Booking Terms & Conditions

These Booking Terms and Conditions form an agreement between BDS Movers and the customer making the booking. Any moving, transportation, packing, storage, labour, advice, quotations or related services provided by BDS Movers are subject to these terms. By confirming a booking, paying a deposit, allowing work to begin or using our services, the customer confirms that they have read and accepted these terms.

2.1 Information Provided by the Customer

All estimates and quotations are based on the information supplied by the customer at the time of booking. BDS Movers may adjust the quoted price where:

• The quantity, size, volume or weight of the goods is different from what was originally advised.
• The property has stairs, lifts, balconies, narrow entrances, steep driveways or restricted access that were not disclosed.
• The moving truck cannot park reasonably close to the collection or delivery address.
• Extra items, stops, routes, labour, vehicles, storage or waiting time are required.
• The customer changes the collection address, delivery address, date, time or scope of work.
• The job takes longer than estimated due to circumstances outside the reasonable control of BDS Movers.

2.2 Heavy and Oversized Items

Additional charges may apply for items requiring special handling, additional workers or specialised equipment. This may include, but is not limited to: pianos, spa pools, pool tables, safes, large machinery, commercial equipment, oversized furniture, and items weighing more than 75 kilograms. The customer must inform BDS Movers about all heavy, oversized or difficult-to-move items before confirming the booking.

BDS Movers may refuse to move any item that:

• Is not safely or adequately packed.
• May cause injury to staff or other persons.
• May damage the moving vehicle, property or other goods.
• Cannot be safely handled using the available staff or equipment.
• Is considered unstable, contaminated or otherwise unsafe to transport.

Where possible, the customer may be given an opportunity to repack or secure the item. Any additional waiting time may be charged.

All arrival and completion times are estimates only. Traffic, weather, breakdowns, delays on earlier jobs, road closures, access problems and other unforeseen circumstances may affect the scheduled time. BDS Movers may arrive up to two hours later than the estimated arrival time without providing a discount, refund or waiver of charges. Where a delay is expected to exceed two hours, BDS Movers will attempt to contact the customer and discuss the available options. BDS Movers will not be responsible for indirect costs or losses caused by a delay outside its reasonable control.

The customer must not provide the following items for packing, transportation or storage:

• Explosive, flammable, corrosive, toxic or hazardous materials.
• Gas bottles, fuels, paints, chemicals, ammunition or fireworks.
• Firearms or other weapons.
• Illegal, prohibited or stolen goods.
• Drugs, controlled substances or medicines requiring special conditions.
• Aerosols or pressurised containers.
• Perishable goods or items likely to attract insects, rodents or other pests.
• Cash, jewellery, precious metals, watches, gemstones or valuable collections.
• Deeds, passports, securities, stamps, coins or important legal documents.
• Animals, birds, fish, pets, cages, aquariums or animal tanks.

The customer should personally transport important documents, medication, jewellery, cash and other high-value personal belongings.

Before the move, the customer must:

• Empty all refrigerators and freezers.
• Disconnect them from power.
• Defrost and clean them properly.
• Secure all shelves, drawers and doors.

BDS Movers is not responsible for food, liquids or other contents left inside an appliance. BDS Movers does not guarantee that refrigerators, freezers or other electrical appliances will operate correctly after being disconnected, moved and reconnected.

The customer must advise BDS Movers in advance about any access restrictions at the collection or delivery location. This includes:

• Stairs or lifts
• Narrow doors, hallways or driveways
• Long walking distances
• Limited parking
• Height restrictions
• Steep or unsafe access
• Construction work
• Apartment booking requirements
• Loading-zone restrictions
• Balcony or window access

The customer is responsible for providing safe and lawful access for the moving truck and staff. Any parking charges, permits, fines caused by customer instructions, building access fees or additional labour resulting from restricted access may be charged to the customer. BDS Movers is not responsible for damage caused where an item must be moved through an unsuitable or restricted access point at the customer's request.

The customer is responsible for obtaining and paying for any permits, building approvals, lift bookings, parking permissions, access codes or licences needed to complete the move. Delays resulting from missing permissions or access arrangements may be charged as waiting time.

The customer must:

• Ensure all goods are ready before the movers arrive.
• Pack goods securely unless packing services have been booked.
• Clearly identify fragile, valuable, heavy or damaged items.
• Disconnect appliances and electronic equipment.
• Remove wall-mounted televisions, shelves and fixtures unless otherwise agreed.
• Arrange suitable supervision at the collection and delivery addresses.
• Check that no items have been left inside the moving vehicle after completion.
• Inspect goods and property as soon as reasonably possible after the move.

Any time spent waiting for packing, dismantling, access, keys or customer instructions may be included in the billable time.

Unless otherwise required by applicable law, all goods are transported at the customer's risk. BDS Movers will take reasonable care when handling goods but will not be responsible for loss or damage caused by:

• Inadequate or unsuitable packing.
• Goods packed by the customer or another person.
• Pre-existing damage, weakness, wear or deterioration.
• The natural characteristics or inherent defects of an item.
• Mechanical, electrical or internal failure where there is no visible external damage.
• Weather, traffic, accidents, road conditions or events outside our reasonable control.
• Restricted or unsafe access.
• Goods moving inside boxes, containers, drawers or appliances.
• The customer or another person assisting with the move.
• Failure to disclose that an item is fragile, valuable, damaged, heavy or difficult to move.

Special care should be taken with glass, mirrors, televisions, artwork, antiques, marble and stone, computers and electronics, plants, vehicle parts, and collectables. Where the customer instructs BDS Movers to continue moving an item after being advised of a risk, the item will be handled at the customer's risk. Nothing in these terms is intended to remove any rights that cannot legally be excluded under New Zealand law.

11.1 Customer Insurance

BDS Movers does not automatically provide contents, replacement-value or transit insurance for customers' belongings. The customer is responsible for arranging suitable insurance before the move begins. Customers are strongly encouraged to confirm with their insurer that their belongings are covered during packing, loading, transportation, unloading and temporary storage.

11.2 Reporting Damage

Any alleged loss or damage must be reported to BDS Movers in writing within 24 hoursof the completion of the move. The written notice should include: the customer's name and booking details, a description of the damaged or missing item, photographs showing the damage, photographs of the packaging where relevant, evidence of the item's condition and value, and any insurance claim information. Submitting a claim does not mean that liability has been accepted.

11.3 Excluded Claims

Claims may be declined where they relate to:

• Scratches, scuff marks or minor cosmetic surface marks.
• Customer-packed goods.
• Glass, mirrors or fragile goods that were not factory-packed or professionally packed.
• Pre-existing damage.
• Items with inherent defects, deterioration or structural weakness.
• Insufficient packaging.
• Internal mechanical or electrical failure without evidence of external impact.
• Items moved against the recommendation of BDS Movers.
• Claims submitted outside the required notification period, subject to applicable law.

11.4 Insurance Excess

Where the customer has valid insurance, the insurer accepts the claim, the insurer confirms that BDS Movers was responsible for the damage, and an insurance excess is payable, BDS Movers may pay the applicable insurance excess, subject to management approval and any legal obligations.

12.1 Residential Moves

Residential moves and bookings without an approved credit account must be paid in full by cash or bank transfer on the day of the move. Unless management has agreed otherwise in writing, the full balance must be received no later than 24 hours after the job is completed.

12.2 Commercial and Office Moves

Approved business customers may receive payment terms of up to seven days at the discretion of BDS Movers. Credit terms must be approved before the move.

12.3 Payment Before Final Unloading

BDS Movers may request full or partial payment before unloading the final items, particularly where the estimated time or cost has been exceeded, the customer has not made an agreed payment, there is concern that payment may not be completed, or the job has been changed or extended.

12.4 Overdue Accounts

Where payment is not made by the due date:

• Late fees plus GST may be added for each 24-hour period the account remains overdue.
• Work may be suspended until payment is received.
• The account may be referred to a debt collection agency.
• The customer will be responsible for reasonable debt recovery and collection costs.

Customers and other persons at the property must treat BDS Movers staff respectfully and provide a safe working environment. BDS Movers may stop or cancel a job where staff experience:

• Threats or intimidation
• Verbal or physical abuse
• Harassment or discrimination
• Aggressive behaviour
• Unsafe working conditions
• Instructions to perform unlawful or dangerous work

Where a booking is terminated due to the conduct of the customer or another person at the property, the customer may still be charged for work completed, travel time and any resulting costs.

A cancellation fee of $100applies where a booking is cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice. Cancellation requests must be provided in writing by email to info@bdsmovers.co.nz. A request is not considered accepted until BDS Movers confirms the cancellation in writing.

Where the customer requests a new date or time with less than 48 hours' notice, BDS Movers may treat the change as a cancellation and apply the cancellation fee. Any deposit paid may be applied toward cancellation charges, staff costs, vehicle allocation and other expenses already incurred.

BDS Movers may cancel or reschedule a booking due to unsafe conditions, vehicle breakdowns, staff illness, severe weather, emergencies or other circumstances outside its reasonable control. In these circumstances, BDS Movers will attempt to offer another suitable booking time.

The customer or their authorised representative should inspect the moving vehicle and confirm that all items have been unloaded before the movers leave. BDS Movers is not responsible for items alleged to be missing after the customer has confirmed completion unless the loss is reported promptly and supported by reasonable evidence.

BDS Movers may update these Booking Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version provided or made available at the time the booking is confirmed will apply to that booking.