Tree Surgeons Chislehurst Service Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which tree surgery, arboricultural, and related site services are provided by Tree Surgeons Chislehurst (“we”, “us”, “our”). By requesting a quotation, making a booking, or allowing work to begin, the customer (“you”, “your”) agrees to be bound by these terms. These conditions are intended to provide clarity on the scope of work, booking arrangements, payment obligations, cancellations, liability, waste handling, and other important matters that may arise during the provision of professional tree surgery services.

These terms apply to all services supplied by our tree surgeons, including but not limited to pruning, crown work, felling, stump-related works, site clearance, hedge work, deadwood removal, and emergency or remedial arboricultural operations. Any variation must be agreed in writing. In the event of any conflict between these terms and a written quotation, the written quotation will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. For the avoidance of doubt, no employee or contractor is authorised to vary these terms orally unless confirmed in writing by us.

We reserve the right to update these terms from time to time. The version applicable to your service will be the version in force on the date your booking is accepted, unless a later version is expressly agreed. It is your responsibility to read these terms carefully before confirming any work. If any provision is held unenforceable by a court, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Booking Process

Bookings may be made following an initial enquiry and a review of the proposed work. A quotation may be based on photographs, a site visit, or other information supplied by you. A quotation is an invitation to proceed and does not constitute acceptance of an order until we confirm availability and schedule the work. Any estimate provided is valid only for the period stated on the quotation, or if no period is stated, for a reasonable time based on market conditions and availability.

In some cases, the nature of tree surgery services requires an on-site assessment before the final scope can be confirmed. Factors such as access, tree condition, structural defects, proximity to buildings, utilities, or neighbouring land may affect the method, duration, and cost of the work. You agree to provide accurate information at the time of booking, including any known hazards, restrictions, permissions, or special requirements. Failure to disclose material information may result in revised pricing, delay, or cancellation of the booking.

Once a booking is accepted, we will agree an indicative date or date range for the works. Any date is given in good faith but should be treated as an estimate unless we expressly confirm a fixed appointment. Delays may occur due to weather, equipment failure, traffic, emergency call-outs, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control. We will use reasonable efforts to notify you of any change to the schedule. You must ensure that access is available on the agreed date and that any necessary arrangements are in place before work starts.

Where a deposit is required, the booking will not be secured until the deposit is received in cleared funds. The deposit amount, if any, will be stated on the quotation or booking confirmation. Deposits may be non-refundable where we have reserved labour, machinery, or materials specifically for your job, except where cancellation is caused by our breach or inability to perform the work. Any unpaid booking may be treated as provisional only and may be released to other customers if not confirmed within the requested timeframe.

You are responsible for ensuring that any property owner, landlord, management company, insurer, or other interested party has authorised the work. If permissions, licences, or consents are required, including any relevant tree protection approvals or third-party permissions, these must be obtained before the service date unless we have agreed in writing to assist. We may suspend or refuse to proceed if we reasonably believe the work is unauthorised or would expose us to legal or safety risk.

Payments and Charges

Prices are quoted based on the information available at the time of assessment. Unless otherwise stated, all prices are exclusive of VAT, taxes, disposal charges, specialist equipment hire, traffic management, stump treatment, or additional works not included in the original scope. If the scope changes after booking, we may issue a revised quotation or an additional charge. Any extra work requested by you, or any work made necessary by hidden defects or unexpected site conditions, will be charged at our standard rates or at a rate agreed before continuation.

Payment terms will be set out in the quotation or invoice. Unless we agree otherwise in writing, payment is due on completion of the work and before departure from site. For larger or scheduled jobs, staged payments, advance deposits, or part-payment milestones may apply. We accept payment by the methods specified in the invoice or booking confirmation. If payment is not made when due, we may charge interest and recover reasonable administrative and collection costs in accordance with applicable law.

You must not withhold payment for completed works except where a genuine, notified dispute exists in relation to the specific item in question. Any dispute should be raised promptly and in writing. The undisputed portion of the invoice remains payable in full by the due date. Where we attend site and cannot complete the work due to circumstances within your control, including lack of access, unsafe conditions, or absence of required permissions, we may charge a call-out fee or wasted attendance fee.

Cancellations and Postponements

You may cancel or postpone a booking by giving reasonable notice. Because arboricultural services often involve planning, labour allocation, and equipment scheduling, late cancellations may result in charges. Unless a different cancellation policy is stated in your quotation, the following general approach applies: cancellations made with sufficient notice may avoid charge; cancellations made after materials, crew time, or specialist machinery have been allocated may incur a proportionate fee; and cancellations on the day of attendance may be charged in full or in part depending on costs already incurred.

We may cancel or postpone a booking if weather conditions, safety concerns, operational issues, or legal restrictions make performance impractical or unsafe. We may also cancel if access is unavailable, if the site conditions materially differ from those described, or if continuing would expose our staff, contractors, or third parties to unacceptable risk. In such cases, we will endeavour to rearrange the service for a mutually convenient date. We shall not be liable for any indirect loss arising from a lawful cancellation or postponement.

If you wish to reschedule, we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate a new date, subject to availability. Any deposit or prepayment may be carried forward at our discretion, provided the rescheduled work remains substantially the same. Where a booking is cancelled because you no longer require the service, or because authorisation is not obtained in time, any non-refundable sums already incurred for planning, labour reservation, or administrative preparation may be retained by us to the extent permitted by law.

Liability and Safety

Tree surgery involves inherent risks, including falling branches, heavy machinery, woodchip dispersal, and the possibility of unexpected tree movement. We will take reasonable care to carry out services in a competent and professional manner, using suitable methods and equipment. However, you acknowledge that some risk cannot be entirely eliminated. Our liability is limited to loss or damage directly caused by our negligence or wilful misconduct, and only to the extent permitted by law.

We shall not be responsible for pre-existing defects, latent decay, hidden root instability, subsidence, underground services, structural weaknesses, or damage arising from conditions not reasonably visible at the time of inspection. Similarly, we accept no liability for damage caused by third parties, adverse weather, acts of nature, or the failure of trees, branches, or structures that were already compromised. Any advice we provide is given on the basis of the observations reasonably available at the time and should not be treated as a guarantee of future tree behaviour.

Nothing in these terms limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under the laws of England and Wales. Where our liability is established, our total liability shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be limited to the amount paid or payable for the specific service giving rise to the claim, except where a different limit is required by statute.

Waste Regulations and Site Clearance

Tree surgery can generate substantial green waste, timber, logs, brash, stumps, sawdust, and associated materials. Unless we agree otherwise in writing, waste produced during the work becomes our responsibility once removed from the site, provided that the work and disposal arrangements are included in the agreed price. We will handle waste in accordance with applicable waste management rules, environmental requirements, and safe transport practices. Waste will only be transferred, stored, or disposed of using lawful and appropriate methods.

If you request to keep timber, logs, mulch, or other arisings, you must notify us in advance. We may agree to stack, leave, or section materials on site, but any such arrangement is at our discretion and subject to safety, space, and operational considerations. We are not responsible for the future condition, pests, staining, movement, or decay of materials left on site at your request. If you require waste to be removed from a location with restricted access or special handling needs, additional charges may apply.

You must not dispose of arboricultural waste through household waste systems unless it is lawful to do so. Where a client undertakes their own disposal, they are solely responsible for compliance with any licensing, transport, or environmental obligations that apply. We may refuse to remove hazardous, contaminated, or non-green waste unless this has been specifically identified and agreed in advance. Any suspected protected material, chemical contamination, or unusual debris must be disclosed before work starts.

Customer Responsibilities

You are responsible for providing safe, suitable access to the site and for identifying any underground or overhead services that may affect the work. You should also remove or secure valuables, outdoor furniture, ornaments, vehicles, and fragile items that could be impacted by the service. If you instruct us to proceed in close proximity to structures, glass, paving, or cultivated areas, you accept the inherent risk associated with those instructions unless damage is caused by our negligence.

You must ensure that pets, children, and unauthorised persons remain clear of the work area for the duration of the service. We may stop work if site safety is compromised. Any delay caused by your failure to cooperate, your failure to provide access, or your failure to prepare the site may be charged as waiting time or an aborted attendance. We may also suspend work if conditions on site are materially different from those represented during the quotation stage.

Where specialist access equipment, rigging, lifting, or traffic control is required, you must cooperate with reasonable instructions designed to maintain safety and efficiency. We may decline to continue if, in our professional judgement, the site is unsafe, unlawful, or unsuitable for the proposed works. In such circumstances, any costs already incurred may still be payable.

Complaints and Disputes

If you have any concern about the service provided, you should raise it as soon as reasonably possible so that we may investigate and, where appropriate, seek a fair resolution. You agree to allow us a reasonable opportunity to inspect the issue, consider the relevant facts, and propose a remedy. Complaints relating to finished work, payment, or alleged damage should be supported by reasonable detail and, where available, photographs or other evidence.

Where a dispute arises, both parties should act reasonably and in good faith. Nothing in these terms prevents either party from seeking advice, mediation, or other lawful dispute resolution methods. However, you may not unilaterally reduce or set off payment for undisputed services without our written agreement. Any claim must be brought within a reasonable time and, in any event, within the periods permitted by law.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising from the provision of services, the construction of these terms, or any matter connected with them, except where mandatory law provides otherwise.

Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer where applicable. If you are acting in the course of business, you acknowledge that the Consumer Rights Act 2015 may not apply in the same way as it would for a private consumer, but all services will still be supplied with reasonable care and skill. Our rights under these terms are cumulative and do not exclude any rights we may have at law.

General Provisions These terms form the entire agreement between the parties regarding the services described in the quotation or booking confirmation. If any provision is waived on one occasion, that waiver will not apply to future occasions. No third party shall have any right to enforce any part of these terms unless expressly stated in writing. The headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.

By confirming a booking with Tree Surgeons Chislehurst, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these service terms and conditions. This document is intended as a legal-style service page and should be reviewed for specific commercial requirements before publication.