Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Brockley

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which tree surgeons Brockley provide arboricultural services to domestic and commercial customers. By requesting a quotation, making a booking, or allowing work to commence, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms. Please read them carefully before confirming any appointment. These terms are intended to create clarity around the service process, pricing, safety, site access, disposal of waste, and legal responsibilities connected with tree surgery work.

The purpose of these terms is to define the relationship between the customer and the contractor in a fair and practical way. Tree work can involve changing site conditions, weather-related risks, equipment use, and legal duties relating to trees, neighbours, highways, and waste. For that reason, the terms below are designed to reflect the realities of professional tree surgeon Brockley services while remaining consistent with UK consumer and business law.

These terms apply to all agreed works, including but not limited to pruning, crown reduction, crown lifting, sectional dismantling, stump removal, hedge work, site clearance, emergency attendance, and related arboricultural services. Any variation to these terms must be agreed in writing. If any part of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply.

From time to time, a customer may ask for additional work once the original job has been booked. Any extra work requested on site will only be carried out where it is safe and practical to do so, and where the contractor has the necessary time, equipment, and consent to proceed. Additional work may affect the price and completion time. Where a written quotation has been issued, that quotation is based on the information available at the time and on the scope described by the customer.

1. Booking Process

Bookings may be made after an initial enquiry and a review of the required work. For many tree surgery services, an inspection may be needed before a final quotation is provided. The customer must give accurate information about the trees, access, nearby structures, underground services, shared boundaries, and any known hazards. If the customer provides incomplete or incorrect information, the contractor may revise the quotation, adjust the timing, or withdraw from the job if the site conditions are materially different from what was described.

A booking is only confirmed when the customer accepts the quotation, accepts these terms, and, where required, pays any deposit requested. Until confirmation is issued, dates and availability remain subject to change. The contractor will use reasonable efforts to keep the customer informed of scheduling arrangements, but no fixed date should be assumed unless expressly agreed. In the case of severe weather, access problems, traffic disruption, equipment failure, or other unforeseen circumstances, appointments may need to be moved.

2. Quotations and Prices

Unless stated otherwise, quotations are valid for a limited period and may be withdrawn or amended after that time. Prices are based on the scope of works, site access, labour, equipment, disposal requirements, and any special conditions affecting the job. If a price has been given on a provisional basis, it may change after a site inspection or once the work begins and the full extent of the task becomes clear. Any such revision will be explained before further work is undertaken wherever reasonably practicable.

3. Payments

Payment terms will be stated on the quotation, invoice, or booking confirmation. Unless agreed otherwise, payment is due in full on completion of the works. For larger jobs, staged payments or a deposit may be requested in advance. Deposits are normally used to secure the booking, cover administrative costs, and reserve labour and equipment. Where a deposit is paid, it may be non-refundable if the customer cancels without adequate notice, subject to applicable consumer law.

The contractor may accept payment by bank transfer, card, or another agreed method. Cash may be accepted only if agreed in advance. Late payment may incur interest and reasonable recovery costs where permitted by law. If payment is not made on time, the contractor reserves the right to suspend any further services, retain ownership of goods supplied until payment is received in full, or take lawful steps to recover the debt.

4. Cancellations and Rescheduling

Customers may cancel or request to reschedule a booking, but reasonable notice is required. If notice is given at short notice, the contractor may incur costs for allocated labour, vehicle use, permits, specialist equipment, or waste arrangements. In such cases, cancellation charges may apply. The amount charged will be fair and proportionate to the costs already committed and any losses reasonably incurred.

Where the contractor must cancel or delay the work because of unsafe conditions, adverse weather, staffing issues, equipment breakdown, or circumstances outside reasonable control, the customer will be informed as soon as reasonably possible. In those cases, the contractor will try to rearrange the appointment at a mutually suitable time. The contractor shall not be liable for losses arising solely from a necessary postponement where the postponement is reasonable and unavoidable.

5. Access, Site Conditions, and Customer Responsibilities

The customer must ensure safe and reasonable access to the work area. This includes clearing entrances where possible, allowing access for vehicles and machinery, and notifying the contractor of locked gates, fragile surfaces, restricted parking, pets, children, overhead cables, underground utilities, shared access routes, and any other relevant site conditions. If access is delayed or restricted, the contractor may need to charge for waiting time or additional labour.

The customer is responsible for informing neighbours or other affected parties where notice may be appropriate, especially where work may temporarily affect shared boundaries, driveways, or access. The customer must also obtain any necessary permissions if the work is on land they do not own outright, or where leasehold, tenancy, or management consent is required. If required permissions are not in place, the contractor may refuse to start or continue the works.

6. Liability and Safety

The contractor will carry out services with reasonable skill and care, using competent personnel and appropriate equipment. However, tree surgery often involves inherent risks, including falling timber, hidden decay, variable ground conditions, and the possibility of minor surface damage from machinery. The customer accepts that some disruption and wear may occur as a normal consequence of properly conducted arboricultural work.

The contractor will not be liable for loss or damage arising from inaccurate information supplied by the customer, pre-existing defects, hidden structural weaknesses, or matters outside the contractor’s reasonable control. Liability will also be limited where the customer has asked for a method that carries additional risk and the customer has approved that method in advance. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law.

7. Trees, Boundaries, and Legal Compliance

Where tree work may be affected by tree preservation orders, conservation area controls, planning restrictions, or other legal protections, the customer is responsible for disclosing any known restrictions before work begins. The contractor may assist with identifying potential issues, but the customer remains responsible for obtaining any formal permissions unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing. Work will not be undertaken in breach of applicable laws or local authority requirements.

In relation to shared boundaries or overhanging branches, the customer is responsible for confirming that they have lawful authority to instruct the work. The contractor may request written evidence of permission where ownership or responsibility is unclear. If a dispute arises between neighbours, landlords, tenants, freeholders, or managing agents, the contractor may pause or refuse the work until the matter is resolved to the contractor’s reasonable satisfaction.

8. Waste Regulations and Removal of Arisings

Green waste, timber, branches, brushwood, sawdust, and stump arisings generated during the works will be handled in accordance with applicable UK waste legislation and duty-of-care requirements. Unless stated otherwise, the quotation will specify whether waste is to be removed from site, chipped, stacked for customer retention, or left in a designated area. The customer must not assume that waste removal is included unless it has been clearly stated.

The contractor will transport and dispose of waste only through lawful and appropriate channels. Waste transfer arrangements may be documented where required. If the customer requests to keep timber, logs, mulch, or other arisings, ownership and responsibility for such material transfers to the customer once safely placed in the agreed location. The customer must ensure that retained waste is stored and used in compliance with applicable regulations and property rules.

9. Completion of Works

Work will be deemed complete once the agreed tasks have been carried out to a reasonable professional standard, subject to site constraints and any agreed variations. If the customer is not present at completion, the contractor may leave a written or digital summary of the work carried out. Minor debris may remain where it is impractical or unsafe to remove every trace of material, particularly in difficult access areas, on sloping ground, or in adverse weather conditions.

Any snagging, concern, or issue with the completed work should be raised within a reasonable time. The contractor may inspect the area and, where appropriate, offer a remedy if the issue arises from workmanship and not from normal tree response, weather, subsidence, or external factors. Trees are living organisms and may react over time to pruning, stress, pests, disease, and seasonal conditions. The contractor is not responsible for natural regrowth or biological changes beyond reasonable control.

10. Force Majeure

The contractor shall not be liable for delays or failure to perform where caused by events outside reasonable control, including extreme weather, storms, heavy rainfall, flooding, fire, industrial action, illness, accidents, supply shortages, road closures, legal restrictions, or emergency response requirements. In such circumstances, performance may be suspended for the duration of the event, and the parties will seek to reschedule in good faith.

11. Insurance

The contractor will maintain insurance cover that is appropriate for the nature of the services provided, including public liability cover and, where applicable, employer’s liability cover. Evidence of insurance may be provided upon reasonable request. However, insurance does not remove the customer’s duty to provide accurate information, suitable access, and lawful authority for the work. The customer should also ensure that their own property insurance remains adequate for the risks associated with tree surgery on their premises.

12. Termination

Either party may terminate the agreement before work starts by giving notice in writing. If the customer terminates after materials have been ordered, labour allocated, or a date reserved, reasonable costs may still be charged. The contractor may terminate or suspend the agreement immediately if the customer behaves abusively, refuses access, demands unlawful work, withholds essential information, or otherwise prevents the service from being completed safely and lawfully.

13. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute, claim, or matter arising from or in connection with the services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, unless mandatory consumer rights provide otherwise. If any provision is overridden by statutory rights, the remainder of the terms will continue in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

These terms form the standard service agreement for professional tree surgeons Brockley and are intended to ensure that work is carried out safely, lawfully, and with clear expectations on both sides. By confirming a booking, the customer acknowledges that they have read, understood, and accepted these terms. The contractor may update the terms from time to time to reflect changes in law, operational practice, or service delivery, and the version in force at the time of booking will apply unless another version is agreed in writing.