.

14. Privacy and Data Protection

The Company may collect and process personal information about the Customer for the purpose of handling enquiries, bookings, payments, and the provision of Services. The Company will handle such information in accordance with applicable data protection laws and will take reasonable steps to protect personal data against loss, misuse, or unauthorised access.

15. Variation of Terms

The Company reserves the right to update or amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time of the Customers booking will apply to that booking. An up-to-date copy of the Terms and Conditions will be available on request.

16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or the Services provided, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

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.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is held to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be deemed severed from the remaining provisions, which will continue to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions, together with any written quotation or confirmation of booking provided by the Company, constitute the entire agreement between the parties in relation to the Services and supersede any previous understanding, agreement, or arrangement relating to the same subject matter.

By booking or using the Services of House Clearance Chiswick, the Customer confirms that they have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.