Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Sidcup

These Terms and Conditions apply to all services provided by Tree Surgeons Sidcup and set out the basis on which tree surgery, arboricultural maintenance, and related works are carried out for domestic and commercial clients. By requesting a quotation, confirming a booking, or allowing work to proceed, the client agrees to these terms. These conditions are intended to provide clarity, protect both parties, and ensure that all work is completed safely, lawfully, and to a professional standard.

For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, references to the Company, we, us, or our mean the tree surgery service provider. References to the Client, you, or your mean the person or organisation requesting the services. These terms apply unless otherwise agreed in writing. If any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall continue in full force and effect.

Any quotation or estimate issued by tree surgeons in Sidcup is based on the information available at the time and may be revised if site conditions, access, tree condition, waste volume, or legal requirements differ from the initial description. Unless expressly stated otherwise, quotations remain valid for a limited period and do not constitute a fixed binding offer until accepted and scheduled by both parties.

1. Booking Process

A booking is normally made following an initial enquiry and, where necessary, a site visit, inspection, or review of photographs and supporting details. The Client must provide accurate information about the trees, access arrangements, nearby structures, utilities, boundaries, and any known hazards. Failure to disclose relevant information may result in revised pricing, delay, or cancellation of the job. Tree surgery Sidcup services depend on correct information being supplied before work begins.

Once a quotation is accepted, a date or approximate timeframe may be agreed. Any booking is subject to crew availability, weather conditions, equipment suitability, access, and confirmation that no legal restriction prevents the work from being carried out. The Company may require written acceptance, email confirmation, or another clear form of agreement before reserving a slot. Where urgent works are required, the booking may be arranged on an expedited basis, but the same terms still apply.

The Client is responsible for ensuring that the site is ready on the agreed date. This includes making access available, securing pets, removing obstacles where possible, and arranging any relevant permissions from neighbours, landlords, managing agents, or other property owners. If attendance is prevented or delayed because the site is not ready, the Company may charge a reasonable fee for wasted time, travel, or rescheduling. Tree surgeons Sidcup are not liable for delays caused by circumstances outside their control.

2. Scope of Work and Changes

The work to be carried out will be limited to the items listed in the quotation, job sheet, or written agreement. Unless specifically included, the Company is not obliged to carry out additional work such as stump grinding, hedge reduction, timber cutting for firewood, additional clearance, or emergency callouts. Any variation requested by the Client on the day may be accepted or refused at the Company’s discretion, depending on safety, time, and equipment.

If the Company identifies additional work that is necessary for safety or to complete the job properly, it will, where practicable, explain the issue and provide a revised price or written variation. The Client must approve any extra charge before the extra work is undertaken unless immediate action is needed to prevent danger, damage, or breach of law. Tree surgeons in Sidcup may stop work if site conditions become unsafe or if the scope materially changes.

All timber, brushwood, and arisings removed during the work remain the property of the Client unless otherwise agreed. The Client must state in advance if they wish to retain logs, woodchip, or brash. If no instruction is given, the Company may remove, recycle, or dispose of material in accordance with its waste handling arrangements. Any requested retention of materials must be practical and safe, and may incur additional charges.

3. Payments

Payment terms will be stated on the quotation, invoice, or written confirmation. Unless otherwise agreed, full payment is due on completion of the work and receipt of invoice. For larger or planned projects, a deposit or staged payments may be required to secure dates, cover materials, or reserve specialist equipment. Deposits are normally non-refundable where the Company has allocated labour, machinery, or administrative time, except where required by law.

The Company accepts payment by the methods specified at the time of booking. The Client must ensure that funds are available and that payment is made in full without deduction, set-off, or withholding unless agreed in writing. Late payments may attract interest and recovery costs permitted under applicable law. If an invoice remains unpaid, the Company may suspend further services, cancel future bookings, or pursue recovery through lawful means.

Prices are usually quoted exclusive of unforeseen additional work unless stated otherwise. Where the Company has provided an estimate, the final amount may differ if the actual volume of waste, tree condition, access difficulty, or time required changes from the assumptions used when pricing the job. Sidcup tree surgeons reserve the right to correct obvious clerical or pricing errors in any quotation or invoice, subject to prompt notice to the Client.

4. Cancellations and Rescheduling

The Client may request cancellation or rescheduling, but the Company may charge a reasonable fee where notice is short or where costs have already been incurred. This may include labour preparation, vehicle allocation, equipment loading, permit arrangements, and administrative expenses. If cancellation is made after materials have been ordered or a crew has been dispatched, additional charges may apply. The aim is to reflect genuine loss rather than impose a penalty.

If the Company needs to cancel or move a booking because of extreme weather, unsafe conditions, staff unavailability, equipment failure, legal restrictions, or events beyond its control, it will seek to offer a suitable alternative date. Tree surgery services in Sidcup are often dependent on weather and safe working conditions, and the Company will not be liable for delay where work cannot reasonably proceed. No compensation is payable for changes caused by force majeure events.

Where the Client repeatedly fails to provide access, does not respond to requests for confirmation, or does not attend a scheduled appointment where attendance is required, the Company may treat the booking as cancelled by the Client and apply appropriate charges. Persistent failure to cooperate may also result in future bookings being refused. Any refund, if due, will be processed after deducting legitimate costs already incurred.

5. Liability and Limitations

The Company will carry out services with reasonable care and skill, using competent operatives and appropriate equipment. However, tree surgery involves inherent risk, including falling branches, sawdust, debris, stump movement, ground disturbance, and changes in tree stability. The Client acknowledges that trees may react unpredictably, particularly where they are diseased, decayed, storm-damaged, or previously pruned. No guarantee can be given that a tree will remain stable, healthy, or free from future failure after work.

The Company shall not be liable for loss or damage caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including hidden defects in trees, underground services not disclosed, poor structural integrity, adverse weather, or third-party interference. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded. Subject to this, the Company’s total liability arising from any claim shall be limited to the amount paid for the relevant service, except where a greater limit is required by law.

The Client is responsible for removing or protecting items that may be affected by normal tree work, including vehicles, ornaments, furniture, sheds, fencing, and fragile features. The Company will take reasonable care, but it cannot guarantee that lawns, paving, borders, or surfaces will remain undisturbed, especially where heavy machinery, timber, or access equipment is used. Any claim for damage must be notified promptly and supported by reasonable evidence.

6. Waste Management and Regulations

All waste produced during the works will be handled in accordance with applicable UK waste legislation, environmental duties, and any relevant local authority requirements. The Company aims to dispose of green waste responsibly, using recycling, chipping, composting, or licensed disposal routes where appropriate. Tree surgeons Sidcup may retain records relating to waste transfer, disposal, and handling where necessary for compliance.

The Client agrees that arisings removed from the site may be transported by the Company or a nominated licensed waste contractor. Where waste transfer notes, carrier details, or disposal records are required, the Company may keep them for legal and administrative purposes. The Client must not request any arrangement that would breach waste law, burn prohibited material, or leave the site in an unsafe or unsightly condition contrary to agreed service levels.

If the Client wishes to keep logs, woodchip, or other timber, it must be agreed in advance. Any retained material becomes the Client’s responsibility once left on site, and the Company is not liable for storage issues, pests, decay, or subsequent handling. If waste quantities exceed the amount described in the quotation because of hidden decay, larger-than-expected crowns, or debris from storm damage, additional disposal costs may be charged.

7. Client Responsibilities

The Client must obtain or confirm any necessary permissions before work begins, including consent from property owners, managing agents, leaseholders, or neighbours where required. The Company may provide practical assistance where possible, but legal responsibility for permissions remains with the Client unless the Company has expressly agreed otherwise in writing. Any tree protection order, conservation constraint, or planning issue must be disclosed before the booking is finalised.

The Client must also notify the Company of underground cables, gas lines, drains, water services, irrigation systems, hidden structures, or other hazards that may affect the work. If inaccurate or incomplete information is provided, the Client may be liable for resulting delays, additional costs, or damage not caused by the Company’s negligence. Tree surgeons in Sidcup rely on honest disclosure to complete work safely.

Where access requires parking suspensions, special permits, or coordination with third parties, the Client must arrange this in advance unless the quotation says the Company will do so. If a permit is refused, delayed, or unavailable, the booking may need to be postponed or cancelled. The Company may also refuse to work if it believes the legal or safety position is unclear.

8. Complaints, Delays, and General Provisions

If the Client is dissatisfied with any aspect of the work, they should notify the Company promptly and provide clear details of the issue. The Company may inspect the matter and, where appropriate, offer remedial work or another fair resolution. Complaints raised long after completion may be harder to investigate, particularly where weather, pruning response, or third-party actions have affected the outcome.

The Company will not be liable for delay or failure to perform obligations where such delay or failure results from events outside its reasonable control, including severe weather, accidents, equipment breakdown, road closures, illness, strikes, or legal restrictions. In these circumstances, the Company will use reasonable efforts to recommence work as soon as practicable. Any dates provided are estimates unless expressly stated as fixed.

If any part of these Terms and Conditions is varied by agreement, that variation must be in writing to be valid. These terms, together with the quotation and any written job confirmation, form the entire agreement between the parties and supersede prior discussions or representations. No person other than the Client and the Company may enforce these terms under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 unless expressly stated.

9. Governing Law

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 courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute that cannot be resolved amicably between the parties. This applies to contractual claims, tort claims, statutory claims, and any related matter arising from the provision of tree surgery services.

By proceeding with a booking, the Client confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted these Terms and Conditions. If the Client does not agree with any part of them, they should not instruct the Company to begin work. Tree Surgeons Sidcup aims to provide a transparent, lawful, and professional service, and these terms are designed to support that objective while balancing the rights and responsibilities of both parties.