Removal Company

PaulJ13

My house move was cancelled after exchange/completion (simultaneous due to a Covid Clause) did not happen on the day of moving with the removal firms lorry parked outside and had to be sent away. The removal firm invoked their T's and C's and refused us any refund or part refund on what we had already paid them - £2,500. Do they have the right to do this without any justification?
The move itself was to North Wales from the South Coast and given an approximate fuel consumption of 10 miles to the gallon and a round trip mileage of about 500 miles surely we should be able to reclaim that amount as they did not expend any money on fuel. Also, the driver and his team would not be paid for something that did not happen at whatever hourly rate they would have been paid for a two day move.

Aylesbury_Duck

PaulJ13 said:

My house move was cancelled after exchange/completion (simultaneous due to a Covid Clause) did not happen on the day of moving with the removal firms lorry parked outside and had to be sent away. The removal firm invoked their T's and C's and refused us any refund or part refund on what we had already paid them - £2,500. Do they have the right to do this without any justification?
The move itself was to North Wales from the South Coast and given an approximate fuel consumption of 10 miles to the gallon and a round trip mileage of about 500 miles surely we should be able to reclaim that amount as they did not expend any money on fuel. Also, the driver and his team would not be paid for something that did not happen at whatever hourly rate they would have been paid for a two day move.

Depends upon the terms of the contract you signed.

The staff costs seem fair - why would they not have been paid?  I think you have a reasonable argument on the fuel costs though, which would be around £300.  A well constructed letter setting that out would be your first port of call.  If they refuse, you might consider a letter before action and small claims action, but do check those terms and conditions.  You also have to consider if it's worth your trouble to chase £300 in what I suspect are some much larger costs you'd usually incur from a cancellation after exchange.

The other possible consideration is that if the move goes ahead at a later date, might you want to use their services?  If so, don't wind them up at this point, but ask if they'd consider a reduction for the rearranged date to reflect the lack of fuel use on this job.