Terms and Conditions for Man With Van Cowley

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Man With Van Cowley provides moving, transport, lifting, and related van services to customers in the United Kingdom. By making a booking, the customer agrees to these terms, which form the contractual agreement between the customer and the service provider. They are designed to protect both parties, clarify expectations, and ensure that each man with a van service is completed safely, lawfully, and efficiently.

In these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the provider of the van service, and references to “you” and “your” mean the customer making the booking or using the service. These terms apply to all standard domestic and commercial transport jobs, including single-item moves, partial loads, furniture transport, and related collection or delivery work. They may be updated from time to time, and the version in force at the time of booking will apply.

Please read this document carefully before confirming any booking. If anything is unclear, you should raise it before the job is accepted. Once a booking is confirmed, you are deemed to have accepted these conditions in full, including the obligations relating to access, parking, item preparation, prohibited goods, and payment. For the avoidance of doubt, these terms apply whether the booking is made by phone, message, email, online form, or any other agreed method.

1. Booking Process

The booking process for man with van Cowley services begins when you provide the details of the job, including the collection and delivery addresses, preferred date and time, type and number of items, access conditions, and any special handling requirements. We may ask for photographs, approximate weights, dimensions, or further information to assess the suitability of the vehicle and the labour required. Accurate information is essential, because the price and scope of the service are based on the details supplied at the time of enquiry.

Any quotation given is normally an estimate unless expressly stated as fixed. A quotation may change if the job details differ from those originally described, if access is more difficult than advised, if additional waiting time is needed, or if extra items are added on the day. We reserve the right to refuse a booking if the requested job is unsafe, unlawful, beyond the capacity of the vehicle, or otherwise unsuitable. A booking is only confirmed once we have accepted the job and, where required, received any deposit or advance payment.

You are responsible for ensuring that someone is available at the collection and delivery points at the agreed times. If the customer is not present, or if keys, codes, permits, or building access arrangements are not available, delays may occur and additional charges may apply. The customer must also ensure that any items to be moved are ready for loading and that the premises are clear enough for safe access. We may refuse to move items that are not reasonably prepared, secured, or suitable for transport.

2. Pricing and Payment

The price for the service may be based on time, distance, volume, labour, waiting, fuel, congestion, parking charges, or a combination of these factors. All prices are agreed in advance where possible and may be stated as hourly, fixed, or estimated rates. Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due on completion of the job. We may request a deposit for certain bookings, especially for longer moves, high-value work, or late cancellations. Any deposit arrangement will be explained at the time of booking.

Accepted payment methods may include bank transfer, card payment, cash, or other methods agreed before the job starts. If card processing fees or bank transfer charges apply, these may be passed on where lawful and where previously disclosed. Late payment, failed payment, or refusal to pay the agreed amount may result in recovery action, including administration charges and interest where permitted by law. We may also withhold release of goods only to the extent allowed by law and only where necessary to secure payment for services already provided.

Additional charges may apply if the job takes longer than expected due to circumstances outside our control, such as traffic disruption, customer delays, incorrect access details, unprepared items, extra waiting, or changes requested by the customer. A fair adjustment may also be made where the actual volume or labour exceeds what was originally quoted. We aim to remain transparent, and any material change in price will normally be explained before the work continues, where this is reasonably possible.

3. Cancellations and Amendments

Cancellations should be made as soon as possible. If you cancel well in advance, no cancellation fee may apply, depending on the level of preparation already completed. However, if you cancel after a vehicle has been dispatched, a driver has left for the job, or work has already begun, you may be charged a cancellation fee reflecting our costs and lost time. Where a deposit has been paid, it may be retained in full or in part to cover reasonable losses caused by the cancellation.

If you wish to amend the booking, including changing the date, time, location, inventory, or service requirements, we will try to accommodate the request, but we cannot guarantee availability. Amendments may affect the price, the duration of the job, or the type of vehicle required. Any significant change must be confirmed by us before it is treated as part of the contract. If the amended job is materially different from the original booking, a new quotation may be issued.

We may cancel or suspend a booking if it becomes unsafe, unlawful, or impracticable to proceed, or if you fail to comply with these terms. Reasons may include but are not limited to aggressive behaviour, refusal to provide access information, unsuitable items, lack of parking where required, or excessive delay caused by the customer. In such cases, we may charge for time, travel, or costs already incurred, subject always to applicable law and fairness.

4. Customer Responsibilities

You must ensure that all items are suitable for transport and that any fragile, valuable, or hazardous goods are identified in advance. Unless we have expressly agreed to pack or dismantle items, you are responsible for securing loose contents, disconnecting appliances, draining liquids, and making items ready for lifting. We will handle goods with reasonable care, but we are not responsible for damage caused by poor packing, hidden defects, unstable furniture, or pre-existing weakness in the item.

It is your responsibility to make sure that all goods you ask us to move are lawfully owned by you or that you have permission to move them. You must not ask us to transport stolen property, contraband, illegal waste, or any item the carriage of which would breach the law or expose us to liability. If we reasonably suspect that any goods are unlawful or unsafe, we may refuse to carry them and may end the booking if required to do so.

You must also provide accurate instructions about access, loading points, stairs, lifts, road restrictions, and parking. If permits, loading bay arrangements, or building permissions are needed, you must arrange them unless we have agreed otherwise in writing. Failure to do so may result in delays or additional charges. Where a customer provides incorrect or incomplete information, we are not liable for resulting losses, provided we have acted reasonably and within the law.

5. Liability and Insurance

We will take reasonable care in providing the man with van service and in handling your items, but our liability is limited to the extent permitted by law. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. Subject to that, we are not liable for indirect loss, loss of profit, loss of business, or consequential loss arising from the service.

Where we are found liable for loss or damage to items caused directly by our negligence, our liability may be limited to the repair cost, replacement value, or a reasonable amount reflecting the actual loss, whichever is lower and is fair in the circumstances. We may require evidence of value, photographs, purchase receipts, or repair quotations before considering any claim. Claims must be raised promptly and, in any event, within a reasonable time after delivery or the date on which the issue was discovered.

We are not responsible for damage caused by unavoidable events, pre-existing defects, the inherent nature of the item, inadequate packaging, customer instructions, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control. This includes, for example, damage to items that are already fragile, unstable, overfilled, poorly secured, or improperly assembled. If you ask us to move items in a way that increases the risk of damage, you do so at your own risk, unless the law requires otherwise.

6. Waste Handling and Regulatory Compliance

Where our service includes disposal, clearance, or transport of waste, the customer must comply with all applicable waste regulations in the United Kingdom. We will only remove waste that has been agreed in advance and only where we are legally permitted to do so. It is your responsibility to disclose whether items are waste, reusable goods, or mixed loads. We do not accept hazardous waste, clinical waste, asbestos, chemicals, oils, gas cylinders, or any other controlled substance unless specifically and lawfully arranged.

Waste must be described truthfully. If we agree to remove items as waste, they may be transferred to an authorised facility, transfer station, or disposal site in accordance with the relevant legal requirements. The customer remains responsible for the accuracy of the description of the waste and for ensuring that prohibited waste is not included in the load. If we discover prohibited or undeclared waste, we may refuse collection, require immediate unloading, or charge for any additional costs incurred.

We may ask for proof that items are being moved for legitimate disposal or reuse where this is necessary to comply with legal obligations. You agree not to use the service to evade your responsibilities under environmental, duty of care, or carrier obligations. We reserve the right to decline any waste-related work that could expose us to regulatory breach. For the avoidance of doubt, the customer is responsible for any fines, penalties, or enforcement action arising from inaccurate declarations or unlawful waste presented for transport.

7. Delays, Force Majeure, and Access Issues

We will make reasonable efforts to arrive at the agreed time, but arrival times are estimates unless expressly guaranteed. Delays can occur due to traffic, weather, accidents, road closures, vehicle issues, or other factors outside our control. We are not liable for delay-related losses where we have taken reasonable steps to minimise disruption. If a delay becomes significant, we will aim to inform you and agree a revised plan where practical.

Neither party will be liable for failure or delay in performing obligations caused by events beyond reasonable control, including severe weather, industrial action, civil disturbance, fire, flood, epidemic, governmental restrictions, or sudden road closures. If such an event makes the job impossible or unsafe, we may reschedule or cancel without liability for indirect losses. Any money already paid for work not performed may be refunded or credited, subject to lawful deductions for costs already incurred.

Where access is restricted by narrow roads, low bridges, height limits, weight limits, or building constraints, it is your duty to notify us beforehand. If the vehicle cannot safely reach the location, or if we must take an alternative route, additional costs may arise. We will always act reasonably and in accordance with the law, but we cannot be held responsible for problems caused by undisclosed access restrictions or unsuitable premises.

8. Claims, Complaints, and General Provisions

If you believe something has gone wrong, you should notify us as soon as possible so that we can investigate. Any claim for damage, missing items, or service failure should include reasonable detail, supporting evidence, and the date of the incident. We may ask to inspect the items, packaging, or delivery location. Failure to notify us promptly may affect our ability to investigate and may reduce or remove any remedy that might otherwise have been available.

If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful, invalid, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. No waiver of any term will be effective unless agreed by us in writing, and any failure to enforce a right on one occasion does not prevent us from enforcing it later. These terms are intended to be read together with any written quotation or booking confirmation, and in the event of conflict, the written booking details will prevail where legally appropriate.

We may assign or subcontract part of the service if necessary to complete the work efficiently, provided that the standard of service remains reasonable. You may not transfer your rights or obligations under the booking without our consent. Any notices relating to the booking should be given in writing through the agreed communication method. These terms create no rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 for any person not party to the contract unless expressly stated otherwise.

9. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with the service, the booking, or these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, unless another jurisdiction is required by mandatory law. The contract is intended to operate consistently with UK consumer law, transport law, waste legislation, and any other applicable legal requirements.

By using the man with van Cowley service, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these terms. If you proceed with a booking, request a quotation, or permit the service to begin, you acknowledge that these conditions apply to the extent permitted by law. These terms are intended to provide a fair and lawful framework for both the customer and the provider, ensuring that each booking is handled professionally, transparently, and with due regard to safety and compliance.