FAQ's Hire

Viewing Props On our website

• Browse our categories and collections.
• Search by Decade, keyword or description by using the search box
• Click on an item picture to see more details and costs etc.
• Calling in Person

We recommend that you come to view items in person; whilst we do our best to convey accuracy in our images, the colour and condition may vary. If you are coming in to view a particular item, please call ahead and we will double check it is in stock. We are open Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.30pm. Please call ahead to make an appointment.

How do you price your items?

Our hire charges are based on multiples of a week and do not include shipping costs.

1 week is our minimum charge period although we will ask you to confirm your return date as this can affect item availability.

Each item is given a replacement value as listed on our quotations. This is the maximum amount that would be charged if an item was lost or damaged beyond repair and should be used for insurance purposes.

Our weekly hire charges are calculated as follows:

Week 1 10% of the item replacement value (Minimum of £10.00 excluding any P&P/Delivery)

Week 2 onwards 5% of the item replacement value

How do I make payment?

For clients without a credit account, we require payment for the hire before items can be collected/dispatched. Our payment terms for credit account clients are 30 days from invoice date unless otherwise detailed.

Payment can be made via the website credit card/PayPal or Bank Transfer. You will need to quote your contract number when you call, a receipt will be emailed to you.

For new clients or clients taking items abroad who choose to pay via bank transfer, we require an additional refundable card payment of £1 as security against any additional charges.

Please note, in providing your card details, you authorise the use of this card for any outstanding additional charges e.g. extended hire, loss or damage. You will receive a notification before if being charged.

When will I receive my invoice?

We will raise a final invoice the day after jobs are dispatched/collected. These are emailed or posted to the address on your Rental Agreement or Purchase Order.

Please let your Sales Advisor know if you need a pro forma invoice in order to make payment in advance. If paying by credit card, we can send a digital receipt to you in the meantime.

How can I apply for a credit account?

Please download an account application form below, complete and return it to: info@camera-house.co.uk

To open a credit account we require the following:

• First job to be paid in advance
• Account invoice to be paid in 30 days
To find out if you meet the requirements, please contact our Accounts team and they will check and advise.

Do I need to arrange my own transport?

No, you can arrange your own transport; but we can arrange posting/couriering or delivering your order.

Your driver will need to quote your Contract Number and Company Name on arrival. Our team will help with loading and provide a delivery note.

Our items are wrapped and protected where appropriate but we require transport companies to provide blankets and ties so items can be secured during transit.

We reserve the right to not load a job if we feel the client has sent unsuitable transport.

What time can I collect and return?

We are open Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.30pm.

Contact us in advance to discuss collection time options and we will see if we can meet your request.

If items are collected from our site, your driver will need to quote your Contract Number and Company Name on arrival. We will help with loading and then provide a delivery note.

How do you package your items?

Items are wrapped and protected where appropriate following our Item Care & Instructions

We recommend keeping the original packaging or using an appropriate alternative when returning your job. The delivery note provided will list any specialist chargeable packaging or item-specific packing instructions.

Is there anything I need to do when I receive the items?

We recommend you check over all items when you receive them and call us if you have any queries.

Any discrepancies should be reported to us within 24 hours of receipt/collection. Please have your contract number and item stock codes ready when you call. We may ask you to email pictures to sales@camera-house.co.uk so we have a record of how you received items.

Once your job is returned to us, we will assess all items, evaluate any new damage and advise on charges where necessary. Please note, items are the responsibility of the hire from time of receipt/collection until return.

Do I need to get insurance?

It is advisable, as you are responsible of the equipment from time of collection until return.

Your quote lists the ‘Total Risk Value’ per item. This is the replacement cost chargeable to the hirer if an item was lost or damaged beyond repair.

Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for further information.

What happens if I lose or damage an item?

Please call us immediately if anything is lost or damaged whilst out on your hire. We will need to check if this affects any upcoming hires on that item. We may ask you to email some pictures to info@camera-house.co.uk to help us make any urgent restoration or replacement arrangements.

Once your job is returned, we will assess all items and evaluate any new damage. You would receive a Damage / Non-Return Notification via email with restoration or replacement costs where necessary, followed by an invoice.

In order to avoid any additional charges, we recommend coming to view any items, so you can be sure they are suitable for your specific needs. We are happy to give advice on this and how items should be best transported.

What happens if I need to keep an item for longer?

Please call us in advance if you would like to keep an item for longer than your agreed hire dates. We will need to check availability for the requested extended period.

We will confirm if extending the hire is possible and provide a quote via email. You need to send a new Purchase Order and arrange payment to confirm, and then we will send an extended hire invoice.

We are open Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.30pm. Please call us to an appointment but if you are coming in to view a particular item, let us know and we can check it is in stock.

We are located just 45 minutes from Central Birmingham in a car. (WS14 0PA)

We have close access to the M5/M6/M42 and no problem parking on site if travelling by car.

For booking enquiries, please contact us on:

General enquiries info@camera-house.co.uk

Or call the office on 07811 401219

Can I buy your items?

No the collection is for hire only; we do not sell our items. But there may be similar items for sale on our sister website camera-house.co.uk 

Do you hire oversees?

Yes, it is possible to hire our items for use in oversees productions. Please let our representative know in advance if this is the case.

What happens with copyright?

It is the hirer’s responsibility to do any research to gain permission to use for their needs; we will of course provide information where we are able.

Please find here some links to government guidelines on copyright which we have found useful when researching this issue:

Repeal of section 52 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 link 

Page 17 Photographers, film makers and broadcasters:

• The exception for incidental inclusion of copyright material. For example, the exception would cover a photo or film of a kitchen with a teapot on the table (assuming that the particular teapot was a work of artistic craftsmanship). It would unlikely cover photographs of that teapot in which that work was the main subject of the photo, or a book with a series of photos of that teapot, especially if the teapot was the main focus of the photo or book.

Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 link 

Exceptions to Copyright link