Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Tooting
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Tree Surgeons Tooting provides arboricultural services to domestic and commercial customers. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or permitting work to begin, you agree to these terms. They are designed to clarify the scope of our service, the responsibilities of both parties, and the standards that apply before, during, and after the work is carried out. These terms apply to all tree surgery services, including pruning, crown work, sectional dismantling, stump-related services, and associated clearance or waste removal.
In these terms, references to “we,” “us,” and “our” mean the service provider trading as Tree Surgeons Tooting, and references to “you” mean the customer, client, property owner, occupier, or authorised representative requesting the work. Where a customer acts on behalf of another person or organisation, that customer confirms they have authority to agree to the booking and these terms. Any variation to these terms must be confirmed in writing by us. Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights where they apply.
The services offered by our tree surgeons in Tooting are based on the information provided at the time of enquiry, any site inspection completed, and any written quotation issued. Because tree work can be affected by access, structural defects, weather, seasonal conditions, hidden decay, wildlife, or third-party restrictions, the final method of work may need to be adjusted on site. We will always aim to complete work safely, professionally, and in line with reasonable expectations, but certain circumstances may require amendment to the original plan.
All quotations are valid for the period stated in the quotation or, if no period is stated, for a reasonable time only. A quotation is based on the visible condition of the tree, the agreed scope of work, access arrangements, and waste handling requirements. If the work changes significantly after the quotation has been accepted, we may revise the price. Examples include hidden defects, restricted access, additional timber volume, emergency call-out conditions, or any request to add new tasks. We will normally explain any change before proceeding, where this is reasonably practicable.
Booking Process
A booking is usually made after you request a quote, provide basic job details, and confirm acceptance of the proposed service. Where necessary, we may arrange a site visit before confirming the booking. Once the quotation is accepted, the job may be scheduled for a mutually agreed date or date range. A booking is not final until we have confirmed it, whether verbally, by email, or through another written format. You must provide accurate information about the property, the tree, access, parking, and any known hazards. If the information supplied is incomplete or misleading, we may need to reschedule or amend the price.
You are responsible for ensuring that the person authorising the work has the right to do so. If consent from a landlord, neighbour, managing agent, freeholder, local authority, or other interested party is needed, you must obtain it before the work begins. Any permissions, licences, or consents required under planning, conservation, tenancy, lease, or boundary arrangements are your responsibility unless we have expressly agreed in writing to handle them. We may ask for evidence of permission before attending site.
Payments
Payment terms will be set out in the quotation, invoice, or booking confirmation. Unless agreed otherwise in writing, payment is due in full upon completion of the works. For larger or more complex jobs, we may request a deposit, staged payment, or advance payment for materials, disposal, traffic management, or specialist equipment. Deposits secure the booking and may be non-refundable where we have reserved time, labour, or materials specifically for your job. All prices are stated in pounds sterling and may be subject to VAT where applicable.
Accepted payment methods may include bank transfer, debit card, credit card, or other methods that we confirm in advance. Cash may be accepted only if agreed beforehand. If payment is not received by the due date, we may charge reasonable late payment interest and recovery costs in line with applicable law. We also reserve the right to suspend further work, withhold the issue of documents, or decline future services until outstanding balances are settled. Any dispute about the invoice must be raised promptly and in good faith; undisputed sums remain payable.
Where work is arranged at short notice, including urgent or emergency tree surgery, payment may be required immediately on completion or, in some cases, before the service starts. If a payment card is used, you confirm that you have authority to use that card and that sufficient funds or credit are available. We do not store payment details unless required by our payment processor and permitted by law. Any refund, if due, will normally be made using the original payment method unless otherwise agreed.
Cancellations and Rescheduling
You may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving reasonable notice. If you cancel with sufficient notice before any preparatory work, labour allocation, or material procurement has taken place, we may offer a full or partial refund of any deposit at our discretion, subject to our actual costs. If you cancel at short notice, or fail to provide access when our team attends site, we may charge a cancellation fee to cover lost time, travel, and planning costs. Where cancellation results from circumstances beyond your control, we may consider the situation fairly, but this does not guarantee a waiver of all costs.
We may reschedule or cancel a booking if conditions are unsafe, access is unsuitable, weather conditions prevent safe completion, machinery is unavailable, or circumstances arise that are outside our control. Examples include storms, high winds, heavy rain, vehicle breakdown, staff illness, utility issues, or emergency call-outs. In such cases, we will usually try to rearrange the service for another date. We are not liable for losses arising from a lawful cancellation or rescheduling where the reason is outside our reasonable control.
If the service is cancelled after attendance has begun, we may charge for work already completed, including survey time, climbing, setting up equipment, cutting, loading, and disposal arrangements. Where a customer requests a change to the booked work during the visit, we may treat this as a variation and apply revised pricing. It is important to review the quotation carefully before acceptance, especially where multiple trees, access constraints, or waste loading requirements are involved.
Liability
We will carry out tree surgery services with reasonable skill and care and in accordance with accepted industry practice. However, tree work carries inherent risks, and some outcomes cannot be fully predicted, especially where trees are diseased, structurally defective, storm-damaged, or growing near buildings, fences, utilities, walls, or neighbouring land. We are not responsible for pre-existing defects, hidden decay, root instability, subsidence issues, or damage caused by conditions that could not reasonably have been identified before work began.
Our liability for direct loss or damage arising from our negligence, breach of contract, or failure to carry out services with reasonable care is limited to the amount paid or payable for the specific service giving rise to the claim, except where the law does not allow such limitation. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded. We are not liable for indirect or consequential losses, including loss of profit, loss of enjoyment, business interruption, or loss of opportunity.
You must tell us about any known risks before work starts, including underground services, fragile roofs, concealed cables, asbestos, unstable ground, protected wildlife, infestations, or nearby structures that may be affected by the work. If you ask us to proceed despite a known risk, we may require a written acknowledgement from you. You are also responsible for removing or securing items that could be damaged by falling debris, such as vehicles, ornaments, outdoor furniture, and access obstacles. Where you decline recommended safety measures, we may refuse to proceed.
Waste Regulations
All green waste, timber, brash, wood chips, stumps, and related arisings removed as part of our tree surgery service will be handled in accordance with applicable UK waste management requirements. We aim to transport, store, and dispose of waste responsibly and to use licensed facilities or authorised recovery routes where appropriate. Waste transfer notes or equivalent records may be created where legally required. By agreeing to waste removal by us, you authorise us to remove the waste produced by the booked work unless otherwise stated in the quotation.
If you wish to keep timber, logs, mulch, or other arisings, you must tell us before work starts so that arrangements can be made. Once waste has been loaded for removal, it becomes subject to our disposal arrangements and cannot usually be returned. Any waste left on site at your request becomes your responsibility for storage, use, and disposal, and must be managed in compliance with applicable waste, environmental, and local authority rules. We may refuse to leave waste on site if doing so would create a safety hazard or regulatory issue.
Where a tree or branch material is contaminated, infected, or subject to special controls, different disposal methods may apply. This can include diseased material, invasive species, or waste that requires segregation or specialist treatment. We may charge additional fees for such handling where reasonable and necessary. You must disclose any known contamination or pest issues in advance. We will not knowingly breach environmental law, fly-tip waste, or deposit material in an unauthorised location. Any disposal method used by us will be selected with compliance and safety in mind.
Access, Site Conditions, and Customer Obligations
You must provide reasonable access to the property and ensure that the work area is available at the agreed time. This includes arranging parking permission where needed, unlocking gates, and giving us a clear route to the tree and waste storage area. If delays are caused by restricted access, locked entrances, inadequate parking, or incomplete instructions, we may charge for waiting time or rearranged attendance. You must also ensure that pets, children, and vulnerable persons are kept away from the working area during operations.
We may stop work if the site becomes unsafe or if conditions differ materially from those described at booking. This includes severe weather changes, sudden structural concerns, the presence of unauthorised persons, or discovery of hazards that would make continuation imprudent. If work is paused, you may still be charged for time already spent and for any necessary return visit. Our team has the right to refuse unsafe instructions and may adjust the working method where required for health and safety.
Unless otherwise agreed, we will leave the site in a reasonably tidy condition, but exact levels of cleanliness can vary depending on the nature of the task, the volume of waste, and surface conditions. Staining, minor marking, and disturbance to lawns, borders, or soft ground can occur during tree surgery, especially in wet weather or on limited-access sites. We will use reasonable care to minimise disruption, but you accept that some ground impact or surface disturbance may be unavoidable during legitimate tree work.
Complaints and Rectification
If you believe the service has not been delivered in line with these terms, you should notify us as soon as possible and provide reasonable details of the issue. We may ask for photographs, access to the site, or a chance to inspect the work before any decision is made. Where a genuine fault is identified and it is within our control, we may offer to return and rectify the problem, provide a partial refund, or agree another fair remedy. This process does not affect any rights you may have under law.
Force Majeure
We will not be in breach of these terms where performance is delayed or prevented by events outside our reasonable control. Such events may include extreme weather, fire, flood, epidemic, government action, industrial dispute, transport disruption, supply shortages, or the failure of third-party services. In these circumstances, our obligations are suspended for the duration of the event, and we will resume performance as soon as reasonably possible.
Governing Law
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 shall have exclusive jurisdiction, except where mandatory consumer law provides otherwise. If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force. No delay or failure by us to enforce any right shall be treated as a waiver of that right.