Terms of business

These Terms of Business apply to all clearance and associated services undertaken by South Hams House Clearance. By accepting our quotation, confirming a booking or instructing us to commence work, the customer agrees to these terms.

Quotations: All quotations are based on the contents, volume of material, access, parking, condition of the property and scope of work disclosed to or seen by us at the time the quotation is provided.
Changes to the job: If the quantity or nature of the contents, access arrangements or scope of work changes after our quotation, we reserve the right to amend the price. Wherever reasonably possible, any additional charges will be agreed with the customer before the additional work is carried out.
Authority to instruct us: The person instructing South Hams House Clearance confirms that they are the owner of the property/items concerned or have full authority from the owner, executor, administrator, landlord, company or other authorised party to instruct us to remove them.
Items to be kept: It is the customer's responsibility to remove, clearly identify or securely separate anything that is not to be cleared before work begins. This includes jewellery, cash, documents, photographs, keys, sentimental items, personal effects and other valuables.
Items removed in error: We cannot accept responsibility for items removed as part of the agreed clearance where they were not clearly identified or separated by the customer as items to be retained.
Ownership of cleared items: Unless specifically agreed otherwise in writing, once items have been handed over to and removed by South Hams House Clearance as part of the agreed clearance, ownership of those items transfers to South Hams House Clearance.
Reuse and resale: Items removed during a clearance may, at our discretion, be reused, recycled, donated, sold or otherwise disposed of. Any subsequent resale value belongs to South Hams House Clearance unless a different arrangement was specifically agreed in writing before the clearance.
Items of value: Where the value of particular items has been taken into account when calculating our quotation, those items must remain at the property for collection. If they are removed before the clearance takes place, we reserve the right to revise the quotation accordingly.
Waste disposal: Waste will be transported and disposed of through appropriate legal waste routes. Waste Transfer Notes or other relevant documentation can be supplied where required.
Hazardous or specialist waste: Unless specifically included in our quotation, our price does not include hazardous or specialist materials such as asbestos, chemicals, oils, fuels, clinical waste, gas cylinders or other substances requiring specialist handling or disposal. If such materials are discovered, we may leave them in place or quote separately for their lawful removal where we are able to do so.
Electrical appliances and fridges: Electrical appliances, refrigerators, freezers and similar items may require separate handling and disposal and should be disclosed when requesting a quotation. Additional charges may apply if they were not included in the original quotation.
Access: The customer is responsible for ensuring that we have safe and reasonable access to the property and the items being cleared at the agreed time.
Parking and charges: Any unusual parking restrictions, permits, access restrictions, congestion charges or similar issues should be disclosed before the work. Additional costs incurred because of undisclosed access or parking restrictions may be charged to the customer.
Condition of the property: We will take reasonable care while carrying out clearance work. The customer should inform us before work starts of any particularly fragile surfaces, fixtures, flooring, walls, doors or other areas requiring special care.
Existing damage: South Hams House Clearance cannot accept responsibility for damage or defects that existed before our work commenced.
Damage during clearance: Any visible damage believed to have been caused by us should, wherever reasonably possible, be brought to the attention of our team before they leave the property so that it can be inspected and recorded. Any damage discovered afterwards should be reported to us promptly with photographs and relevant details.
Normal clearance risks: When large, heavy or awkward furniture is being removed through confined spaces, reasonable care will be taken. The customer acknowledges that clearance work can involve contact with walls, floors, doorways and other surfaces. This does not affect our responsibility for damage caused by our negligence.
Dismantling: Where necessary, furniture or other items may be dismantled or broken down to allow safe removal, provided the items form part of the agreed clearance.
Fixtures and fittings: We will not remove fixed fixtures, carpets, built-in furniture, plumbing, electrical fittings or other items attached to the property unless this has been specifically agreed as part of the quotation.
Unsafe conditions: We reserve the right to stop, postpone or refuse work where we believe conditions present an unreasonable risk to our staff, customers, members of the public or property.
Additional work: Work not included within the original quotation may be charged separately. This may include additional contents, extra rooms/outbuildings, unusually heavy items, dismantling, excessive waiting time or additional journeys.
Completion: The customer or their representative should inspect the property following completion where practicable and raise any concerns with us as soon as possible.
Payment: Payment is due in accordance with the terms stated on our quotation or invoice. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due immediately upon completion of the work.
Cancellations and postponements: We ask customers to give us as much notice as possible if a booked clearance needs to be cancelled or rearranged. We reserve the right to recover reasonable costs where a cancellation occurs at short notice after staff, vehicles or other resources have been committed to the job.
Delays outside our control: We will not be responsible for reasonable delays caused by circumstances outside our control, including severe weather, traffic disruption, vehicle breakdown, restricted access or other unforeseen events.
Photographs: We may take photographs before, during and after a clearance for job records, quotations, proof of completion and the resolution of any subsequent queries. Photographs containing identifiable personal information will be handled appropriately.
Complaints: If you have any concerns regarding our service, please contact South Hams House Clearance as soon as possible so that we have an opportunity to investigate and resolve the matter.
Governing law: These Terms of Business are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Acceptance

By accepting our quotation, confirming a booking by telephone, email, text message or other written communication, or allowing South Hams House Clearance to commence work, you confirm that you have read and accepted these Terms of Business.