Tree Surgeons Purley Service Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which tree surgery services are provided by Tree Surgeons Purley and by any associated operatives acting on our behalf. They apply to domestic and commercial customers who request quotations, make bookings, or accept work for tree maintenance, tree felling, pruning, stump grinding, hedge work, site clearance, or related arboricultural services. By requesting a quotation, confirming a booking, or allowing work to begin, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms, together with any written proposal, estimate, or work schedule issued before the service starts.

Tree Surgeons Purley provides services in accordance with applicable UK law, industry standards, and reasonable care and skill. These terms are intended to create a clear understanding of responsibilities before, during, and after the work. They should be read together with any specific job description, site assessment notes, risk information, or written exclusions provided for the relevant project. If any part of a written proposal conflicts with these terms, the written proposal will prevail only for that specific point and only where expressly stated.

The customer must ensure that all information supplied during the enquiry and booking process is complete and accurate, including details about the property, tree location, access, boundaries, overhead lines, underground services, preservation restrictions, and any known hazards. If the customer fails to disclose material information, we may revise the quotation, alter the planned method of work, postpone attendance, or decline the job. We will always aim to act fairly and reasonably, but safe working depends on accurate information being provided before the visit.

Booking Process

Bookings usually begin with an initial enquiry followed by a discussion of the required service. A quotation may be given from photographs, descriptions, or an on-site inspection, depending on the nature of the work. For more complex or higher-risk projects, a site visit may be required before any estimate is confirmed. The quotation will normally identify the main work items, any assumptions, whether waste removal is included, and any special conditions that apply to the job.

To confirm a booking, the customer must accept the quotation or estimate and provide any required deposit, purchase order, or written approval if requested. Acceptance may be given by email, signed agreement, message confirmation, or any other method we reasonably accept as evidence of instruction. Once the booking is confirmed, a provisional date or time may be allocated. This date is not always guaranteed, especially where weather, access, traffic, machinery availability, or safety conditions affect scheduling.

We may need to reschedule a booked appointment if conditions are unsafe or if operational issues arise, including high winds, storms, heavy rain, frozen ground, broken equipment, illness, or delays at a preceding job. Tree work is weather-sensitive, and our priority is always to avoid unnecessary risk to people, property, wildlife, and services. If a change is required, we will make reasonable efforts to agree a new date as soon as practical. The customer understands that the actual start time may vary on the day of attendance.

Payments

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment terms will be stated on the quotation or invoice. For standard domestic work, payment is usually due on completion of the job or within the time stated on the invoice. For larger projects, phased payments, staged invoicing, or a deposit may be required to reserve labour, machinery, or disposal arrangements. Any deposit paid is usually non-refundable once materials, labour allocation, or third-party commitments have been made, except where cancellation rights under these terms or mandatory consumer law apply.

All prices are subject to the scope of work agreed before commencement. If the customer requests additional work, or if the site conditions reveal matters not reasonably foreseeable at quotation stage, an amended price may be applied before extra work proceeds. Examples include hidden decay, restricted access, additional waste, emergency making-safe, or the need for specialist equipment. If we identify a necessary change that affects cost, we will explain the reason and seek approval where reasonably possible before continuing.

Late payment may result in administrative charges, suspension of further services, and recovery action where necessary. Interest may be charged on overdue sums in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts legislation where applicable, or at such rate as is otherwise permitted by law for consumer and private contracts. The customer remains responsible for full payment even if a third party, such as an insurer, managing agent, tenant, or contractor, was expected to fund the work. Where payment is made by bank transfer, the customer should ensure cleared funds are received by us by the due date.

Where a quotation is based on a fixed price, the price applies only to the specified scope, assumptions, and access conditions. It does not include hidden hazards, unforeseen remedial work, or items expressly excluded. If we provide an estimate rather than a fixed quotation, the final amount may vary based on the actual time, waste volume, machinery use, or site circumstances. Tree surgeons in Purley working on complex trees often need to adapt methods on site, and the customer accepts that such adjustments may affect the final charge.

Cancellations and Postponements

The customer may cancel a booking by giving notice in writing or by another method we accept. If the cancellation is made with sufficient notice, we will usually not charge a cancellation fee, unless we have already incurred non-recoverable costs such as hired machinery, disposal bookings, or specialist subcontractor costs. If cancellation occurs after resources have been allocated, a reasonable charge may be made to reflect our losses and preparation time, provided this is permitted by law and was reasonably foreseeable from the agreed arrangement.

If the customer cancels on the day of work, or prevents us from completing the service because access is unavailable or permissions have not been obtained, we may charge a call-out fee or wasted journey fee where reasonable. If adverse weather or unsafe conditions require us to postpone, the booking will normally be rearranged rather than cancelled. We reserve the right to refuse to begin, continue, or complete any task where doing so would expose staff, the customer, the public, or property to unacceptable risk.

Site Conditions, Access, and Customer Responsibilities

The customer is responsible for ensuring that the site is accessible and that any necessary permissions are in place before work starts. This includes access through gates, driveways, communal areas, or neighboring land where required. The customer must notify us of buried services, cable routes, drains, septic systems, sprinkler systems, fragile structures, glass roofs, conservatories, or other vulnerable features in the working area. If access is restricted, we may need to revise the method statement, increase labour, or postpone the job.

Where parking, loading, or stopping restrictions apply, the customer should inform us in advance. Any parking charges, permits, congestion costs, or similar site-specific expenses may be added to the invoice if they are necessary for the job and not included in the original price. The customer must also ensure that pets, children, and unauthorised persons are kept away from the working area during operations. Tree surgery involves falling debris, chainsaws, wood chippers, climbing equipment, and other hazards, and the working zone must remain clear unless we say otherwise.

If the customer asks us to work near third-party property or assets, we may require written confirmation that appropriate consent has been obtained. We are not responsible for disputes between neighbours, landlords, tenants, freeholders, leaseholders, or managing agents. It is the customer’s duty to verify ownership, rights of access, and any planning or conservation considerations that may apply before commissioning work. If a tree is subject to a preservation order or lies within a conservation area, the customer should ensure all lawful consents have been granted prior to the visit.

The customer must also ensure that any item to be retained, such as timber, firewood, chips, or timber sections for milling, is identified before work starts. If no request is made in advance, all arisings will be treated as waste for removal or handling in the most practical manner. Any requirement to stack, cut to particular lengths, leave cordwood, or separate materials must be agreed before commencement and may affect the price.

Liability

We will carry out our services with reasonable care and skill and in accordance with the scope agreed. If we fail to do so, we will normally have the opportunity to inspect the issue and, where appropriate, remedy it within a reasonable time. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. Nothing in these terms is intended to limit the customer’s statutory rights.

Our liability for direct loss or damage caused by our negligence or breach of contract is limited to the amount paid or payable for the specific service giving rise to the claim, except where a higher level of liability cannot be excluded by law. We are not liable for indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, loss of business, loss of enjoyment, or loss caused by events outside our reasonable control. This includes damage arising from defective pre-existing conditions in trees, hidden decay, unstable roots, storm events, vandalism, subsidence, or the customer’s failure to follow aftercare instructions.

Although our team will take reasonable precautions, tree work is inherently risky and some impact damage may occur despite careful planning. Examples include minor surface disturbance, wear to lawns or driveways, and unavoidable marks caused by machinery or timber movement. We are not responsible for pre-existing defects, fragile surfaces, underground weaknesses, or pre-existing structural issues. Where a customer asks for work to proceed against our advice, or with limited access or protection, any increased risk will be borne by the customer to the extent permitted by law.

Nothing in these terms removes the customer’s duty to mitigate loss. If an issue arises, the customer should take reasonable steps to prevent it from worsening. Any claim must be notified as soon as reasonably possible and supported by evidence where appropriate. We may request photographs, site access, or inspection opportunity before accepting responsibility or arranging a remedy. A failure to allow prompt inspection may affect the assessment of liability.

Waste Regulations and Environmental Handling

Tree surgery generates green waste, timber, woodchip, sawdust, and other arisings. We will handle, transport, and dispose of waste in accordance with applicable environmental and waste legislation, including the duty of care requirements relevant in England and Wales. Waste will ordinarily be transferred to licensed facilities or handled through lawful reuse, recycling, or composting routes where appropriate. The customer must not assume that waste can be left on site unless this has been expressly agreed.

Where waste remains the customer’s responsibility under the quotation, the customer must arrange lawful storage, transfer, and disposal. It is the customer’s duty to ensure that any retained waste is not burned, dumped, or removed in breach of environmental rules. If waste transfer notes, receipts, or other records are needed, we may provide them where the arrangement requires it and where the relevant information is available. We reserve the right to charge separately for additional loading, sorting, or disposal if the volume or type of waste differs materially from what was quoted.

We may recycle suitable timber and woodchip where this is operationally practical and lawful. However, any reuse, donation, or storage of materials is at our discretion unless otherwise agreed in writing. If a customer asks us to leave woodchip for mulch or timber for personal use, the customer accepts that such material may vary in quality, moisture content, size, and suitability. We do not guarantee that retained arisings will be free from pests, disease, or contamination.

Health, Safety, and On-Site Conduct

All services are carried out subject to health and safety requirements. Our staff may stop work if conditions become unsafe, if weather changes, if the customer interferes with operations, or if third-party activity creates unacceptable risk. Customers, occupants, visitors, and contractors must comply with reasonable safety instructions given by our operatives. We may refuse to continue where there is aggression, harassment, intoxication, or any conduct that puts personnel at risk.

Where chainsaws, climbing, chippers, stump grinders, ropes, or rigging equipment are used, the customer must keep clear of the work area unless specifically invited into a safe zone. We may cordon off sections of the site, restrict movement, or request temporary changes to vehicle access. If a customer insists on entering a restricted zone or ignores instructions, we may stop work immediately and charge for time lost. We are not liable for injury or loss arising from a failure to follow clear safety directions.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim arising from them are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction, except where mandatory consumer law provides otherwise. If a disagreement arises, both parties should first try to resolve the matter in good faith by providing relevant details, photographs, invoice references, or inspection access where needed. We aim to resolve concerns reasonably and promptly before formal steps are taken.

Any delay or failure by us to enforce a right under these terms does not prevent us from enforcing it later. If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect. These terms may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in law, operational practice, or service scope. The version in force on the date of booking will usually apply to that booking, unless a later amendment is agreed in writing by both parties.

General Provisions

These terms form the entire agreement between the customer and us in relation to the booked service, subject to any written amendment agreed before the work starts. The customer should not rely on verbal statements that are not included in the written quotation, invoice, or confirmation. If a statement made by us was clearly intended as a representation of fact and proves materially inaccurate, the issue will be assessed in accordance with applicable law and the surrounding circumstances.

We may assign or subcontract elements of the work where appropriate, provided the service remains within the agreed scope and is carried out competently. The customer may not assign the contract to another party without our written consent where the work is bespoke or site-specific. Any notices required under these terms should be given in a reasonable and verifiable manner. By proceeding with a booking, the customer confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted these Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Purley.