Tree Surgeons Gunnersbury Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of tree surgery services by Tree Surgeons Gunnersbury and apply to all quotations, bookings, site visits, works, and related services supplied to domestic and commercial customers. By instructing us to carry out any work, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms. For the purposes of clarity, references to we, us, and our mean the service provider, while you and your mean the customer, occupier, landowner, or authorised representative placing the booking.

These terms are intended to set out the basis on which tree care services are provided, including surveys, pruning, reductions, removals, hedge work, stump-related services, and the handling of arisings and waste. They are designed to be read together with any quotation, written estimate, or scope of works provided before the job begins. If there is any inconsistency between these terms and a written quotation that specifically states otherwise, the wording in the quotation will prevail only to the extent of that inconsistency.

We reserve the right to update these terms from time to time. The version in force at the time your booking is confirmed will apply to the relevant contract. Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights under applicable UK consumer law, nor does it limit any mandatory obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded.

1. Booking Process

Bookings for tree surgeon services may be made following an initial enquiry and, where required, a site assessment or review of photographs, plans, or other relevant information. In many cases, especially for larger, higher-risk, or more complex works, a visit may be needed before a fixed price can be issued. We may decline to provide a quotation if the available information is insufficient or if access, safety, or legal constraints prevent us from confirming the scope.

A booking is not confirmed until we have accepted the job and, where required, you have accepted the quotation in writing, by email, text message, electronic acceptance, or other recorded method. Any dates or timeframes given are estimates unless expressly stated to be fixed. Weather conditions, permit issues, access delays, tree conditions, and operational demands may affect scheduling. We will use reasonable efforts to attend on the agreed date, but exact times cannot be guaranteed.

You must ensure that the information you provide is accurate and complete, including access details, known hazards, third-party restrictions, underground or overhead services, tree ownership, and any planning, conservation, or landlord permissions that may apply. If the information supplied is incomplete or inaccurate and this causes additional cost, delay, or risk, we may revise the quotation or suspend the works until the issue is resolved.

2. Scope of Works and Site Conditions

Our arboreal services are carried out in accordance with the agreed scope only. Any additional work requested on the day, or any work reasonably required because the site conditions differ from those described, may be treated as a variation and charged separately. This includes but is not limited to unforeseen stem decay, hidden obstructions, nesting activity, unstable ground, restricted access, or the need for specialist equipment.

The customer is responsible for ensuring that the site is suitable for the works and that safe access is available. We may refuse to commence or continue work if we reasonably believe conditions are unsafe, unlawful, or likely to cause damage to property, utilities, vehicles, or surrounding structures. We may also pause the work if adverse weather, unsuitable ground conditions, or sudden changes in tree stability create unacceptable risk.

Any trees subject to legal protection, including preservation controls, conservation constraints, or ownership disputes, must be disclosed before works begin. Where permission is required, it is your responsibility to obtain it unless we have expressly agreed in writing to do so on your behalf. We do not assume responsibility for checking every possible consent unless specifically instructed and paid to do so.

3. Payments

Prices will normally be set out in the quotation or estimate. Unless stated otherwise, all sums are exclusive of VAT where VAT is applicable. Payment terms may vary depending on the nature of the work, but in general full payment is due on completion of the works unless we have agreed a different arrangement in writing. For larger contracts, phased payments, deposits, or stage payments may be requested before work begins or as the project progresses.

We reserve the right to require a deposit to secure certain bookings, particularly where specialist equipment is reserved, materials are purchased in advance, or labour is allocated for a specific date. Deposits may be non-refundable to the extent that they cover genuine pre-contract costs already incurred or reserved capacity lost due to the booking. Any such requirement will be stated clearly at the point of acceptance.

Late payments may result in the suspension of further works, the withholding of reports or completion documentation, and the recovery of reasonable costs incurred in pursuing the debt, including any statutory interest or compensation permitted under UK law. Title to any goods, materials, or items supplied by us does not pass until we have received full payment of all amounts due in cleared funds.

4. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Waiting Time

If you wish to cancel or reschedule a confirmed booking, you should notify us as soon as possible. Because tree surgery often involves pre-allocated labour, machinery, traffic management, and waste disposal planning, short-notice cancellations may incur charges. Unless a different period is stated in writing, cancellations made within 48 hours of the scheduled start time may be subject to a reasonable cancellation fee to cover our actual losses and preparatory costs.

If we need to cancel or reschedule due to unsafe conditions, illness, equipment failure, extreme weather, access restrictions, or legal compliance concerns, we will aim to rearrange the work within a reasonable timeframe. We are not liable for losses caused by postponement where the reason for the change is outside our reasonable control. If you are not present when attendance is required, or if access is not available, waiting time, repeat attendance, or aborted visit charges may apply.

Where a booking is cancelled after materials have been ordered, waste transfer arrangements made, or specialist subcontractors engaged, you may be charged for those non-recoverable costs if they were reasonably incurred for your job. Any sums already paid may be applied against cancellation charges and costs, and any remaining balance will be refunded or invoiced as appropriate.

5. Liability and Insurance

We will carry out our services with reasonable skill and care. However, the customer acknowledges that tree work services involve natural materials, mechanical cutting tools, heights, falling branches, variable weather, and site-specific hazards. Trees are living organisms and may behave unpredictably, particularly where decay, hidden defects, or structural weakness are present. We do not guarantee the future stability, growth, health, or appearance of any tree after work has been completed.

Our liability for direct loss or damage caused by our negligence is limited to the value of the contract price paid for the relevant works, except where a different limitation is prohibited by law. We will not be liable for indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit, loss of opportunity, business interruption, or deterioration arising from matters outside our reasonable control. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under UK law.

You are responsible for protecting items that are fragile, hidden, or particularly valuable, such as ornaments, fixtures, light fittings, buried services, vehicles, and garden features, unless we have expressly agreed in writing to take responsibility for them. Where you ask us to work close to structures, utilities, or third-party property, you accept the associated risks unless we have been negligent in carrying out the agreed works.

6. Waste, Arisings, and Environmental Compliance

Where waste arisings are removed by us, we will do so in accordance with applicable UK waste regulations, including the duty to transport and dispose of waste lawfully. Woodchip, branches, logs, leaves, stump material, and related debris may be classified and handled as green waste or other relevant waste streams depending on the material and destination. We may use licensed waste carriers, transfer stations, recycling outlets, or other compliant disposal routes as part of our service.

Unless the quotation states otherwise, all waste arisings generated by the agreed works belong to us once cut and may be removed from site. If you request that materials be retained on site, stacked, chipped, sectioned, or left in a particular location, you accept responsibility for the storage, use, and subsequent handling of those materials once our work is complete. Any additional labour for segregation, loading, or off-site disposal may be charged separately if not included in the original quotation.

We may refuse to remove waste that we reasonably believe contains prohibited, hazardous, contaminated, or non-tree-related material unless suitable arrangements are made and any necessary additional charges are agreed in advance. The customer must not place concealed rubbish, building waste, chemicals, or other non-green materials among the arisings without telling us. If such materials are discovered, we may pass on any additional disposal charges, compliance costs, or fines arising from the breach.

7. Customer Responsibilities

The customer must ensure that the site is accessible, that any pets, children, or vulnerable persons are kept clear of the work area, and that parking or loading arrangements are suitable for the vehicles and equipment required. You must also identify any known services, such as water lines, electrical cables, irrigation systems, or telecoms, before work starts. Where underground or hidden services are involved, you should arrange for them to be marked or otherwise protected if there is any risk of interference.

If a neighbour, landlord, managing agent, freeholder, tenant, or other third party has an interest in the property or tree, you are responsible for ensuring that the necessary permissions and notices are in place. By booking tree maintenance services, you confirm that you are authorised to instruct the work or that you have permission from the relevant party. We may request proof of authority before commencing the works.

You agree to act reasonably and to cooperate with our team throughout the works. Abusive conduct, interference with equipment, obstruction of access, or instructions that would require us to act unlawfully or unsafely may result in the immediate suspension of the job and invoicing for time and costs already incurred.

8. Completion, Variations, and Complaints

Once the agreed works have been completed, the job will be treated as finished unless you notify us promptly of any material issue. Minor variations in finish, shape, or appearance may occur due to the nature of live tree work and are not usually defects. If you believe a genuine issue has arisen, you should raise it within a reasonable period so that it can be reviewed while the site conditions remain clear.

If additional work is required because you request a change to the original scope, because the condition of the tree differs from what was initially assessed, or because the site presents unforeseen obstacles, we may issue a revised quotation. No extra work will be undertaken without your approval unless it is necessary to protect safety or prevent imminent damage, in which case we will act reasonably and notify you as soon as practicable.

Any complaint should be made promptly and in writing so that we can investigate it fairly. We may need photographs, access to the relevant location, or supporting information in order to consider the matter properly. Nothing in this clause affects your legal rights in relation to services that are not provided with reasonable care and skill.

9. Governing Law

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, except where consumer law requires otherwise or where another jurisdiction must apply by law.

General Provisions

If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. No failure or delay by us in exercising any right or remedy shall operate as a waiver of that right or remedy. These terms form the entire agreement between the parties in relation to the services, unless varied in writing and agreed by both parties.

Tree surgeons in Gunnersbury provide essential specialist work, and these terms are intended to create a fair, clear, and lawful basis for that service relationship. By proceeding with a booking, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted the terms set out above.