Tree Surgeons Hernehill Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions apply to all services provided by Tree Surgeons Hernehill and are intended to set out the basis on which tree surgery, arboricultural maintenance, and associated site services are supplied to customers. By making a booking, confirming a quotation, or allowing work to begin, you agree to be bound by these terms. Please read them carefully before instructing any tree surgeon in Hernehill or accepting a service proposal.

For the purposes of these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the service provider trading as Tree Surgeons Hernehill, and references to “you” or “the customer” mean the person, business, landlord, managing agent, or other entity requesting the services. These terms apply whether the work is for a private garden, commercial premises, development site, or another property type. They should be read alongside any written quotation, proposal, risk assessment, or scope of works issued for a particular job.

The term tree surgery services includes, without limitation, tree felling, sectional dismantling, pruning, crown reduction, crown lifting, hedge cutting, stump grinding, deadwood removal, emergency callouts, and the clearance of green waste arising from those activities. Where there is any inconsistency between a written quotation and these terms, the written quotation will prevail only to the extent of that inconsistency.

All bookings are subject to availability, site conditions, and acceptance of the work required. A booking may be made following an initial enquiry and, where appropriate, a site visit or review of photographs, measurements, and relevant property information. We may ask you to provide details about tree size, access, nearby structures, underground services, boundary ownership, planning restrictions, and any known hazards before confirming a visit or work date.

Any quotation provided by Tree Surgeons Hernehill will usually be based on the information available at the time. A quotation may be revised if the scope of work changes, access is restricted, hidden defects are discovered, additional equipment is required, or the site conditions differ materially from those described. Acceptance of a quotation confirms that you authorise us to proceed on the stated terms, subject to any necessary permissions and lawful access arrangements.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, a booking is not guaranteed until it has been confirmed by us. We may require a deposit, signed acceptance, or other confirmation before reserving a date. If a customer instructs a tree surgeon Hernehill service at short notice, verbally, or by message, this may still create a binding agreement once accepted by us, even if no formal paper contract is issued.

You are responsible for ensuring that you have the authority to instruct the work at the property concerned. If the property is leasehold, jointly owned, managed, or occupied by a tenant, you must ensure that the necessary permissions have been obtained. We may reasonably rely on your confirmation that you are entitled to authorise the work and that the work does not breach covenants, tenancy terms, or building rules.

Any dates given for attendance are estimates unless expressly stated as fixed appointments. Weather conditions, emergencies, traffic, access difficulties, safety concerns, or the need to comply with legal or environmental restrictions may require us to reschedule. Where work is postponed for reasons outside our control, we will seek to rearrange within a reasonable time. Tree surgery often depends on safe conditions, and we reserve the right to delay or stop work if conditions become unsafe or unsuitable.

We may require you to make the site accessible on the agreed day and to remove or secure items that could obstruct the work area, including vehicles, garden furniture, ornaments, children’s play items, or fragile fixtures. Any delay caused by inadequate access, incorrect information, or the absence of a person authorised to grant access may result in additional charges or a revised appointment.

Payment terms will be set out in the quotation, invoice, or booking confirmation. Unless otherwise agreed, invoices are payable in full on completion of the work or within the payment period stated on the invoice. For larger or more complex jobs, we may request staged payments, a deposit, or payment in advance for materials, machinery, or subcontracted services. Time shall not be of the essence in relation to payment unless expressly stated.

We accept payment by methods notified at the time of booking. Bank transfer is commonly used, and other methods may be made available at our discretion. If a payment is declined, reversed, delayed, or disputed without good reason, we may suspend future work, charge reasonable recovery costs, and charge statutory interest and compensation where permitted by law. The customer shall not withhold payment for completed work unless there is a genuine and properly notified dispute.

If additional work is required because of hidden defects, unsafe branches, unexpected obstacles, or customer-requested changes, we will normally discuss the matter before proceeding where time and safety allow. However, urgent measures may be taken immediately if necessary to protect people, property, or the work team. Any agreed variation may increase the final price. All prices are stated exclusive of VAT unless otherwise specified.

Cancellation by the customer must be made as soon as possible and, where practical, in writing. If a booking is cancelled with sufficient notice, we may choose to waive cancellation charges, but we are under no obligation to do so. If a booking is cancelled after labour has been allocated, equipment has been hired, materials have been ordered, or access arrangements have been made, we may charge reasonable costs incurred up to the point of cancellation.

If you cancel very close to the scheduled date, or fail to provide access on arrival, we may treat the booking as cancelled by you and invoice for loss of time, travelling, administration, and any non-recoverable expenses. Where work is postponed rather than cancelled, we will try to offer an alternative date, although this will depend on availability. Repeated postponements may require the booking to be re-quoted.

We may cancel or reschedule a booking where necessary due to unsafe weather, equipment failure, staff illness, legal restrictions, suspected contamination, access problems, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control. In such cases, our liability is limited to rearranging the work or refunding any pre-paid sums that relate solely to the unperformed portion of the service, unless the law requires otherwise.

All tree surgery involves some level of risk, and while we take reasonable care, we cannot eliminate all hazards. Our liability is limited to the extent permitted by law. 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 lawfully be excluded under UK law.

We will carry out work with reasonable skill and care in line with the information supplied, the agreed scope, and applicable industry practices. However, we are not liable for loss or damage arising from pre-existing defects, structural weakness, hidden decay, unstable ground, underground services not disclosed to us, or third-party actions, except where such loss or damage is directly caused by our negligence. Trees can behave unpredictably, especially where disease, decay, or storm damage is present.

Customer belongings, nearby structures, fences, walls, paving, vehicles, and ornaments should be moved or protected by the customer where reasonably practicable. If we agree to move items, this is done on a care basis only and at your risk unless otherwise agreed in writing. We shall not be responsible for damage caused by items that are already defective, poorly installed, or outside the reasonable working area, except where the damage results from our proven negligence.

Where our work requires access to neighbouring land, public areas, roads, paths, or shared boundaries, we may ask for evidence that permissions, notices, or consents have been obtained. The customer remains responsible for informing relevant parties unless we have expressly agreed to do so. Any advice we give about permissions, preservation status, or planning matters is offered in good faith, but you should obtain formal confirmation from the appropriate authority where required.

We may sometimes recommend that work be postponed or that specialist input is obtained where a tree is subject to statutory protection, such as a Tree Preservation Order, conservation area controls, wildlife nesting activity, or other legal limitation. If you ask us to proceed despite a known restriction, we may refuse the instruction. A reputable tree surgeon in Hernehill will always consider compliance before commencement, and we reserve the right to stop work if continuing would create legal risk.

If excavation or stump grinding forms part of the service, there may be underground services, buried structures, irrigation lines, drainage channels, or hard landscaping close to the work area. Unless we have been provided with accurate service plans and clear markings, we cannot accept responsibility for damage to unmarked concealed features beyond our control. You must tell us about any known underground risks before work begins.

Waste generated during tree surgery will normally include branches, timber, leaves, sawdust, woodchip, and other green waste. Unless agreed otherwise, we will remove and dispose of waste in accordance with applicable waste regulations and duty of care requirements. We may separate reusable timber, chip material, and arisings for transport, recycling, mulch production, or lawful disposal through licensed facilities.

The customer should not burn, transport, or dispose of the waste created by our work unless this has been specifically agreed in writing. If you wish to keep logs, woodchip, or other arisings, you must tell us in advance so that the work can be planned accordingly. Retained materials remain your responsibility once they have been left on site, and you must store or use them safely and lawfully.

Where waste transfer documentation, carrier details, or disposal records are required, we will provide them as appropriate for the service supplied. We operate in accordance with UK waste duty of care principles and expect all customers to cooperate with lawful handling of arisings. If contamination, hazardous material, Japanese knotweed, or other non-standard waste is encountered, additional costs and specialist disposal arrangements may apply.

Any materials supplied by us, including stakes, ties, mulch, protective coverings, or replacement items, remain our property until paid for in full where retention of title applies by law or by express written agreement. The customer is responsible for ensuring that any replacement planting, aftercare, or maintenance agreed as part of the job is carried out within the stated timescale, particularly where weather or site conditions can affect successful establishment.

We may subcontract or delegate parts of the service to suitably qualified personnel. This does not reduce our responsibility to provide the service as agreed, but we are not liable for delays or failures caused by subcontractors beyond our reasonable control unless such issues result from our negligence or breach of contract. Any person acting on our behalf is bound by these terms to the extent relevant to their role.

We may terminate the agreement immediately if you fail to pay, materially misrepresent the site, obstruct safe working, request unlawful conduct, or behave abusively toward staff or contractors. In such circumstances, you will remain liable for work properly carried out and costs reasonably incurred up to termination. If we are prevented from completing work by your actions or by conditions you should have disclosed, we may charge for the portion already undertaken.

Any notice required under these terms may be given by email, text, letter, or other reasonable written format if details have been exchanged for the booking. Notices are deemed received when reasonably delivered, not necessarily when read. If any provision of these terms is found unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force, and the invalid part will be interpreted to give lawful effect where possible.

These terms, together with any quotation and written variation agreed between the parties, constitute the entire agreement between you and Tree Surgeons Hernehill in relation to the services supplied. You confirm that you have not relied on any statement or promise outside this agreement, except where such statement has been expressly included in writing. Any variation must be agreed by us in writing and signed or otherwise confirmed by an authorised representative.

Where we make use of photographs, measurements, or records for quotation, planning, or proof of completion, such records may be retained for administrative, legal, insurance, and quality control purposes. They remain our property unless otherwise agreed, but any personal data processed in connection with a booking will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection law and our privacy arrangements, if applicable.

Nothing in these terms creates a partnership, joint venture, or employment relationship between the customer and us. The customer may not assign the benefit of the contract to another party without our written consent, although we may assign or transfer our rights and obligations where this does not materially disadvantage the customer. References to the singular include the plural where appropriate, and headings are included for convenience only.

For domestic customers, the service is supplied on the understanding that tree work may involve noise, dust, vibration, vehicle movement, and temporary disruption. For commercial customers, it is your responsibility to coordinate site access, permits, induction, and any special health and safety requirements in advance. We will comply with reasonable site rules provided they are lawful, practical, and notified to us before attendance.

The customer should ensure that pets, children, and other vulnerable persons are kept away from the work area during operations and until we confirm that the site is safe to use again. Although we take care to secure the area where possible, you remain responsible for supervising the property and preventing unauthorised access to equipment, timber stacks, chips, or stump grinding zones.

To the fullest extent allowed by law, our total aggregate liability arising from any booking, whether in contract, tort, negligence, misrepresentation, or otherwise, shall not exceed the total amount paid or payable for the specific service giving rise to the claim, except where a higher limit is required by law. We do not exclude liability where exclusion would be unlawful.

Any claim relating to the service should be raised promptly and, in any event, within a reasonable time after the issue is discovered. This helps us investigate the matter while evidence remains available. You must allow us a reasonable opportunity to inspect, remedy, or discuss any alleged defect before engaging others to carry out remedial work, unless urgent action is needed to prevent further loss or danger.

Governing law: These Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, unless the law requires a different forum. By instructing Tree Surgeons Hernehill, you acknowledge and accept these terms in full.