Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Thorntonheath
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which tree surgeons Thorntonheath provide arboricultural and related outdoor services to domestic and commercial customers. By making a booking, confirming an estimate, or allowing work to begin, you agree to these terms. They are designed to create a clear understanding of what is included in the service, how appointments are arranged, how payment is handled, and what happens if circumstances change. For the avoidance of doubt, references to tree surgery services include pruning, crown work, felling, stump treatment, hedge work, site clearance, and other agreed vegetation management tasks.
These terms apply in conjunction with any written quotation, scope of work, specification, or agreed variation. If there is any inconsistency between these terms and a later written agreement signed or confirmed by both parties, the later agreement will take priority to the extent of the inconsistency. We may update these terms from time to time to reflect changes in law, insurance requirements, operational processes, or waste handling rules. The version in force at the time your booking is accepted will normally govern the relevant appointment unless another arrangement is expressly agreed in writing.
All customers are expected to read these terms carefully before confirming a job. If you do not understand any part of them, you should raise the issue before work starts. Continued use of our tree surgeons Thorntonheath service after a change has been communicated will be taken as acceptance of the revised terms, where permitted by law. Nothing in these terms is intended to remove or limit any rights you may have under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the Consumer Contracts Regulations where applicable, or any other mandatory UK consumer law.
Bookings are usually made following an initial enquiry and a review of the information you provide. This may include photographs, a description of the trees or hedges, access details, and the reason for the work. In some cases, a site visit may be needed before a firm quotation is issued. A booking is only confirmed when we have accepted the work, provided an estimate or quotation, and received your written approval or other clear instruction to proceed. For larger or more complex jobs, we may require a deposit or staged payment arrangement before reserving a date.
When you book tree surgeon Thorntonheath services, you confirm that you are authorised to request the work and that you either own the property or have the right to permit access and operations. You are also responsible for telling us about anything that may affect the job, such as overhead cables, underground services, protected wildlife, tree preservation orders, party boundaries, subsiding ground, unstable structures, or restricted access. If the information you give is incomplete or inaccurate, the scope, price, and timing may need to change, and any resulting extra costs may be charged to you where reasonable.
Our quotations are normally based on the information available at the time and are valid for a stated period where one is given. Estimates are not fixed prices unless we expressly say otherwise in writing. If the work changes after booking, for example because a tree is larger than described, additional hazards are identified, or the customer requests extra tasks on site, we may revise the price before continuing. All changes will be communicated as soon as reasonably practicable. We aim to keep appointments on the agreed date, but timings may be affected by weather, traffic, seasonal workload, machinery breakdown, or access problems.
Payment terms will be explained in the quotation or invoice. Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due immediately upon completion of the work or within the period shown on the invoice. We may accept payment by bank transfer, card, or another agreed method. Any deposit paid is held to secure the booking and will usually be deducted from the final balance. Deposits are non-refundable where the customer cancels late, fails to provide access, or prevents the work from being carried out after we have reserved time and resources, subject always to any rights that cannot legally be excluded.
If payment is not made when due, we reserve the right to charge reasonable interest and recovery costs in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts legislation where applicable, or otherwise to take lawful steps to recover the outstanding balance. We may also suspend further work until overdue sums are paid. For larger commercial arrangements involving tree surgeons Thorntonheath, milestone invoicing may be used. In all cases, invoices must be paid in full unless there has been a genuine dispute raised promptly and in good faith about part of the invoice.
Cancellations and rescheduling requests should be made as soon as possible. Because tree work often involves reserved labour, equipment, disposal arrangements, and weather-sensitive planning, late changes can cause real loss. If you cancel more than a reasonable period before the agreed date, we may not charge a cancellation fee, but we may retain a deposit where costs have already been incurred. If you cancel with short notice, fail to provide access, or are not present when required and this prevents completion, a proportionate charge may apply to reflect wasted time, vehicle costs, and administration. We will always act reasonably when applying such charges.
If we need to cancel or postpone, we will aim to notify you as early as reasonably possible and offer an alternative date where practical. We are not responsible for delay caused by events outside our reasonable control, including severe weather, accidents, emergency call-outs, utility faults, road closures, strikes, or supply issues. In such cases, we may rearrange the work without penalty to either party. Where a customer asks us to return after a cancellation or postponement, a revised quotation may be issued if costs or conditions have changed. This is especially relevant where specialist equipment or additional labour will be needed.
Health and safety is central to all tree surgeons Thorntonheath operations. You must ensure that the site is reasonably safe and that our team can work without unnecessary obstruction. Children, pets, members of the public, and untrained persons must be kept clear of the work area. You must not permit anyone to interfere with climbing, cutting, lowering, or machinery operations. We may stop work if we believe the site is unsafe, if weather conditions become unsuitable, or if there is a risk to property, people, or our staff. Any downtime caused by unsafe conditions or customer interference may be charged where appropriate.
We will take reasonable care to carry out the work with professional skill and in accordance with recognised arboricultural practice. However, tree and hedge work inherently involves living materials, variable structures, and hidden defects. Branch movement, bark tearing, regrowth patterns, root disturbance, and changes in appearance after pruning may occur even when the service is performed correctly. Unless we have expressly guaranteed a particular outcome in writing, we do not promise that a tree will continue to grow in a certain way, remain free from disease, or be structurally stable in the long term. Advice given on the day is based on visible conditions only.
Our liability is limited to losses that are reasonably foreseeable and directly caused by our negligence or breach of contract, subject to any legal limits that cannot be excluded. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be limited. Where damage occurs and we are responsible, our liability may be limited to repairing the damage, paying a reasonable amount for the loss, or the cost of the service in question, depending on the circumstances and any insurance considerations. We are not responsible for pre-existing defects, hidden decay, unstable walls, weak boundaries, or ground movement not caused by us.
Customers must tell us about any particular value items, fragile surfaces, ornamental planting, underground services, or access routes that require special care. While we will act carefully, tree work can involve falling timber, debris spread, vibrations, and machinery movement. You should remove or protect objects that may be damaged by normal operations unless we have expressly agreed otherwise. Any request to protect special items should be agreed before work starts and may result in an additional charge. Where we are asked to operate close to buildings, glass, conservatories, vehicles, fences, or neighbouring land, you accept that some risk remains even with reasonable care.
Waste generated by the work will be handled in line with applicable UK waste regulations, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the duty of care requirements. Green waste, timber, arisings, soil, and related material will be removed, reused, chipped, recycled, or disposed of as agreed and in a lawful manner. If waste is to be left on site, this must be specifically agreed in advance. We will not unlawfully fly-tip or dispose of waste in breach of regulations. Where a waste carrier licence or documentation is required, we will maintain the appropriate records. Customers must not instruct us to leave waste in a way that would breach the law.
Ownership of timber, woodchips, and other arisings will pass in accordance with the quotation or site agreement. If no arrangement is stated, we may retain, recycle, or remove the material as part of the service. You must ensure that any waste left behind is dealt with responsibly after our departure. If you later request additional removal of material not originally included, this may be treated as a separate chargeable service. Where protected species, nesting birds, bats, or other wildlife are found or suspected, work may need to stop so that legal obligations can be observed. In such circumstances, timing and scope may change without this being a breach by us.
Permits, permissions, and consents are the customer’s responsibility unless we have expressly agreed in writing to obtain them. This may include planning consent, tree preservation consent, landlord approval, freeholder permission, or neighbour agreement where relevant. If work cannot proceed because approvals have not been obtained, you may still be liable for any preparatory costs already incurred. Similarly, where access must be arranged through neighbouring land or shared driveways, you must secure permission unless we have agreed to do so. We are not responsible for disputes between neighbours, boundary disagreements, or claims arising from inaccurate information supplied by the customer.
We may subcontract some or all of the work to suitably qualified persons, but we remain responsible for the standard of the service we have agreed to provide. Any subcontractor engaged will be expected to work in line with these terms, relevant law, and our instructions. If a third party causes delay or damage beyond our control, we are only liable to the extent permitted by law and only where we have ourselves failed to take reasonable care in appointing or supervising them. You may not assign your rights or obligations under these terms without our written consent.
All intellectual property in our written quotations, site notes, and service materials remains ours unless otherwise agreed. You may use documents supplied to you for the purpose of managing the booked work, but you must not reproduce or distribute them for commercial gain without permission. Personal data supplied during the booking process will be processed in accordance with applicable data protection law and used only for administration, invoicing, safety, compliance, and service delivery purposes. We keep records only for as long as necessary for those purposes or as required by law. Confidential information shared by either party should be treated responsibly.
If any provision of these terms is found to be unlawful, unenforceable, or invalid, the remaining provisions will continue in full force. Failure by us to enforce any right at any time does not waive that right. A waiver is only effective if given in writing. These terms are intended to be interpreted fairly and reasonably, reflecting the practical realities of arboricultural work and the expectations of customers using tree surgeons Thorntonheath services. No term shall be interpreted so as to remove statutory protections that apply to consumers or businesses under UK law.
The contract formed by these terms, together with the accepted quotation or written agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties for the relevant work. Any statement made before the contract is formed does not create a binding term unless confirmed in writing or required by law. You acknowledge that tree work is often affected by site conditions, seasonal growth, weather, and legal controls, and you accept that a flexible, safety-led approach may be necessary. We will always seek to keep you informed and to act fairly when changes are required.
These terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, except where mandatory law gives the customer the right to bring proceedings elsewhere. Any dispute should first be raised promptly so that both parties can try to resolve it in good faith without unnecessary delay or cost. Where possible, we encourage the use of written communication to clarify the issue and identify an appropriate remedy.
By instructing us, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions for tree surgeon Thorntonheath services. You also confirm that any person acting on your behalf has authority to do so. If there is any difference between a marketing statement, informal discussion, and these terms, the written terms will prevail to the extent permitted by law. These provisions are intended to provide a clear and fair basis for professional tree work, responsible waste handling, secure payment, and sensible risk allocation between the parties.
Thank you for choosing a professional tree surgeons Thorntonheath service. We aim to deliver work safely, lawfully, and with respect for your property and the surrounding environment while keeping the process straightforward and transparent from booking through to completion.