Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Carshalton Services

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Tree Surgeons Carshalton provides tree surgery and related arboricultural services to residential and commercial customers. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or allowing work to begin, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms. They are intended to create a clear and fair arrangement for both parties, covering the booking process, pricing, payments, cancellations, liability, waste handling, and legal matters. Please read these terms carefully before confirming any work. If anything is unclear, the customer should seek clarification before the service is scheduled.

For the purpose of these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the service provider trading as Tree Surgeons Carshalton, and references to “you” or “the customer” mean the person, business, landlord, managing agent, or other party requesting the work. These terms apply to all services, including pruning, crown reduction, pollarding, stump grinding, dismantling, sectional felling, hedge maintenance, and other arboricultural tasks that may be agreed in writing. Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer where those rights apply.

All work is undertaken subject to the specific quotation, scope, and site conditions assessed before or at the time of attendance. As tree surgery often involves living material, access constraints, weather conditions, and safety considerations, the exact method of work may need to be adapted by our team on site. We will use reasonable skill and care in carrying out the services, and we will aim to keep disruption to a minimum while maintaining safe working practices. Any variation from the original scope should be agreed before additional work proceeds.

Booking Process

Bookings may be made after an initial enquiry and, where needed, a site assessment or remote review of the requested work. A quotation may be provided based on photographs, measurements, access details, tree condition, and any other relevant information supplied by the customer. A quote is normally valid for a stated period and may be withdrawn or revised if material information changes, such as access limitations, hidden hazards, protected tree status, or changes to the condition of the tree. Acceptance of a quotation may be made verbally, by written confirmation, or by other agreed means. Once accepted, a booking date or attendance window may be arranged, subject to weather, workload, permits, and operational constraints.

It is the customer’s responsibility to provide accurate information at the time of booking. This includes details about tree location, boundaries, underground services where known, shared access rights, conservation designations, tree preservation orders, and any special site restrictions. If the customer is arranging work on behalf of a third party, they must ensure they have the authority to do so. Tree surgery services may require access through driveways, gardens, communal areas, or neighbouring land; the customer must make reasonable arrangements for access and inform us of any issues in advance. Where consent from a neighbour, landlord, managing agent, or local authority is required, the customer must obtain it before the work date unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Scope of Services and On-Site Decisions

Our team will undertake the agreed tree surgeon services with reasonable care, using professional judgment to decide how best to carry out the work safely and efficiently. However, trees are natural structures and may contain hidden defects, decay, cavities, unstable branches, wildlife activity, or other conditions not visible during an initial review. If we identify a safety risk, an unexpected obstacle, or a requirement to change the original method, we may pause the work and discuss the appropriate adjustment with the customer where practical. We will not be obliged to proceed with a task that would create an unreasonable risk to persons, property, protected habitats, or our personnel.

Any additional work requested on the day, or any work made necessary by an unforeseen site issue, may be treated as a variation and charged separately if agreed. Examples include extra dismantling, manual lowering, difficult brash removal, specialist equipment hire, or extended labour caused by access problems. We may also refuse to undertake work where it would be unsafe, unlawful, or contrary to best arboricultural practice. In such cases, the customer will only be charged for work already completed, any agreed call-out or assessment fee, and any non-refundable costs already incurred where reasonably disclosed.

Payments

Unless otherwise stated, payment terms will be set out on the quotation or invoice. The customer agrees to pay the amount due in full by the stated due date. For private residential work, payment may be requested on completion; for larger or commercial projects, a deposit, staged payments, or payment in advance may be required. We may also ask for a deposit to secure a booking, especially where materials, machinery, or time have been reserved specifically for the customer’s job. Deposits may be non-refundable where clearly stated and where costs have already been committed.

Invoices must be paid using the methods we accept at the time of billing. If payment is not received on time, we reserve the right to charge reasonable late payment costs and statutory interest where applicable, particularly for business-to-business transactions. Any bank charges, recovery costs, or legal fees reasonably incurred in pursuing unpaid sums may also be recovered from the customer to the extent permitted by law. We reserve the right to suspend future services, withhold final paperwork, or decline additional bookings where previous invoices remain outstanding.

All prices are based on the information available at the time of quotation. Unless explicitly stated, quotations are inclusive only of the items described and exclude unexpected extras, permit fees, traffic management, specialist access equipment, or third-party charges. VAT, where applicable, will be identified in the quotation or invoice. If the customer requests changes that alter labour, disposal volumes, equipment use, or scheduling, the final price may change accordingly. We will aim to explain any increase before continuing where reasonably possible.

Cancellations, Delays, and Rescheduling

The customer may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving reasonable notice. If sufficient notice is provided and no costs have been incurred, no cancellation charge may apply. However, where a booking is cancelled at short notice, or where we have already allocated labour, machinery, waste disposal, or subcontracted services, we may charge a reasonable cancellation fee to cover losses and committed costs. For work requiring a deposit, the treatment of that deposit will depend on the quote and the timing of cancellation. We will not impose unfair charges, and any fee will be proportionate to the loss actually suffered or reasonably anticipated.

If we need to cancel or postpone a visit due to severe weather, unsafe site conditions, equipment failure, staff illness, or circumstances beyond our control, we will normally rearrange the service for a suitable alternative date. We are not responsible for delays caused by events outside our reasonable control, including storms, road closures, flooding, utility interruptions, or restrictions imposed by authorities. In such cases, we will aim to communicate the change as soon as reasonably practicable. No compensation will be due for delay caused by force majeure or by the customer’s failure to provide access, information, or necessary approvals.

Customer Responsibilities

The customer must ensure that the site is reasonably prepared for the agreed work date. This includes removing fragile items from the work area, securing pets, informing occupants of any safety restrictions, and ensuring access for vehicles and equipment where required. The customer should identify any known underground cables, drains, irrigation systems, hidden structures, or other hazards that may be affected by the work. While we will act with care, we are entitled to rely on the information given by the customer unless we discover evidence to the contrary on site.

The customer is also responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions, consents, and statutory approvals before the work begins. This may include consent for protected trees, conservation area requirements, landlord approval, leaseholder approval, or permission from neighbours for boundary or access-related work. If the customer instructs us to proceed without required consent, they accept full responsibility for any resulting claim, penalty, delay, or enforcement action, except where caused by our negligence or unlawful conduct.

Liability

We will carry out our work with reasonable care and skill in accordance with accepted arboricultural standards. However, tree surgery involves inherent risks, and some outcomes are dependent on the natural condition of the tree, site layout, and weather. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for loss or damage arising from pre-existing defects, natural tree movement, hidden decay, or events outside our control, provided we have acted with reasonable care. 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.

Where our negligence causes direct physical damage to property, our liability will be limited to the reasonable cost of repair or replacement of the affected item, subject to any lawful limitations set out in the quotation or invoice and subject always to applicable consumer law. We will not be liable for indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, business interruption, loss of amenity, or emotional distress, except where such exclusion is prohibited by law. The customer is responsible for ensuring that valuables, vehicles, ornaments, and delicate items are protected or removed from the working area before the service begins.

Waste Regulations and Site Clearance

All green waste generated as part of the agreed service will be handled in a lawful and environmentally responsible manner. We will comply with relevant waste management requirements, including the segregation, transport, and disposal or recycling of arisings in accordance with applicable UK regulations. Where waste is removed by us, it will normally be taken to an authorised facility, composting site, biomass route, or other lawful disposal destination as appropriate. The customer should not assume that waste will be left on site unless this has been expressly agreed in writing.

Where the customer requests that timber, woodchip, logs, or other materials be retained, this must be agreed in advance and may be subject to practical limitations. We may refuse to leave certain materials where doing so would create a safety, access, biosecurity, or environmental issue. If waste remains on site by agreement, the customer becomes responsible for its storage, movement, and lawful onward handling once the job is complete. We will not be liable for any misuse, fly-tipping, or improper disposal of waste after it has been handed over or left at the customer’s request.

Miscellaneous Legal Terms

Any estimate, quotation, or service description is not an unlimited offer and may be relied upon only within the stated validity period and conditions. Any amendment to these terms must be agreed in writing and signed or confirmed by an authorised representative of both parties where appropriate. If any part of these terms is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force. A failure by us to enforce any right or remedy on one occasion does not amount to a waiver of that right on another occasion. These terms constitute the entire agreement between the parties concerning the services described, unless a separate written contract states otherwise.

We may assign, subcontract, or use suitably qualified personnel to perform all or part of the work, provided the level of service remains appropriate. The customer may not assign their rights or obligations under these terms without our written consent where required. Any notices under these terms should be given by a reasonable written method and will be treated as received when they would ordinarily be expected to be received. We may update these terms from time to time, and the version in force at the time of booking will apply unless a different version is expressly agreed.

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 parties agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory consumer rights or statutory dispute resolution procedures that may apply. This governing law clause applies regardless of where the customer is located, provided the service is supplied under an agreement made within the applicable legal framework.