France Removals Standard Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which France Removals provides residential and commercial removal, relocation, packing, storage and related services to customers. By making a booking or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions, the following words have the meanings set out below.

"Company" means France Removals, the removal and relocation service provider.

"Customer" means the person, firm or company requesting the services and responsible for payment.

"Services" means any removal, packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, transportation, storage, waste removal or associated service provided by the Company.

"Goods" means any items, furniture, personal belongings, equipment or materials moved, stored or handled by the Company under the contract.

"Contract" means the agreement between the Company and the Customer incorporating these Terms and Conditions and any written quotation or confirmation provided by the Company.

2. Scope of Services

The Company provides domestic and commercial removals, including moves within the United Kingdom and between the United Kingdom and other destinations, together with packing, unpacking and storage services where agreed. The precise scope of the Services will be set out in the written quotation or booking confirmation issued to the Customer.

Any additional services requested by the Customer that are not included in the written quotation may be charged separately at the Company’s prevailing rates. The Company is not obliged to provide any service that is not expressly agreed in writing.

3. Quotations and Pricing

All quotations are based on the information supplied by the Customer, including property access, volume or weight of Goods, addresses, dates, and any special requirements. Quotations are normally provided on a fixed price basis unless expressly stated otherwise.

The Company reserves the right to amend the quotation or charge additional amounts if:

There are delays or events outside the Company’s reasonable control that increase the time or resources required to complete the Services.

The information supplied by the Customer is incomplete, inaccurate or changes materially after the quotation is issued.

The Customer requests additional services or materially alters the move plan, date or addresses.

Parking, tolls, congestion charges, ferry charges, customs duties, import fees or other third party costs change or are introduced after the quotation is issued.

Quotations are normally valid for a limited period specified in the quotation. If no period is specified, the quotation will be valid for 30 days from the date of issue. All prices are exclusive of any applicable taxes unless stated otherwise.

4. Booking Process

A booking is not confirmed until the Customer has accepted the Company’s quotation in writing and complied with any deposit or advance payment requirements notified by the Company. The Company may decline to accept a booking at its discretion.

The Customer must provide accurate details of the collection and delivery addresses, access conditions, parking restrictions, property type, number of floors, elevator availability, and any particularly heavy, fragile or valuable items to be moved.

The Customer is responsible for obtaining any necessary parking permits, vehicle access permissions, building entry permissions and lift reservations, unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing. The Company will not be liable for delays or additional costs arising from failure to arrange these.

5. Customer Obligations

The Customer agrees to:

Provide accurate and complete information during quotation and booking.

Ensure that the premises are accessible at the agreed times and that all keys, codes or passes are available.

Ensure that all Goods are ready for collection, properly packed where self-packed, and clearly labelled where appropriate.

Arrange suitable parking for the Company’s vehicles as close as reasonably possible to the property.

Comply with all relevant laws, regulations and building rules, including fire regulations and restrictions on moving times.

Be present or represented at the collection and delivery addresses to provide instructions and verify that the Services are completed.

6. Payments and Charges

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, a deposit may be required to secure the booking, with the balance payable on or before the moving date. Payment methods accepted will be specified by the Company in advance.

Time-based services may be charged by the hour, or part thereof, with a minimum charge as specified at the time of booking. Fixed price services will be charged as stated in the quotation, subject to any adjustments permitted by these Terms and Conditions.

If payment is not made when due, the Company may:

Refuse to commence or continue the Services.

Retain possession of the Goods until full payment is received, exercising a lien over the Goods.

Charge interest on overdue amounts at a reasonable commercial rate from the due date until payment is received in full.

Any additional charges incurred due to delays, waiting time, extended loading or unloading, or unforeseen access issues that are not the fault of the Company may be added to the final invoice.

7. Cancellations and Postponements

If the Customer wishes to cancel or postpone the Services, the Customer must notify the Company in writing as soon as possible. The following cancellation charges may apply, unless otherwise specified in the quotation or booking confirmation.

If cancellation or postponement is notified more than seven days before the scheduled service date, the Company may refund any deposit paid, less any reasonable administrative costs.

If cancellation or postponement is notified between two and seven days before the scheduled service date, the Company may retain all or part of the deposit and may charge up to 50 percent of the agreed service price.

If cancellation or postponement is notified less than two days before the scheduled service date, the Company may charge up to 100 percent of the agreed service price.

These charges are intended to reflect the loss and costs incurred by the Company in allocating resources and turning away other work. The Company may, at its discretion, reduce or waive cancellation charges in individual cases.

8. Customer Responsibilities for Goods

Unless the Company has agreed to provide packing services, the Customer is responsible for adequately packing and protecting all Goods for transport. The Company is not responsible for damage caused by inadequate or inappropriate packing by the Customer.

The Customer must remove or secure all fixtures or fittings to be moved, disconnect and prepare appliances, and ensure that all contents of drawers, cupboards and similar items are removed unless they are specifically designed to be moved full.

The Customer must not include in the Goods any items that are explosive, flammable, corrosive, toxic, perishable, illegal or otherwise hazardous. The Company may refuse to handle any such items and may dispose of them safely at the Customer’s expense.

9. Exclusions and Limitations of Liability

The Company will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing the Services. However, the Company’s liability is subject to the limitations set out in this clause and elsewhere in these Terms and Conditions.

The Company will not be liable for:

Loss or damage arising from acts or omissions of the Customer, including inadequate packing, incorrect information or instructions, or failure to prepare Goods or premises.

Loss or damage to fragile items, including but not limited to glass, china, artwork, mirrors, lamps and electronic equipment, where such items have not been professionally packed by the Company.

Loss or damage arising from normal wear and tear, gradual deterioration, inherent defects or pre-existing damage in the Goods.

Loss or damage caused by weather conditions, traffic incidents, road closures, delays at ports or borders, industrial action, or other events beyond the Company’s reasonable control.

Indirect, consequential or purely financial losses, including loss of profits, loss of income, loss of use or loss of opportunity.

The Company’s total liability for loss of or damage to Goods, whether arising from negligence, breach of contract or otherwise, will not exceed a reasonable sum per consignment, subject to any higher limit agreed in writing with the Customer. The Customer is advised to arrange appropriate insurance cover for Goods of high value or special importance.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits or excludes the Company’s liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be limited or excluded.

10. Timeframes and Delays

Any times or dates stated for collection and delivery are estimates only and are not guaranteed unless expressly agreed in writing as a guaranteed service. The Company will use reasonable efforts to adhere to agreed schedules but will not be liable for costs or losses arising from delay, except to the extent caused by its negligence.

If the Company reasonably believes that completion of the Services within the estimated time is not possible, it may extend the working hours, allocate additional staff or reschedule part of the work, and the Customer may be responsible for any resulting additional costs, provided these are explained in advance where practicable.

11. Storage Services

Where storage is provided, the Company will store Goods in a suitable facility, which may be operated by the Company or a third-party provider. Storage charges will be payable in advance or as otherwise agreed in writing.

The Customer must keep the Company informed of current contact details and must give reasonable notice when requesting removal of Goods from storage. The Company may exercise a lien over stored Goods until all outstanding charges are paid in full.

12. Waste and Environmental Regulations

The Company operates in accordance with applicable waste management and environmental regulations. The Company is not a general waste carrier and will only remove items designated as waste where this has been expressly agreed as part of the Services.

The Customer agrees not to request the removal of hazardous, clinical, chemical, explosive, toxic or otherwise controlled waste. Such items must be disposed of through appropriate licensed facilities. The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry or handle any waste item it reasonably considers unsafe or unlawful.

Where the Company agrees to transport Goods to a recycling centre, waste transfer station or similar facility, the Customer remains responsible for any charges levied by that facility and for compliance with all relevant regulations. The Company does not guarantee that any particular item will be recycled and may be required to follow the instructions or policies of the relevant facility.

13. Claims and Complaints

If the Customer believes that any Goods have been lost or damaged, or that the Services have not been provided with reasonable care and skill, the Customer must notify the Company in writing as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within a reasonable period after delivery or completion of the Services.

The Customer should provide as much detail as possible, including photographs where available, to allow the Company to investigate. Failure to notify the Company within a reasonable period may affect the Company’s ability to investigate the issue and may prejudice any claim.

14. Data Protection and Privacy

The Company will collect and use personal information about the Customer and, where relevant, their representatives, for the purposes of providing the Services, processing payments, managing bookings and complying with legal obligations.

The Company will take appropriate steps to protect personal data and will only share it with third parties where necessary to perform the Services, process payments, manage storage, comply with legal requirements or as otherwise permitted by law.

15. Termination

Either party may terminate the Contract with immediate effect by written notice if the other party commits a serious breach of these Terms and Conditions and, where the breach can be remedied, fails to remedy it within a reasonable period after being asked to do so in writing.

Termination will not affect any rights or obligations that have already arisen, including the Customer’s obligation to pay for Services already provided and any sums properly due under the cancellation provisions.

16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, or with any Contract between the Company and the Customer, 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 to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions or their subject matter.

17. General Provisions

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

No waiver of any breach of these Terms and Conditions shall be effective unless in writing and shall not be considered a waiver of any subsequent breach.

The Contract is between the Company and the Customer. No other person shall have any rights to enforce any of its terms.

The Company may update or amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version applicable to a particular Contract will be the version in force at the time the booking is confirmed.