Tree Surgeon Towerhamlets: Service Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of arboricultural and related outdoor services by a tree surgeon in Towerhamlets and apply to all quotations, bookings, site visits, works, and aftercare unless otherwise agreed in writing. By requesting a service, the customer agrees that these terms form part of the contract between the customer and the service provider. For the avoidance of doubt, these terms are intended to set out the standard rules for tree surgery services, including booking arrangements, payment obligations, cancellations, liability limits, and compliance with waste law. They should be read carefully before any work begins.

Throughout this document, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the service provider, and references to “you” and “your” mean the customer, owner, occupier, or authorised representative arranging the work. The term tree surgeon Towerhamlets is used to describe the services generally and does not create any special contractual status beyond the agreed services. These terms apply whether the job involves pruning, crown reduction, felling, stump grinding, deadwood removal, hedge work, emergency attendance, inspection, or clearance of green waste.

If any part of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force. Nothing in these terms limits any rights that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. The customer is responsible for ensuring that all instructions, access arrangements, and approvals supplied to us are accurate and complete before work starts.

1. Booking Process and Service Agreement

A booking may be made by telephone, email, online form, or any other method we choose to make available. A booking is only confirmed once we have accepted the job, provided a quotation or estimate where required, and received any deposit or written acceptance requested by us. In some cases, we may ask for photographs, site information, tree location details, access notes, or evidence of ownership or permission before confirming the appointment.

Any quotation or estimate is based on the information available at the time and may change if the site conditions differ from those described, if hidden hazards are discovered, or if the scope of work is amended. A tree surgery service may require inspection before a final price is given. Where a price is quoted as an estimate, it is not a fixed offer unless expressly stated. We may withdraw or revise a quotation if there is a significant change in the work required, the level of risk, or the legal permissions needed.

The customer must ensure that the person placing the booking has authority to do so. If the works relate to property owned or occupied by a third party, the customer must obtain all necessary permissions and consents before the scheduled date. We are entitled to assume that instructions given by the customer or their representative are authorised. If access is restricted, if vehicles cannot reach the site, or if work must stop because consent is absent, additional charges may apply.

2. Scope of Work and Site Conditions

The scope of work will be limited to what is stated in the accepted quotation, written confirmation, or agreed schedule of works. Any task not expressly included may be treated as additional work and charged separately. We will use reasonable skill and care in carrying out tree maintenance, but natural variation in trees means that outcomes may differ from visual expectations. For example, a crown reduction may not produce uniform shape, and a stump grinding service may not remove every trace of root material below ground.

Before work begins, you must tell us about known hazards, including concealed utilities, unstable ground, protected species, contamination, asbestos, aggressive animals, or dangerous structures. We are not responsible for delays or extra costs caused by incomplete information. If, during the job, we identify an unforeseen safety issue, we may pause or modify the work. This may include changing the method of access, adjusting machinery use, or postponing completion until the risk is managed.

We reserve the right to refuse to continue with any task that we reasonably believe would be unsafe, unlawful, or technically impractical. In such circumstances, the customer may still be liable for costs already incurred, including attendance, labour, and materials. Where we have to leave branches, timber, arisings, or equipment on site for safety reasons, the customer must not interfere with them until it is safe to do so.

3. Payments, Deposits, and Charges

Payment terms will be stated on the quotation or invoice. Unless agreed otherwise in writing, payment is due immediately upon completion of the works. For larger jobs, we may require a deposit before booking the date, and staged payments may apply where work is carried out over several visits. All prices are stated in pounds sterling and may be subject to VAT where applicable. If VAT applies, it will be shown separately or included as required by law.

We may charge additional sums for extra labour, disposal costs, traffic management, emergency attendance, access complications, waiting time, or changes requested by the customer after the booking has been confirmed. If a tree surgeon Towerhamlets team arrives on site and is unable to proceed because of inadequate access, lack of permission, absent decision-makers, or incorrect information supplied by the customer, a call-out fee or reasonable wasted-time charge may be applied.

Late payment may result in interest and recovery costs, where permitted by law. We may also suspend further work until outstanding balances are settled. Title to any materials or timber sold as part of the works will remain with us until payment is received in full. Where a payment card or bank transfer is used, the customer must ensure sufficient funds are available and that all transaction details are correct.

4. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and No-Access Situations

If you wish to cancel or reschedule, you must give reasonable notice. The amount of notice required may vary depending on the job size, staffing, equipment, and waste arrangements, but cancellations made at short notice may attract a charge. If a deposit has been paid, it may be retained in part or in full to cover losses already incurred, including allocation of staff time, vehicle planning, and any third-party costs that cannot be recovered.

We may cancel or move a booking if weather conditions, safety concerns, permit issues, equipment failure, illness, or circumstances outside our control make attendance impossible or unreasonable. In such cases, we will try to offer a new date. We will not be liable for indirect losses arising from cancellation or delay, provided we have acted reasonably. Severe weather can affect climbing safety, lifting operations, and waste removal, and the customer accepts that arboricultural work may need to be postponed for health and safety reasons.

If we attend and cannot gain access to the property or the agreed work area, or if the customer is unavailable to authorise the work, the visit may still be chargeable. Tree surgery services often rely on accurate timing, waste collection logistics, and safe working conditions, so prompt communication is essential. We may treat repeated cancellations, false bookings, or repeated no-access situations as a breach of contract.

5. Liability, Risk, and Insurance

We will exercise reasonable care and skill in performing the services, but trees, plants, underground structures, and surrounding property can suffer unpredictable effects despite proper workmanship. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we will not be liable for loss or damage caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, latent defects, pre-existing conditions, decay, hidden structural weakness, or inaccurate information supplied by the customer. This includes, for example, damage arising from concealed decay in a limb, unstable boundary features, or underground services not disclosed in advance.

Nothing in these terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded. Where we are liable for damage to property, our responsibility will be limited to the reasonable cost of repair or replacement, taking account of wear, age, and condition. We will not be responsible for loss of profit, loss of business, loss of opportunity, or other indirect or consequential losses.

The customer is responsible for protecting items that are fragile, valuable, or easily damaged, including outdoor ornaments, lighting, vehicles, pond features, and garden furniture, unless we have expressly agreed in writing to move or protect them. If the customer asks us to operate near structures, fences, glass, or stored materials, they accept that some level of risk is inherent in arboricultural work. We recommend that any particularly vulnerable items are removed or secured before work starts.

We maintain appropriate insurance cover for the services we provide, but insurance does not make us responsible for all outcomes. The customer must notify us promptly of any alleged damage or loss and must take reasonable steps to limit further harm. Any claim must be supported by evidence, and we may inspect the site or arrange for an assessor to review the issue before accepting responsibility.

6. Waste Regulations, Timber, and Site Clearance

All waste generated during the works, including branches, leaves, stump arisings, and other green waste, will be handled in accordance with applicable UK waste regulations and duty-of-care requirements. Unless otherwise agreed, we will remove and dispose of waste produced by our operations. The customer must not ask us to dispose of materials that are not part of the agreed arboricultural works unless we have expressly consented and the disposal is lawful.

We may separate, chip, compost, recycle, or otherwise process waste where appropriate. Timber, logs, and woodchip may be left on site if this has been agreed or if access, space, or disposal arrangements make removal impractical. If the customer requests retention of timber or arisings, they accept responsibility for storage, use, and onward disposal once the material has been left on site. We may charge for additional loading, transport, permits, or disposal fees where required.

The customer must ensure that waste is not contaminated by hazardous materials, household rubbish, oils, chemicals, paints, or other prohibited substances. If such contamination is discovered, the customer may be charged for the additional handling and disposal costs. Any waste transfer arrangements will be completed in line with legal obligations, and we may retain records as required. We reserve the right to stop work if we believe the waste stream is unsafe or non-compliant.

7. Customer Responsibilities

You are responsible for ensuring lawful access to the property and for obtaining all necessary permissions, including those from landlords, neighbours, managing agents, freeholders, or relevant authorities where required. If planning permission, conservation controls, tree preservation restrictions, or other statutory consents apply, you must disclose this before work begins. We may assist by providing information, but we do not accept responsibility for securing approvals unless we have expressly agreed to do so in writing.

The customer must keep children, pets, and bystanders away from the work area. Tree works involve falling material, sharp tools, moving vehicles, climbing equipment, and flying debris. The customer should also remove or protect items that could interfere with operations. If the customer gives instructions that conflict with safety requirements, our operative may refuse to follow them. Our decision on matters of safety is final during the job.

Where work is carried out near boundaries, roads, footpaths, or neighbouring land, the customer must inform affected parties if notice is reasonably required. We may ask for written confirmation that adjoining occupiers have been informed where access, oversailing, or temporary restrictions are involved. The customer must also ensure that any utilities, cables, pipes, drains, or private assets have been identified as far as reasonably possible before the works are scheduled.

8. Governing Law and General Provisions

These terms, and any dispute or claim arising from them, are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The parties agree that the courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction, unless mandatory law provides otherwise. If any provision is held to be invalid or unenforceable, it will be modified only to the minimum extent needed to make it enforceable, and the rest of the terms will remain effective.

No waiver of any breach or delay in enforcing rights will operate as a waiver of any later breach. We may update these terms from time to time, and the version in force at the time of booking will usually apply unless a later version is agreed in writing. Any reference to a statute or regulation includes any amendment or replacement of it. These terms do not create rights enforceable by third parties under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 unless expressly stated.

By proceeding with a booking for a tree surgeon Towerhamlets service, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree with any part of them, you should notify us before the work is scheduled so that alternative arrangements can be considered. This document is intended to provide a clear contractual framework for safe, lawful, and professional tree work.