Completing on Friday - how could snow affect move?

fester_2184

Due to complete on Friday. We are moving our contents in ourselves. Although we don't know for sure, we suspect vendors may be getting a removals company in. House is on steep hill and today we have 5 inches of snow and forecast to continue throughout the week.

How likely is it that van-hire and/or removal companies will cancel in these weather conditions?

If it is likely, where do we stand contractually?

Many thanks,

fester_2184

poppysarah

Ask the removal company you've booked what happens if it's still snowy.

Bufger

fester_2184 wrote: »

Due to complete on Friday. We are moving our contents in ourselves. Although we don't know for sure, we suspect vendors may be getting a removals company in. House is on steep hill and today we have 5 inches of snow and forecast to continue throughout the week.

How likely is it that van-hire and/or removal companies will cancel in these weather conditions?

If it is likely, where do we stand contractually?

Many thanks,

fester_2184

I think you might have to be a bit reasonable in such a strange scenario, after all nobody can control the weather! Its best to contact the vendors so they can find out the likelyhood of their removal company doing that. If its likely then contact your solicitor and see where you stand. You may just have to give them a few days grace - thats if you're notice on your current rental or your moving date for your house buyer (whatever situation you're in) doesnt come to an end on that day.

Your solicitor will be a better person to ask as they will know your circumstances better. Unless you want to tell us all of that info and we can advise some more.

Vampgirl

We moved in February last year and we woke up the morning of the move to 6" of snow and yes it did cause a few problems but we managed to work through it in the end. We'd planned on hiring a van for the small stuff on the Monday and a removals company (just for the large items that we couldn't manage ourselves) were booked for the Tuesday.

Our first issue was getting hold of the keys...the inventory clerk didn't turn up to meet us at the house and wasn't responding to phone calls, eventually we had a bit of a hair-raising journey to the estate agents to fetch the keys ourselves (someone walked into the office especially to meet us). Then the van company cancelled on us - they weren't letting any vehicles out in the conditions - but as we weren't moving very far we managed to do it in a lot of trips in the car instead. Luckily we got a call from the removals company Monday afternoon to say that yes they would be there on the Tuesday but might be a bit late - as indeed they were as they had problems getting their van out of the depot and staffing issues when people couldn't get into work.

I would say that communication and contingency planning are key...talk to your solicitor, and van hire company to find out what their policy is for such situations, and make sure your vendors do the same so that you can all plan together what should happen depending on circumstances. The worst thing for us was the uncertainty when we couldn't reach people (probably because they hadn't managed to get into the office) so make sure you have backup mobile numbers for people too.

rictus123

I would say just work through it. These companies need money like everyone else does especially at this time of the year. Just ring them up and ask what happens.