Blackfriars Removals Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions govern the provision of removal and related services by Blackfriars Removals and apply to all bookings, quotations, instructions and completed works unless otherwise agreed in writing. By placing a booking, confirming acceptance of a quotation, or otherwise instructing us to begin work, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms. For the purposes of these terms, references to “we”, “us” and “our” mean Blackfriars Removals, and references to “you” or “the customer” mean the person, company or organisation receiving the service.

These conditions are intended to set out a clear framework for the supply of removal services, including domestic moves, business relocations, packing support, furniture handling and any associated labour. They are designed to protect both parties by defining the booking process, payment obligations, cancellation rights, limits of liability, waste handling responsibilities and the governing law that applies to the contract. Nothing in these terms affects any rights that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law.

The customer is responsible for ensuring that all information supplied before booking is accurate and complete, including addresses, access details, inventory information, parking restrictions, item dimensions, special handling requirements and any known risks. Failure to disclose material information may affect the quotation, the timing of the move, the safety of personnel, and any resulting charges. We reserve the right to amend a quote or decline work if the service requested differs materially from the information originally provided.

1. Booking Process

All Blackfriars removal terms begin with a request for a quotation. Quotations may be based on a site visit, an inventory, photographs, video assessment or written descriptions provided by the customer. Any estimate given before a full assessment is an indicative estimate only unless expressly confirmed as fixed in writing. Acceptance of a quotation may be completed verbally, electronically or in writing, and does not become binding until we issue confirmation of the booking. A booking is only secured once accepted by us and, where requested, any deposit has been received.

It is the customer’s responsibility to check all booking details carefully, including service dates, collection and delivery addresses, access arrangements, storage requirements, parking permissions, key collection arrangements and any items requiring specialist handling. If the customer requests changes after confirmation, we may need to revise the price, staffing levels, vehicle allocation or completion date. Where a move involves a chain of timings or third-party deadlines, the customer must notify us of any critical time constraints in advance so we can assess whether they can reasonably be met.

We may refuse or withdraw a booking where we reasonably believe the work would be unsafe, unlawful, outside our capabilities, or inconsistent with the information supplied. This includes, without limitation, circumstances involving hazardous goods, concealed heavy items, inadequate access, insufficient parking, unreasonable loading conditions, or items that require specialist licences or equipment not agreed in advance. If we identify such issues on the day of the move, we may suspend the service until the problem is resolved or treat the booking as cancelled by the customer, in which case charges may apply.

2. Pricing and Payment

Prices will be set out in the quotation or booking confirmation and may be based on hourly rates, fixed fees, distance, manpower, vehicle size, packing materials, storage duration or a combination of these. Unless otherwise stated, quotes are exclusive of VAT, congestion charges, tolls, parking penalties, ferry costs, wait times, additional labour, and any third-party charges caused by access restrictions or customer instructions. If the scope changes during the service, we may issue an updated charge reflecting the additional work or time.

Payment terms will be communicated at the time of booking. We may require a deposit to secure a slot, with the balance payable before unloading, on completion, or within a specified period for approved business accounts. We reserve the right to suspend services, withhold delivery, or retain goods in accordance with applicable law if overdue sums remain unpaid. Any overdue amount may accrue interest at the statutory rate permitted under UK law, together with reasonable recovery costs.

The customer must ensure that payment is made by an authorised person using a valid method accepted by us. All charges must be paid in full without deduction, withholding, set-off or counterclaim unless agreed in writing or required by law. If the customer disputes part of an invoice, the undisputed portion remains payable by the due date. Any promotional discount or special rate applies only to the specific service described and may be withdrawn if the booking is altered.

3. Cancellations, Postponements and Delays

Cancellations and postponements must be notified as soon as possible. Because removal services involve scheduling staff, vehicles and resources in advance, cancellation charges may apply. If a booking is cancelled at short notice, we may charge a proportion of the agreed fee or retain any deposit to cover administrative costs, lost availability and preparatory work. The exact charge may vary depending on the notice given, the type of service and whether third-party costs have already been incurred.

If the customer postpones the service, we will make reasonable efforts to reschedule subject to availability. However, a new date is not guaranteed and may be subject to revised pricing or altered terms if labour, equipment or transport costs have changed. Where we are unable to complete the service on the scheduled date due to customer delay, inaccessible premises, missing keys, failure to obtain access permission, or failure to prepare the property, we may charge waiting time, abortive call-out fees, or a return visit fee.

We will not be responsible for delays caused by factors outside our reasonable control, including traffic disruption, severe weather, road closures, accidents, police action, industrial disputes, or delays caused by third parties. In such cases, we will take reasonable steps to complete the service safely and efficiently, but timing estimates are not guaranteed unless expressly stated as a fixed completion commitment. The customer should allow sufficient flexibility around moving day arrangements to account for unavoidable disruptions.

4. Customer Duties and Service Conditions

The customer must ensure that all items to be moved are properly prepared, unless packing or dismantling has been specifically included in the service. This includes removing loose fittings, defrosting appliances where necessary, securing drawers and doors, disconnecting appliances only where safe and lawful to do so, and ensuring items are not contaminated, dangerous or prohibited. Fragile items should be declared in advance and packed appropriately if the customer has undertaken packing themselves.

The customer must provide a safe working environment and appropriate access to the premises, including sufficient parking, entry clearance, lighting, working space and permission to use lifts, loading bays or shared areas where relevant. We may refuse to move any item that poses a risk to our staff, other property, or the public. If we are instructed to move an item that appears unstable, defective or unsuitable for transport, we may decline responsibility unless the risk has been assessed and accepted in writing.

Valuables, cash, jewellery, documents of title, passports and similar high-value personal items should not be included in the removal load unless we have agreed otherwise in advance. The customer should keep such items in their own possession. We are not obliged to verify the contents of boxes, and we accept no liability for undisclosed contents that are fragile, prohibited or improperly packed. Any special handling request should be made before the move so the necessary precautions can be considered.

5. Liability, Insurance and Claims

We will exercise reasonable care and skill in the provision of our removals and relocation services. However, our liability is limited to loss or damage caused by our negligence, breach of contract, or failure to use reasonable care and skill, subject always to the exclusions and caps permitted by law. We are not liable for pre-existing damage, normal wear and tear, inherent defects, contamination, deterioration, or damage caused by items being inadequately packed or unsuitable for transport.

Where liability arises, we may choose to repair, replace or compensate for the affected item, taking into account depreciation, age, condition and supporting evidence of value. The customer must notify us of any loss or damage as soon as reasonably possible and in any event within a reasonable period after delivery. Claims must be supported by photographs, descriptions and proof of ownership or value where appropriate. Failure to provide timely notice may prejudice any claim.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. Our total liability for a claim arising out of or in connection with the contract shall not exceed the amount paid or payable for the specific service giving rise to the claim, except where a higher limit is required by law. We are not liable for consequential or indirect losses such as loss of profit, business interruption, loss of earnings or emotional distress.

6. Waste Regulations and Disposal

Where the service includes disposal, clearance or the removal of unwanted items, both parties must comply with UK waste legislation. The customer must identify any items that are to be disposed of and must not use our service to discard hazardous, restricted or regulated waste unless this has been expressly agreed and can lawfully be handled. Examples include chemicals, paint, asbestos, batteries, oils, clinical waste, gas cylinders, electrical items and other controlled materials.

We may ask the customer to confirm ownership and authority to dispose of items, particularly where the goods may belong to a third party or be subject to recycling, resale or data protection concerns. If items contain personal data, confidential material or electronic storage devices, the customer is responsible for ensuring that such data has been securely removed, erased or destroyed before disposal. We do not accept responsibility for data loss where such steps have not been taken.

Any waste collected as part of our service will be transported and handled in accordance with applicable regulations, including licensing, transfer documentation and duty of care requirements where relevant. If we discover hazardous or prohibited waste on site, we may stop work immediately and charge for any abortive time. The customer remains responsible for any fines, claims, clean-up costs or legal consequences arising from inaccurate descriptions or unlawful disposal requests.

7. Storage, Retention and Uncollected Goods

Where storage is arranged, separate conditions may apply in addition to these terms. If storage is temporary or incidental to a removal, we will take reasonable care of the goods while they remain in our custody, subject to the nature of the items and the limitations of the storage environment. The customer must ensure that goods placed in storage are suitable for storage and are not perishable, dangerous or unlawfully held.

If goods are not collected or delivered as arranged, or if payment remains outstanding, we may exercise our contractual and legal rights over the goods to recover sums due, including the right to charge storage, redelivery and administration fees. Where permitted by law, and after giving the required notices, we may dispose of or sell uncollected goods to recover the debt and associated costs. Any surplus after deduction of lawful charges will be dealt with in accordance with applicable law.

The customer must keep us informed of any change to contact details, delivery instructions or authority to release goods. We are entitled to rely on the latest instructions provided by an authorised representative of the customer. If there is a dispute between multiple parties claiming the same goods, we may suspend release until the dispute is resolved or suitable written authority is produced.

8. Data, Instructions and Contract Changes

We will process personal data only as necessary to administer the booking, provide the service, manage payments and deal with related operational matters. Any data handling will be carried out in accordance with applicable data protection law. The customer should ensure that any personal information supplied to us is accurate and, where relevant, that they have authority to share it with us for service purposes.

Any instruction that changes the agreed scope of work should be provided in writing or clearly confirmed through an authorised communication method. Oral requests may be accepted during the job for practical reasons, but may still result in revised charges or altered completion times. If a written quotation conflicts with these terms, the wording of the quotation will prevail only to the extent of that specific conflict and only where it has been expressly approved by us.

We may update these terms from time to time, but the version in force at the time of booking will apply to that booking unless a change is required by law or agreed by both parties. If any provision is found to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. No failure by us to enforce a right will be treated as a waiver of that right.

9. Governing Law

These Blackfriars Removals terms and conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute, claim or matter arising out of or in connection with the contract, the services, or these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, except where mandatory law provides otherwise. If the customer is a consumer, this does not affect any mandatory rights that apply in the customer’s home jurisdiction where such rights cannot legally be excluded.

By proceeding with a booking, the customer confirms that they have read, understood and accepted these terms. The customer also confirms that they are authorised to enter into the contract on behalf of any other person or organisation named in the booking. These conditions should be read together with any quotation, booking confirmation or written variation issued by us, and together they form the full agreement between the parties.

In summary, our aim is to provide a professional and reliable removal service while maintaining transparent commercial terms and lawful handling of goods and waste. These provisions are intended to allocate risk fairly, support safe working practices and ensure that both sides understand their rights and obligations before work begins and after completion.