Tree Surgeons Sanderstead Service Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Tree Surgeons Sanderstead provides arboricultural services to domestic and commercial customers in the UK. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or allowing work to begin, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms. They are intended to be clear, fair, and practical, while reflecting common industry standards for tree surgery, tree removal, pruning, stump work, and related site clearance services. For the avoidance of doubt, references to tree surgery services, tree surgeon services, and similar phrases all relate to the same range of works offered under these conditions.
These terms apply to all estimates, quotations, and appointments unless a written agreement signed by both parties states otherwise. Any special conditions agreed for a particular job will only override these terms where they are expressly confirmed in writing. If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remainder will continue in full force. The customer should read the full terms carefully before approving any work, as they define the responsibilities of both parties from booking through to completion and payment.
Throughout this document, the phrases tree surgeons in Sanderstead, arborists, and tree surgery contractors are used interchangeably where appropriate. The wording is designed to cover standard UK service arrangements and should be interpreted in a reasonable and practical manner. These terms do not create a partnership, agency, or employment relationship between the parties. They simply govern the provision of professional tree work carried out by qualified operatives under an agreed scope of service.
1. Booking Process
All bookings begin with an enquiry and, where necessary, a site assessment. The customer must provide accurate information about the trees, access conditions, surrounding hazards, planning restrictions, protected status, and any known issues affecting the proposed work. A quotation may be based on photographs, measurements, or an inspection visit. Where a site visit is required, the customer must ensure safe access to the property and any relevant areas.
Tree Surgeons Sanderstead will confirm the scope of work, estimated timing, and any assumptions relied upon when preparing the quotation. A booking is only secured once the customer accepts the quotation, confirms the preferred date or timeframe, and where requested, pays any deposit or advance amount. Acceptance may be by email, written message, or other recorded form. Verbal acceptance may be relied upon where followed by written confirmation.
Bookings are made subject to weather conditions, staff availability, equipment readiness, and any legal or safety requirements. The company may reschedule a job if conditions are unsuitable for safe or efficient work. If the customer requests changes to the agreed work, the company may revise the price, timing, or both. Any additional work outside the original quotation will only be carried out if agreed in advance, except where immediate action is necessary to prevent danger or further damage.
The customer is responsible for ensuring that all necessary permissions, consents, and notifications are in place before work begins. This may include landlord approval, neighbour agreement where access is needed, local authority consent, or permission related to conservation areas, Tree Preservation Orders, or leasehold restrictions. The company may ask for evidence of such approval before attendance. If the customer proceeds without required consent, the customer accepts responsibility for any resulting delay, stoppage, enforcement action, or additional cost.
2. Payments and Pricing
Prices are normally quoted in pounds sterling and may be stated as fixed prices or estimates depending on the information available at the time of quotation. A fixed price remains valid for the specified scope only. An estimate is not a guarantee and may change where the actual conditions differ from those described. Unless stated otherwise, quotations are valid for a limited period and may be withdrawn or revised if costs rise, access changes, or the work is delayed beyond a reasonable time.
The customer agrees to pay any deposit requested at the time of booking. Unless otherwise agreed, the remaining balance becomes due on completion of the works, immediately upon invoice, or within the payment period stated on the invoice. The company may accept payment by bank transfer or another agreed method. Cash payments may be accepted at the company’s discretion, but proof of payment should be retained by the customer. Payment terms are strict and time is of the essence unless the company expressly agrees otherwise.
If the customer fails to pay on time, the company may charge interest and reasonable recovery costs in accordance with applicable UK law, including the late payment provisions where relevant. The customer is responsible for bank charges, transfer fees, or currency conversion costs associated with payment. Title to any removed timber, woodchip, logs, or other materials does not pass to the customer until all sums due for the relevant job have been paid in full, unless the company agrees otherwise in writing.
3. Cancellations, Rearrangements, and Access Issues
The customer may cancel or rearrange a booking, but notice should be given as early as possible. If cancellation occurs after a booking has been reserved, the company may retain any deposit paid to cover administration, scheduling, and preparation costs. Where significant preparatory work, specialist plant hire, traffic management, or waste arrangements have already been made, the customer may be charged additional reasonable costs if the cancellation is late.
If the company must cancel or postpone due to severe weather, unsafe conditions, equipment failure, staff illness, or other circumstances beyond reasonable control, the company will offer an alternative date or a refund of any sums paid for undelivered work, depending on the circumstances. The company will not be liable for indirect losses arising from a postponement, including loss of earnings, inconvenience, or third-party claims, except where liability cannot lawfully be excluded.
Where access is obstructed, utilities are not disclosed, vehicles cannot be parked reasonably, or the site is otherwise unsafe, the company may suspend the job and charge any costs already incurred. The customer must ensure that pets, children, and vulnerable persons are kept away from the work area. If the company attends site and cannot safely complete the agreed work because of customer-related issues, the visit may be treated as chargeable. Clear access and accurate information are essential to efficient service delivery.
4. Customer Responsibilities
The customer must provide truthful, complete, and timely information. This includes any known structural defects, underground services, boundary disputes, nesting birds, wildlife habitats, or other matters that could affect the work. The customer should not conceal hazards or expect the company to proceed where conditions are unsafe. If the company reasonably believes that continuing would create a risk to people, property, or the environment, it may stop work until the issue is addressed.
The customer must obtain or confirm all necessary permissions before the work date, including access permissions from neighbours where branches, machinery, or waste removal require entry onto adjoining land. If the customer asks the company to make contact with a third party, this will be done only as a courtesy unless otherwise agreed. The customer remains responsible for the accuracy of all legal permissions and the consequences of failing to secure them.
Any items of value, garden furniture, ornaments, cables, lighting, or other moveable objects should be removed or protected before the team arrives. Although care is taken, tree surgery can involve falling debris, vibration, sawdust, and heavy material movement. The customer accepts responsibility for removing fragile items from the work zone unless the company has expressly agreed to do so as part of the service.
5. Liability and Insurance
The company will take reasonable care and carry out services using competent personnel and suitable equipment. However, tree work is inherently hazardous and may involve unavoidable risks. The company will not be responsible for damage arising from hidden defects, unstable timber, root disturbance, concealed cables, underground services, pre-existing decay, or conditions that were not reasonably visible or disclosed before work started. The customer acknowledges that the condition of trees and surrounding structures can change suddenly and unpredictably.
Where the company is legally liable for proven loss or damage, its liability will be limited to the total price paid or payable for the relevant job, except where the law requires otherwise. Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under UK law. The company does not accept liability for indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit, business interruption, or emotional distress arising from the service.
The customer must notify the company promptly of any alleged damage or issue after completion. Failure to do so may make investigation more difficult and may affect any potential claim. Any claim should be supported by reasonable evidence, including photographs and a clear description of the circumstances. The company may inspect the alleged issue before any repair or adjustment is arranged. No admission of liability is made until a proper assessment has taken place.
6. Waste Regulations and Site Clearance
Tree surgery often produces green waste, timber, brash, woodchip, and stump arisings. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the company will decide how such material is handled in accordance with applicable waste legislation and good industry practice. Waste may be removed from site, chipped, recycled, reused, or left for the customer if this forms part of the agreed scope. The customer must not assume that all material will automatically be taken away.
The company will arrange disposal or recycling only through lawful and appropriate channels. Waste transfer documentation may be retained where required by regulation or for business records. The customer must not request illegal tipping, unauthorised burning, or disposal in a manner contrary to environmental law. If the customer asks for material to be left on site, the customer accepts responsibility for its storage, future handling, and any permission needed for its placement.
If contaminated waste, invasive species material, or restricted biological matter is discovered, the company may stop work, separate the material, and apply additional charges if specialist handling is necessary. Waste rules may vary according to the type and volume of material, access to the site, and local authority requirements. Tree surgeons in Sanderstead will follow lawful disposal practices at all times and reserve the right to amend the method of waste management if necessary to remain compliant.
7. Work Standards and Completion
The company will aim to complete the agreed work to a professional standard and in line with the quotation, arboricultural good practice, and any legal restrictions. Tree surgery is often subject to site-specific judgement, and the precise result may vary depending on tree species, condition, season, and safety considerations. The company may reasonably deviate from a requested shape or cut if doing so is necessary to protect the tree, surrounding property, or the safety of the team.
The customer accepts that pruning, reduction, dismantling, and stump-related works may alter the appearance of the tree or landscape permanently. Where the work is carried out in stages or requires a revisit, completion will be deemed to occur when the agreed stage is finished or when the company has substantially fulfilled the quoted scope. Minor touch-ups or settling issues do not prevent completion if the main service has been delivered.
If the customer is not present at completion, the company may leave an invoice, note, or other confirmation that the work has been finished. The absence of the customer does not delay payment obligations. Any concerns should be raised as soon as reasonably practicable after the job. Delayed complaints may be harder to verify and may not affect the company’s right to payment for work already properly carried out.
8. Variations, Subcontractors, and Force Majeure
The company may use subcontractors, specialist operators, or hired equipment where necessary to fulfil the service efficiently and safely. Any subcontractor engaged will be selected on a reasonable basis and expected to follow equivalent standards of professionalism and compliance. The customer agrees that the company may coordinate the work using such assistance without needing separate approval, provided the overall service remains substantially as agreed.
Where the scope changes during the job because of hidden defects, additional dangers, or changed customer instructions, the company may pause the work and issue an updated quote. No one should assume that extra work is included unless expressly stated. If the customer requests a variation, written confirmation is preferable, though urgent instructions may be accepted verbally if recorded by the company. Any increase in cost will reflect the additional labour, equipment, or disposal required.
If performance is delayed or prevented by events beyond reasonable control, including extreme weather, storm damage, fire, flooding, supply disruption, government restriction, or emergency incident, neither party will be in breach for the period of delay. The company will act reasonably to resume service as soon as practicable. Reasonable delay caused by such events is not a ground for penalty or compensation unless the law says otherwise.
9. Governing Law and General Provisions
These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from them, are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The parties agree that the courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction, except where consumer law provides otherwise. The contract is formed in the United Kingdom and is intended to comply with UK consumer and business law as applicable. This provision applies whether the service is for private domestic use or for commercial premises.
No waiver of any term will be effective unless made in writing. A failure by the company to enforce a right on one occasion does not prevent it from enforcing that right later. Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation. The customer may not assign rights or obligations under these terms without written consent, although the company may transfer its rights to a successor business or lawful assignee if needed.
If any dispute arises, the parties should first seek to resolve it in good faith by reviewing the quotation, invoices, photographs, and site conditions. These terms reflect the standard basis on which tree surgery services are supplied and are intended to provide clarity on booking, payment, cancellation, responsibility, environmental handling, and legal compliance. By proceeding with the service, the customer confirms acceptance of these conditions and the obligations they create.