Last updated: 2 August 2026
1. Introduction
These Terms & Conditions apply to all waste removal, clearance and related services provided by Smout's Waste Management.
By requesting a quotation, accepting a quotation, booking our services, or allowing us to begin work, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.
These terms apply to both domestic and commercial customers unless alternative terms have been agreed in writing.
2. Quotations and Pricing
All quotations provided by Smout's Waste Management are based on the information available at the time of quoting, including descriptions, photographs, measurements and any other details provided by the customer.
We aim to provide accurate quotations wherever possible. However, if the amount, type, weight or accessibility of waste is different from what was originally described, we reserve the right to review and adjust the price before or during the work being carried out.
Additional charges may apply where:
• More waste is present than originally quoted for
• The waste is heavier or requires additional disposal costs
• Additional labour, time or equipment is required
• Access conditions are different from those described
• Waste requires specialist disposal, including POPs waste such as upholstered furniture or separately regulated items such as fridges, freezers and other appliances
Where possible, we will discuss any changes with the customer before continuing with additional work.
All quotations are valid for 30 days unless otherwise stated.
3. Bookings and Access
Once a booking has been agreed, Smout's Waste Management will reserve time and resources to complete the work.
Customers are responsible for ensuring suitable and safe access is available at the agreed time. This includes providing access to driveways, gates, gardens, garages, commercial premises or any other areas where waste is to be collected.
Customers must inform us of any access restrictions before the booking takes place, including:
• Limited parking availability
• Narrow entrances or pathways
• Steps, slopes or difficult terrain
• Locked gates or restricted access areas
• Any other conditions that may affect the safe removal of waste
If access is different from what was described when the quotation was provided, additional charges may apply if extra time, labour or equipment is required.
We reserve the right to refuse or stop work where access conditions are unsafe or where completing the work may put our staff, customers, members of the public or property at risk.
4. Payment Terms
Payment is due upon completion of the work unless alternative payment terms have been agreed in writing. For domestic customers, payment is required on completion of the service unless otherwise agreed. For customers who are invoiced, payment terms will be stated on the invoice. Unless otherwise agreed, invoices are payable within 7 days of the invoice date.
Customers wishing to request extended payment terms, including 30-day payment terms, must agree this with Smout's Waste Management in advance.
Any extended payment terms are offered at our discretion and must be confirmed in writing.
For certain bookings, Smout's Waste Management may require a deposit before work begins. Where a deposit is requested, the amount and payment requirements will be confirmed at the time of booking.
Deposits may be used to secure booking dates, cover allocated labour, equipment, travel, disposal arrangements or other costs associated with the work.
Where payment is not received within the agreed timeframe, we reserve the right to recover reasonable costs associated with recovering outstanding payments and may refuse to carry out further work until outstanding balances are settled.
5. Minimum Charge
All waste removal bookings are subject to a minimum charge.
The minimum charge may vary depending on factors including the type of customer, location, waste type, disposal requirements, labour required, access requirements and the size of the job.
Any applicable minimum charge will be confirmed when providing a quotation.
Smout's Waste Management reserves the right to offer discounted pricing or reduced minimum charges at our discretion.
6. Waste Collection
Customers are responsible for providing accurate information about the waste they require removing when requesting a quotation or booking our services.
Customers must ensure they have the legal right to request removal of the waste.
Customers are responsible for checking that no personal belongings, valuables, documents or items they wish to keep are included within waste before collection begins.
Smout's Waste Management reserves the right to review pricing if the waste presented for collection differs from the information originally provided.
Additional charges may apply where waste requires additional labour, time, equipment or specialist disposal.
Once waste has been removed and accepted by Smout's Waste Management, it will be transported and handled in accordance with relevant waste regulations.
We reserve the right to refuse the collection of any waste that cannot legally be transported or disposed of, or where accepting the waste would create a health and safety risk.
7. Hazardous and Restricted Waste
Smout's Waste Management does not accept hazardous or restricted waste unless this has been agreed in advance and suitable arrangements have been made.
Customers must inform us before collection if any waste may contain hazardous materials or require specialist disposal.
This may include, but is not limited to:
• Asbestos or materials suspected to contain asbestos
• Paints, solvents, adhesives and other chemical products
• Garden chemicals including pesticides, weed killers and fertilisers
• Cleaning chemicals and hazardous liquids
• Oils, fuels and contaminated materials
• Clinical or medical waste
• Gas bottles, cylinders or pressurised containers
• Explosives or flammable materials
• Needles or sharps
• Any other waste requiring specialist handling or disposal
Certain items may require separate arrangements or additional charges due to disposal requirements.
Customers must not intentionally conceal hazardous or restricted waste within other materials.
If hazardous waste is discovered during a collection, Smout's Waste Management reserves the right to stop work, refuse removal, or arrange alternative disposal where appropriate. Any additional costs incurred may be charged to the customer.
This also includes Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) waste, such as upholstered furniture including sofas, armchairs, mattresses and some office furniture, which may require separate disposal arrangements.
8. Health & Safety / Unsafe Conditions
Smout's Waste Management is committed to carrying out all work safely and professionally.
However, we reserve the right to pause, refuse or stop work where conditions present a risk to our staff, customers, members of the public, property, or where unforeseen circumstances make completing the work unsafe or impractical.
This may include, but is not limited to:
• Active wasp nests, bee nests or other pest infestations
• Unsafe structures, including unstable sheds, buildings or other items requiring removal
• Unstable waste piles or materials that cannot be safely handled
• Dangerous access conditions
• Needles, sharps or unexpected hazardous materials
• Aggressive animals
• Severe weather conditions
• Biological hazards including excessive mould, animal waste, dead animals or significant infestations
• Any other unforeseen hazards identified during the work
Where work is paused or stopped due to an unsafe condition, we will discuss the next steps with the customer where possible.
Additional charges may apply if extra time, labour, specialist services or return visits are required due to unforeseen hazards or conditions outside of our control.
Customers are responsible for informing Smout's Waste Management of any known hazards before work begins.
9. Customer Responsibilities
Customers are responsible for providing accurate information and ensuring that reasonable arrangements are in place for Smout's Waste Management to safely complete the agreed work.
Customers must:
• Provide accurate details about the waste to be removed
• Ensure they have the legal right to request removal of the waste
• Provide safe and suitable access to the work area
• Inform us of any known hazards, restrictions or risks before work begins
• Ensure children, pets and members of the public are kept away from the working area where necessary
• Remove or clearly identify any personal belongings or items they wish to keep before collection begins
Customers are responsible for obtaining any permissions required for the work, including access permissions from landlords, property owners, neighbours or other relevant parties.
10. Environmental Responsibilities
Smout's Waste Management is committed to carrying out work responsibly and in accordance with relevant environmental regulations.
Customers must inform us before work begins if they are aware of any protected species, environmental restrictions or other factors that may affect the work. This may include:
• Active bird nests
• Bats or potential bat roosts
• Badgers or badger setts
• Other protected wildlife or habitats
Where protected species, environmental risks or legal restrictions are identified, we reserve the right to pause or stop work until appropriate advice, permissions or arrangements are in place.
11. Damage and Liability
Smout's Waste Management takes reasonable care when carrying out all services.
Customers acknowledge that some waste removal, clearance and dismantling work may involve risks due to the condition, location or accessibility of items being removed.
We will not be responsible for damage caused by:
• Pre-existing damage or defects
• Hidden structural issues or weaknesses
• Unsafe or unstable items
• Underground services, pipes or cables not identified before work begins
• Access conditions that were not disclosed or could not reasonably be identified beforehand
• Circumstances outside of our reasonable control
Where customers request dismantling or removal of structures, they accept that hidden conditions may be present and removal may expose underlying damage or defects.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions limits any liability that cannot legally be excluded.
12. Cancellations and Rearranging Bookings
We understand that circumstances can change, and customers may need to cancel or rearrange a booking. We ask that as much notice as possible is provided.
Where a booking is cancelled or rearranged at short notice, Smout's Waste Management reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee where costs, time or resources have already been committed. A cancellation or rearrangement fee may apply where:
• The customer cancels shortly before the agreed appointment time
• The customer is not available when we arrive
• Access is unavailable or the work cannot be completed due to circumstances not disclosed beforehand
• Labour, travel, equipment or disposal arrangements have already been allocated
Any cancellation charges will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will reflect any reasonable costs incurred.
If work has already commenced, the customer remains responsible for payment for completed work and costs incurred up to the point the work is stopped.
Where a deposit has been paid, the treatment of the deposit will be handled in accordance with the Payment Terms section.
13. Delays and Circumstances Outside Our Control
Smout's Waste Management will always aim to complete bookings within the agreed timeframe. However, delays can occasionally occur due to circumstances outside of our reasonable control.
These may include:
• Traffic delays or road restrictions
• Severe weather conditions
• Waste facility closures or delays
• Vehicle breakdowns or equipment failure
• Unexpected site conditions
• Delays caused by third parties
Where possible, we will notify customers as soon as reasonably practical if a delay is expected and will work to rearrange or complete the service at the earliest suitable opportunity.
Smout's Waste Management will not be liable for delays caused by circumstances outside of our reasonable control.
14. Waste Disposal and Compliance
Smout's Waste Management is a registered waste carrier and licensed scrap metal collector, operating in accordance with relevant UK waste management and environmental regulations.
We are committed to responsible waste management and the lawful handling, transportation, recycling and disposal of waste.
Where applicable, scrap metal collected will be handled in accordance with relevant legislation.
All waste collected will be transported and managed responsibly. Where required, waste will be taken to licensed waste facilities and appropriate documentation, such as waste transfer notes, will be provided.
Smout's Waste Management does not permit waste collected from customers to be illegally disposed of or fly-tipped under any circumstances.
15. Photographs, Videos and Marketing
Smout's Waste Management regularly creates photographs and video content of completed work for business records, quality control and marketing purposes.
This may include before and after photographs, videos and other content shared across our business social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, as well as our website and other marketing platforms.
Where content is created, we aim to focus on the work being carried out rather than the customer's property or personal circumstances.
We take reasonable steps to avoid showing identifiable information, including:
• Customer names
• Addresses or house numbers
• Personal documents or belongings
• Customers, members of the public or other identifiable individuals
Where possible, we will seek customer permission before using photographs or videos for marketing purposes.
Customers who do not wish photographs or videos of their work to be used for marketing purposes should notify Smout's Waste Management before or during the booking.
16. Website Information
Smout's Waste Management aims to ensure that the information provided on our website is accurate and up to date. However, we do not guarantee that all information will always be complete, accurate or free from errors.
The content on this website, including text, images, logos and other materials, is owned by or licensed to Smout's Waste Management and must not be copied, reproduced or used without permission.
Our website may contain links to external websites or third-party services. Smout's Waste Management is not responsible for the content, availability or privacy practices of external websites.
We reserve the right to update, amend or remove website content at any time without notice.
17. Contact Us
If you have any questions about these Terms & Conditions or the services provided by Smout's Waste Management, please contact us.
Smout's Waste Management
Email: enquiries@smoutswastemanagement.co.uk
Telephone: 07368220170
