Tree Surgeons Southgate - Service Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Tree Surgeons Southgate provides arboricultural and related tree surgery services to residential and commercial customers. By booking, confirming, or allowing work to proceed, the customer agrees to these terms. The purpose of this document is to explain how the service is arranged, what is included, how payment is handled, and the responsibilities of both parties before, during, and after the works.

For the avoidance of doubt, these terms apply to all tree surgery services supplied by us, including pruning, crown work, stump-related tasks, felling, site clearance, hedge work, and general tree maintenance where agreed in writing or by recorded order. These terms may be updated from time to time, and the version in force at the time of booking will usually apply unless a later written variation has been agreed.

The customer is responsible for ensuring that they are authorised to instruct the works. If the property is leasehold, jointly owned, managed by a third party, or subject to restrictions, the customer must make sure that the relevant permissions are obtained before work starts. Any instruction given to Tree Surgeons Southgate will be treated as confirmation that the person placing the order has authority to do so.

1. Booking Process

Bookings for tree surgeons Southgate services may be made after an initial enquiry and, where needed, an assessment of the site or the trees concerned. We may provide an estimate based on photographs, measurements, descriptions, or a site visit. Any estimate is based on the information available at the time and may change if the actual conditions differ from those described.

A booking is not confirmed until the customer has accepted the quotation or estimate and we have acknowledged the acceptance. In some cases, a deposit, written confirmation, or consent to a scheduled date may be required. Where a booking is made for a fixed time slot, the customer should ensure that access is available and that any necessary preparation has been completed. This includes making the site safe, removing obstacles if requested, and alerting us to hazards such as overhead lines, underground services, unstable structures, protected wildlife, or hidden damage.

We may need to reschedule or adjust the scope of work if conditions on arrival differ from those expected. Examples include severe weather, access restrictions, unsafe branches, structural issues, or the need for additional equipment. Where changes are necessary, we will normally discuss the revised arrangements with the customer before continuing. If the customer is not present, we may rely on the agreed written instructions and the information already supplied.

2. Quotation, Scope, and Changes to Work

Quotations provided by Tree Surgeons Southgate are generally valid for a stated period, or if no period is stated, for a reasonable time only. Prices are usually based on the scope of work described, the access conditions, the amount of waste, and any equipment or labour expected to be required. Unless otherwise agreed, a quotation will cover only the items listed and will not include unexpected additional works.

If the customer requests changes after the quote has been issued, or if our operative discovers additional work that is reasonably necessary to complete the job safely, we may revise the price. This can include work caused by concealed defects, increased volume of arisings, difficult access, or the need for extra safety measures. Any material change will normally be explained before further work is carried out, except where an immediate action is required to prevent danger or damage.

We reserve the right to refuse or pause work where the agreed conditions are not met, where there is a safety concern, or where the work requested appears unlawful, unsafe, or outside the agreed scope. In such circumstances, any wasted attendance, call-out, or preparatory costs may still be charged if the issue was not caused by us.

3. Payment Terms

Payment for services provided by Tree Surgeons Southgate is due in accordance with the terms stated on the quotation, invoice, or booking confirmation. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due on completion of the work or within the stated invoice period. We may require part payment in advance for larger jobs, specialist removals, access equipment, or bespoke arrangements.

Accepted payment methods may include bank transfer and other methods agreed before work begins. Any bank charges, failed payment costs, or collection expenses resulting from non-payment may be added to the outstanding balance to the extent permitted by law. The customer must ensure that funds are available and that payments are made in full without deduction or set-off unless required by law.

If payment is overdue, we may charge interest on the unpaid amount at the statutory rate applicable to business-to-business or consumer transactions as relevant, together with reasonable recovery costs. Until payment is received in full, title to any goods supplied, where applicable, remains with us to the fullest extent allowed by law. Any dispute about an invoice must be raised promptly and in writing, and the undisputed part of the invoice should still be paid on time.

4. Cancellations, Delays, and Rescheduling

The customer may cancel or reschedule a booking, but we ask for reasonable notice. Unless a different arrangement has been agreed, cancellations made at short notice may attract a charge to cover time reserved, travel, staff allocation, or equipment arranged specifically for the job. Where materials have been ordered, permits arranged, or subcontractors engaged, the customer may also be responsible for non-recoverable costs.

We may cancel or postpone a booking if weather, access, safety, or operational conditions make it impractical or unsafe to proceed. Tree surgery is often dependent on conditions outside our control, and we do not accept liability for delay caused by storms, high winds, heavy rain, ice, road closures, accidents, utility issues, or other force majeure events. In such cases we will try to offer a new appointment date.

If the customer fails to provide access, is absent without making suitable arrangements, or prevents the work from being completed, we may treat the appointment as a wasted visit and charge accordingly. If work is interrupted and must be returned to later because the site is unavailable, further charges may apply.

5. Liability and Customer Responsibilities

We will carry out work with reasonable skill and care, using competent personnel and appropriate equipment. However, tree surgery involves inherent risks, including falling timber, sawdust, debris, dust, branch movement, and possible disturbance to surrounding surfaces or planting. By instructing the work, the customer accepts that some degree of disruption is a normal and unavoidable part of the service.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Tree Surgeons Southgate will not be liable for indirect or consequential losses, including loss of profits, loss of use, loss of amenity, or business interruption. 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 legally be excluded.

The customer must tell us about any known hazards before work starts, including concealed drains, services, unstable ground, subsidence concerns, weak structures, nesting birds, protected species, or items left near the work area. The customer should also protect valuables, vehicles, glass, and garden features that may be at risk from dust, vibration, or moving timber. Where the customer asks us to work close to fragile or valuable items, this is done at the customer’s risk unless we have expressly agreed otherwise in writing.

6. Tree Waste, Arisings, and Environmental Compliance

All green waste, timber, brash, woodchip, stump arisings, and related materials produced during the service remain subject to the arrangement stated in the quotation or invoice. Unless otherwise agreed, waste produced by the job will be removed from site and handled in line with applicable environmental and waste regulations. If the customer wishes to keep logs, chip, or other material, this must be agreed before work starts or before removal begins.

We may separate waste into different categories for reuse, recycling, composting, or lawful disposal. The customer must not ask us to leave waste in a way that would create a nuisance, hazard, obstruction, or breach of environmental rules. Where the customer requests that arisings are left on site, they accept responsibility for storage, handling, and any later disposal, subject to local rules and site conditions.

We will take reasonable steps to comply with relevant waste duty of care obligations and to dispose of materials through suitable channels. If waste transfer documentation, weighbridge records, or other evidence is required for commercial jobs, we may issue or retain such records as appropriate. The customer must not require us to dump, burn, bury, or otherwise dispose of tree waste unlawfully.

7. Property Damage, Site Conditions, and Force of Nature

Despite careful work methods, minor surface disturbance can occur where heavy machinery, timber movement, or access requirements are involved. This may include marks on grass, compression of soil, or incidental contact with low-level features. We will not be responsible for pre-existing defects, wear and tear, fragile surfaces, or damage caused by conditions that were not reasonably foreseeable.

Where the customer requests work close to fences, lawns, paving, walls, greenhouses, parked vehicles, or other structures, the customer accepts the increased risk involved. If protection, matting, or additional manual handling is required beyond the original estimate, we may charge extra or decline the work if safe completion is not possible. Weather-related movement of trees, branches, or surrounding ground may also affect outcomes.

We are not responsible for outcomes caused by latent defects, decay, hidden instability, or the natural failure of tree material that could not reasonably have been identified before or during the work. Any advice given about the condition of trees is provided in good faith based on the information visible at the time, but it should not be treated as an absolute guarantee of future stability or performance.

8. Ownership of Materials and Site Clearance

The ownership of removed timber or arisings depends on the written agreement made for the job. If the quotation states that materials will be removed, they become our property for disposal, recycling, or reuse once loaded for removal, unless the law requires otherwise. If the customer keeps any material, it becomes their responsibility from the point of handover.

Site clearance will normally be limited to the areas agreed in the booking. We do not automatically clear unrelated rubbish, garden waste, or builder’s debris unless specifically instructed and priced. If the customer needs additional sweeping, stacking, splitting, or processing of timber, this should be agreed in advance so that the correct time and labour can be allowed.

Any leftover dust, sawdust, leaf litter, or fine debris is a normal consequence of tree surgery and may remain after completion even where a clean-up has been carried out. If the customer requires a higher standard of clearance, this should be identified before work begins, as enhanced cleaning may require additional time or a different level of service.

9. Complaints and Rectification

If the customer believes that the service has not been delivered in accordance with the agreed scope, they should notify us within a reasonable time and provide a clear description of the concern. We may request photographs, access to the site, or a chance to inspect the issue before deciding whether rectification is appropriate.

Where a genuine defect in workmanship is established, we may choose to return and remedy the issue, offer a partial credit, or take another reasonable step at our discretion, provided this is a proportionate response under the circumstances. We will not be required to remedy issues caused by third-party actions, weather after completion, poor maintenance, hidden defects, or the customer’s failure to follow advice or instructions.

This complaints process does not limit any statutory rights available to consumers. If a matter cannot be resolved informally, it will be handled in accordance with the governing law and dispute resolution provisions below.

10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from or in connection with them, shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The parties agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory consumer rights or alternative dispute resolution process that may apply.

If any provision of these terms is found to be unlawful, invalid, or unenforceable, that provision shall be treated as severed to the extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall 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.

By booking or accepting a service from Tree Surgeons Southgate, the customer confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to these terms. These conditions are intended to create a fair and transparent basis for professional tree surgery services, with clear expectations on both sides and proper compliance with applicable UK law.