Template notice: This is a starting-point policy for a UK removals business. Replace the bracketed details with your real company information and have it checked by a qualified solicitor before publishing, since Shiftly's exact data-handling practices (e.g. any booking software, payment provider, or analytics you actually use) will affect what needs to be disclosed.
Privacy Policy
Last updated: [DATE]
Shiftly ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what personal data we collect when you use our website or request a moving quote, how we use it, and what rights you have under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
1. Who we are
Shiftly is a removals, storage and packing company based in Preston, Lancashire. For any privacy questions, contact us at info@shiftly.co.uk or 07000 000000.
2. What information we collect
When you use our instant quote calculator or contact us, we may collect:
Your name and contact details (phone number, email address)
Pickup and delivery addresses or postcodes
Details of your move — property type, moving date, inventory of items, and any photos you choose to send us via WhatsApp or email
Communications you send us, including WhatsApp messages, emails, and phone call notes
Basic technical information such as your browser type and approximate location, where used to power address/postcode lookups
3. How we use your information
We use your personal data to:
Generate and send you an accurate moving quote
Contact you to confirm, schedule, or discuss your booking
Plan crew, vehicle, and route logistics for your move
Meet our legal, accounting, and insurance obligations
Improve our services and website
We do not sell your personal data to third parties.
4. Who we share information with
We may share limited information with:
Our removals crew and subcontractors, solely to carry out your move
WhatsApp / Meta Platforms, Inc., when you choose to contact us via the WhatsApp booking button (subject to WhatsApp's own privacy policy)
Our insurance provider, if a claim needs to be made
Postcodes.io, a free UK postcode lookup service, when you enter a postcode into our quote calculator (only the postcode itself is sent, not your name or other details)
Professional advisers (accountants, solicitors) or regulators, where legally required
5. How long we keep your data
We retain quote and booking information for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil your move, deal with any post-move queries or claims, and meet our legal and tax obligations (typically no longer than [6 years] after your move, in line with standard UK record-keeping requirements). Unconfirmed quote enquiries that don't proceed to a booking are deleted after a shorter period.
6. Your rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:
Access the personal data we hold about you
Ask us to correct inaccurate data
Ask us to delete your data, subject to our legal retention obligations
Object to or restrict certain processing
Request that your data be provided in a portable format
Complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk if you believe we have mishandled your data
We take reasonable technical and organisational steps to protect your personal data against loss, misuse, or unauthorised access. However, no method of transmission over the internet or WhatsApp is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "last updated" date.
9. Contact us
If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your data, please contact us at info@shiftly.co.uk or 07000 000000.
Template notice: This is a starting-point policy. Update it if you later add analytics (e.g. Google Analytics), advertising pixels, or a live chat tool, since each of those typically sets its own cookies and would need to be listed here and consented to under UK PECR rules.
Cookie Policy
Last updated: [DATE]
This Cookie Policy explains how Shiftly ("we", "us", "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on this website.
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, work more efficiently, and to provide reporting information.
2. Do we use cookies?
Our website is built as a simple quote calculator and does not currently use tracking or advertising cookies. We keep this policy in place so you know exactly what to expect, and so we can update it transparently if that changes.
The site may use:
Strictly necessary technical storage — while you're filling in the quote calculator, your selections (route, property type, items, etc.) are held temporarily in your browser's memory so the tool works. This is not saved once you close the page and does not identify you personally.
Third-party postcode lookups — when you type a postcode, a request is sent to postcodes.io (a free UK postcode API) to find matching addresses. This service may process your IP address as part of delivering that request; please refer to postcodes.io's own policies for details.
3. WhatsApp and external links
If you click "Book via WhatsApp" or any external link (such as to Google Reviews), you will leave our website and be subject to that third party's own cookie and privacy practices, which we do not control.
4. How to control cookies
Most web browsers let you refuse or delete cookies through their settings. Since this site does not rely on non-essential cookies to function, blocking cookies in your browser should not affect your ability to use our quote calculator.
5. Changes to this policy
If we introduce analytics, marketing, or other non-essential cookies in future, we will update this policy and, where required by law, ask for your consent via a cookie banner before those cookies are set.
Template notice: These terms are a general-purpose starting point for a small UK removals company and are not a substitute for legal advice. Please have them reviewed by a solicitor (or checked against a body such as the British Association of Removers' model terms) before relying on them, and fill in the bracketed details.
Removals Terms & Conditions
Last updated: [DATE]
These terms and conditions ("Terms") govern the removals, storage, and packing services provided by Shiftly ("we", "us", "our") to you ("the Customer"). By booking a move with us, you agree to these Terms.
1. Quotations and Pricing
Prices shown on our online quote calculator are estimates based on the information you provide (property size, route, and inventory) and are not final until confirmed by us in writing or via WhatsApp.
Quotes remain valid for 14 days from the date issued, unless otherwise confirmed by us in writing. The estimate covers labour, vehicle, and mileage as set out in your quote breakdown — it does not include additional services such as full packing, dismantling of built-in furniture, or storage unless these are specifically added. Prices may be adjusted if the actual volume of items differs from the inventory declared, or if parking/access conditions on the day (e.g. no suspended parking bay, long carry distances) require additional time or a smaller shuttle vehicle.
2. Booking, Deposits, and Cancellations
A booking is only confirmed once we have accepted it and received your deposit.
A booking is confirmed once an upfront deposit has been received. The remaining balance must be paid in cleared funds before unloading begins at the delivery address. If you cancel within 5 working days of your move date, your deposit is non-refundable. Cancellations made with more than 5 working days' notice will receive a full deposit refund.
3. Customer Responsibilities & Access
You are responsible for providing accurate information about your move so we can plan crew, vehicle, and access correctly.
You must provide an accurate inventory, arrange any required parking permits or suspensions at both addresses, and ensure appliances (washing machines, cookers, etc.) are fully disconnected from plumbing, gas, and electrical supplies before our crew arrives. Any boxes you pack yourself must be secure and clearly labelled.
Residential rule: you (or an authorised adult) must be present to meet our crew at the delivery address for access and a walkthrough.
Storage rule: unsupervised drop-offs at a self-storage unit are only permitted where you hold the keys or access code — our liability ends once the unit is secured.
4. Waiting Time
We build a reasonable grace period into every job, but extended delays affect our crew's ability to complete other bookings that day.
We allow a free grace period of 1–2 hours for delays in key release or access. Beyond this, a standard waiting charge of £50 per hour (or part thereof) applies, to cover crew wages and vehicle downtime.
5. Prohibited Items
For safety and legal reasons, certain items cannot be transported in our vehicles.
We cannot transport hazardous or flammable materials (gas cylinders, paint, fuel, aerosols), illegal substances, or perishable food. You are responsible for personally transporting cash, passports, jewellery, and other high-risk valuables — we accept no liability for these items if left with our crew.
6. Liability, Insurance, and Damage Claims
We take care to protect your belongings throughout your move, and carry insurance to back that up — within the limits and exclusions below.
We hold Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance up to [£ policy limit — confirm your actual cover]. Any damage must be reported to us in writing with photo evidence within 3–7 days of your move. We do not accept liability for:
Items you packed yourself ("PBO" — Packed By Owner)
Pre-existing damage, wear-and-tear, or structural weakness in antique or second-hand furniture
The inherent fragility of flat-pack/chipboard furniture
Internal electrical or mechanical failure of appliances, unless caused by external impact during transit
Damage to the property/building itself, which must be pointed out and verified before our crew leaves site
7. Delays
While we make every effort to keep to agreed times, moving times can be affected by traffic, weather, access issues, or circumstances beyond our control. We are not liable for reasonable delays, but we will keep you informed as soon as we become aware of any likely delay.
8. Force Majeure
We are not liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations where this is caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to extreme weather, road closures, vehicle breakdown, strikes, or other events outside our control.
9. Storage Services
Where storage forms part of your booking, separate storage terms covering access, minimum storage periods, and insurance while in storage will be provided and agreed with you before your items are placed into storage.
10. Complaints
If you are unhappy with any aspect of your move, please contact us at info@shiftly.co.uk as soon as possible so we can investigate and try to resolve the issue promptly.
11. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Packing is where most moves go wrong — rushed boxes, missing labels, and breakages that could easily have been avoided. Our crew can pack as much or as little of your move as you'd like, using proper materials so everything arrives in one piece.
✔ Full-house packing, or just the fragile/awkward items
✔ Proper boxes, bubble wrap, and furniture blankets — not bin bags
✔ Kitchenware, glassware, and electronics packed to survive the move
✔ Boxes labelled by room so unpacking is straightforward
House Moves
Our core service — full house and flat removals across Preston and Lancashire. Whether it's a studio flat or a five-bedroom family home, we plan the crew size, van, and timings around what you actually own, not a rough guess.
✔ Studio flats up to large 5+ bedroom houses
✔ Luton van with tail lift for heavy furniture and appliances
✔ Careful handling on stairs, narrow doorways, and tight parking
✔ Fixed, transparent pricing agreed before moving day
Storage Services
Moving dates rarely line up perfectly. If you need somewhere secure to keep your belongings between addresses — for a few days or a few months — we can collect, store, and redeliver when you're ready.
✔ Short-term and long-term storage options
✔ We collect from you, so no extra van hire needed
✔ Secure, insured storage for your belongings
✔ Flexible redelivery whenever your new place is ready
Junk Removal
Clearing out before or after a move? We can take old furniture, appliances, and general household junk off your hands, so you're not stuck dealing with a tip run on top of everything else.
✔ Old furniture, appliances, and general household waste
✔ Full house clearances or a single item pickup
✔ Responsible disposal and recycling wherever possible
✔ Can be booked alongside your house move or on its own
Specialty Item Moving
Some items need more care than a standard move allows for — antiques, artwork, pianos, safes, and anything else that's heavy, awkward, or simply irreplaceable. We plan these moves individually rather than treating them like everyday furniture.
✔ Antiques, artwork, and fragile or high-value items
✔ Pianos, safes, and other heavy or awkward pieces
✔ Extra padding, crating, and careful route planning
✔ Get in touch first so we can plan the right equipment and crew