Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Northolt
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which tree surgery services are provided by a professional arboricultural contractor operating in Northolt and the surrounding area. They apply to all quotations, accepted bookings, site visits, inspections, and works carried out for domestic and commercial customers. By instructing tree surgeons Northolt, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms unless a separate written agreement expressly states otherwise. These terms are intended to be fair, practical, and consistent with UK consumer and business law, while reflecting the risks and responsibilities associated with tree work, hedge maintenance, pruning, felling, stump grinding, and related site clearance services.
The customer must ensure that any instructions given are accurate, lawful, and based on full ownership or authority to commission the work. Where multiple parties have an interest in the property, including landlords, tenants, freeholders, managing agents, or neighbours, it is the customer’s responsibility to obtain any necessary consents before work begins. Tree surgeons Northolt may rely on the customer’s authority to proceed and will not be liable for disputes arising from a lack of permission or misunderstanding between interested parties. All information supplied during the booking process should be complete and truthful, including known hazards, service access limitations, underground services, and any protected status affecting the trees or site.
Quotes are usually based on the information provided by the customer and, where appropriate, on a site assessment. Unless stated otherwise, quotations remain valid for a limited period and may be revised if the scope of work changes, access conditions differ, hidden defects are discovered, or additional equipment, labour, or traffic management is required. Any estimate provided by tree surgeons in Northolt is not a fixed price until the work is formally accepted in writing or by electronic confirmation. If the customer requests changes after acceptance, the contractor may charge reasonably for additional time, materials, or disposal costs.
The booking process begins when the customer requests a quotation, inspection, or service appointment and supplies relevant details about the site, the trees, and the desired outcomes. A booking is only confirmed once the customer has accepted the quotation, agreed the proposed date or time window, and provided any required deposit or advance payment. The contractor may request photographs, access details, parking information, or documentary evidence where this helps to assess risk or compliance. Tree surgeons Northolt may refuse or postpone bookings where conditions are unsafe, where adequate access is unavailable, or where the customer has not disclosed material information.
Any booking date is given in good faith, but all timings are approximate unless a fixed appointment has been expressly agreed. Delays may occur because of weather, traffic, equipment failure, supply issues, emergency call-outs, or factors outside the contractor’s control. Where a delay is likely to affect the planned service, reasonable efforts will be made to notify the customer and offer an alternative date. The contractor is not responsible for loss caused by unavoidable delay, provided that reasonable steps are taken to carry out the work within a reasonable period. The customer should ensure that the site is accessible and that any necessary vehicles, gates, pathways, or communal areas are kept clear.
The customer must be present, or make suitable arrangements for access and authorisation, where this is necessary for the work to proceed safely. If the contractor arrives and cannot carry out the work because access has been denied, the customer has not secured permissions, or the site is not ready, a call-out charge or wasted attendance fee may apply. Tree surgeons Northolt may also suspend work if site conditions change materially, for example due to severe weather, aggressive behaviour, or the discovery of concealed hazards. The contractor may refuse to continue where doing so would breach health and safety duties or create unreasonable risk to personnel, property, or the public.
Payments must be made in accordance with the quotation, invoice, or agreed payment schedule. Unless otherwise stated, payment is due upon completion of the work and before any waste is removed from site, although the contractor may require a deposit or stage payment for larger or more complex projects. Accepted methods of payment may include bank transfer and other agreed methods, but the contractor is not obliged to accept cash or any specific form of payment. All prices are stated in pounds sterling and may be quoted inclusive or exclusive of VAT depending on the contractor’s tax status. Where VAT applies, it will be shown clearly on the invoice.
Late payment may result in administration charges, interest, and recovery costs where permitted by law and where reasonable notice has been given. The customer must not withhold payment because of a dispute unrelated to the completed works, unless there is a legitimate and genuine basis for doing so under applicable law. If additional work becomes necessary during the job, the contractor should obtain approval where reasonably practicable before proceeding, but may take urgent action without prior approval where necessary to protect life, property, or safety. Any extra charges resulting from agreed variations, emergency works, or unanticipated conditions will be explained as soon as reasonably possible.
Unless expressly agreed otherwise, materials removed from site remain the property of the contractor until payment has been received in full. If the customer requests retention of timber, branches, or mulch, this must be agreed in advance and may affect pricing, workload, and disposal arrangements. Any discounts, promotional offers, or special pricing are discretionary and may be withdrawn at any time before booking confirmation. Tree surgeons Northolt reserves the right to require cleared funds before releasing completion documents, certificates, or waste transfer records, where these are relevant to the service provided.
Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Refunds
The customer may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving reasonable notice. If cancellation occurs after the contractor has reserved labour, machinery, or subcontractors, a cancellation fee may be charged to reflect unavoidable losses. Where specialist equipment has been hired or materials have been ordered specifically for the job, those costs may also be recovered if they cannot be avoided. The amount charged will be fair and proportionate to the actual administrative and financial loss suffered. Tree surgeons Northolt will always act reasonably when considering any request to amend or cancel an appointment.
If the contractor needs to cancel or reschedule because of weather, equipment breakdown, staff illness, access issues, or operational constraints, a new date will be offered where possible. The contractor will not normally be liable for indirect loss caused by cancellation, provided the customer is informed promptly and an alternative arrangement is proposed in good faith. Where a deposit has been paid and the contractor cancels without having started the work, the customer will ordinarily be entitled to a refund of the unused portion, subject to any non-recoverable costs already incurred. Refunds, if due, will be processed within a reasonable time using the original payment method where practicable.
No refund will usually be payable where work has been completed in accordance with the agreed specification, or where the customer changes their mind after the service has started, except where mandatory consumer rights apply. If a customer wishes to postpone work because of third-party objections, planning concerns, or changes in site ownership, that does not automatically create a right to refund. Any request for cancellation must be made in writing or by another agreed method so that the record is clear. Tree surgeons in Northolt may treat repeated short-notice cancellations or missed appointments as a breach of booking terms and may require advance payment for future work.
Liability is limited in line with applicable UK law. The contractor will take reasonable care and skill when carrying out services, but tree work is inherently hazardous and can involve unpredictable natural conditions, concealed defects, falling material, underground services, and third-party interference. The contractor shall not be liable for loss or damage caused by circumstances beyond reasonable control, including storms, subsidence, decay not reasonably detectable before work, or pre-existing defects in trees, fencing, paving, walls, drains, or buildings. The customer accepts that some risk remains even when work is carried out carefully and in accordance with good arboricultural practice.
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 excluded. Subject to that, the contractor’s total liability for any claim arising out of a single booking shall be limited to the amount paid or payable for the specific service in question, except where a higher limit is required by law. Tree surgeons Northolt will not be responsible for indirect or consequential losses, including loss of profit, business interruption, loss of use, or emotional distress, except to the extent such exclusion is not permitted.
The customer must protect valuables, fragile objects, ornaments, cables, vehicles, and garden features before work begins and should inform the contractor of any hidden or sensitive items near the work area. The contractor may ask for the removal of vehicles, outdoor furniture, planters, or other obstacles if they affect safe access. Any damage caused by the customer’s failure to comply with instructions, or by undisclosed defects, will not be the responsibility of the contractor. Where the contractor is asked to work close to buildings, fences, glass, power lines, or neighbouring property, reasonable care will be taken, but the customer acknowledges that minor marks, scuffs, or incidental disturbance can occur as part of normal tree surgery operations.
Waste Regulations and Site Clearance
The handling, transport, and disposal of green waste, timber, stumps, and related arisings will be carried out in accordance with applicable waste legislation and environmental requirements in the UK. Tree surgeons Northolt will classify and manage waste responsibly, using authorised facilities and keeping any necessary records where required. Waste transfer documentation may be produced where appropriate, and the customer agrees to provide any information needed to complete such records accurately. Unless otherwise agreed, waste created by the works remains under the contractor’s control until removed from site or otherwise lawfully transferred.
Where the quotation includes waste removal, the scope normally covers branches, brushwood, foliage, and other standard arisings generated by the agreed works. Additional disposal charges may apply for unusually large volumes, contaminated material, restricted access, or waste requiring special handling. If the customer chooses to retain woodchips, logs, or timber, storage and collection arrangements must be agreed in advance. The contractor may leave arisings on site only if this is part of the agreed specification. Burning waste on site will not be undertaken unless expressly permitted by law, agreed in writing, and safe to do so in the circumstances.
The customer must not ask the contractor to dispose of prohibited, hazardous, or non-green waste unless the contractor has expressly agreed and is legally able to do so. If such material is discovered during the works, the contractor may pause the job, revise the price, or require the customer to arrange specialist removal. The contractor reserves the right to refuse collection of material that has been contaminated with chemicals, builders’ waste, asbestos, sharps, or other dangerous substances. Tree surgeons Northolt will not knowingly breach environmental duties and expects the customer to cooperate fully in ensuring lawful waste management.
Standards of Work, Site Conditions, and Customer Obligations
All works will be carried out with reasonable care, skill, and attention, using appropriate equipment and methods for the task. The precise scope of work will be defined by the quotation, written instruction, or site agreement. If a customer asks for work that appears unsafe, unlawful, or unsuitable for the tree’s condition, the contractor may decline or modify the instruction. Reasonable efforts will be made to preserve surrounding vegetation, structures, and surfaces, but the customer accepts that some disturbance is unavoidable in arboricultural work. The contractor may use rigging, climbing systems, elevated platforms, chippers, stump grinders, and cutting equipment where appropriate.
The customer is responsible for informing the contractor of any known tree protections, conservation restrictions, covenants, or ownership boundaries that may affect the work. If permission from a local authority, landowner, or managing agent is required, the customer must obtain it before the appointment unless the contractor has expressly agreed to assist with the process in writing. Tree surgeons Northolt may rely on the customer’s representation that all necessary approvals are in place. Any fines, penalties, or costs arising from inaccurate information supplied by the customer may be recovered from the customer where lawful.
The contractor may take photographs or other records before, during, and after the work for operational, quality, or evidential purposes. Such records may also be used to document site condition, waste quantities, or completion of the agreed service. Personal data, where collected, will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection law and used only for legitimate business purposes. Any confidential information provided by the customer will be treated appropriately and not disclosed except where required by law, insurance, or the proper performance of the contract.
Governing Law and General Provisions
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 parties agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory rights that apply to consumers under UK law. If any part of these terms is found unenforceable, the remainder shall continue in full force and effect. No waiver of any term shall be effective unless agreed in writing, and any delay in enforcing a right shall not prevent that right from being enforced later.
These terms may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in law, business practice, or service structure. The version in force at the time of booking will apply to that booking unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. If there is any conflict between a quotation, invoice, email confirmation, and these terms, the most recent written agreement specifically addressing the issue will prevail to the extent of the conflict. By proceeding with a booking, the customer confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted these Terms and Conditions for tree surgery services.
The contractor encourages clear communication throughout the process so that expectations remain realistic and the work can proceed safely and efficiently. Any variation, clarification, or amendment to the agreed service should be recorded in writing where possible. These terms are intended to provide a balanced framework for professional tree surgeon Northolt services, protecting both parties while supporting lawful, safe, and well-managed arboricultural work.