Best Advice
Advice is given in good faith, and it is your decision to accept guidance on whether to keep or dispose of specific possessions. Kimberley Declutters cannot accept responsibility for the consequences of such decisions. From time to time, I may handle items with a potentially high market value. While I will always endeavor to identify such items amongst your possessions, you acknowledge that I am not a valuer, nor do I have the expertise to identify items of special value or rarity, nor am I qualified to advise on valuation matters for insurance purposes.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Kimberley Declutters is a professional service. I will never divulge client information to third parties, nor any personal and/or business details that I may be privy to through my work with you. As a member of the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office), I understand relevant privacy regulations; therefore, all details and information regarding the client’s personal and business life and possessions will be confidential.
The only way your situation may be mentioned to others is in the context of my own services, where it will be entirely depersonalised and unidentifiable (e.g. “a client”). It is helpful to give examples to other clients of how particular situations can be addressed. For example, how long it took to deal with a room of a certain size, the furniture used for storage, and the solutions we found while working together. Similarly, testimonials are welcomed for use on the website and/or social media, as they can help others to make a more informed decision about whether Kimberley Declutters might be the right choice for them. Please note that these will only be used with your permission, and personal details will not appear.
Insurance
Kimberley Declutters holds full Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance coverage for services. While I will always handle your possessions with great care and consideration, accidents may happen. I will not be liable for damage or losses and ask that you have appropriate and current insurance policies that compensate you adequately.
Associations
Kimberley Declutters is a member of APDO UK (The Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers) and abides by their Code of Ethics: https://www.apdo.co.uk/code-of-ethics/
Cancellation
Both you and I have the right to cancel the contract due to unforeseen circumstances. Travel charges or further expenses paid in advance, for which I cannot obtain refunds, are not refundable in any circumstances and will be invoiced to you at the time of cancellation. Cancelling within 72 hours will result in a charge of 50% of the session fee. If you postpone for matters entirely out of your control, the charge may be waived at my discretion. Any postponements will need a replacement date booked in within 2 weeks or your deposit will be forfeited. Cancelling on the day of the session will result in a charge of my full fee of the session booked.
Personal Safety and Respect
Kimberley Declutters appreciates that strong feelings can arise during decluttering sessions. However, to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all involved, any form of physical or verbal abuse or accusation is unacceptable. If such behaviour occurs, the session may be terminated, and any funds paid, including those for current and future sessions, may be forfeited.
Session Logistics
During decluttering sessions, Kimberley Declutters and the client will work together for the duration. Organising and storage jobs may be carried out by Kimberley Declutters alone or with the client. When I arrive, we will briefly discuss what you aim to achieve during the session and exchange signed terms and conditions. Please make sure that you have read the Terms & Conditions before I arrive. This will generally last no longer than 15 minutes to allow enough time to make good progress. We will end the session 15 minutes early, allowing time to pack up, debrief, discuss progress, take payment and say goodbye. If you need longer for this, please make Kimberley aware.
Hours of Work
You will be charged for hours Kimberley Declutters is on site. Time passed the hours agreed will be charged at my hourly rate of £35, in 15-minute increments. If we finish at 5.15 pm, you may be charged an additional £8.75 While a booking will generally be made for a pre-agreed number of hours, it’s understood that it is not always possible to anticipate exactly how long will be needed due to the nature of the job and client decision-making time.
Selling of Items
Kimberley Declutters does not offer the selling of items as a standard service because often, it is not cost-effective for the client, as it is time-consuming for me to list items, respond to potential buyer questions and liaise between the client and buyer. For exceptional circumstances where I agree to sell for a client, the time will be charged at my hourly rate. If Kimberley Declutters is required to be on-site to meet the buyer or help remove items, time and mileage will be charged.
Breaks
If a session covers lunchtime, I’ll bring lunch, allowing for up to 30 minutes. You will not be charged for lunch breaks. For example, if the session is 10-4 pm and I take 30 minutes for lunch, we’ll finish at 4.30 pm. We’ll need to break occasionally for a few minutes to hydrate and for you to pace yourself. These short breaks are included within the session time. Lunch will be taken in my car, or I will go for a walk. This gives us both time to reflect and have some breathing space.
Limits of Work & Job Length
I will do all I can to help you achieve the state of organisation and tidiness you desire. I’m happy to help you with light cleaning, as appropriate, during the session. I’m also happy to help you relocate items to more appropriate physical locations. However, I will not attempt to lift or move heavy items such as washing machines or substantial furniture. If additional tasks or areas are added during the session, please understand that the initial time quoted will no longer be accurate and additional sessions may be required. If Kimberley Declutters has estimated a job length based on working with the client and the client, for whatever reason, cannot help during the session, it will take longer. Decluttering and organising isn’t always straightforward; things tend to crop up, particularly when it comes to decluttering, and it is not always possible to give an exact time quotation. If a job is likely to take longer than the client has budgeted, we will establish the highest priority and work on this first.
Removal of Items
Items to be removed by Kimberley Declutters from your premises, either for disposal or to other locations, including charity shops, must be at your discretion. The disposal will only take place with your authorisation. Within all full-day and half-day packages, I can take up to 1 car boot load of charity items away after our session. I cannot take rubbish or recycling. If needed, I can arrange for skip-hire and liaise with the company; this will be charged at my hourly rate or organised during our session. Additionally, I have contacts for storage and rubbish clearance companies and charity collections. You agree that I disclose your name and address to the relevant company, who will invoice you directly.
Photographs & Social Media
Kimberley Declutters will take before and after pictures of each area we work in for insurance purposes, to refer back to when planning for storage and, most importantly, for you to see the difference in a photograph as well as in person. These photos are only ever seen by Kimberley Declutters and kept in secure digital files. However, if you grant permission, I may ask to use some of these images for social media and/or the website. I will never do this without prior permission. I will never tag you or use locations, names or addresses in these posts. Neither will I use any images that could compromise your privacy to the general public, for example, the front of your house or images with family photographs in the background.
Deposits
Kimberley Declutters requires a deposit before confirming the first session and providing services. The standard deposit is 50% and is payable at the time of booking. Your deposit will be taken off the invoice amount; it is not an extra charge to you. However, all or parts may be non-refundable if cancelling within 72 hours. Your session is not confirmed until the 50% deposit has been received by Kimberley declutters, at which point you will receive an email confirmation.
Payment Terms
Charges for my services will be levied per hour. An invoice will be issued and payable before or on the day of completion of the session by means of – Cash or bank transfer using the details shown on the invoice. All charges shall be payable upon invoice as set out above. Interest will be charged on any balance unpaid after the session date. Kimberley declutters will require full payment before any work is carried out, if hired by an outside body or agency working on behalf of a client, in such circumstances Kimberley declutters will require photos or a home visit to insure said client is on board with the session being booked on their behalf.
Travel
Up to 30 miles from Redruth TR15 is complimentary. Further afield is charged at £0.45 per mile, and any parking fees will be invoiced. All accommodation, travel time, and expenses will be invoiced for long-distance jobs.
