Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Bermondsey
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Tree Surgeons Bermondsey provides arboricultural and tree care services to domestic and commercial customers. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or allowing work to commence, you agree to be bound by these terms. They are intended to create a clear understanding of how services are arranged, how payment is handled, and what responsibilities apply to both parties. Where references are made to the tree surgery service, the tree surgeon services, or the arborist team, those phrases all refer to the same range of professional work offered under this agreement.
The terms below apply to surveys, pruning, reductions, crown lifting, hedge work, felling, stump grinding, emergency callouts, site clearance, and related waste removal where included in the quotation. They do not override any statutory rights that cannot be excluded under UK law. If a specific written quotation or separate service agreement differs from these terms, the written quotation or agreement will take priority to the extent of any inconsistency. Customers should read this document carefully before confirming any works.
We reserve the right to update these terms from time to time. Any revised version will apply to bookings made after the date of amendment. The version in force at the time the booking is accepted will usually govern that particular project, unless changes are required by law or by an unforeseen operational need that affects safety, disposal, or access. The purpose of these terms is to ensure that the tree surgery company operates transparently and that clients understand the scope, process, and limits of the service.
1. Booking Process
Bookings are usually made after an initial enquiry and, where necessary, a site visit or review of photographs, measurements, or other relevant information. A quotation may be provided verbally or in writing, but the final agreement is only confirmed once the customer accepts the quotation and the company confirms a date or time window for the works. Acceptance may be given by email, message, written approval, or any other method reasonably treated as confirmation.
Tree surgeons in Bermondsey may need access details, tree location information, parking constraints, permission notices, or details of underground services before work can be scheduled. The customer must provide accurate information and disclose anything that could affect the safe completion of the job, including hidden obstructions, weak structures, adjoining properties, protected status concerns, or known hazards. If the information provided is incomplete or inaccurate, the company may amend the quotation, postpone the works, or withdraw from the booking where safety or feasibility is affected.
Any appointment time given is an estimate unless expressly stated as a fixed start time. Delays may arise because of weather, traffic, emergency works, equipment failure, or access problems. The company will try to keep customers informed where possible, but it cannot guarantee exact arrival times. The booking process may also require the customer to secure necessary permissions before work begins, including consent from landlords, managing agents, neighbours, or local authorities where applicable.
2. Scope of Services and Customer Duties
The scope of work will be limited to the items clearly identified in the quotation or written agreement. Any additional work requested on site will be treated as a variation and may lead to extra charges, revised completion times, or a different waste disposal arrangement. The company is not obliged to proceed with extra tasks unless the customer agrees to the additional cost and any material changes in method or timing.
The customer must ensure that the work area is reasonably accessible and that vehicles, gates, paths, driveways, and other access routes are available at the agreed time. Power lines, fragile surfaces, water features, glass, ornaments, external fittings, and similar items should be highlighted in advance. The customer should also remove or secure personal belongings, garden furniture, vehicles, and other movable items that may be affected by tree work, debris, or machinery. Where such items are left in place, the company may work around them at its discretion or ask that they are moved before the job proceeds.
For safety reasons, the company may refuse to work where conditions are unsuitable, including severe weather, unsafe climbing conditions, unstable trees, aggressive animals, or hazards that could not reasonably have been anticipated. In those circumstances, the company may reschedule the appointment or end the visit without completing the work. If a customer is not present at the agreed time where attendance is required, or if access cannot be gained, a call-out fee or wasted attendance charge may apply if this has been disclosed in advance or is reasonable in the circumstances.
3. Payment Terms
Payment arrangements will be set out in the quotation or invoice. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due on completion of the works, or immediately upon receipt of invoice where account terms have been approved in advance. The company may request a deposit for larger projects, seasonal bookings, or works requiring special equipment, hired machinery, or pre-ordered disposal arrangements. Deposits may be non-refundable where work has already been scheduled, materials ordered, or subcontractors engaged, subject always to applicable consumer law.
Accepted payment methods may include bank transfer, card payment, or other agreed methods. Cheques, cash handling, or split payments may be refused if not agreed beforehand. Where payment is not made by the due date, the company reserves the right to charge reasonable late payment fees, statutory interest where applicable, and recovery costs permitted under UK legislation for business customers. The company may also suspend further works, withhold certificates or completion paperwork where lawful, and cancel future appointments until outstanding sums are settled.
All prices are normally quoted exclusive of additional unforeseen work, unless explicitly stated otherwise. If the company discovers hidden defects, protected nesting activity, dangerous decay, or other material issues that require a change in method, any revised price will be notified before continuing where reasonably practicable. Quotations may remain valid only for the stated period and may be withdrawn after expiry if costs, labour, disposal charges, or access conditions change materially.
4. Cancellations and Rescheduling
Cancellations by the customer should be made as early as possible. Where notice is given sufficiently in advance, the company may agree to move the booking to another date without penalty. If the customer cancels after the works have been scheduled, especially where machinery, crew, access arrangements, or waste disposal have already been allocated, the company may retain the deposit or charge a cancellation fee that reflects its reasonable losses. The amount will depend on the stage reached and any costs already incurred.
If the company needs to cancel or reschedule, it will make reasonable efforts to offer an alternative date. Such changes may be necessary because of adverse weather, staff illness, equipment failure, safety concerns, legal restrictions, or any circumstance beyond the company’s reasonable control. The company will not be liable for indirect losses caused by rescheduling, provided it acts reasonably and in good faith. Customers are responsible for making their own arrangements where access to the property, parking, or supervision is required on the day.
Where a customer repeatedly cancels, fails to provide access, or refuses to proceed after the team has arrived and reasonable work preparations have been made, the company may treat the booking as cancelled and charge accordingly. No cancellation clause in these terms is intended to remove rights that consumers may have under applicable law, but the parties agree that reasonable administration and wasted-cost charges are fair where the service has already been mobilised.
5. Liability, Insurance, and Limitations
The company will take reasonable care to perform tree surgery work professionally, safely, and in accordance with recognised industry standards. However, tree work carries inherent risks, especially where branches are dead, weak, diseased, or structurally unsound. The customer acknowledges that some outcomes cannot be guaranteed, including the future condition, regrowth, stability, or survival of a tree after surgery. Natural movement, decay progression, and weather conditions may alter the tree’s condition after works are completed.
The company maintains appropriate insurance cover for public liability and, where applicable, employer-related risks. Insurance documents may be available on request, but the existence of insurance does not create liability beyond what is set out in these terms and applicable law. The company is not responsible for pre-existing defects, hidden damage, old root failure, underground services not clearly marked, or structural weaknesses that were not reasonably discoverable before work commenced. If the customer has specific concerns, they should disclose them before booking.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the company shall not be liable for indirect, consequential, or economic losses such as loss of profit, loss of enjoyment, or business interruption arising from the service, except where such exclusion is prohibited by law. Nothing in these terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded. If the company is found liable for direct loss or damage, its liability will be limited to the value of the relevant service or the amount recoverable under its insurance, whichever is lower, unless law provides otherwise.
6. Waste Regulations and Site Clearance
All green waste, timber, chip, logs, and related arisings will be handled in accordance with applicable UK waste regulations and environmental requirements. Where the quotation includes waste removal, the company will remove the agreed material from site and arrange recycling, composting, energy recovery, or lawful disposal through appropriate channels. Customers should understand that waste created by tree surgery may be subject to duty of care obligations, carrier requirements, and record-keeping standards designed to support responsible disposal.
Unless specifically stated, arisings remain the property of the company once cut and removed from the tree. If the customer wishes to retain timber, logs, woodchip, or any other by-product, this must be agreed before the work begins. Storage, stacking, splitting, seasoning, or moving retained materials will only be included if clearly described in the quotation. The company is not responsible for the condition of retained timber after works are complete, including shrinkage, staining, insect activity, or decay.
Where a quotation excludes waste removal, the customer is responsible for lawful disposal of all debris and material generated by the works. Any waste left on site must not create a hazard or nuisance. The company may place branches, timber, or chip in a designated area if instructed, but it is not responsible for later relocation unless agreed in writing. The customer must also ensure compliance with any local rules relating to access routes, loading, skips, pavement use, or storage of materials on private land.
7. Force Majeure, Complaints, and General Provisions
The company will not be liable for delays or failure to perform caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including extreme weather, accidents, fire, flood, strikes, supply disruption, road closures, acts of public authorities, or other unforeseeable events. In such cases, the company may postpone the work, alter the method of performance, or cancel the booking if completion becomes impracticable or unsafe. Any reasonable costs already incurred may still be payable where permitted by law.
If a customer believes the service has not been delivered in line with the agreement, they should raise the issue promptly so that it can be reviewed while the facts are still clear. The company may ask for photographs, written details, or access to the site to assess the matter. Nothing in this section creates a separate complaints procedure that overrides statutory rights; it simply encourages prompt communication so that any legitimate concern can be addressed fairly and efficiently.
If any provision of these terms is found to be unlawful, invalid, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in force. No failure or delay by the company in exercising a right will operate as a waiver of that right. These terms, together with the accepted quotation and any written variations, form the entire agreement between the parties in relation to the relevant service and supersede prior discussions to the extent permitted by law.
8. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from 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 will have exclusive jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory rights of consumers to bring proceedings in another competent forum where such rights apply. By engaging the tree surgery service, the customer accepts that the agreement is made under UK law and will be interpreted consistently with it.
This legal framework applies whether the service involves routine maintenance, complex dismantling, emergency response, or ongoing arboricultural management. The aim is to provide a fair, lawful, and practical basis for professional tree care. Customers and the company each agree to act reasonably, communicate honestly, and comply with the obligations set out above so that the work can be completed safely, efficiently, and with due regard for property, people, and the environment.