Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Norwood

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which tree surgery services are provided by Tree Surgeons Norwood to domestic and commercial customers in the UK. By making a booking, confirming a quotation, or allowing works to commence, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms. They are designed to create a clear and fair agreement covering the scope of work, booking process, payment terms, cancellations, liability, waste handling, and the legal framework that applies to the services. For the avoidance of doubt, these terms relate to arboricultural services only and do not form a general maintenance, landscaping, or facilities management agreement.

Throughout these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the service provider trading as Tree Surgeons Norwood, and references to “you” or “the customer” mean the person, business, landlord, managing agent, or organisation purchasing the services. Where the wording refers to tree surgery, it includes a range of arboricultural works such as pruning, crown reduction, crown lifting, deadwood removal, stump grinding, tree felling, sectional dismantling, hedge cutting, site clearance, and related operations carried out in accordance with applicable safety standards and legal obligations.

These terms should be read together with any written quotation, work specification, risk assessment, or method statement provided before the service begins. If there is any inconsistency between these terms and a signed quotation or written variation agreed later, the agreed written variation will take priority for the specific point in question. Nothing in these terms affects any statutory rights that cannot be excluded under UK law.

1. Booking Process and Service Agreement

A booking with Tree Surgeons Norwood is usually made after an initial enquiry and assessment of the required tree surgery works. We may provide a quotation based on photographs, descriptions, measurements, site visits, or a combination of these. Where the work is complex, requires planning considerations, or may be affected by access, tree protection orders, conservation controls, or hidden site conditions, we may need to inspect the site before confirming the final price or scope.

Once a quotation is accepted, a provisional date or service window may be offered. A booking becomes binding only when we have confirmed acceptance in writing, received any required deposit, and established the scope of the work. Tree Surgeons Norwood reserves the right to decline or postpone a booking where the site is unsafe, access is inadequate, weather conditions are unsuitable, or required permissions have not been obtained. The customer is responsible for ensuring that any necessary permissions, consents, or notifications are in place before the agreed start date, unless we have expressly agreed in writing to arrange them.

It is the customer’s responsibility to provide accurate information about the property, the trees, access routes, utilities, overhead hazards, underground services, parking restrictions, and any known site risks. If the information provided is incomplete or inaccurate, the quotation may need to be amended and additional charges may apply. We may also need to revise the service date if the original plan becomes unsafe or impractical due to undisclosed conditions.

2. Scope of Work and Customer Obligations

The scope of work is limited to the tasks described in the quotation or written work order. Any additional work requested on the day will only be carried out if it is safe, lawful, and agreed by both parties, and may incur further charges. The customer must ensure reasonable access to the site, including access for vehicles, machinery, and operatives, and must remove or secure any items that could be damaged during the works, such as garden furniture, vehicles, ornaments, cables, or play equipment.

Where trees are close to fences, buildings, walls, power lines, or neighbouring land, tree surgery may involve unavoidable risk of minor disturbance or incidental contact with adjacent surfaces. We will take reasonable care, but the customer should be aware that certain works, especially tree felling or sectional dismantling, may require controlled breakpoints, roping systems, climbing equipment, and machinery that can affect the immediate surroundings. Any protected wildlife, nests, or signs of roosting bats must be reported and the work may be paused if legal or ecological concerns arise.

The customer must inform us in advance if the property contains fragile structures, private services, concealed drains, septic systems, unmarked boundaries, or any other special considerations. If we have to stop work because of a hazard that was not disclosed, the customer may be charged for the time and resources already committed. We may also recommend a revised method of work or defer completion until the issue has been addressed.

3. Pricing, Payments, and Invoicing

All prices are stated in pounds sterling unless agreed otherwise. Quotes are normally based on the specific works described and may assume normal working conditions, straightforward access, and standard waste handling. If the actual site conditions differ materially from those described at the time of quotation, we may revise the price before continuing. Examples include blocked access, additional timber volumes, extensive brash, complex dismantling, urgent call-outs, or additional labour required due to unforeseen hazards.

Unless otherwise stated, payment is due immediately upon completion of the works or within the payment period stated on the invoice. For certain bookings, especially larger domestic or commercial projects, a deposit or staged payment plan may be required in advance. Deposits are used to reserve labour, equipment, and scheduling capacity and may be non-refundable except where cancellation rights or legal obligations require otherwise. We may suspend or withhold further services if an invoice remains unpaid beyond the agreed due date.

Late payment may result in reasonable recovery action. This can include reminder notices, interest, compensation, or administrative charges where permitted by law and where properly set out on the invoice or contract documents. The customer is responsible for ensuring that payment is made by an authorised person and that any purchase order, internal approval, or accounting process does not delay settlement. Title to any materials supplied, where applicable, does not pass until payment has been received in full.

4. Cancellations, Postponements, and Rescheduling

The customer may request a cancellation or postponement by giving notice as soon as reasonably possible. Because tree surgery often involves labour allocation, machinery scheduling, and waste disposal arrangements, late cancellations may cause real loss. We therefore reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee where a booking is cancelled or postponed at short notice, particularly if staff or equipment have already been allocated, permissions have been arranged, or materials have been ordered.

If the customer cancels within a short period before the scheduled start date, we may retain the deposit or charge a proportion of the total price to cover direct costs and lost time, provided such charges are fair and lawful. If we need to postpone due to unsafe weather, access issues, equipment failure, staff illness, or circumstances beyond our control, we will aim to rearrange the service at the earliest reasonable opportunity. We will not be liable for consequential losses caused by a reasonable postponement, provided we act promptly and communicate the change clearly.

We may also cancel or suspend the service where there is a material safety concern, where the site is not as described, where necessary permissions are absent, or where continuing would breach applicable law. In those circumstances, any refund or charge adjustment will depend on the work already completed, the cost already incurred, and any legal or contractual rights that apply. The customer agrees that a cancellation made because of non-disclosure of essential information may be treated as a customer cancellation.

5. Liability, Insurance, and Damage

We will exercise reasonable skill and care in the provision of tree surgery services, but we do not guarantee the exact future condition, growth, or behaviour of any tree, hedge, stump, or root system following completion. Natural variation, weather, disease, latent defects, and the biology of trees may affect results. Unless expressly agreed in writing, any recommendations offered about tree condition or future maintenance are professional opinions based on the information available at the time, not a warranty of outcome.

Our liability for loss or damage is limited to losses that are reasonably foreseeable and directly caused by our negligence or breach of contract. We are not responsible for indirect or consequential losses, including loss of profit, loss of opportunity, or inconvenience, except where such exclusion is not permitted by law. Nothing in these terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

The customer must notify us promptly of any alleged damage or defect after completion of the work. Where appropriate, we may inspect the issue, gather evidence, and attempt a fair resolution. If damage arises from pre-existing weakness, hidden defects, unknown underground features, or information not provided by the customer, we will not be liable unless the law says otherwise. We carry insurance appropriate to the nature of the services, but insurance cover is not a substitute for the customer’s own duty to secure the site, protect valuables, and disclose known hazards.

6. Waste, Timber, and Environmental Regulations

Tree surgery generates significant waste, including timber, branches, brush, leaves, sawdust, soil, and stump arisings. Unless the quotation states otherwise, the handling and removal of green waste will be carried out in accordance with applicable waste and environmental requirements. Waste may be reused, chipped, mulched, recycled, composted, or transported to a licensed facility depending on the type of material and the arrangements agreed for the job.

The customer must confirm whether they wish to keep logs, timber, or woodchip before work begins. If no such request is made, we may remove, process, or dispose of these materials as part of the service. Where the customer retains waste on site, they accept responsibility for storage, movement, future use, and any risks associated with it. Waste transfer documentation may be created where required by law, and the customer agrees to cooperate with any reasonable request needed for compliance.

We will not knowingly dispose of protected, contaminated, or hazardous material with normal green waste. If the site contains asbestos, chemicals, buried waste, Japanese knotweed, or other controlled material, the customer must disclose this before the work starts. Additional specialist handling may be necessary and may incur separate costs. All waste operations are undertaken with due regard to the Waste Duty of Care, environmental protection obligations, and any licensing requirements relevant to the work being performed.

7. Complaints, Variations, and Force Majeure

If the customer is dissatisfied with any aspect of the service, they should notify us within a reasonable time so that the matter can be reviewed. We may inspect the work, discuss the concern, and where appropriate offer a remedial solution. Minor variations in pruning shape, finish, or stump height may arise from tree condition, site access, and safety constraints, and do not necessarily mean the service was defective.

Any change to the agreed work must be confirmed by both parties where possible. If the customer asks for extra items to be added during the job, or if we discover that a change is needed to complete the work safely or lawfully, we may provide an updated price or revised method before proceeding. Verbal instructions may be accepted on site for practical reasons, but written confirmation is preferred and may be requested afterwards.

We shall not be liable for delay or failure to perform caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including severe weather, storms, floods, fire, accidents, public authority restrictions, transport disruption, strikes, supply shortages, or unexpected closures. In such cases, the service may be suspended, rescheduled, or adapted as reasonably necessary. Where the event continues for an extended period, either party may discuss termination of the affected booking on fair terms.

8. Governing Law and General Provisions

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising from or connected with the services, the quotation, the booking, or these terms will be dealt with by the courts of England and Wales, unless mandatory law provides otherwise. If the customer is a consumer, these terms do not reduce any statutory rights available under UK consumer law.

If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful, invalid, or unenforceable, the remainder will continue in full force. A failure by us to enforce any right immediately does not mean that we waive that right. These terms may be updated from time to time, but the version in force at the time of booking will apply to the agreed service unless a later change is expressly agreed in writing by both parties. The customer is encouraged to review any written quotation or service schedule carefully before confirming a booking.

By booking tree surgery services with Tree Surgeons Norwood, the customer confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions. This statement forms part of the contractual basis on which works are accepted and scheduled. Any matter not expressly covered here will be determined by the written quotation, the service specification, and applicable UK law.