Balham Cleaners Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Balham Cleaners provides domestic and commercial cleaning services in the UK. By making a booking, confirming an appointment, or allowing our cleaners to start work, you agree to be bound by these terms. They are designed to make the cleaning service clear, fair, and straightforward for both the customer and the service provider. In these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean Balham Cleaners, and references to “you” or “the customer” mean the person or business requesting the service.

These terms apply to all standard cleaning appointments, one-off cleans, regular cleaning arrangements, end-of-tenancy cleaning, deep cleaning, and any other cleaning service we agree to provide. Where a written quotation, service order, or booking confirmation contains different terms, those specific details will take priority only to the extent that they conflict with these general terms. Any variation must be agreed in writing by both parties. We recommend that customers read the full document carefully before arranging a cleaning appointment.

The use of Balham cleaning services does not create any employment relationship between the customer and our staff. All cleaning personnel remain under our management, and the customer must not instruct staff to carry out work outside the agreed scope without prior approval. We may update these terms from time to time to reflect operational, legal, or commercial changes. The version in force at the time of booking will usually apply to that booking unless a later written agreement states otherwise.

Booking Process

A booking is created only when we have accepted your request and confirmed the appointment details. You may request a cleaning booking by phone, email, online enquiry, or any other method we make available from time to time. Once we receive your request, we may ask for information such as property type, number of rooms, level of cleaning required, preferred date and time, access arrangements, and any special instructions. This information helps us assign the appropriate team and estimate the likely duration and cost of the service.

All bookings are subject to availability. A proposed date or time is not confirmed until we have explicitly accepted it. If a quotation is based on limited information, the final price or time required may change after an initial assessment on arrival. Customers must ensure that all information provided during the booking process is complete and accurate. If you fail to disclose relevant details, such as heavy soiling, pet hair, restricted access, fragile surfaces, or known hazards, we may adjust the booking, revise the price, or refuse to proceed where necessary.

For some services, especially larger or recurring cleaning services, we may require a deposit or advance payment to secure the appointment. We may also issue a written booking confirmation stating the agreed date, time, service scope, estimated duration, and pricing basis. Please review the confirmation carefully and notify us promptly of any discrepancies. The customer is responsible for ensuring someone authorised is available to provide access if the property will not be empty at the time of cleaning.

Service Scope and Customer Responsibilities

Our cleaning work will be limited to the tasks described in the booking confirmation or agreed service plan. Any additional work requested on the day will be carried out only if time, equipment, and staff availability allow it, and it may incur extra charges. We aim to provide a professional and efficient cleaning company service, but we are not responsible for completing tasks that were not requested, not agreed, or are impossible to carry out safely within the booked period.

Customers must ensure the property is ready for cleaning, with reasonable access to water, electricity, and any necessary entry arrangements. Valuable items, confidential documents, cash, jewellery, and delicate possessions should be stored safely before the team arrives. Where the service requires movement of furniture or access to hard-to-reach areas, you must tell us in advance if items are fragile, very heavy, fixed in place, or likely to be damaged by normal cleaning activity. If the property contains pets, they must be secured so the work can be carried out safely and without interruption.

Our staff may refuse to clean areas or items that present a safety risk, contamination issue, or unreasonable hazard. This includes exposed wiring, bodily fluids, infestations, broken glass, aggressive animals, or unstable surfaces. If such conditions are discovered during a visit, we may suspend the service until the issue is resolved or modify the scope accordingly. The customer remains responsible for ensuring the property complies with basic safety standards before and during the appointment.

Payments

Payment terms depend on the type of service booked. For standard domestic appointments, payment is usually due on completion of the job unless a different arrangement has been agreed. For larger projects, commercial contracts, or recurring Balham cleaners arrangements, we may require advance payment, staged payments, or settlement by invoice within a specified period. The payment method, due date, and any deposit requirements will be confirmed at the time of booking or in the relevant service agreement.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices are quoted in pounds sterling and may be subject to VAT where applicable. Quoted prices may be based on estimated time, access conditions, or the information supplied by the customer. If the actual work required is materially greater than expected because the property was misdescribed, excessively soiled, or otherwise not as represented, we may revise the charge accordingly. Any additional cost will be communicated where reasonably possible before the work continues.

Late or failed payments may result in additional administrative charges, suspension of future bookings, or recovery action. If a payment is returned unpaid, reversed, or otherwise declined, the customer must provide an alternative valid payment method promptly. We reserve the right to withhold further services until all outstanding sums are paid in full. Discounts, promotions, and special offers are only valid for the period and conditions stated, and they may not be combined unless we expressly permit it.

Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Waiting Time

You may cancel or reschedule a cleaning appointment by giving us reasonable notice. The notice period required may vary depending on the service type, the length of the booking, and whether staff or equipment have already been allocated. Where a cancellation fee applies, it will be stated in the booking terms or confirmed in writing. In general, cancellations made very close to the scheduled time may still be charged because staff time and operational costs have already been committed.

If our team arrives and cannot gain access, or if the property is unavailable, unsafe, or not ready for the agreed service, the appointment may be treated as a late cancellation or failed visit. The customer may still be charged for the visit, travel, waiting time, or a portion of the scheduled fee. If our staff are delayed by factors outside our control, such as traffic disruption or adverse weather, we will aim to notify you and arrange an alternative time where practical. However, we are not liable for indirect losses caused by scheduling changes.

Where regular cleaning services are booked, either party may end the arrangement by giving the agreed notice. We may also suspend or cancel future bookings if payment is overdue, access is repeatedly refused, the property conditions are unsafe, or the customer behaves in a manner that is abusive, discriminatory, or otherwise unacceptable. Any advance payment already made may be applied against charges properly due under these terms.

Liability and Limitations

We will carry out our services with reasonable care and skill. However, cleaning involves the use of water, chemicals, equipment, and movement around occupied properties, so some risk of minor incidental damage may exist. We are not liable for pre-existing wear and tear, hidden defects, structural weakness, or damage caused by items not suitable for normal cleaning. For example, delicate surfaces, loose fittings, poorly fixed fixtures, untreated materials, and items already in poor condition may be vulnerable even when reasonable care is used.

If damage is caused by our negligence, our responsibility will be limited to the reasonable cost of repair or replacement, taking into account the age, condition, and depreciated value of the item. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. Subject to that, we will not be responsible for indirect, consequential, or purely economic losses such as loss of profit, loss of opportunity, or inconvenience.

To help us deal with any issue, you must report damage or concerns as soon as reasonably possible after the service and provide clear details, including photographs if available. You must also take reasonable steps to prevent further loss or damage. We may inspect the affected item or area before agreeing any remedial action. No employee, contractor, or representative may make an oral promise that changes this limitation unless it is confirmed in writing by an authorised person on behalf of Balham Cleaners.

Waste Regulations and Disposal

Our cleaning service may involve the removal of general waste generated during the job, such as dust, packaging, food residue, or disposable cleaning materials, where this is included in the agreed scope. Any waste handling will be carried out in line with applicable UK waste requirements and reasonable environmental practices. We will not remove controlled, hazardous, or regulated waste unless we have expressly agreed to do so and are lawfully able to manage it.

The customer remains responsible for identifying any items or materials that require special disposal treatment. This includes chemicals, paint, asbestos, needles, bodily fluids, clinical waste, electrical items, sharp objects, and any other material that may be hazardous or subject to particular disposal rules. If such materials are present, you must notify us before the booking. We may refuse to handle, move, or dispose of them, and we may stop work if undisclosed hazardous waste is discovered during the appointment.

Where waste is removed by us, it must be lawful for us to transport and dispose of it through appropriate facilities or collection routes. We may separate, bag, and contain waste in a manner that is reasonable and proportionate to the service provided. Any illegal dumping, misdescription of waste, or failure to follow disposal instructions by the customer may result in cancellation of the booking, additional charges, or referral to the relevant authorities where required by law.

Insurance, Complaints, and Force Majeure

We maintain insurance cover that is appropriate for the nature of our business, but insurance does not alter your duty to secure valuables, disclose hazards, and prepare the property properly. If you believe there has been a service issue, you should raise it promptly so that we can investigate and, where appropriate, remedy the matter. Any remedy offered will depend on the circumstances and may include a partial re-clean, adjustment to the invoice, or another fair solution at our discretion.

If performance of the service is prevented or delayed by events beyond our reasonable control, we will not be liable for the resulting delay or failure. Such events may include severe weather, accident, transport disruption, industrial action, illness, shortage of materials, power failure, fire, flooding, or legal restrictions. Where reasonably possible, we will seek to rearrange the appointment or provide an alternative service date. If performance becomes impossible, either party may cancel the affected booking without further liability for the non-performed element.

These terms are intended to be fair and to reflect the practical nature of a professional cleaning company operating in a residential and commercial setting. Nothing in this document affects your statutory rights as a consumer where they apply. If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remainder will continue in full force so far as legally possible.

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to resolve any dispute, claim, or proceeding arising from the service relationship, unless mandatory law requires otherwise. By using the services of Balham Cleaners, you agree that any legal matters will be handled under this legal framework.

For the avoidance of doubt, this agreement does not limit any rights you may have under consumer protection legislation, including rights relating to reasonable care and skill, services provided within a reasonable time, and services charged at a reasonable price where no fixed price has been agreed. These legal rights apply in addition to the terms set out above. If you do not accept these terms, you should not proceed with a booking or permit work to begin.