Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Plaistow

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Tree Surgeons Plaistow provides arboricultural and tree surgery services to domestic and commercial customers in the UK. By making a booking, confirming a quotation, or allowing work to begin, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms. The purpose of this document is to explain the booking process, payment arrangements, cancellation rules, liability limits, waste handling obligations, and the law that applies to the agreement.

These terms are intended to be fair and transparent. They apply to all services supplied by tree surgeons in Plaistow and should be read alongside any written quotation, schedule of works, or job confirmation. If any part of these terms is inconsistent with a specific written agreement signed by both parties, the signed agreement will take priority to the extent of the inconsistency. Nothing in these terms affects the customer’s statutory rights under UK law.

For the avoidance of doubt, references to “we”, “us”, or “our” mean the tree surgery contractor providing the services, and references to “you” or “the customer” mean the person or business purchasing those services. These terms are designed to support safe and lawful delivery of tree surgery services, including pruning, dismantling, crown reduction, stump removal, hedge works, and associated site clearance.

1. Booking Process

All bookings begin with an enquiry and, where necessary, an initial assessment of the tree work required. A quotation may be based on photographs, customer information, a site visit, or a combination of these. Where the work is complex, large-scale, or potentially affected by access, utilities, tree protection orders, conservation rules, or boundary issues, we may require an on-site inspection before issuing a final quotation.

A booking is only confirmed when the customer accepts the quotation, agrees the proposed scope of work, and we acknowledge the booking in writing or by email. Any estimate is given in good faith but remains subject to amendment if the information supplied is incomplete, materially inaccurate, or if the site conditions differ from those reasonably anticipated. If additional work becomes necessary on the day, we will discuss the options with the customer before proceeding where it is reasonably practical to do so.

Customers are responsible for ensuring that the landowner, managing agent, freeholder, or other relevant party has authorised the work. If permission is required from a neighbour, leaseholder, local authority, or another third party, the customer must secure it in advance. We may refuse to commence work if we reasonably believe the customer does not have the necessary authority or if carrying out the work would expose us to a legal or safety risk.

Booking dates are offered subject to availability, weather, access conditions, and operational constraints. We will make reasonable efforts to attend on the agreed date, but the nature of tree surgery means timings may need to change. Causes of delay can include adverse weather, emergency call-outs, equipment failure, traffic disruption, wildlife restrictions, or permit-related issues. In such cases we will arrange an alternative date as soon as reasonably practicable.

2. Scope of Services

Our services may include tree pruning, crown thinning, crown lifting, crown reduction, sectional dismantling, emergency tree removal, stump grinding, hedge cutting, brash clearance, wood chipping, and site tidy-up. The exact scope of work will be defined in the quotation or booking confirmation. Any work not expressly included is excluded unless separately agreed in writing. The customer should not assume that waste removal, stump treatment, or planning-related advice is included unless specifically stated.

We undertake all work with reasonable skill and care and in line with industry standards appropriate to the nature of the task. However, trees are living organisms and may react unpredictably to pruning, weather, disease, decay, or hidden defects. Any recommendation we make is based on the conditions visible at the time of inspection and does not amount to a guarantee of future tree condition, structural stability, or growth response.

3. Payments

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due upon completion of the works on the same day. For larger jobs, commercial contracts, or works requiring special materials, we may request a deposit, staged payments, or advance payment for part of the total amount. Any deposit will be specified in the quotation and will usually be non-refundable except where we cancel the service without lawful reason or where the law requires a refund.

Invoices must be paid in full by the stated due date. Accepted payment methods may include bank transfer, card payment, or other methods confirmed at the time of booking. If payment is not received on time, we may charge interest and reasonable recovery costs in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 where applicable, or otherwise at the statutory rate permitted by law. We also reserve the right to suspend future services until outstanding sums are cleared.

If the customer disputes an invoice, they must notify us promptly and provide details of the issue. Undisputed portions of the invoice should still be paid by the due date. Failure to make payment does not entitle the customer to retain materials, timber, or waste unless this has been expressly agreed. Title to any goods supplied may remain with us until full payment has been received.

4. Cancellations and Postponements

The customer may cancel or postpone a booking, but they should do so as early as possible. If cancellation occurs after the booking has been confirmed and we have reserved time, staff, equipment, or transport, we may charge a cancellation fee that reflects our reasonable losses. The amount of any fee will depend on the notice given, the scale of the booking, and whether specific costs have already been incurred.

Cancellations made with very short notice, including on the day of attendance, may be charged at a higher rate because the reserved work slot is difficult to reallocate. If we arrive on site and are unable to proceed due to lack of access, incorrect instructions, unsafe conditions, or missing permissions, this may be treated as a late cancellation and a call-out fee may apply. We will act reasonably and proportionately in assessing any charge.

We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a booking where weather, safety, legal restrictions, equipment issues, or unforeseen operational matters make it impracticable to continue. If we cancel for reasons within our control, we will offer a new date or, where appropriate, refund any prepayment relating to the unperformed work. We are not liable for indirect losses arising from a reasonable cancellation or postponement.

5. Customer Obligations

The customer must provide accurate information about the trees, site access, nearby structures, underground or overhead services, protected species, and any known hazards. They must also ensure that vehicles, ornaments, garden furniture, fragile items, and other valuables are moved where necessary before work begins. We are not responsible for damage to items that were left in the working area contrary to our instructions or the obvious requirements of the job.

6. Liability

We accept liability for loss or damage caused by our negligence, breach of contract, or failure to comply with legal obligations, subject to the limitations set out in these terms. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. The customer’s statutory rights remain unaffected.

Where any damage arises from hidden defects in trees, unstable ground, concealed services, pre-existing conditions, or information not disclosed by the customer, we will not be liable unless the loss was caused by our negligence. Tree surgery frequently involves working with heavy equipment, falling timber, and unpredictable material movement. While we take reasonable precautions, some risk is inherent in the work and cannot be entirely eliminated.

Our liability for foreseeable loss or damage arising from a specific contract will, to the extent permitted by law, be limited to the total amount paid or payable for that contract. We will not be liable for loss of profit, loss of business, loss of opportunity, or indirect or consequential losses. If a claim is made, the customer must give us a reasonable opportunity to inspect the alleged damage and mitigate the problem before any third-party repair is instructed, where practicable.

7. Waste Regulations and Site Clearance

Tree surgery generates waste such as branches, trunks, woodchips, leaves, stumps, soil, and cut timber. Any disposal, removal, or retained material will be handled according to the agreed scope of work and in compliance with applicable UK waste legislation, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 where relevant. We will transport, store, and dispose of waste using lawful and environmentally responsible methods.

If the quotation states that waste will be removed, we may use chipping, loading, transport, recycling, or disposal facilities as we consider appropriate. Timber may be left stacked, cut into sections, or retained by the customer only if this has been agreed in advance. Any request to retain timber, logs, or woodchip must be made before the job begins. Once waste has been removed, it cannot usually be recovered.

The customer must not ask us to dispose of prohibited materials without advance agreement. If we discover contaminated material, fly-tipped waste, asbestos-related items, chemicals, or other hazardous substances, we may stop work and charge for the additional time, equipment, and disposal costs required. Any waste transfer documentation, where required, will be completed in line with legal obligations and retained according to our record-keeping practices.

8. Access, Safety, and Working Conditions

The customer must ensure that the site can be accessed safely by our team and equipment. This includes providing parking where required, allowing reasonable access for machinery, and warning us of any restrictions affecting entry or loading. We may stop work if conditions become unsafe due to weather, aggressive animals, unstable structures, overhead lines, hidden utilities, or interference by third parties.

We may use barriers, signs, ropes, rigging systems, climbing equipment, chainsaws, wood chippers, stump grinders, and vehicles as part of the work. The customer and any occupants of the property must keep clear of the working area and follow any safety instructions given by our operatives. We are entitled to suspend work if people enter the exclusion zone or otherwise create a health and safety risk.

9. Complaints and Remedies

If the customer believes there is a problem with the service, they should notify us as soon as reasonably possible and provide a clear description of the issue. We may ask for photographs, a site visit, or other information so that we can assess the concern fairly. Where a remedy is justified, we may at our discretion offer to re-perform the work, correct a defect, or provide an appropriate refund in line with our legal obligations.

The customer must not arrange remedial work by a third party and then seek reimbursement from us without giving us a reasonable chance to inspect and respond, except where urgent action is required for safety reasons. Any complaint will be considered objectively and in line with applicable consumer law and contractual principles. Our aim is to resolve issues proportionately and without unnecessary delay.

10. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from them or connected with them, are governed by the law of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction, except that consumers may also rely on any mandatory protections and forum rights that apply under applicable law. If any clause is found to be unlawful, invalid, or unenforceable, the remaining clauses will continue in full force.

These terms may be updated from time to time to reflect legal, operational, or commercial changes. The version in force at the time of booking will normally apply to that booking. Customers are encouraged to retain a copy of the quotation and the accepted terms for their records. By proceeding with a booking, the customer confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted these terms governing the provision of tree surgeon services.

These Terms and Conditions provide the framework for a professional, safe, and lawful relationship between the customer and Tree Surgeons Plaistow. They are intended to support clear expectations about service delivery, payment, cancellations, waste management, liability, and legal compliance throughout every project, whether routine maintenance or more complex arboricultural work.