Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Rotherhithe

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which tree surgeons in Rotherhithe provide arboricultural services to domestic and commercial clients. By making a booking, requesting a quotation, or agreeing to proceed with any work, you accept that these terms apply to the service contract. They are designed to be fair, clear, and consistent with UK consumer and business law, while also reflecting the practical realities of tree work, site access, and the handling of green waste.

In these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the service provider, and references to “you” and “your” mean the client. The term tree surgery services includes, without limitation, pruning, crown work, reductions, removals, stump work where agreed, hedge maintenance, emergency work, vegetation clearance, and associated site operations. These terms should be read together with any written quotation, estimate, or work schedule issued before the job begins.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions affects your statutory rights where you are dealing as a consumer. If any provision is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. These terms may be updated from time to time, but the version in force at the time your booking is accepted will apply to that particular service agreement.

1. Booking Process

To arrange work with our Rotherhithe tree surgeons, you may request an assessment, site visit, or quotation. A booking is not confirmed until we have accepted the request and, where required, received any agreed deposit or written confirmation from you. We may decline a booking at our discretion if the job is unsafe, beyond our capacity, subject to legal restrictions, or unsuitable for the equipment and personnel available.

When providing a quotation, we may rely on information supplied by you and any visual inspection carried out at the time. Where access is limited, trees are obscured, or conditions change after quotation, the final scope and price may need adjustment. You agree to provide accurate and complete information about the property, tree condition, boundaries, shared access, underground services, and any known hazards, including the presence of nesting birds, protected species, or unstable structures.

We will normally confirm the date, approximate arrival time, scope of work, and any assumptions forming part of the quotation. You are responsible for ensuring that the site is accessible on the agreed date and that any necessary permissions, consents, or notices have been obtained before work starts. This may include permission from freeholders, managing agents, neighbours, or relevant authorities where applicable. If consent is required and not in place, we may suspend or cancel the booking.

2. Scope of Services and Site Conditions

All services are provided in accordance with accepted arboricultural practice and the conditions encountered on site. Trees are living organisms, and outcomes may vary depending on species, season, previous cuts, internal decay, disease, weather, and structural defects. We will use reasonable skill and care, but we do not guarantee regrowth patterns, flowering, fruiting, or long-term stability unless expressly stated in writing.

Our team may refuse to proceed with any element of work if, in our opinion, it would create an unsafe or unlawful situation. Examples include unstable ground, adverse weather, overhead cables, concealed hazards, restricted access, or the discovery of bats, nesting birds, or other protected wildlife. Where work is delayed or altered for safety or legal reasons, we will discuss the available options with you, which may include rescheduling or revising the specification.

Unless agreed otherwise, the quotation covers only the tasks specifically listed. Additional works, such as extra waste removal, stump grinding, traffic management, parking suspensions, or specialist equipment hire, may be charged separately. If unexpected work is required, we will endeavour to obtain approval before proceeding, but in emergency circumstances involving immediate safety risks, we may act to reduce danger and charge a reasonable fee for the necessary measures.

3. Payments and Charges

Payment terms will be stated on the quotation or invoice. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due immediately on completion of the work. We may require a deposit to secure larger bookings or works involving hired machinery, permits, or substantial labour commitments. Deposits are normally applied to the final invoice and are non-refundable only where the cancellation provisions below permit such treatment.

We accept payment by the methods notified in the invoice or booking confirmation. Where payment is made by bank transfer, it must clear in full within the stated period. If payment is not received on time, we reserve the right to charge reasonable recovery costs, statutory interest where permitted, and any debt collection expenses incurred in pursuing overdue sums. Title to any removed timber, arisings, or materials does not pass until all sums due have been paid in full.

Quoted prices are generally based on the information available at the time of quotation and assume normal working conditions. If we discover that the work is materially different from what was described, or if the job requires additional labour, equipment, permits, or access arrangements, we may revise the price accordingly. We will not increase the price arbitrarily; any adjustment will be reasonable and explained to you before the additional work is carried out whenever practicable.

4. Cancellations, Delays, and Rescheduling

You may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving reasonable notice. For standard non-urgent work, we request at least 48 hours’ notice where possible. If you cancel at short notice after we have allocated labour, arranged equipment, or incurred third-party costs, we may charge a cancellation fee reflecting our actual losses and committed expenses. For larger projects, the cancellation terms may be more specific and will be set out in the quotation or booking confirmation.

Where the cancellation is due to weather, unsafe site conditions, illness, emergency, or events outside either party’s control, we will aim to offer a revised date. We are not liable for delays caused by matters beyond our reasonable control, including severe weather, road closures, utility interruptions, access problems, strikes, or supply chain disruption. In such cases, any dates provided are estimates rather than guaranteed deadlines, unless we expressly agree a fixed completion date in writing.

If we have to cancel or postpone work because the site becomes unsafe, permissions are not in place, protected species are suspected, or essential information has been withheld, any wasted attendance cost may be charged where reasonable. However, we will not apply unfair cancellation charges. If you have paid in advance for work not yet performed, we will refund the unearned portion, less any legitimate costs already incurred in preparing for the job.

5. Liability and Limitations

We will carry out services with reasonable care and skill. If we fail to do so, we may, at our discretion, re-perform the service, rectify the issue, or offer a fair price reduction where appropriate. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under UK law.

Subject to the paragraph above, we shall not be responsible for losses that are not a foreseeable result of our breach or negligence, including indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, loss of opportunity, or interruption to business operations. Where we are liable in contract, tort, or otherwise, our total liability shall be limited to the amount paid or payable for the specific service giving rise to the claim, to the extent permitted by law.

You agree to keep children, pets, and unauthorised persons away from work areas while our team is on site. Tree work involves falling branches, machinery, ropes, woodchips, and vehicle movement, all of which carry risk. We are not liable for damage caused by pre-existing defects, hidden decay, ground movement, weak roots, subsurface obstructions, or third-party interference, provided we have exercised reasonable care in carrying out the agreed work.

6. Waste Regulations, Timber, and Site Clearance

We handle green waste and tree arisings in accordance with applicable UK waste legislation and environmental requirements. Unless otherwise agreed, waste generated by our work will be removed from site and managed through lawful disposal or recycling routes. We may chip, mulch, compost, or otherwise process suitable material in line with responsible waste management practices. Any special waste streams, contaminated materials, or items requiring separate handling may be subject to additional charges.

Where timber, logs, mulch, or arisings are left on site at your request, they become your responsibility once placed in the agreed location, subject to any contrary written arrangement. If you ask us to retain timber for firewood or landscaping, you accept that such material is supplied without warranty as to moisture content, suitability, or future performance unless we expressly state otherwise. We may refuse to leave material on site if doing so would create a safety, access, or compliance issue.

You confirm that the waste collection and disposal arrangements are suitable for the property and that we are authorised to remove the agreed material. We reserve the right to vary disposal methods if required by law, operational constraints, or environmental best practice. If we are required to take exceptional measures to comply with waste regulations, the associated cost may be added to the invoice where it is reasonable and proportionate.

7. Client Obligations and Access

You must ensure that the working area is reasonably clear and accessible before our arrival. This includes arranging parking where necessary, moving vehicles if required, and informing us of narrow entrances, low branches, fragile surfaces, concealed services, locked gates, or shared access conditions. If we cannot complete the work because access is inadequate or information has been withheld, we may charge for the wasted attendance and any non-recoverable costs.

Where consent, notification, or approvals are needed, you are responsible for securing them unless we have expressly agreed in writing to handle a particular part of that process. You must inform us immediately if the trees are subject to Tree Preservation Orders, conservation area restrictions, leasehold conditions, boundary disputes, or other legal constraints. We may rely on your instructions where you have represented that the necessary approvals are in place.

You must not ask us to carry out work that is unlawful, unsafe, or inconsistent with applicable environmental obligations. If we believe the requested work may breach planning or wildlife rules, we may pause the job until the issue is resolved. Any advice we offer is given in good faith based on the information available, but you should obtain independent legal or specialist advice where the matter is uncertain or contentious.

8. Insurance, Complaints, and Governing Law

We aim to maintain appropriate public liability and, where relevant, employers’ liability insurance for the services we provide. Copies or summaries of cover may be available on request. Insurance does not extend the scope of our obligations beyond these Terms and Conditions, and it does not guarantee against all possible outcomes in arboricultural work, which by its nature carries some unavoidable risk.

If you believe there is an issue with the service, you should notify us as soon as reasonably practicable so that we can investigate. Where appropriate, we may inspect the site, review the work, and propose a remedy. Any complaint will be handled fairly and proportionately. These terms, and any dispute or claim arising from them, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Any dispute that cannot be resolved amicably will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. This applies whether the claim arises in contract, tort, misrepresentation, restitution, or otherwise. By proceeding with a booking for tree surgery services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these Terms and Conditions and agree to be bound by them.