Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Plumstead
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which tree surgeons in Plumstead provide arboricultural services to domestic and commercial customers in the United Kingdom. By booking, instructing, or allowing work to proceed, the customer agrees to these terms. They are intended to create a clear understanding of the scope of service, payment obligations, safety responsibilities, and legal limitations that apply to all tree surgery services. Nothing in these terms affects statutory rights that cannot be excluded under UK law.
For the purposes of these terms, “the Company” means the service provider carrying out the works, and “the Customer” means the person or organisation requesting the services. The words tree surgeon, arborist, and tree surgery contractor are used interchangeably where appropriate. Any estimate, quotation, or schedule is provided on the basis of the information available at the time and may be revised if site conditions, access, or tree condition differ from the details initially supplied.
All services are subject to availability, seasonal demand, weather conditions, access arrangements, and any legal restrictions affecting protected trees, conservation areas, or third-party land. The Company reserves the right to decline or suspend work where it considers that carrying out the service would be unsafe, unlawful, or impractical. Customers should read these terms carefully before confirming a booking.
1. Booking Process
A booking for tree surgeon services is normally made after an initial enquiry and any necessary discussion of the site, the trees involved, and the work required. The Company may ask for photographs, measurements, or other information to help prepare a quotation. In some cases, an inspection may be required before a final price or schedule can be confirmed. The Company is not obliged to proceed until it has accepted the job in writing, by email, text message, or another recorded method.
When the Customer accepts a quotation or estimate, a provisional appointment may be arranged. A booking becomes binding once the Company confirms the date and the Customer agrees to the price and scope of work. The Company may require a deposit for larger, specialist, or high-risk jobs, including those involving crane work, emergency tree removal, or work requiring traffic management. Any deposit paid will be applied against the final invoice unless otherwise agreed in writing.
The Customer must ensure that the information given at booking is accurate and complete. This includes details about ownership, access, underground utilities, parking restrictions, boundary issues, and any known hazards such as weak branches, decay, nesting wildlife, or nearby structures. If the Customer is booking on behalf of a landlord, business, management company, or another party, they confirm that they have authority to instruct the works and accept these terms.
2. Scope of Services
The Company provides professional tree surgery and arboricultural services, which may include pruning, crown reduction, crown thinning, deadwood removal, pollarding, formative pruning, stump grinding, emergency tree work, sectional dismantling, and felling where appropriate. The exact services to be provided will be set out in the quotation or job confirmation. Any work not expressly included is outside the agreed scope and may incur additional charges if requested or required.
The Company will use reasonable skill and care in carrying out the work and will generally follow accepted industry practice and relevant health and safety requirements. However, trees are living organisms, and their condition may change between quotation and completion. The Company is not responsible for pre-existing defects, internal decay, hidden pests, root instability, or weather-related movement that could not reasonably have been identified during the initial assessment.
Unless otherwise agreed, the Company may determine the most suitable method of carrying out the works, including the use of ropes, elevated access equipment, platforms, rigging systems, or controlled lowering techniques. The Customer acknowledges that the precise method of work is a matter of professional judgement, provided that the agreed outcome is achieved safely and lawfully.
3. Payments and Charges
Prices are normally based on the quotation issued by the Company. Unless expressly stated otherwise, quotations are valid for a limited period and may be withdrawn or revised if not accepted within that period. All prices are stated in pounds sterling and, where applicable, may be subject to VAT at the prevailing rate. Additional charges may apply where the Customer requests changes to the original instruction or where unforeseen circumstances make the original quotation inaccurate.
Payment terms will be confirmed at the time of booking. In most cases, payment is due upon completion of the work and receipt of the invoice, unless a deposit, staged payment, or advance payment has been agreed. The Company may accept payment by bank transfer, card, cash, or other methods at its discretion. Where payment is not received on time, the Company reserves the right to charge interest and recover reasonable costs of collection in accordance with applicable law.
The Customer must not withhold payment for completed work unless there is a genuine and reasonable dispute about the service provided. Any dispute must be raised promptly and in writing. If the Customer requests extra work during the visit, the Company may provide an updated price before continuing. The Customer agrees to pay for any additional labour, materials, waste handling, access costs, or specialist equipment reasonably required to complete the instructed services.
4. Cancellations, Delays, and Rescheduling
The Customer may request to cancel or reschedule a booking by giving reasonable notice. For standard jobs, at least 48 hours’ notice is preferred; for larger or resource-intensive works, more notice may be required. If the Customer cancels after the Company has allocated staff, equipment, or materials, the Company may retain part or all of any deposit to cover administrative and lost booking costs, provided this is fair and reasonable in the circumstances.
If the Company needs to cancel or postpone a booking because of severe weather, unsafe site conditions, equipment failure, staff illness, access problems, or any other reason beyond its control, it will seek to rearrange the work at the earliest reasonable opportunity. The Company will not be liable for losses arising from delay where such delay is caused by events outside its reasonable control. This includes but is not limited to storms, high winds, flooding, road closures, or utility interruptions.
The Customer should ensure that the site is ready on the agreed date. If the Company attends and cannot safely commence work because access is blocked, permissions are missing, the area is not secure, or the Customer is absent where attendance is required, a wasted journey or standby charge may be applied. Where work is postponed due to the Customer’s failure to prepare the site, any revised visit may be subject to new availability and pricing.
5. Customer Responsibilities
The Customer must obtain any permissions required before work begins, including permission from landlords, neighbours, freeholders, managing agents, or local authorities where applicable. The Customer is responsible for checking whether the trees are subject to Tree Preservation Orders, conservation area controls, or planning restrictions unless the Company has expressly agreed in writing to assist with such enquiries. The Company may offer practical support but does not accept liability for the Customer’s failure to secure the necessary consents.
The Customer must inform the Company of any known hazards, service cables, underground utilities, hidden structures, drainage systems, wildlife activity, or other relevant issues. The Customer should also remove fragile items, garden ornaments, vehicles, or other property from the working area unless agreed otherwise. The Company will take reasonable care to minimise disturbance, but some disruption is inherent in tree surgery and the Customer accepts that lawn wear, minor ground disturbance, and temporary debris may occur.
If the Customer asks the Company to work near boundaries, shared spaces, or neighbouring property, it is the Customer’s responsibility to ensure that access and rights are in place. The Company does not accept liability for disputes between neighbours or third parties arising from the underlying ownership or location of the trees, unless caused directly by the Company’s negligence.
6. Liability and Insurance
The Company will maintain insurance cover that is reasonably appropriate for the nature of its work, including public liability insurance. A copy or summary of insurance details may be provided on request. While the Company will take reasonable steps to prevent damage, no tree surgery can be guaranteed to be risk-free. The Customer accepts that certain works, particularly felling, dismantling, or reduction of unstable trees, carry inherent risks.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company shall not be liable for indirect, consequential, or economic losses, including loss of profit, business interruption, or loss of use, unless caused by its proven negligence or breach of statutory duty. The Company is not liable for pre-existing defects, hidden damage, or deterioration that was not reasonably foreseeable. Where liability cannot lawfully be excluded, it will be limited to the extent of the loss directly caused by the Company’s proven fault.
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 lawfully be limited under UK law. If the Customer believes damage has occurred, they must notify the Company promptly and provide reasonable access for inspection. The Customer must take reasonable steps to prevent further loss after any incident.
7. Waste, Timber, and Environmental Regulations
Tree surgery produces branches, logs, woodchip, leaves, and other organic waste. Unless otherwise agreed, the Company will remove and dispose of waste generated by the work in accordance with applicable waste handling requirements. Waste may be reused, recycled, chipped, logged, composted, or taken to licensed facilities depending on the nature of the material and the Company’s operational arrangements.
The Customer should make clear at the time of booking whether they wish to retain timber, logs, mulch, or woodchip. If the Customer requests retention of waste material, it must be agreed in advance and may affect pricing, logistics, and the pace of work. Any retained material becomes the Customer’s responsibility once left on site, and the Company will not be liable for storage, movement, decay, pests, staining, or injury caused after handover.
The Company will seek to comply with environmental and waste regulations applicable in the UK, including rules relating to transportation, disposal, and duty of care. The Customer must not ask the Company to dispose of unauthorised, hazardous, or contaminated materials alongside tree waste unless that has been specifically agreed and lawfully arranged. Any waste incorrectly described by the Customer may lead to revised charges or refusal to remove the material.
8. Site Conditions, Safety, and Access
The Company may suspend work if site conditions become unsafe. This may include adverse weather, unstable ground, unexpected obstructions, unsafe tree movement, proximity to power lines, or the behaviour of animals or individuals on site. The Customer agrees that the Company has final authority on safety matters during the course of the work. Staff instructions regarding exclusion zones and access control must be followed at all times.
Where machinery, ladders, or vehicles are required, the Customer must ensure that access routes are suitable and that the working area can reasonably accommodate the equipment. If the site has restricted access, limited loading space, soft ground, or low headroom, the Company may need to alter the method of work or make an additional charge. The Customer acknowledges that some properties are unsuitable for certain equipment, and the Company may refuse to use equipment that it considers unsafe or likely to cause damage.
The Customer must keep children, pets, and unauthorised persons away from the work area during the job. The Company may stop work if safe exclusion cannot be maintained. Where the Customer insists on remaining within the work area or interfering with the method of work, the Company may withdraw from the site and charge for time already spent. Safety decisions are always made with reference to legal duties and professional judgement.
9. Complaints and Rectification
If the Customer is dissatisfied with any aspect of the service, they should notify the Company as soon as reasonably possible after completion. The Company will review the concern and, where appropriate, inspect the work or discuss a suitable remedy. Minor natural variation in shape, regrowth patterns, or seasonal appearance does not constitute a defect where the agreed arboricultural work has been carried out with reasonable skill and care.
Any rectification offered by the Company will be at its discretion and without admission of liability, unless liability is established. The Customer must not arrange third-party remedial work before the Company has had a reasonable chance to inspect the issue, except where immediate action is necessary to prevent injury or serious damage. This does not affect rights under law where such action is reasonably unavoidable.
These terms and conditions are designed to support clear, fair, and lawful service delivery. By proceeding with a booking, the Customer confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by them.
10. 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, unless the law requires otherwise. If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
The Company may update these terms from time to time to reflect legal, operational, or regulatory changes. The version in force at the time of booking will normally apply to the relevant work unless a newer version has been expressly agreed. Tree surgeons in Plumstead operate within a regulated and safety-conscious environment, and these terms are intended to provide a practical framework for service delivery while respecting customer rights and UK legal obligations.
Nothing in this document creates a partnership, employment relationship, or agency arrangement between the Company and the Customer. The Customer’s acceptance of a quotation, payment of a deposit, or permission for work to commence confirms acceptance of these conditions in full.