Tree Surgeons Paddington Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which tree surgery and related arboricultural services are provided by Tree Surgeons Paddington to residential, commercial, and public sector clients. They are intended to create a clear understanding of the service scope, booking process, payments, cancellations, liability, waste handling, and the applicable law governing the agreement. By instructing us to carry out works, the client confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to these terms.

For the avoidance of doubt, these terms apply to all quotations, scheduled visits, site inspections, and completed works unless otherwise agreed in writing. They are designed to be fair and practical, reflecting standard UK trade practice for arboricultural services. Any variation must be confirmed in writing by an authorised representative of the company. No employee, operative, or subcontractor has authority to alter these terms informally.

Throughout this document, references to tree surgery, arboricultural services, or tree care works include pruning, crown reduction, crown lifting, deadwood removal, dismantling, stump-related services where specified, and ancillary site clearance connected to the quoted job. These terms do not override statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded. If any provision is found unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining terms will continue in full force and effect.

Bookings are accepted subject to availability, site suitability, and confirmation of the required scope. A booking is not final until the client has accepted a quotation, provided accurate job details, and received written or electronic confirmation. We may ask for photographs, access notes, tree location details, or other relevant information before confirming attendance. This helps ensure that the service can be planned safely and efficiently.

The client must ensure that all information supplied at the booking stage is true, complete, and not misleading. This includes ownership or authority to instruct the work, the presence of protected trees, shared boundaries, access limitations, underground or overhead services, and any known hazards. If inaccurate information is provided, we may revise the quotation, reschedule the job, or decline to proceed where safety or legal compliance would be affected.

Quoted dates and arrival windows are estimates unless expressly stated otherwise. Weather, traffic, access restrictions, emergency work, machinery breakdown, and unforeseen site conditions may require rescheduling. We will use reasonable efforts to notify the client of changes, but we do not accept liability for delays caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control. If a tree surgeon service is postponed for operational reasons, a new date will be arranged at the earliest reasonable opportunity.

All quotations are based on the information available at the time of pricing and may be subject to adjustment if the scope changes after inspection or if hidden conditions are discovered. Examples include decay, instability, severe storm damage, difficult access, contamination, nesting activity, or additional waste volumes. If an amendment is necessary, we will explain the reason and, where feasible, provide an updated price before continuing.

Payment terms will be stated on the quotation or invoice. Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due immediately upon completion of the works or within the period specified on the invoice. We may require a deposit to secure larger bookings, specialist equipment, or waste removal arrangements. Deposits are usually non-refundable where costs have already been incurred, except where cancellation rights apply under these terms or required by law.

We accept payment by the methods notified at the time of booking. Late or missed payment may result in interest and reasonable recovery costs where permitted by law. We reserve the right to suspend future services, withhold completion certificates or paperwork where lawful, or pursue debt recovery action if invoices remain unpaid. Any dispute about an invoice must be raised promptly and in good faith, with supporting details.

Unless expressly agreed otherwise, prices are stated exclusive of VAT where applicable. The client is responsible for ensuring that they understand whether VAT has been added to the quotation. Additional charges may apply for emergency callouts, out-of-hours attendance, waiting time caused by restricted access, parking limitations, permit requirements, or additional labour requested on site. Any such extras will be charged only where they are reasonable and relate directly to the service provided.

Cancellations must be made as early as possible. If the client cancels after booking but before work has started, a cancellation fee may apply to reflect time reserved, administration, and any preparatory costs. The amount of the fee will depend on the notice period and the resources already committed. Where a special order, permit arrangement, or external contractor has been engaged, non-recoverable costs may also be charged.

If cancellation occurs on the day of attendance, or if our team is unable to gain access, the full or partial job charge may still be payable. This includes situations where keys, permissions, parking, or access arrangements were not properly organised. If the client wishes to rearrange, we will try to accommodate a new date, but a fresh quotation may be needed if materials, conditions, or crew scheduling have materially changed.

We may cancel or suspend the service if conditions are unsafe, unlawful, or materially different from those described at booking. This includes extreme weather, concealed hazards, the presence of wildlife requiring protection, suspected disease affecting tree stability, or the absence of required permissions. In such cases, we may charge only for work already completed or reasonable expenses incurred, unless the issue was caused by our own fault.

The client must obtain all necessary consents before work begins, including landlord, freeholder, neighbour, management company, or planning authority approval where relevant. If a tree is protected or located in a conservation area, the client must disclose this at the earliest opportunity and provide evidence of permission where required. We may assist with information relevant to the work, but responsibility for obtaining permission remains with the client unless we have expressly agreed otherwise in writing.

Where the job involves shared boundaries, overhanging branches, or access across adjoining land, the client must ensure lawful access and proper authority. Any refusal, dispute, or objection raised by a third party that prevents completion may lead to postponement, amendment, or cancellation of the work. We are not responsible for legal disagreements between property owners, occupiers, neighbours, or managing agents.

The client acknowledges that tree surgery carries inherent risks, including falling timber, chainsaw use, chipper operation, dust, noise, vibration, and temporary disruption to gardens or hard surfaces. We will take reasonable care to manage those risks in accordance with recognised industry practice and relevant health and safety obligations. However, no arboricultural work can be completely risk-free, particularly where trees are diseased, overgrown, storm-damaged, or structurally unsound.

Our liability is limited to losses caused by our negligence, breach of contract, or other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded. We do not accept responsibility for pre-existing defects, hidden decay, subsurface services, structural instability, or damage arising from information that was not disclosed by the client. We are also not liable for indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, loss of enjoyment, or business interruption, to the extent permitted by law.

If damage occurs as a direct result of our work, the client must notify us within a reasonable time and provide supporting evidence, including photographs where possible. We may inspect the site, investigate the cause, and, where appropriate, offer repair, remedial work, or compensation up to the extent required by law. Any claim must be allowed to be assessed before the client arranges third-party remedial action, unless urgent mitigation is necessary.

The client is responsible for protecting vulnerable items and preparing the site before work begins. This includes moving vehicles, securing ornaments, covering delicate surfaces, and removing items from areas that may be affected by debris or machinery. We will take reasonable care, but we cannot accept responsibility for items left in working areas unless we have agreed in writing to specifically protect them.

Access routes, driveways, lawns, paths, and other surfaces may be exposed to wear due to the nature of the work. While reasonable precautions will be taken, minor disturbance, compression, or marking can occur, especially in wet weather or on soft ground. Where temporary ground protection is used, the client must follow instructions not to remove or interfere with it until the job is complete and it is safe to do so.

If the service includes stump grinding, branch chipping, log removal, or site clearance, the scope will be limited to what is listed in the quotation. Any request to leave timber, mulch, arisings, or debris on site must be agreed beforehand. Where materials are retained by the client, storage and reuse are at the client’s risk once they have been left safely on site and the work has been signed off.

Waste from tree surgery operations is managed in accordance with applicable UK environmental and waste regulations. Green waste, wood, timber, brash, sawdust, soil, and related arisings will be handled responsibly and transferred only to lawful facilities or approved reuse channels. We aim to reduce waste where practical through chipping, mulching, recycling, or repurposing, subject to the nature of the material and site conditions.

Unless otherwise stated, the quotation will indicate whether waste removal is included. If waste removal is excluded, the client is responsible for lawful disposal of arisings after the work has been completed. Materials must not be left in a way that causes obstruction, nuisance, pest risk, or environmental harm. Where waste is taken away by us, ownership of that waste transfers to us upon collection, subject to the terms of the quote and any legal restrictions.

Hazardous or contaminated materials, such as treated timber, asbestos-containing debris, chemicals, invasive plant matter, or materials suspected of being regulated waste, are not accepted unless specifically agreed and lawfully handled. If such materials are discovered during the works, we may stop work, isolate the area, and advise the client of the required next steps. Additional charges may apply where specialist handling or disposal is necessary.

We reserve the right to refuse or discontinue work if our operatives believe that carrying on would create an unacceptable risk to safety, breach regulations, or cause material damage. This may happen where animals, aggressive behaviour, unsafe structures, concealed utilities, or public interference are present. In such circumstances, the client remains responsible for costs already incurred, and a return visit may be treated as a new booking.

Any complaint about the service should be raised as soon as reasonably possible after completion, with sufficient detail to allow investigation. We will review concerns fairly and in line with our internal procedures. If remedial work is appropriate and feasible, we may offer to return to site. Complaints do not permit withholding payment for undisputed parts of an invoice unless required by law or agreed in writing.

These terms do not create any partnership, joint venture, or employment relationship between the company and the client. Subcontractors may be used where appropriate, but we remain responsible for the parts of the service we have agreed to provide. Any reference to “we”, “us”, or “our” includes the company and its authorised personnel engaged in delivering the tree surgeon service.

The client must cooperate reasonably with our team, including providing access, relevant instructions, and a safe working environment. Where specific traffic management, temporary parking suspension, or other local arrangements are needed, the client must secure those arrangements in advance unless we have expressly agreed to handle them. Delays caused by non-cooperation may lead to additional charges or postponement.

Photographs, measurements, and site notes taken before, during, or after the work may be used for operational, legal, insurance, or records purposes. They may also be used to document the condition of trees, access, and completed works. Any use of images for marketing will be subject to applicable law and, where necessary, separate permission. Personal data will be handled in accordance with our privacy obligations and data protection law.

Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any liability that cannot legally be excluded under UK law. Where any cap on liability is permitted, it will apply only to the fullest extent allowed and will not reduce the client’s statutory rights. The client is encouraged to check insurance arrangements for valuable or sensitive property before work is carried out.

These terms shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with the supply of tree surgery services, the quotation, the booking, or these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, except where mandatory consumer rules provide otherwise.

If any provision is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that provision shall be treated as modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid or removed if modification is not possible, and the remainder of the terms shall continue in effect. Failure by us to enforce any right or remedy at any time does not amount to a waiver of that right or remedy.

Tree Surgeons Paddington may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time to reflect operational changes, legal developments, or improvements to service delivery. The version in force at the time of booking will generally apply to that job unless a later update is required by law. By proceeding with a booking, the client agrees that the service is governed by the terms in force at that time.