Terms and Conditions

1. Estimates & Invoices

An estimate is a rough idea of a price and is intended to be used as a guide price. Estimates are not legally binding and can change, so the actual costs may differ from the original estimate. Should any changes occur to the job during that time, either from the client or from FRESH START GARDEN & HOUSE CLEARANCE SERVICES these new requirements will be added to the original estimate or, if the changes occur on the day of the work, they will be added to the invoice. Please be aware that travel time to locations is included in the hourly rate. All invoices must be settled the day of service completion. Invoices overdue by 30 days or more will accrue interest and a fixed sum as per UK Government guidelines. The interest rate is 8% plus the Bank of England base rate, and the fixed sum is £40 for debts up to £999.99, £70 for debts between £1,000 and £9,999.99, and £100 for debts of £10,000 or more. If the outstanding account is not settled within four months, court proceedings will commence.

(This does not apply for Solicitor’s, Bereavement and Probate Clearances)

2. Deposits

FRESH START GARDEN & HOUSE CLEARANCE SERVICES reserves the right to charge a deposit of 10% which is payable on the day of assessment or booking. This amount may vary according to the size of job.

(This does not apply for Solicitor’s, Bereavement and Probate Clearances)

3. Health & Safety Requirements

In order to guard against biological dangers during a house clearance, it may be required to wear full body personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with Health and Safety legislation. Since the property handles waste and professional cleaning chemicals may be required to disinfect surfaces, we do not let non-Contractors to remain on the site while a clearance is being completed.

4. Cancellation of Appointment

Gardening

To cancel, you must ensure to contact us by phone or email and get confirmation from our team that your booking has been cancelled, FRESH START GARDEN & HOUSE CLEARANCE SERVICES reserves the right to charge £40 in case you decide to cancel a gardening booking on short notice (less than 24 hours prior to the job).

House Clearance

To cancel, you must ensure to contact us by phone or email and get confirmation from our team that your booking has been cancelled, the 10% deposit is not refundable. In case you decide to cancel a house clearance booking on short notice (less than 48 hours prior to the job).

In the event of a termination of contract, FRESH START GARDEN & HOUSE CLEARANCE SERVICES reserves the right to retain the deposit. Should you wish to stop work for whatever reason, you are liable to pay for all costs up until that point.

(This does not apply for Solicitor’s, Bereavement and Probate Clearances)

5. Disposal/Removal/Maintenance of Goods

All items that need for special instructions should be mentioned by the client in their initial request. FRESH START GARDEN & HOUSE CLEARANCE SERVICES disclaims all liability for incorrect handling of objects if this is not mentioned. In addition, FRESH START GARDEN & HOUSE CLEARANCE SERVICES will photograph all the aforementioned objects and set them aside safely while the other items are being removed. Except for illicit or toxic materials, we fully and legally own and are accountable for all items once our vehicle departs the clearance property/site. Before a clearing can begin, the customer must remove any cash, jewellery, or valuable personal belongings from the property. The Client will be asked to sign a booking form confirming, agreement, Warranty, and Indemnity Clause.

Agreement, Warranty, and Indemnity Clause

I hereby agree to the booking as stated above and warrant that I have full legal title to authorise disposal/removal/maintenance of any goods and I hereby indemnify FRESH START GARDEN & HOUSE CLEARANCE SERVICES against all claims, costs, demands, compensation, or loss resulting from any breach of this warranty and agree to FRESH START GARDEN & HOUSE CLEARANCE SERVICES Terms and Conditions.

6. Damage

We cannot assume duty for damage to hidden hazards such as cables, pipelines, or pre-identified and agreed-upon risks, even though our team is covered by public liability insurance.

7. Waste disposal

We can't use the local tip as we're a registered waste carrier business, and waste transportation is pricey. As a result, Newbury’s Recycling Centre receives all our waste and rubbish and charges us based on weight. To ensure that customers receive the most competitive prices when providing that as much of your waste can be recycled as possible, very little of it ends up in landfills, we work hard to ensure that all our clients manage their waste responsibly. Rubble, soil, plasterboard, timber, green waste, POPs, metal, general waste, and hazardous waste should all be kept apart and stored in bulk bags. If these items are combined, they will be categorised as builders waste which has a much higher disposal cost, will not be excepted by the recycling centre, fines, or imprisonment.

Hazardous waste will need to have a consignment note. Some of these items are chemicals, oils, solvents, paints, batteries, fridges, freezers, tv’s and asbestos.

To remove garden waste, we charge £20 for a full one-tonne dumpy bag. Most of our gardens feature a green bin or compost area, which will help keep the work cost down.

There's no need to worry we separate rubbish as part of our job when doing a house clearance! We take great satisfaction in recycling most of your waste!

8. Faeces

Although our team members own dogs and cats, and we adore them, please ensure your garden is free of pet waste before we begin. If this request is denied, we shall stop. Please let the team know of any pets that are buried in the garden.

9. Garden Visits

Visits can occur every two weeks, every month (for a minimum of 2 hours), or at prearranged times. We must come by no less than four times a year for the garden to be maintained and for you to be part of the yearly work schedule.

10. Confidentiality

Our goal is to keep your information private. For the exclusive use of FRESH START GARDEN & HOUSE CLEARANCE SERVICES, all emails, names, addresses, phone numbers, forwarding information, and information of friends, relatives, or business acquaintances acting on behalf of the property in question will not be shared with outside parties. After a task is over, the client has the right to request that FRESH START GARDEN & HOUSE CLEARANCE SERVICES erase all this information from our database. Any images or films shot before, during, or after may only be used for marketing purposes, according to our limitation.

11. Complaints

If you have experienced any problems or need to make a complaint, you must do so within 24 hours after completion by emailing all details including photographs to info@freshstart-services.co.uk Failure to make timely complaints will result in us being unable to fully investigate your case.