Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Shadwell
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which tree surgeons in Shadwell provide arboricultural services to domestic and commercial clients. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or allowing work to begin, the customer agrees to these terms. They are intended to create a clear understanding of what is included in the service, how appointments are arranged, how payment is handled, and what happens if plans change. Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer where applicable.
In these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the service provider delivering tree surgery, tree maintenance, and related site work. References to “you” and “your” mean the customer, property owner, tenant, managing agent, or authorised representative who requests the work. The phrase tree surgeon services includes pruning, crown reduction, crown lifting, felling, stump removal, hedge cutting, site clearance, and other agreed arboricultural tasks, unless a narrower scope is stated in the quotation or order confirmation.
These terms apply to all quotations and bookings for tree surgery services, whether the work is arranged by phone, email, message, or any other written or verbal method. If any part of these terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in force. Any variation must be agreed in writing by both parties. For clarity, no term will be implied that contradicts the written quotation or a later agreed change order unless required by law.
1. Booking Process
A booking for Tree Surgeons Shadwell services is normally made after an initial enquiry and a site assessment or review of photographs and information supplied by the customer. Where a site visit is necessary, the purpose is to assess access, tree condition, hazards, equipment needs, waste handling, and any additional permissions that may be required. The quotation provided after assessment will normally state the work to be done, any assumptions, and any exclusions. The quotation is based on the information available at the time and may need to be amended if circumstances on site differ materially from those described.
To secure a booking, you may be asked to confirm acceptance of the quotation and provide relevant details about the property, including access arrangements, parking restrictions, underground services, shared boundaries, and any known constraints. We may also request confirmation that you have the right to authorise the work. Where necessary, you agree to obtain the consent of landlords, freeholders, managing agents, neighbours, or other interested parties before the work starts. If permission from a local authority or another body is needed, responsibility for obtaining that permission is normally yours unless we expressly agree otherwise in writing.
The scheduled date and time are offered on the basis of current availability and operational planning. While we aim to attend at the agreed time, weather, traffic, equipment failure, staffing constraints, or safety concerns may require changes. In such cases, we will make reasonable efforts to rearrange the appointment. Any times given are estimates unless stated as fixed in writing. Tree surgery operations are weather-sensitive, and we may postpone work where conditions could affect safety, tree handling, or the quality of the result.
2. Scope of Work and Customer Responsibilities
The quotation should be read carefully, as it defines the work included. Unless stated otherwise, the price covers only the tasks specifically listed and does not include additional remedial works, emergency attendance, specialist traffic management, ecology surveys, planning applications, or works on adjacent property not included in the original scope. If further work becomes necessary after commencement, we will either pause and seek your approval or, where immediate action is needed for safety, proceed and charge reasonably for the extra labour, equipment, and materials. Any such variation will be explained as soon as practicable.
You are responsible for ensuring the working area is reasonably clear and accessible. This includes removing fragile items, providing safe access routes, and alerting us to underground utilities, hidden structures, water features, or other hazards that may affect the job. If pets, children, vehicles, garden furniture, or other obstacles interfere with the safe delivery of services, we may delay or alter the work. You agree to provide accurate information about tree ownership, boundary lines, and any dispute that may affect our ability to proceed lawfully and safely.
Where a tree or hedge is protected by a tree preservation order, conservation area controls, lease conditions, or similar restrictions, you must tell us before work begins. We will rely on the information provided by you unless we have agreed to conduct additional checks. If work is delayed or stopped because required permissions were not obtained, or because the customer supplied inaccurate information, any abortive costs, re-attendance charges, or disposal costs already incurred may be payable by you. This applies equally to arboricultural services carried out on domestic gardens, communal areas, and commercial premises.
3. Payments, Deposits, and Invoicing
Payment terms will usually be stated in the quotation or invoice. Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due on completion of the work and may be required on the same day. For larger projects, we may request a deposit, staged payments, or part payment before materials are ordered or work is scheduled. A deposit secures our time and may be non-refundable where costs have already been incurred, including booking administration, surveys, permits, or procurement of specialist equipment. All prices are normally quoted in pounds sterling and, where applicable, may be subject to VAT at the prevailing rate.
We accept payment methods set out at the time of booking, and you agree to pay any bank charges incurred from failed or reversed transfers caused by your payment provider. If payment is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to suspend further work, withhold completion certification where relevant, and charge reasonable late payment interest and recovery costs in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts legislation where applicable. For consumer contracts, we will act fairly and proportionately and in line with applicable law. Any discounts, promotions, or special rates apply only where expressly stated and may be withdrawn before acceptance of a quotation.
Invoices must be checked promptly on receipt. If you believe there is an error, you should raise it within a reasonable time so that it can be investigated. Failure to raise a query does not remove your obligation to pay the undisputed part of the invoice by the due date. We may combine multiple services into one invoice or issue separate invoices for different parts of a job if this reflects the structure of the work and any agreed staging.
4. Cancellations, Postponements, and Aborted Visits
You may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving reasonable notice. Where the work is due to start soon, cancellation charges may apply to cover allocated labour, reserved machinery, or costs already committed. If you cancel after our team has been dispatched, or if we arrive and cannot proceed because access is blocked, permissions are missing, or the site is unsafe due to reasons outside our control, we may charge for a wasted visit and any associated expenses. These charges are intended to reflect genuine loss and are not a penalty.
If we need to cancel or postpone, we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and offer an alternative date where available. We are not liable for delays caused by weather, emergency calls, accidents, breakdowns, public events, road closures, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control. In the event of prolonged disruption, either party may seek to rearrange the work or terminate the booking with fair adjustment for work already completed or costs already incurred.
Tree surgeons often need to make on-the-day decisions for health and safety reasons. If the condition of a tree, the stability of nearby structures, or the presence of hidden hazards makes the planned work unsafe, we may stop or modify the job. Where possible, we will explain the issue and discuss options, but immediate action may be required to protect people and property. Any agreed changes will supersede the original scope to the extent of the variation.
5. Liability and Limitations
We will carry out the work with reasonable skill and care, using competent operatives and appropriate equipment. However, tree surgery involves inherent risks, including falling branches, unpredictable tree movement, hidden decay, root damage, and the possibility of impact with structures or underground services. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we will not be liable for indirect loss, loss of profit, loss of enjoyment, or consequential damage arising from events outside our reasonable control. 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.
You acknowledge that live trees are natural objects and that outcomes may vary even where all reasonable precautions are taken. Pruning or reduction may reveal pre-existing defects, deadwood, disease, or structural weakness that were not visible before work started. We are not responsible for latent defects, subsidence, pre-existing decay, or failures caused by circumstances that existed before our work began unless the law states otherwise. Where a tree or branch is known to be unstable, additional controls may be required, and the quotation may need revision to reflect the increased risk.
Any claim for damage must be notified promptly and, where possible, before the site is altered or debris removed so that the issue can be assessed. You must take reasonable steps to reduce loss after an incident. We will not be responsible for damage caused by your failure to provide accurate information, failure to secure permissions, hidden defects, or inadequate site preparation. If we are found liable, our responsibility will normally be limited to the reasonable cost of repairing or replacing the affected item, subject to the law and any insurance arrangements.
6. Waste Regulations and Site Clearance
Waste generated during tree surgeon services will be handled in accordance with applicable UK waste regulations and duty of care obligations. Unless otherwise agreed, we will remove standard green waste produced by the agreed works and arrange for lawful transport and disposal or recycling at approved facilities. Waste remains our responsibility once collected by us, provided it has not been mixed with prohibited materials or additional items not included in the original scope. If you request that timber, logs, chips, or arisings be left on site, this must be agreed in advance and may affect the price, access, and safety considerations.
You must not ask us to dispose of hazardous substances, asbestos, contaminated soil, or other materials outside the scope of standard arboricultural waste unless specifically agreed and lawfully permitted. If such items are discovered during the job, we may suspend work until the issue is assessed. Any waste that belongs to the customer and is not part of the agreed green waste may be left on site or removed at additional cost, depending on the circumstances. We will not knowingly breach environmental law, fly-tipping rules, or any relevant transport or disposal requirement.
Where chipping, stacking, or loading takes place on site, you accept that some minor residue may remain, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. We will use reasonable efforts to leave the work area tidy, but final cleaning beyond standard clearance may be excluded unless expressly included. If particular disposal routes, segregation methods, or documentation are required for a commercial site, you should notify us before the booking is confirmed so that compliance steps can be priced and planned correctly.
7. Complaints, Variations, and Ending the Contract
If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service, you should raise the issue as soon as reasonably possible so it can be reviewed. We may ask for photographs, access to the site, or a chance to inspect the work. Minor matters may be resolved by rectification, explanation, or a proportionate price adjustment where appropriate. These terms do not restrict any rights you may have under consumer law, and any complaint will be handled in line with applicable legal standards and fair dealing principles.
Any variation to the agreed work should be confirmed before the change is carried out where practical. This includes extra pruning, changes in waste removal, additional stump grinding, or altered access arrangements. If you request a material change after the job has started, the price and completion time may need to be adjusted. We may also terminate the contract if you fail to pay, fail to provide access, refuse reasonable safety measures, or otherwise prevent the work from being completed in a lawful and safe way.
Shadwell tree surgery services are provided on the understanding that the customer will cooperate reasonably and treat staff with respect. We may withdraw from site if threatened, abused, or placed in an unsafe situation. In such cases, you may remain liable for work completed, costs incurred, and any reasonable demobilisation charges. Where termination is due to our breach, your remedies will be limited to those available under law.
8. Governing Law
These terms and any dispute or claim arising from them, whether contractual or non-contractual, 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, except where mandatory consumer law allows otherwise. If a dispute arises, the parties should first seek to resolve it informally and in good faith before pursuing formal proceedings. Any reference to tree surgery terms in these conditions includes the booking, performance, payment, cancellation, and waste-handling obligations set out above.
By proceeding with a booking, you confirm that you have read and understood these Terms and Conditions and agree to be bound by them. They are intended to support a professional, lawful, and safe service relationship and to set clear expectations for all parties. If a quotation or written agreement contains additional terms, those terms will apply only to the extent that they do not conflict with mandatory law or any expressly agreed variation.