Terms and conditions

1. Scope

These terms govern household and commercial removals, packing, dedicated and shared transport, storage and international movements carried out by Wade Removals in the United Kingdom and abroad. They become part of our agreement once a written quotation is accepted.

2. The handling count on your quotation

Every quotation states the number of handlings the quoted service involves — the number of times your goods are picked up and set down between the two addresses. Where more than one service is sensibly available we will quote both and state the count on each.

The stated count is a description of the service, not a guarantee of an outcome. Where circumstances outside our control require an additional handling — a vehicle failure, a refused access, a destination that is not ready — we will tell you before it happens wherever that is possible, and in any event as soon as it has.

3. Dedicated loads

Where a dedicated load is quoted, your goods travel on a vehicle carrying no other customer's consignment and are not transferred between vehicles or unloaded into a depot at any point.

On a multi-day journey the vehicle remains loaded and secured overnight. Where a particular route or set of driving hours makes that impossible, we will say so in writing before you accept the quotation, because it changes the count.

4. Shared and part-loads

Where a shared or part-load is quoted, your goods are consolidated with other consignments and are handled at a depot at one or both ends. Collection and delivery may be carried out by different crews.

Departure on a shared load is governed by the vehicle being loaded for the route rather than by a date you select. Where your dates are fixed we will recommend against a shared load, and where you instruct us to proceed anyway we do so on the basis that no date is guaranteed.

5. Packing specification

Packing is specified against the number of handlings the consignment will undergo. Where we consider your own packing inadequate for the service quoted we will say so before collection.

Cartons packed by you are covered for loss or damage arising from our handling but not for damage attributable to the packing itself. On consignments carrying four or more handlings, and on all international movements, we may decline to carry customer-packed cartons where we judge them unfit for the journey.

6. Access and the information you give us

Describing access at both ends is your responsibility: floors, lifts and lift door openings, staircases and their turns, doorway widths, parking restrictions, approach roads and any restriction on the route.

Where access differs materially from what was described and additional work is required as a result, that work is chargeable. Where we identified a problem in advance and told you, no charge arises for work not attempted.

7. Surveys

Quotations follow a survey at the property, or a remote survey by photographs and measurements where the volume and access are plainly straightforward. A quotation given without either is provisional and is stated as such.

8. Booking and payment

A booking becomes firm once the written quotation is accepted and any deposit stated on it is paid. A deposit is returned in full on cancellation more than seven days ahead of the booked date; inside that window some or all may be retained against costs already committed.

The balance falls due as the written quotation states, and in any event within fourteen days of the invoice date unless agreed otherwise in writing.

9. Goods we will not carry

Hazardous and prohibited items: fuel, gas cylinders, fireworks, solvents, open paint, corrosives, ammunition and similar. Nothing perishable and nothing living; plants travel at your own risk. Money, jewellery, deeds, passports and medication should stay with you.

10. Cover

Goods in transit and in store are covered to the level your written quotation and storage agreement state, subject to the exclusions written there. Declare items of unusual value before the move so that appropriate cover can be arranged.

Cover on a shared or groupage consignment is subject to the same terms but the consignment passes through more hands. We recommend reviewing the declared value on any consignment carrying four or more handlings.

11. Storage

Goods we hold are loaded, listed and recorded at the collection address and a copy of the list is provided to you. Charging runs from the collection day in the periods the storage agreement sets out, and access requires reasonable notice.

Where storage charges go unpaid and written notice allowing not less than thirty days has been given, we may exercise a lien over the goods and ultimately sell them to recover the debt, accounting to you for any surplus.

12. Waste

We do not hold a waste carrier licence and do not undertake waste disposal. We will move goods to a buyer, a charity or another address; anything requiring licensed disposal must be arranged separately.

13. Matters outside our control

Planning gives us no authority over traffic, weather, road closures, ferry or sailing disruption, port congestion, a chain not completing, a lift failing, a building withdrawing permission, or customs processing. Where any of that bears on your job we tell you at once and work out the best remaining option with you.

14. International movements

Customs clearance is handled by us or our appointed agent against the inventory taken before departure. You are responsible for obtaining the documents marked as yours on the relevant country page and for the accuracy of what you tell us for the declaration. Duties, taxes and charges imposed at the destination are payable by you unless the written quotation states otherwise.

On sea movements the goods travel in a container without our vehicle and are handled by port operators at both ends. The quotation states the resulting count and the packing specification follows from it.

15. Claims

Tell us as soon as you notice loss or damage, and in writing within seven days of delivery or of goods leaving store. Keep the item and its packaging so both can be examined. A late report may limit what the cover will meet.

16. Cancellation by us

Work that would be unsafe, unlawful or impossible for reasons beyond our control may be cancelled or postponed, with sums paid for work not carried out refunded.

17. Law

The law of England and Wales governs these terms, and its courts have jurisdiction over any dispute arising under them.

Anything unclear?

Ask before you book, on the contact page.