Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Elephantandcastle
These Terms and Conditions apply to all services provided by Tree Surgeons Elephantandcastle and set out the basis on which we agree to carry out arboricultural work, tree care, hedge maintenance, site clearance, stump removal, pruning, felling, inspection, and related services. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or permitting our team to begin work, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms. This document is intended to be clear and practical, and it should be read together with any quotation, schedule, specification, or written agreement we provide.
In these terms, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to the service provider operating as Elephant and Castle tree surgeons. “You” and “your” refer to the customer, property owner, tenant, managing agent, business, or other person requesting the works. Where the instructions are given by a third party, you confirm that you have the authority to do so and that all necessary permissions are in place. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all services are provided on a private domestic or commercial basis and are subject to availability, survey findings, and site conditions.
We reserve the right to refuse or pause any work where the site is unsafe, access is restricted, weather conditions create unacceptable risk, or the scope of work differs materially from the information supplied at booking. The purpose of these terms is to ensure that the tree surgery service is delivered fairly, safely, and in accordance with applicable UK law and industry standards.
Bookings may be made by telephone, email, online enquiry, written request, or through an approved representative. A booking is not confirmed until we have acknowledged the request and, where required, received the requested deposit, survey fee, or written acceptance of the quotation. Any date or time provided is an estimate unless expressly stated otherwise. We will use reasonable efforts to attend on the agreed day, but arrival times may vary due to traffic, weather, equipment delays, or previous works overrunning.
Before commencement, we may need to inspect the site to assess tree condition, access, nearby structures, utility lines, protected status, and any other factor that may affect the work. Where a survey is required, findings from that survey may alter the quotation, method, timing, or feasibility of the service. If the customer provides inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading information, we may revise the price or decline the job. Any verbal promise by a member of staff will only be binding if confirmed in writing.
By confirming a booking with Tree Surgeons Elephantandcastle, you agree that we may undertake the works in line with the quotation and any agreed variations. If additional tasks are requested on the day, these will only be undertaken where safe and practical, and where you accept any resulting price change. If a third party is present on site, including a tenant, neighbour, property manager, or building contractor, we may treat their instructions as valid only if you have given them authority to act on your behalf.
All prices are stated in pounds sterling and are normally exclusive of VAT unless we specify otherwise. Quotations are based on the information available at the time of issue and may be revised if site conditions, access, materials, disposal requirements, or the scope of work change. Unless agreed in writing, payment is due immediately upon completion of the work. For larger projects, deposits, staged payments, or part-payment in advance may be required.
We accept the payment methods stated in the quotation or invoice. If payment is made by bank transfer, it must clear in full by the due date. If we agree to invoice after completion, payment terms will be shown on the invoice. Late payment may result in administration charges, recovery costs, statutory interest, and suspension of future work. We reserve the right to retain ownership of any materials, logs, or recovered timber that are included in the service until full payment has been received.
Discounts, promotions, or special rates apply only where clearly stated and may be withdrawn without notice before a booking is confirmed. Any estimate that is given before a site inspection is provisional and may change once the tree surgery work has been assessed properly. Where a quote is accepted, that acceptance is taken to be an agreement to pay for the work described, subject to any lawful variation that is agreed during the job.
Cancellations should be made as soon as possible. If you cancel after confirming a booking, you may be charged for reasonable costs already incurred, including survey time, travel, materials, labour planning, and any non-refundable disposal arrangements. If cancellation is made within a short period before the scheduled attendance, a cancellation charge may apply. The exact amount will depend on the notice given and the resources reserved for the job.
If we need to cancel or reschedule, we will give you notice as soon as reasonably possible and offer an alternative date. We are not liable for delay or non-performance caused by matters beyond our reasonable control, including severe weather, accidents, road closures, vehicle breakdown, power failures, industrial disputes, or emergency call-outs. In such circumstances, any date provided is postponed rather than cancelled, and no compensation will be payable for indirect inconvenience.
Where access is not available, permission is withdrawn, or the site is unsafe on arrival, we may treat the booking as a late cancellation and charge accordingly. If another contractor, resident, or occupier prevents us from carrying out the agreed works, that will be treated as a failure to provide access by you, unless we have agreed otherwise in writing. A same-day cancellation may also attract the full or partial charge for the reserved service.
All tree surgery services are carried out with reasonable care and skill and in line with accepted arboricultural practice. However, trees are living organisms, and outcomes can be influenced by disease, hidden decay, root conditions, previous pruning, weather, soil quality, and structural weakness. For this reason, we cannot guarantee the long-term health, growth pattern, or survival of any tree unless a specific guarantee is expressly given in writing.
Our liability for direct loss or damage caused by our negligence is limited to the value of the relevant contract, except where the law says otherwise. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. We are not responsible for indirect or consequential losses such as loss of profit, loss of amenity, business interruption, or inconvenience arising from delay.
Customers must ensure that the work area is safe and that valuables, fragile items, garden ornaments, vehicles, and property boundaries are protected or removed where appropriate. Although we take reasonable precautions, we cannot be responsible for pre-existing defects, hidden utilities, unstable structures, or damage arising from circumstances outside our control. If we identify a risk that makes the work unsafe, we may stop the job until the risk is addressed. Elephant and Castle tree surgeons will not be liable for damage caused by items that you asked us to leave in place, or by defects that were not reasonably visible before work began.
Waste generated during tree work, including branches, foliage, wood chip, timber, stump grindings, and other green waste, will be handled in accordance with applicable waste regulations. Where we have agreed to remove waste, it will be transported, stored, and disposed of lawfully using approved methods and facilities. We may retain and process suitable wood or chip material for reuse, recycling, or lawful disposal unless the quotation states otherwise.
Unless agreed in advance, all waste remains our responsibility only once it has been collected and loaded by us. If you choose to keep timber, logs, or chip on site, you accept responsibility for its storage and subsequent use or removal after the work is complete. Any waste consignment notes, transfer records, or recycling arrangements will be managed in line with legal requirements where applicable. We may split, stack, or leave material on site if this has been agreed as part of the service specification.
Hazardous waste, contaminated materials, protected species issues, invasive plant material, or waste requiring special handling may need separate arrangements and additional charges. If such materials are discovered unexpectedly, we may suspend work until an appropriate disposal method is agreed. You must tell us in advance about known contamination, access limitations, or any special waste conditions affecting the site. We may refuse to remove items that are not lawful for us to transport under current regulations.
If the work requires permission from a landlord, managing agent, neighbour, local authority, conservation body, or any other responsible party, you are responsible for obtaining it unless we have expressly agreed to do so. You also confirm that you have authority to instruct work on the relevant trees and that the work does not breach lease terms, title restrictions, tree preservation controls, or other applicable obligations. Any delay caused by missing permission will be treated as a customer delay.
We may take photographs or video before, during, and after the work for operational records, training, quality control, insurance, or evidence of completion. These records may also be used to resolve disputes or demonstrate compliance. They will not be used for marketing purposes without appropriate consent where required. We may retain job records for as long as necessary for legal, accounting, insurance, or operational purposes.
Any complaint or dispute should be raised promptly and in writing so that we can investigate while the relevant facts are current. We may ask for photographs, a site visit, or other information to help assess the issue. If a problem can be reasonably corrected, we may offer to return and rectify it within a reasonable time. This will be the usual remedy, where appropriate, before any other claim is considered.
If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. Failure by us to enforce any right or remedy on one occasion does not mean that we waive that right in future. Any variation to these terms must be agreed in writing and signed or otherwise clearly approved by both parties.
These terms, together with the quotation and any written variations, form the entire agreement between you and us for the services described. No other statement, promise, or representation will be binding unless confirmed in writing. We may update these terms from time to time, but the version applicable to your booking will be the one in force when the booking was confirmed, unless a later written variation is agreed.
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising from or in connection with the services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. By proceeding with a booking, you acknowledge that you have read and accepted these terms in relation to the tree surgery services provided by Tree Surgeons Elephantandcastle.