These Terms & Conditions apply to the professional organisation and decluttering services (“the Services”) provided by Catherine Bennett (“the Provider”) to the Client. The Client refers to any person for whom the Provider is carrying out Services.

By booking or using the Services, the Client confirms that they have read and understood these Terms & Conditions and agrees to comply with them.

1. Best Advice & Client Responsibility

All advice is given in good faith based on professional experience. However, all decisions remain the responsibility of the Client, including decisions to keep, donate, recycle, or dispose of items.

The Client remains responsible for all decisions made regarding their belongings throughout the Service.

The Provider is not responsible for:

• any decisions made by the Client; or
• the valuation of any items or possessions.

2. Removal and Disposal of Items

All decisions about items to be removed, donated, recycled, or disposed of are made by the Client.

The Provider will only act on items that the Client has clearly identified and agreed should be removed or disposed of during the session.

The Provider relies on the Client’s instructions and accepts no responsibility for the outcomes of those decisions.

Once items have been removed from the property, placed into the Provider’s vehicle, handed to a third party, or taken to a recycling or charity facility, they are considered permanently transferred and cannot be returned.

On occasion, and only with the Client’s consent, the Provider may transport small items to charity or recycling points.

Final responsibility for selection and disposal of items rests with the Client at the time of the session.

3. Handling of Goods

The Provider will always endeavour to handle the Client’s property with reasonable care. However, the Provider accepts no liability for any loss or damage, to the extent permitted by law, during the provision of the Services.

The Provider is not able to move or lift very large or heavy items. If additional assistance is required, the Client is responsible for arranging suitable help.

Where the Provider works alongside a removal company or other third party engaged by the Client, the Client is responsible for ensuring that appropriate insurance cover is in place. The Client acknowledges that the removal company’s or third party’s insurance may not provide cover for the Provider, the Services, or any assistance provided by the Provider.

If the Client’s insurance or the third party’s insurance does not permit the Provider to pack, unpack, move, or handle items (other than to supervise), the Client must inform the Provider before the Services begin.

The Provider accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from the actions of third parties or from removal, transport, or disposal services arranged by the Client.

4. Personal Safety

Before any session, the Client agrees to inform the Provider of anything in the environment that may pose a risk to health or safety.

For safety purposes, the Provider will share appointment location and timing with a designated emergency contact.

5. Other Suppliers & Services

The Provider may recommend third-party services from time to time. The Provider is not responsible for their performance, pricing, or any agreements made between the Client and those providers.

6. Charges, Expenses & Payment Terms

1. The hourly rate Monday to Friday is £50. The Saturday rate is £65 per hour.
2. The initial consultation is free for up to one hour.
3. Any consultation exceeding one hour will be charged at the standard hourly rate after the first hour.
4. Time is charged from arrival to departure and is billed in 15-minute increments, rounded up to the nearest 15 minutes.
5. Time spent transporting items to charity or recycling points is charged at the standard hourly rate.
6. Estimates of time are provided in good faith. Additional time may be required and will always be agreed with the Client where reasonably possible before continuing.
7. Travel within 15 miles of Guildford (GU1) is included at no additional cost. For locations beyond this distance, mileage is charged at 60p per mile for the full return journey (from Guildford (GU1) and back).
8. Any parking, congestion, or access charges will be added to the invoice.
9. Invoices are issued weekly in arrears for hours worked and are payable within 7 days of the invoice date.
10. Payment may be made by BACS, cheque, or cash.

7. Appointment Changes & Cancellation

Appointments may be cancelled or rescheduled without charge if at least 3 full working days’ notice is given.

Working days are Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm) and exclude public holidays. For example, an appointment on Thursday would need to be cancelled on or before 5pm on Monday.

If less than 3 working days’ notice is given, the full appointment fee will be charged.

The Provider may, by prior agreement, offer appointments on a Saturday.

8. Termination of Services

The Provider may withdraw or end Services at any time where there are safety concerns, undisclosed risks, or unforeseen circumstances that make it unreasonable to continue.

9. Insurance

The Provider holds Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance.

10. Confidentiality & Privacy

Our Privacy Policy stipulates that we will not divulge Client information to third parties save as permitted or required by law or by relevant regulatory authorities.

Further information on how Client information is collected, stored, and used can be found in the Privacy Policy.

11. Professional Standards

The Provider is a member of The Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO) and follows its professional code of ethics.

The Provider is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and complies with data protection legislation.

12. Photography

The Provider will only take photographs of the Client’s belongings or spaces with the Client’s prior consent. Photographs will only be used for the purposes agreed with the Client and will not be shared publicly without further permission.