Mathers and Sons Limited — Terms & Conditions of Business

1. Definitions and Interpretation

“Goods” and “Services” have the meanings set out above. Acceptance of a quotation or commencement of services constitutes full acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.

2. Quotation, Acceptance and Contract Formation

• Quotations are based on information provided by you and remain valid for 30 days unless otherwise stated.
• By accepting a quotation (including by email, text, verbal agreement, or online confirmation) or allowing work to commence, you enter into a binding contract under these Terms.
• You are responsible for reading and understanding these Terms.
• We are under no obligation to draw attention to specific clauses. Any additional work, waiting time, access issues, parking restrictions, or changes to the agreed details may be charged at our standard hourly rate.
• We may subcontract any part of the work to a trusted partner under our supervision and responsibility.

3. Payment Terms

• All payments must be made in full prior to or on the day of service and always before the crew departs, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
• Failure to pay on time incurs:
  • 20% administrative charge after 24 hours, and
  • 50% administrative charge after 48 hours.
• If payment remains outstanding, we may exercise our right of lien (see Clause 12) and retain goods until payment is made in full.
• After 7 days of non-payment, we reserve the right to recover the full amount through the appropriate court/claims process and all associated legal/collection fees shall be borne by you.
• Returned payments or chargebacks will incur a £50 administrative fee plus any bank charges.

4. Cancellation and Postponement

• Cancellation within 7 days of the booked date incurs 50% of the quoted price.
• Cancellation within 48 hours of the booked date incurs 100% of the quoted cost.
• Cancellations must be in writing (email accepted).
• We reserve the right to cancel a booking if conditions are unsafe, if there is abusive behaviour, or if payment is not made as required.

5. Media, Marketing and Recording Rights

By engaging our services, you grant us irrevocable permission to photograph, video, or record media of our work, vehicles, staff, and surroundings during your move or delivery. All such images remain our property and may be used for marketing, social media, our website, promotional materials, insurance evidence, or the defence of claims or legal proceedings. You waive any right to approval, compensation, or ownership of such material. Acceptance of these Terms constitutes consent for the purposes of applicable data protection law.

6. Behaviour, Harassment and Defamation

• We operate a zero-tolerance policy toward aggression, harassment, stalking, threats, or abusive behaviour (in person or online).
• Any such conduct may result in immediate termination of service, forfeiture of payment (where appropriate), and potential legal action.
• You must not post or share false, misleading, defamatory, or malicious statements about us, our staff, or our company/entities.
• If a review/comment is proven to be false or defamatory, you must remove or correct it within 7 days of written notice. If you fail to comply, we may contact the platform directly to request removal.
• We may seek financial compensation up to the full value of your contract or for proven loss (whichever is higher) and may pursue legal remedies as applicable.
• You consent to us sharing relevant evidence (contracts, communications, media) with review platforms, solicitors, or law enforcement to support our position.

7. Customer Assistance and Third Parties

• Our insurance covers work carried out solely by Mathers and Sons Limited staff.
• If you, family members, friends, or any third party assist with handling, lifting, or loading, our liability for loss or damage arising from such assistance is excluded/voided.
• We are not responsible for items packed or moved by you or anyone not employed by us.

8. Claims, Damage and Reporting Procedure

• Any damage or loss must be reported in writing within 7 calendar days of completion of the service. Claims reported after this time may not be accepted.
• To validate a claim, you must provide:
  • photographic or video evidence of the item’s condition prior to the move (where applicable),
  • proof the item was in working order prior to the move,
  • confirmation that no third party assisted in handling/loading where this would affect liability under Clause 7, and
  • full written details of the alleged damage or loss.
• For items valued above £40, you must notify us before removal begins.
• We aim to assess valid claims within 14–28 working days.
• False or misleading claims may be treated as fraud.
• The maximum liability per item is limited to £40 unless otherwise agreed in writing before the move.

9. Insurance and Liability

• We are insured under a Goods in Transit and Public Liability policy covering damage proven to be caused by our negligence.
• We are not liable for:
  • electrical, mechanical, or internal faults,
  • jewellery, cash, documents, or items of exceptional value unless declared,
  • indirect or consequential loss.
• You are responsible for arranging additional insurance if higher cover is required.
• No liability exists for self-packed boxes unless visibly damaged in transit.

10. Force Majeure

We are not liable for delay or failure caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to accidents, weather, traffic, strikes, breakdowns, customs procedures, or port congestion.

11. Storage and Warehouse Terms

• Storage charges are payable monthly in advance for short-term storage services.
• We reserve the right to withhold or dispose of goods if payment is in arrears beyond 30 days.
• Storage is at the customer’s risk unless insured through us.
• We are not liable for deterioration caused by damp, mildew, or vermin.

12. Right of Lien and Disposal

• We have a legal right of lien to withhold or sell goods in our possession until all outstanding payments are made.
• If payment remains unpaid after 90 days, we may dispose of or sell goods to recover the balance.
• All associated storage, legal, and disposal costs will be deducted from sale proceeds.

13. International and Overseas Removals

Transit times for international moves are estimates only and subject to carrier delays, port congestion, customs procedures, and other third-party factors. We will not be liable for loss or delay arising from third-party freight/shipping providers.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and any dispute shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Both parties agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

15. Acceptance

By confirming a quotation, booking, or allowing work to commence, you confirm you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions, which form the entire legal agreement between you and us.