Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Alperton

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Tree Surgeons Alperton provides arboricultural and tree care services to domestic and commercial clients. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or allowing work to begin on site, you agree to be bound by these terms. They are intended to be clear, fair, and consistent with UK consumer and business law. These terms apply to all services, including tree pruning, crown reduction, felling, stump grinding, hedge maintenance, emergency call-outs, and related waste removal.

For the purposes of these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the tree surgery service provider, and references to “you” or “the client” mean the person, business, or organisation instructing the work. Where a quotation, service specification, or written confirmation contains terms that differ from these conditions, the written confirmation will take precedence only to the extent stated expressly in writing. Unless otherwise agreed, all services are supplied subject to availability, site access, weather conditions, and any necessary permission or legal compliance required for the work.

These terms are designed to protect both parties and to ensure that tree surgery work is carried out safely and lawfully. Tree work often involves height-related hazards, sharp equipment, controlled dismantling, and the management of potentially heavy green waste. Accordingly, the client should read the information below carefully before confirming an appointment. If any part of these terms is unclear, it should be raised before the booking is accepted.

1. Booking Process

How a booking is made

A booking is usually formed in stages. First, an enquiry may be made requesting a site visit or a quotation. After assessing the work, we may provide a written estimate or formal quotation. A booking is not confirmed until the client has accepted the quotation and we have issued written confirmation, or we have otherwise agreed a date in writing. Acceptance may be made by email, text message, online form, or any other agreed written method.

When arranging a service, the client must provide accurate details about the trees, access to the site, any known hazards, nearby structures, utility cables, shared boundaries, protected trees, planning restrictions, or other relevant information. If incorrect or incomplete information is supplied, the quotation, timetable, or method of work may need to be amended and additional charges may apply. We reserve the right to refuse or postpone work where the information provided is materially misleading or where safe performance cannot be ensured.

2. Quotations and Scope of Work

All quotations are based on the information available at the time and are valid for the period stated in the quotation, or where no period is stated, for a reasonable time only. Quotes are normally based on the described scope of work, access conditions, disposal requirements, and labour involved. If the work changes once on site, or if the actual condition of the tree differs materially from the information supplied, we may revise the price before proceeding. Any additional work requested by the client will be charged separately unless expressly included in the original quotation.

3. Payments

Payment terms

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due on completion of the work on the same day. For some projects, especially larger commercial jobs or specialist works, a deposit or staged payment schedule may be required. Any deposit amount, progress payment, or final balance deadline will be set out in the quotation or confirmation. We may also require advance payment for materials, skip arrangements, permits, or other third-party costs.

Accepted payment methods may include bank transfer and other methods stated at the point of booking. Cash payments, where permitted, should be made in full on completion. Invoices must be paid by the due date shown. If payment is late, we reserve the right to charge interest and reasonable recovery costs in accordance with applicable law, including the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 where relevant. Any dispute over an invoice must be raised promptly and in good faith; however, undisputed sums remain payable on time.

Failure to make payment may result in suspension of future services, recovery action, and the addition of lawful administrative charges. Title to any goods supplied, where applicable, does not pass until we have received full payment. Where a client cancels after materials have been ordered or third-party services booked, those costs may still be payable.

4. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Access

Cancellations by the client

If you wish to cancel or reschedule a confirmed booking, you should notify us as soon as possible. Where notice is given with sufficient time and no costs have been incurred, no cancellation fee may apply. However, where cancellation occurs after mobilisation, after staff have been scheduled, or after waste arrangements, equipment hire, or permits have been organised, we may charge a reasonable cancellation fee to cover our losses. The level of any fee will depend on the stage reached and the actual costs incurred.

If we arrive on site and cannot carry out the work because access has not been provided, the area is unsafe, the client is absent where attendance is required, or necessary approvals have not been obtained, a call-out or wasted visit fee may be charged. Any agreed date is subject to weather, safety, and operational conditions. Strong winds, lightning, severe rain, frozen ground, or other adverse conditions may require postponement for safety reasons. In such cases, we will seek to rearrange the work at the earliest suitable time.

5. Client Responsibilities

The client is responsible for ensuring that the site is available, reasonably clear, and safe for work to begin. This includes making arrangements for access, securing pets, moving vehicles if necessary, and ensuring that vulnerable items are protected or removed where appropriate. The client must tell us about underground services, overhead lines, hidden structures, contaminated ground, or other risks that may affect the work. Where the client instructs us to work near third-party property, the client must confirm that they have the necessary authority to do so.

6. Liability

Our responsibility and limits

We will carry out services with reasonable care and skill, in line with applicable UK standards and the information provided by the client. However, tree surgery involves inherent risks, and some outcomes cannot be guaranteed, especially where trees are diseased, decayed, storm-damaged, structurally unstable, or obscured by access restrictions. We do not accept liability for issues arising from hidden defects that could not reasonably have been identified before or during the work.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. Subject to that, we shall not be liable for indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit, loss of business, or loss arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control. Where we are responsible for damage, our liability will be limited to the reasonable cost of repair or replacement, taking account of wear, age, and condition.

We are not responsible for damage to items that should reasonably have been removed, protected, or declared before work commenced, including fragile garden ornaments, hidden irrigation systems, concealed cables, and weak structures. If the client asks us to retain or fell a tree in a particular way contrary to our advice, any resulting risk lies with the client to the extent permitted by law. We may refuse instructions that we consider unsafe or unlawful.

7. Waste Regulations and Site Clearance

Handling of green waste

Tree surgery work generates branches, timber, leaves, stump arisings, and other green waste. Unless the quotation states otherwise, we will remove and dispose of the agreed waste in accordance with applicable waste management requirements. Waste will be handled in a lawful and environmentally responsible manner, including transport to authorised facilities where required. The client must not assume that all arisings will be removed automatically unless this is expressly included in the scope of work.

We may chip, log, mulch, stack, or leave material on site if the quotation or site instructions permit it. If the client wishes to retain timber, woodchip, or other arisings, this should be agreed in advance. Retained material will be left in a reasonable manner, but we are not responsible for its later condition, movement, decay, or use. Any waste transfer documentation, where required by law, may be retained by us in line with record-keeping obligations.

The client agrees not to request or permit the unlawful disposal, burning, or fly-tipping of waste. We will not place waste in domestic bins or on land where we do not have lawful authority to do so. If the site contains contaminated, invasive, or hazardous materials not disclosed before the booking, extra handling measures and charges may apply, or the work may need to be stopped.

8. Permissions, Tree Protection, and Legal Compliance

The client is responsible for confirming whether planning permission, conservation area consent, or any other statutory approval is required before work begins, unless we have expressly agreed in writing to obtain it on the client’s behalf. We may advise on common requirements, but we do not guarantee planning outcomes or legal status unless specifically instructed and engaged to do so. Where tree preservation orders, protected habitats, shared ownership, or boundary rights may be relevant, the client must ensure that all required permissions and consents are in place.

9. Workmanship, Delays, and Changes

Changes to the planned service

We aim to complete the work as described in the agreed scope, using methods that are suitable for the tree species, condition, and site constraints. If the client asks for additional cuts, altered height reductions, or extra clearance beyond what was originally agreed, this will be treated as a variation and may affect the price and completion time. We may also adjust the sequence or method of work where necessary to comply with safety rules or to avoid unnecessary damage.

Delays may occur because of weather, traffic, equipment failure, staff availability, or unforeseen site conditions. Where a delay is caused by factors outside our control, we will not be liable for associated losses, provided we act reasonably to minimise disruption. If a delay becomes substantial, both parties may agree to reschedule the work. In all cases, we will aim to communicate changes promptly and professionally.

10. Governing Law and General Provisions

These terms and any dispute or claim arising from them shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. If a disagreement cannot be resolved amicably, the parties agree to seek a practical resolution first, including review of the quotation, site notes, and invoice records. Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer where applicable. If any clause is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms will continue to apply.

We may update these terms from time to time to reflect changes in law, operational requirements, or best practice. The version in force at the time of booking will normally apply to that booking unless a change is required by law. By confirming a booking with Tree Surgeons Alperton, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted these terms. Together, they provide a fair framework for safe, lawful, and professionally managed tree care services.