Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Brompton

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which tree surgery services are provided by Tree Surgeons Brompton. By requesting a quotation, making a booking, or allowing work to begin, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms. They are intended to create a clear understanding of how our services are delivered, what is included, and what responsibilities sit with each party.

For the avoidance of doubt, these terms apply to residential, commercial, and other private or managed premises where tree surgery, pruning, dismantling, stump work, hedge management, or related arboricultural services are carried out. They should be read carefully before any instruction is accepted. If any provision is not understood, the customer should seek clarification before confirming a job.

These terms are written for use in the United Kingdom and are designed to reflect standard service arrangements for a tree surgery contractor. They do not replace statutory rights, and nothing in these terms is intended to limit any rights the customer may have under applicable consumer law. Where mandatory law conflicts with any part of these terms, the law will prevail.

1. Booking process

A booking is normally made after an initial enquiry and, where necessary, a site visit or review of photographs, measurements, and other relevant information. The customer must provide accurate details about the trees, access, nearby structures, underground services where known, and any special conditions that may affect the work. A quotation may be prepared on the basis of information supplied by the customer, but if the actual conditions differ materially on arrival, the scope and price may need to be revised.

When a quote is accepted, a booking may be confirmed verbally, in writing, or by electronic message. Acceptance of a quote does not automatically guarantee availability until a date is confirmed by Tree Surgeons Brompton. Any scheduled date is approximate unless expressly stated otherwise. Weather, access issues, emergency call-outs, equipment failure, or operational reasons may require rescheduling. In such cases, we will aim to offer a new date as soon as reasonably practicable.

2. Customer responsibilities before work begins

The customer is responsible for ensuring that the site is accessible and that any necessary permissions, consents, or approvals have been obtained before the agreed date. This may include landlord consent, leaseholder permission, management company approval, party wall-related considerations where relevant, and any tree-related consents required by local authorities or conservation controls. Unless expressly agreed in writing, it is the customer’s responsibility to check whether such permissions are needed.

The customer must also ensure that all vehicles, fragile items, garden furniture, ornaments, washing lines, pet enclosures, and other movable objects are removed or protected before work starts. Where parked vehicles or obstructions prevent safe access, the work may be delayed, reduced, or rescheduled. Any additional time, labour, or costs caused by inadequate access or incomplete preparation may be charged to the customer.

3. Scope of services

Services may include crown reduction, crown thinning, crown lifting, deadwood removal, sectional dismantling, stump grinding, hedge trimming, formative pruning, storm damage response, and associated clearance. The specific scope of work will be described in the quotation or job confirmation. Any additional task not included in that scope will only be carried out if agreed by both parties.

Tree surgery work is inherently variable. Trees are living structures, and their condition may change between quotation and completion. Hidden decay, cavities, unstable root plates, concealed damage, pest activity, or previous poor pruning may only become apparent once work has started. Where such issues affect safety or the intended outcome, the team may pause the work and discuss revised methods or pricing with the customer.

If the customer requests a change in the work after booking, any additional materials, machinery, labour, or waste handling arising from that change may incur an extra charge. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate changes, but operational safety and compliance will always take priority over convenience or speed.

4. Payments, deposits, and pricing

Prices may be quoted as fixed fees or as estimated fees, depending on the certainty of the task and the information available at the time of quotation. Unless otherwise stated, prices are exclusive of VAT where VAT is applicable. Any estimate is provided in good faith, but it may change if the job differs from the description originally given. Any revised pricing will be explained before additional work continues, where practical.

Invoices are normally payable within the period stated on the invoice or at completion where immediate payment has been agreed. Tree Surgeons Brompton may require a deposit for larger bookings, specialist equipment, or booked dates held in advance. Deposits secure the appointment and may be non-refundable in certain cancellation circumstances, as set out below. We reserve the right to suspend or withhold further services if payment is overdue on previous work.

Accepted methods of payment will be advised at the time of booking or invoicing. If payment is made late, we may charge statutory interest and compensation where permitted under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts legislation for business customers, or take other lawful steps to recover the debt. The customer is responsible for any bank charges, collection costs, or reasonable recovery expenses incurred as a result of non-payment.

5. Cancellations and postponements

If the customer wishes to cancel or postpone a booking, reasonable notice must be given as soon as possible. Cancellations made with sufficient notice may not incur a charge, but this depends on the time reserved, specialist arrangements already made, and any costs incurred. Where a deposit has been paid, the deposit may be retained in whole or in part to reflect administration, scheduling loss, or costs already committed.

If cancellation occurs at short notice, or on arrival at site when work cannot proceed because access is blocked, permissions are missing, or the customer is not present where presence is required, a call-out fee or cancellation charge may apply. This is especially relevant where equipment, labour, or traffic management has already been arranged. Any such charge will be reasonable and proportionate to the circumstances.

We may also postpone or cancel a booking if conditions are unsafe, if severe weather makes the work unsuitable, if the site presents an unforeseen hazard, or if essential permits or permissions are absent. In such cases we will endeavour to rebook the work, but we are not liable for indirect loss arising from a necessary postponement where the reason is beyond our control.

6. Safety, site conditions, and legal compliance

All works are carried out with due regard to health and safety obligations, safe systems of work, and reasonable industry standards. The customer must not interfere with the team’s instructions, equipment, or safety procedures. If a condition is identified that poses risk to workers, property, or third parties, we may stop work immediately until the issue is addressed. This includes unsafe structures, unstable trees, dangerous weather, or restricted access.

Where specialist control measures are required, such as barriers, temporary closures, or traffic management, the customer must cooperate with those arrangements. If the customer has provided inaccurate or incomplete information that leads to a safety issue, the customer may be responsible for any resulting delay, extra cost, or loss. We are entitled to refuse or withdraw from work that we reasonably consider unsafe or unlawful.

7. Waste management and regulations

Green waste, woodchip, timber, brash, stump arisings, and other tree-related debris produced during the job will be handled in accordance with applicable waste regulations and duty of care requirements. Unless otherwise agreed, waste generated by the work remains the responsibility of the service provider until removed, processed, reused, or legally transferred to an authorised facility or licensed carrier arrangement.

Where the quotation states that waste is to be removed, the customer grants permission for reasonable loading and transport of the arising materials. If the customer requests that wood, chip, or timber be left on site, this must be agreed in advance and may alter the price. Some materials may not be suitable for onsite reuse, and certain diseased or contaminated arisings may need to be removed regardless of preference to meet legal or biosecurity obligations.

The customer must not instruct the team to dispose of waste unlawfully, burn waste without permission, or leave arisings in a manner that could create nuisance, obstruction, or environmental harm. If skip placement, roadside storage, or collection arrangements are needed, these must be agreed before work begins. Any permits or permissions required for lawful waste handling, storage, or transport will be obtained by the relevant responsible party as agreed.

8. Liability and limitations

We will take reasonable care and skill in delivering tree surgery services. However, tree work can involve inherent risks, including hidden defects, falling debris, minor ground disturbance, and unpredictable tree behaviour. Unless caused by our negligence, we are not responsible for pre-existing damage, latent defects, normal wear and tear, or the natural characteristics of living trees and associated root systems.

Subject to the extent permitted by law, our liability for any claim arising from the services will be limited to the value of the relevant job or the amount recoverable under our insurance, whichever is lower, except where the law prevents such limitation. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

We will not be responsible for indirect or consequential losses, including loss of profit, loss of business, loss of enjoyment, or damage caused by matters outside our control, such as adverse weather, third-party interference, or hidden structural failure. The customer is expected to make their own arrangements for valuable items, garden features, or vulnerable surfaces that may be affected by normal tree surgery operations.

9. Materials, workmanship, and outcomes

Any advice given regarding tree condition, pruning method, or likely regrowth is based on professional judgment at the time of inspection. Trees respond differently depending on species, age, season, prior maintenance, and environmental conditions. For this reason, no guarantee is given that a tree will retain a specific shape, growth pattern, or long-term response after pruning, unless expressly agreed in writing.

Where replacement planting, stump treatment, or aftercare is included, the precise specification will be set out in the agreement. Unless specifically stated, we do not guarantee survival of planted stock, because such outcomes depend on watering, soil condition, weather, pests, and subsequent maintenance. The customer is responsible for ongoing care unless that service has been separately contracted.

10. Complaints and remedy

If the customer believes the service has not been delivered in accordance with the agreed scope, the issue should be raised within a reasonable time after completion. We may request photographs, site access, or other information needed to assess the concern. Where a valid issue is identified and we are responsible, our preference is to put matters right through correction, adjustment, or another appropriate remedy.

Minor variations in finish, height, stump appearance, or debris levels may occur due to the nature of tree work and do not necessarily amount to a breach. A complaint will not affect the customer’s obligation to pay undisputed sums on time. Nothing in these terms restricts any statutory remedy that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

11. Force majeure and interruptions

We are not liable for failure or delay caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including severe weather, storms, flooding, fire, accidents, transport disruption, industrial action, equipment failure not caused by neglect, utility interruptions, or changes in law. In such circumstances, the date may be postponed and the parties will use reasonable efforts to agree a new schedule.

If work has started and must be paused because of an event outside our control, the customer may be charged for the work already completed, together with any reasonable costs incurred. Neither party will be responsible for losses that arise solely because a force majeure event has prevented performance.

12. Governing law

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from them or their subject matter, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, except where consumer law provides otherwise.

The parties agree that any dispute should first be addressed constructively and in good faith. If a matter cannot be resolved informally, the parties may use any appropriate lawful process available to them. If any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force.

13. General provisions

These terms, together with the quotation or written confirmation of the work, form the entire agreement between the parties regarding the services supplied. Any variation must be agreed in writing by both parties. Failure to enforce a right on one occasion does not mean that right is waived in future. Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.

The customer acknowledges that booking services from tree surgeons in Brompton, or any variation of that expression used in these terms, means accepting the conditions above as part of the service arrangement. By proceeding, the customer confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted the contractual basis on which the work will be delivered.