Terms and Conditions

Thank you for choosing to work with Let's Sort Your Stuff.  Here are the terms and conditions for how we can work together, to ensure our time together is meaningful and you receive value for your money. By engaging with my services, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions.

Advice

I will offer you advice, suggestions and tips in good faith. It is your decision, which, if any, you choose to follow. There will be no pressure or judgement from me.

Animals

Whilst I enjoy being around animals I cannot take responsibility for any in your home. I ask they are kept safely out of the way while we are working together, and birds are kept securely in cages. This is to ensure the safety of everyone involved.                    If your home has an infestation, such as insects or vermin, I reserve the right to leave your home whilst you address the issue with professional pest control services.

Breaks

We can have tea and rest breaks as and when required during our working together.
If I am with you for the full day,  I may take an unpaid lunch break and provide my own food.

Cancellations

I understand we sometimes need to cancel appointments. I ask we both communicate to each other promptly if this is the case. I will rebook your appointment as soon as is practicable for us both. If notice of cancellation is given less than 24 hours before the session, I reserve the right to charge the full amount for the session including any mileage. If I need to leave your home due to an infestation, or unsafe working environment I will charge you for the full duration of the booked session including mileage. If you are not present when I arrive, I will attempt to contact you. If we have not made contact within 30 minutes, I will leave your property and you will still be charged for the full session, including mileage.

Cleaning

I am happy to do light cleaning as we go with your cleaning products, but if you need a deep clean or would like to have a regular cleaner, I can help you to find someone.

Confidentiality and Privacy

I will not disclose any personal or business details discussed or seen during our work together to anyone without your consent except when required by law or regulatory authorities. You can let me know if there is anyone you want to let know we are working together, for example a family member, neighbour or other professional. I will only speak with them with your consent.
I am registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). This means I am fully aware of the need for Data Protection and only use your personal information for the purpose of our work together. Please see my separate Privacy Policy (which is on my website or you can request a copy from me).
interest of safety, the only exception to this is that a member of my family will have access to your name, address and contact details purely for the purpose of knowing my whereabouts at all times. This does not compromise The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). I may use examples of other people I have worked with to illustrate an option but will maintain anonymity. (For example; I may say I worked with a lady whose husband had died and she found comfort in donating his garage tools to a Men's Shed charity).

Damage

I will always treat your stuff and your home with care. Unfortunately, sometimes accidents do happen. I cannot accept responsibility for breakages, damage to items or damage to your property that occurs whilst I am working with you. Please ensure you have appropriate insurance in place to cover any loss or damage that may occur whilst we are working together.

Decision making

I will support you and guide you to make decisions about your stuff, but ultimately the decision as to what you decide to keep or let go of is yours. You may wish to obtain financial or other professional advice to support with your decision making. I do not accept liability for any decisions you make or their consequences.

Difference and Diversity

Please let me know if you have any religious or cultural beliefs that may affect our work. I respect we are all individuals and have different beliefs and faiths. I trust we will respect any differences we may have and will challenge any anti-racism and anti-discriminatory behaviours.

Duty of Care/ Safety

We have a duty of care towards each other to ensure we are both working safely. Please let me know before I arrive if there are any health, safety issues relating to you or your home I need to be aware of so that we are working as safely as possible. This includes any dangerous or hazardous objects or substances, animals, medical needles, blades, broken or sharp objects and unsanitary conditions. Please ensure that any equipment I use  is safe, suitable and in good working order. If you would like me to work in your loft, you are responsible for ensuring safe and suitable access, adequate lighting and secure, fixed weight-bearing boarding/flooring. Any area you ask me to work must be free from structural hazards and any other condition that may present a risk to my health or safety. I will not undertake any activity that I consider unsafe, including lifting or moving items that are too heavy, using unsafe ladders or steps, working at an unsafe height. If additional help or suitable equipment is needed, we can discuss this before proceeding.

Emergency contact

You may wish to provide a name and contact number for a relative, friend or other person who can be contacted in the event of an emergency.

Feedback/ Complaint

I hope we can have an open and honest relationship so that we can constantly review our work together and make changes where needed. Please let me know if there is anything you would like done differently, at the time, so that any issues can be discussed and resolved promptly. I maintain high standards and regularly review my service to identify ways in which I can improve. I am grateful for any feedback regarding your experience of working with me.

Fees and Payment

A three hour session Monday to Friday, Morning or Afternoon costs £135. If a session is extended by you, additional hours will be charged at £45 per hour to the nearest half an hour.
Prompt payment is due at the end of each session. Payment can be Cash, Cheque made payable to Charmain Felts, or same day Bank Transfer (I will give you the details). I can give you a paper or electronic invoice and receipt. I pay Tax and National Insurance on all of my income. (NB: See below for Mileage/Travel costs.)

Insurance

I have public liability and professional indemnity insurance with Westminster Insurance.

Masks

You may wish to wear a mask and gloves if we are moving stuff amongst dust or mould, and I may do the same. This is to reduce any potential irritation or exposure to airborne particles.

Membership

I am a member of the Association of Professional Declutters and Organisers (APDO). I am registered with the Small Good Stuff Directory and Community Catalyst Scheme. I am a registered Social worker with Social work England. I am a member of the Care Professional Organisation. I adhere to the above organisations Codes of Practice and Ethics.

Mileage/Travel

I charge 55p per mile for travel to and from your home. If I need to pay for car parking, this will be added to your invoice and is payable by you. Any other travel or accommodation expenses, such as train fares, will be agreed with you in advance where applicable, depending on the distance from my base.

Ownership

I work on the understanding that you have authority to make decisions about the items we will sort together.  If any belong to another person I will need their consent to sort their stuff. This is unless you have parental responsibility or a Mental Capacity Assessment has taken place with a Best Interest decision. If you have inherited a property, I will need to have sight of the relevant documentation to confirm you are authorised to engage with my service.

Photographs

I understand your home is your personal space and I will not take photographs without your permission. You may find it motivating to take some 'before' and 'after' photographs. You may wish to consider giving consent for me to share any photographs, along with a quote/testimonial to use for marketing purposes as these may motivate other people. Any photos used will be anonymised. You are under no obligation to consent to this and I will respect your decision.

Pronouns

I use the pronouns she/her. Please let me know how you wish to be addressed.

Recommendations

I can suggest other organisations/sole traders/charities you may wish to engage. Any contract will be between you and them and I cannot accept responsibility for the services they provide, their fees or any loss or damage occurred.

Safeguarding

If I become aware that someone may be at risk of harm or criminal activity I may need to notify the relevant authority, which could include a medical or social care professional, or the Fire Service. Where appropriate, I will endeavour to involve you, or the person potentially at risk in a conversation about my concerns. I hold an Enhanced  Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Certificate,and maintain my annual subscription to the DBS Update Service.

Recycling / Sustainability

I aim to reduce waste by recycling and reusing unwanted items wherever practical. I can suggest suitable charities, organisations or other destinations for items you no longer need. Where appropriate, I may take a car boot load of suitable items to a charity shop, school, care home or other place that has agreed to accept them. I will consider your preferences where possible, but the final decision on the most appropriate destination for items will be mine. You will need to provide suitable bags or boxes. Once items have left your home, I will not be able to return them.

Time keeping

I ask that we both respect each other's time by starting and finishing promptly. Unless previously agreed (usually in an inherited property), we will both need to be present for the duration of the session. I ask that we remain proactively focused on the task in hand.

Valuations

I am not qualified to give any valuations for your stuff. If you wish to sell anything, I recommend obtaining several valuations from reputable services and using a specialist where appropriate.

Working together

I will listen to what is important to you and empower you with the skills to make your own choices as we sort and organise your stuff. I will work at your pace and support you to achieve positive outcomes for your home and wellbeing, both for now and in the future. I will treat you with respect and expect the same in return. I understand sorting through stuff can be emotional and will listen to support you with any concerns you have.

IMPORTANT 

By booking a session and engaging my services, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to these Terms and Conditions.