House Clearance Barnes Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which House Clearance Barnes provides waste collection, clearance and related services. By booking or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before placing a booking.

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions have the meanings set out below:

1.1 "Company" means House Clearance Barnes, the provider of waste collection and clearance services.

1.2 "Customer" means any individual, business or organisation that requests, books or uses the services provided by the Company.

1.3 "Services" means house clearance, waste removal, rubbish collection, furniture removal, garden waste clearance and any other related services provided by the Company.

1.4 "Waste" means any items, materials, rubbish or goods that the Customer asks the Company to remove and dispose of as part of the Services.

1.5 "Booking" means a confirmed request by the Customer for the Company to provide the Services, whether made by telephone, email, online form or any other agreed method.

2. Scope of Services

2.1 The Company provides waste collection and clearance services for domestic and commercial premises, including but not limited to houses, flats, offices, garages, sheds and gardens.

2.2 The exact scope of the Services will be agreed with the Customer at the time of Booking, based on the information provided regarding the property, access and type and volume of Waste.

2.3 The Company reserves the right to refuse to collect any items that it reasonably believes are hazardous, illegal, excessively heavy, unsafe to handle, or outside the scope of the agreed Services.

3. Booking Process

3.1 The Customer may request a quotation or place a Booking by contacting the Company via telephone, email or online enquiry. All Bookings are subject to availability.

3.2 Quotations are usually based on information provided by the Customer about the Waste, property access, location and estimated volume or weight. The Customer warrants that all such information is complete and accurate to the best of their knowledge.

3.3 Any quotation provided by the Company is an estimate only and is not binding until confirmed as a Booking. The Company may revise the quotation if the actual Waste, access or work required differs from the information originally supplied.

3.4 A Booking is confirmed when the Customer accepts the quotation and the Company acknowledges that acceptance, whether verbally or in writing. The Company may require a deposit or pre-authorisation as part of the Booking process.

3.5 The Customer must ensure that a responsible adult is present at the property at the agreed date and time of the Booking, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

4. Access and Customer Obligations

4.1 The Customer must ensure that the Company has safe, reasonable and unobstructed access to the property and the Waste at the agreed time of the Booking.

4.2 The Customer must inform the Company in advance of any parking restrictions, access limitations, security procedures or other factors that may affect the performance of the Services.

4.3 If permits, visitor passes or parking arrangements are required for the Company’s vehicles, the Customer is responsible for arranging and paying for them in advance, unless otherwise agreed.

4.4 If the Company is unable to carry out the Services, or incurs additional costs, due to inadequate access, inaccurate information or failure by the Customer to comply with this clause, the Company may charge a reasonable fee to cover wasted time, travel and any parking charges or penalties incurred.

5. Payments and Charges

5.1 The price for the Services will be as set out in the confirmed quotation or as otherwise agreed in writing with the Customer.

5.2 Prices may be based on one or a combination of factors, including volume of Waste, weight, type of materials, labour time and any additional services (such as dismantling, packing or sorting).

5.3 Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due on completion of the Services on the day of collection. The Company may, at its discretion, require full or partial payment in advance.

5.4 The Company accepts payment by cash, bank transfer, and other commonly used electronic payment methods, as agreed at the time of Booking.

5.5 If the final amount of Waste collected differs from the original estimate, the Company reserves the right to adjust the price accordingly, provided that the Customer is informed before the additional work is carried out where reasonably possible.

5.6 If the Customer fails to pay any sum due to the Company on the due date, the Company may charge interest on the overdue amount at the statutory rate and may suspend or cancel any further services until full payment is received.

6. Cancellations and Rescheduling

6.1 The Customer may cancel or reschedule a Booking by giving the Company notice by telephone or email.

6.2 If the Customer cancels or reschedules more than 48 hours before the scheduled start time, no cancellation charge will normally apply, and any deposit paid may be refunded or transferred to a new Booking at the Company’s discretion.

6.3 If the Customer cancels or reschedules with less than 48 hours’ notice, the Company reserves the right to charge a reasonable cancellation fee to cover administrative costs, lost time and any expenses incurred.

6.4 If the Customer fails to provide access to the property at the scheduled time, or no responsible adult is present to authorise the work, this may be treated as a late cancellation and a fee may be charged.

6.5 The Company may cancel or reschedule a Booking due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, vehicle breakdown, staff illness or safety concerns. In such cases, the Company will notify the Customer as soon as reasonably practicable and offer an alternative date or refund any sums paid for services not provided.

7. Waste Handling and Regulations

7.1 The Company operates in accordance with applicable UK waste management legislation and regulations, including duties relating to the transport and disposal of controlled waste.

7.2 All Waste collected by the Company will be transported to licensed facilities for reuse, recycling, recovery or disposal, as appropriate. The Company aims to divert as much Waste as reasonably practicable from landfill.

7.3 The Customer confirms that they are the owner of the Waste or have the authority of the owner to arrange for its removal and disposal.

7.4 The Customer must not present any prohibited or hazardous items for collection unless previously agreed in writing. Prohibited or hazardous items may include, but are not limited to, asbestos, gas cylinders, certain chemicals, clinical waste, flammable substances and some electrical or electronic items.

7.5 If the Company discovers prohibited or hazardous Waste during the clearance, it may refuse to remove such items, or may agree to remove them subject to an additional charge and compliance with relevant regulations.

7.6 Once the Waste has been removed by the Company, ownership of that Waste transfers to the Company. The Customer will have no further claim to any items removed, unless otherwise agreed in writing in advance.

8. Customer Property and Valuables

8.1 The Customer is responsible for checking the property and identifying any items they wish to retain before the Services commence.

8.2 The Company cannot be held liable for the removal or disposal of items that the Customer intended to keep, if such items were not clearly separated or identified prior to the clearance and formed part of the Waste presented for collection.

8.3 If, during the course of the Services, the Company discovers items that appear to be of significant sentimental or monetary value, its staff will take reasonable steps to bring this to the Customer’s attention where practicable. However, the Company does not accept any duty to inspect items or assess their value.

9. Damage and Liability

9.1 The Company will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing the Services. However, minor scuffs or marks may occur where large or heavy items are moved through confined spaces. The Customer acknowledges this risk and agrees that the Company is not liable for minor cosmetic damage that could not reasonably be avoided.

9.2 The Customer should remove or protect any fragile, valuable or easily damaged items in areas where the Company will be working. The Company is not responsible for damage to items that were not removed or adequately protected by the Customer.

9.3 If the Company is found to be liable for damage to the Customer’s property, that liability will be limited to the reasonable cost of repair or replacement of the damaged item, taking account of its age and condition.

9.4 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits or excludes the Company’s liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability that cannot be limited or excluded under applicable law.

9.5 Subject to clause 9.4, the Company will not be liable for any indirect or consequential loss, loss of profits, loss of business, loss of data or any other loss that was not reasonably foreseeable at the time of entering into the contract.

9.6 The total liability of the Company to the Customer in respect of all losses arising under or in connection with any contract for Services shall not exceed the total price paid or payable for those Services.

10. Insurance

10.1 The Company maintains appropriate public liability and employer’s liability insurance in connection with the provision of its Services.

10.2 Details of insurance cover are available on request. The existence of insurance does not extend or increase the Company’s liability beyond that set out in these Terms and Conditions.

11. Complaints and Disputes

11.1 If the Customer is dissatisfied with any aspect of the Services, they should notify the Company as soon as possible, and in any event within 48 hours of completion of the Services, providing full details of the issue.

11.2 The Company will investigate any complaint promptly and aim to resolve it in a fair and reasonable manner. The Customer agrees to give the Company a reasonable opportunity to remedy any issues before taking further action.

11.3 If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, either party may consider using mediation or other alternative dispute resolution methods before proceeding with formal legal action.

12. Force Majeure

12.1 The Company will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations if such failure or delay results from events, circumstances or causes beyond its reasonable control. Such events may include, without limitation, extreme weather, accidents, road closures, breakdowns, strikes, lockouts, acts of government, or emergencies.

12.2 In such circumstances, the Company will inform the Customer as soon as reasonably practicable and will use reasonable endeavours to reschedule the Services or otherwise minimise any disruption.

13. Data Protection and Privacy

13.1 The Company may collect and process personal data relating to the Customer in order to manage Bookings, provide the Services, issue invoices and handle enquiries or complaints.

13.2 The Company will handle personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws and will take reasonable steps to keep such data secure and confidential.

13.3 The Customer’s contact details may be used by the Company to communicate about current or future services. The Customer may request that such communications cease at any time.

14. Variation of Terms

14.1 The Company reserves the right to amend or update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. Any changes will take effect when published or otherwise notified to the Customer.

14.2 The Terms and Conditions in force at the time of the Customer’s Booking will apply to that Booking, unless a change is required by law or regulation.

15. Severability

15.1 If any provision or part-provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal and enforceable.

15.2 If such modification is not possible, the relevant provision or part-provision shall be deemed deleted, and this shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions.

16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

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

16.2 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 the Services provided by the Company.

By placing a Booking with House Clearance Barnes, the Customer confirms that they have read, understood and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.