P&M Movers provide removal options for all our clients including some services other companies charge for as added extras or separate services.

We try to simplify things we do so we follow and abide by similar terms and conditions as set out by the leading removals trade associations working in the removals and storage sectors.

They represent and promote guide lines and working practices for the UK removals sector. 

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This is a selection of explained terms and conditions you will encounter if problems occur.

Fixed Rate Removals. A fixed rate service where the price quoted covers all the services stated on the original quotation and the removals contract. This price will not change unless you change the location of your move or you add items after the quotation has been agreed. You will be charged extra if it will not all fit on the vehicles stated in the quotation. If you are ordering new goods for your new house have them delivered to your new address when you are moving in as they may not fit on the removals van. Because this was not quoted for you may have to pay extra if they will not fit on the vehicles.

Hourly Rate. The hourly rate is the rate you pay for the vehicle and the number of men for the move.

Waiting Time, Over Time and Charges. 

The hourly rate service; includes waiting time at the contracted price per hour for: - key waiting times, traffic jams, problems with your key exchange, solicitors not doing their jobs or any problem that occur which affects the removal process through no fault of our own.

There is no time limit or ceiling for the amount of time spent on a hourly rate removal.

We will work with our clients if the time scale becomes a problem even though it is no fault of our own.

Clients can contact their own insurance company to ask for cover against this constant problem with handing over the keys as and when it occurs, which at the moment seems to be almost 90% of jobs.

This form of insurance can also come with legal protection so they fight for you if it is not your fault.

We advise you to make sure you are covered for this event because you could be stuck with a bill for a lot of money and could end up in storage with unloading and loading re-delivery charges which you need to claim back off the persons responsible for the handover and exchanging of the keys.

(We suggest you are covered legally just in case anything goes wrong with your removal).

Fixed Rate Removals; we provide a fixed rate service where the price quoted covers all the services stated on the quotation and the removals contract. This price will not change unless you change the location of your move to an area outside of the quoted area in the contract. You will be charged if you fail to inform us of attics, cellars, problems with access, removal of doors or windows, large numbers of steps to the front doors or long access paths to the front or rear doors.

This will also apply to three and four story houses or flats and other problems not mentioned at the time of the quotation. The list is not endless so common sense must apply. 

A big problem we get is clients not showing our quotation team the full contents of the property that will need moving on the removals day. This will causes problems on the day of the removal as it will not have been quoted for as the quotation team were never shown it when they visited the property.

Clients state they will get rid of items themselves when we do the quote but for what ever reason some clients do not get rid of them and they then have to go on the vans which may not have enough room left to put them on as the quotation did not allow for these items. These items will be charged for if we do not have the room to fit them on the contracted vehicle and we have to either go back for them if it is local or get another vehicle. If another vehicle and driver is needed or we have to do a return trip the client will have to pay the cost of returning to collect the items not included in the original quotation.

When clients pack their own goods it is their own liability if anything is damaged in the boxes they use. The client must make sure every box is marked and clearly stating the contents as we are not allowed to open the boxes and just putting fragile on everything is pointless as boxes must be stacked to move them from house to house. This is the same for every removals company and it is clearly stated on hundreds of removals company websites as well as removals agents. 

Overtime and late night hours.

P&M Movers assess each removal as it comes along and try to work within the time constraints  when we do the quotations for moving out of your home into your new home.

There are problems that happen which are outside of our control and can push jobs into overtime. 

All the information you need is on the Late Night Moves & Working Hours page of this website.

We advise you to read this and other sections of the removals process so there is no surprise or confusion if the charges are activated.

The number one problem we face at the moment causing jobs going into overtime is conveyancing solicitors holding up the removal causing delay after delay, giving clients moving dates which they spring on them at the last moment or not having the correct paperwork or signatures to do the exchange of money, property or the handing over keys to the new property they are moving into.

1. The Quote.

(Problems that can cause extra charges because they have not been stated when doing the quotation or things that have not been sorted out before doing the removal).

We have to collect or deliver goods to floors higher than those agreed at the time of booking. We have to move goods from attics, lofts or crawl spaces not viewed at the time of the quotation due to there not being stairs or access covered by health and safety.

Inadequate access preventing free movement of the goods without mechanical equipment or structural alteration, or the approach, road or drive prevents our vehicles and or containers to load or unload within 20 metres of the doorway. This means we have to do the extra leg work transporting items the extra distance to the vehicles which takes up the allotted time to load or unload vehicles which could push us into overtime.

Boxes or items packed by the client that are overweight and need 2 or more men to move or carry them safely.

Events outside our reasonable control cause delays through no fault of our own.

2. Work excluded from the quote

Unless agreed by us in writing and charged appropriately we will not: -

Dismantle or assemble any flat-pack furniture or fittings.

Disconnect or reconnect appliances, fixtures, fittings or electrical equipment.

Take up or lay fitted floor coverings.

Move storage heaters (unless previously dismantled).

Move items from a loft (unless well illuminated with safe access via a staircase).

Move plants unless agreed in advance.

Move or store any items excluded under clause 4.

3. Your responsibility

It will be your own responsibility (and, where relevant, expense) to:

Declare to us valuations of all goods being removed and/or stored. (High Value Items you must insure during the move)

Insure the goods submitted for removal and or storage against all insurable risks. (Removals Insurance out of and into the properties).

Take all reasonable steps to ensure that nothing is left behind or taken away in error. (Check before leaving the old house)

Prepare, pack and stabilise all electric equipment prior to its removal. 

Empty, defrost completely and clean refrigerators and freezers.

Owner packing own goods: -We are not responsible for the contents.

Other than by reason of our own negligence we will not be held liable for costs that may arise from any of the above.

4. Non-submission of certain goods for Removal or Storage

The following items are excluded from this contract:

Jewelry, watches, trinkets, precious stones or metals, money, deeds, securities, stamps, coins or goods or collections of any similar kind.

Items, which have potential to damage, explode or are dangerous including gas bottles, aerosols, paints, firearms and ammunition.

Prohibited or stolen goods.

Controlled drugs.

Plants or goods which may be likely to encourage vermin, pests or cause infestation. (Not loading onto the van when moving because of risk of soiling).

Foodstuffs or liquids.

Televisions or monitors large or small. Flat or curved screens of any size.

Any of the above-listed goods, will not be removed by us except with our prior written agreement. If these goods are not removed we will not accept liability for loss or damage wholly or mainly attributable to the special nature of the goods concerned. If such goods are removed without our knowledge and prior written consent we will not be liable for any loss or damage and you will indemnify us against any charges, expenses, damages or penalties claimed against us. Furthermore, we would have the right to dispose of goods which are listed under paragraphs 4(b), 4(c), 4(d), 4 (e) and 4 (f) without notice. (Take off van or refuse to load them) (Not allowed into storage)

6. Charges if you postpone or cancel the removal .

Charges are made if this contract is postponed or cancelled. 

Notice given more than a 10 days before the removal was due to start. Nil

For notice given 5 to 10 days before the removal was due to start, we reserve the right to make a charge which covers our costs, typically up to 30% of the removal charge. Less than 5 working days before the removal was due to start: not more than 60% of the removal charge. Within 24 hours of the move taking place; not more than 75% of the removal charge. On the day the work starts or at any time after the work commences up to 100% of our charges. These charges are at our discretion and we work with the client first before making any claim.  (We have never made a claim against the client yet apart from cancellation the night before the removal when we worked with the client to cover costs and helped them claim against the party at fault for the late cancellation). We will charge for wages and the loss of work for the vehicle due to late cancellation within 72 Hours notice from the client.

The situation with conveyancing through agents and solicitors at the moment is out of control, the number of last minute cancellations is higher than has ever been recorded and clients are now moving into rented accommodation and storage just to preserve their sale. Moving dates being changed the day before the move or on the day before the move because sales have not completed or paperwork has not been signed is ridiculous. Waiting for keys and money to be transferred at 5.00pm when we know the money has gone from the buyers bank that morning is nonsense and should not happen. This is why the charges are now being enforced and the only way you can resolve this problem is to get the times and dates put into the contract so if it goes wrong the solicitors or the party at fault will have to pay for your costs. This is the only way this will stop happening.

We advise all clients to contract their removal date with their solicitor as it is the solicitor who tells the client their removal date. We charge our contracted client as it is them we are contracted to and we also advise them to either lock down the moving date with their solicitor or cover themselves with some form of insurance cover.

Cancellation/Postponement, if we agree to waive the charges it is only at our discretion and it is conditional upon us receiving conformation notice of Postponement no later than 48 hours prior to the moving day. Cancellation by solicitors within 48 hours will carry the set out charges of costs and our prospected loss at our discretion.

8. Our liability for loss or damage

The limitations of our liability for loss or damage are covered by our goods in transit insurance only.

If we are liable due to our vehicle being involved in an accident en route to the delivery address, we will issue the client with goods in transit claim form from our insurers. Accidents in transit not down to P&M Movers will be dealt with directly with our vehicle insurance company

P&M Movers are not liable for damage to any item during the move going from the house to the vehicle and from the vehicle to the house as it is the client’s sole responsibility to ensure you are covered by your own insurance company in case of accidents.

P&M Movers do not provide accident insurance for the removal except for the goods in transit insurance cover for the vehicle if it is involved in a crash. Most removal companies do not have their own insure when moving your goods from home to home or into storage. This insurance is normally part of your own domestic policy so P&M Movers inform clients of this situation before they sign the contract and it is also stated on the contract. Uninsured moves are the client’s sole responsibility. ( This insurance is to cover any accidents if they happen and especially for high value items. It is not our responsibility to give you or provide you with insurance companies but you must confirm you have it in place before you move, acceptance of the removals contract is taken as confirmation that you have your insurance in place). 

Dismantled or flat pack furniture and other items are covered by disclaimers signed prior to dismantling. Flat pack furniture is not covered by us or our insurance due to the nature of the items being dismantled and the risk factor assigned to these items. This also covers the moving of flat pack furniture as it is not meant to be moved once built and it is not made to be moved from house to house. This list is part of the terms and conditions with added information for the benefit of the client and is for reference only.

This is just a brief explanation of what the terms and conditions are covering and why they are set out but you must read the full terms and conditions so you are fully aware of your legal position.

Removals Information

The main problems we come across are normally down to us not having the full information we need when we come to do the quotation or not being informed of heavy or special items needing to be moved. 

This will cause us problems when we come across them as we have to find solutions there and then instead of us being aware of the situation and having the correct equipment and the right number of people on the job. 

These problems are not problems if we know they are there but for some reasons some clients just fail to give us the information we need to do the job in a safe and professional manner.

Not giving us the correct information will cause us to go into overtime status through no fault of our own which will at the end cost you more money that it would if we had the information in the first place.

We have special handling services for items that are to heavy to lift or move without the correct equipment or the right amount of manpower to do the job safely.

Heavy items such as big planters with trees and stone troughs or any abnormally heavy or large items which it is to heavy for two people to lift alone will be charged for on the day of the removal if the client has not mentioned them in the initial quotation.

If we are informed on the day that windows had to be removed before the items went into the house then an extra charge will be implemented on the day and that is only if we can remove the window ourselves.

This charge will also be levied if items such as lathes or heavy equipment or goods in the attic have to be moved without us being informed.

The charges are to cover equipment needed or the extra manpower needed to do the job.

If we have to take people off the main removal to move items of special handling means the removal stops and we will not finish in time, so you must inform us on the day of the quotation or incur further charges on the day.

We advise our clients to give us all the information we need when we come to do the quote and then keep us informed of any changes as and when you find your dream home.

We also inform the client to look at the website as there is a wealth of information to make your removal as smooth as possible and as stress free as we can make it.

One of the biggest problems we come across is damage to items and packing goods ready for the removal.

Clients are liable for any damage to any items they pack or wrap themselves.

Removal companies are not liable for any boxes or items packed by the client.

This clause is in every removals company terms and conditions