Tree Surgeons Blackheath Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Tree Surgeons Blackheath provides domestic and commercial arboricultural services. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or allowing work to begin, the customer agrees to these terms. They are designed to clarify the scope of service, booking arrangements, payment obligations, cancellation rules, liability limits, waste handling, and the legal framework that applies to the agreement. If any part of these terms is unclear, the customer should raise the matter before work starts.
For the purposes of these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the tree surgery service provider, and references to “you” or “the customer” mean the person, business, landlord, managing agent, or other entity requesting the service. These terms apply to all work undertaken by our tree surgeons in Blackheath and any associated personnel acting on our behalf. They are intended to support a professional service relationship and to reduce misunderstanding over what is included in the agreed price.
Our services may include tree pruning, crown reduction, deadwood removal, stump-related work, tree felling, hedge maintenance, site clearance, and the removal or processing of arisings where agreed. Each project is unique, and the exact scope will depend on the condition of the tree, access, hazards, ground conditions, and legal permissions. Unless specifically stated otherwise, quotations cover only the work described in writing and do not include unexpected additional tasks that arise during the job.
Booking process begins when you submit an enquiry and provide sufficient information for us to assess the work. We may ask for photographs, location details, access information, tree condition, and any known restrictions. A quotation or estimate may then be issued based on the details supplied. In some cases, a site visit may be required before a final price is confirmed. Any quotation is normally valid for the period stated on it, or, if no period is stated, for a reasonable time only.
A booking is only confirmed when you accept the quotation or written proposal and we acknowledge the booking in writing, by email, text, or other recorded method. Acceptance of a quotation means you agree to the specified work, price basis, access conditions, and any assumptions listed. If changes are requested after confirmation, we may revise the price, schedule, or method of work. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel a booking if we consider the site unsafe, materially misdescribed, or unsuitable for the planned operation.
You must ensure that all relevant information is accurate at the time of booking. This includes whether the trees are protected, whether the property is rented or managed by a third party, whether there are shared boundaries, and whether machinery access is available. We are not responsible for delays or additional costs arising from incomplete or inaccurate information supplied by the customer. If permits, consent, or approvals are needed, the customer must notify us in advance so the work can be coordinated appropriately.
Payments are due in accordance with the payment terms stated on the quotation or invoice. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is required immediately upon completion of the work, or within the timeframe shown on the invoice. We may request a deposit for larger, specialist, or scheduled works, or where materials, equipment, or subcontracted support must be reserved. Deposits secure the booking and may be non-refundable if the customer cancels outside the permitted cancellation period or if preparatory costs have already been incurred.
All prices are quoted in pounds sterling and may be subject to VAT where applicable. Any estimate is based on the information available at the time and may change if the actual work differs from the description provided. Additional charges may apply for extra labour, waste volume, difficult access, emergency attendance, traffic control, parking costs, disposal fees, or extended site time caused by factors beyond our reasonable control. We will ordinarily discuss any material increase with the customer before proceeding, where practical.
Late or failed payments may result in suspension of further work, recovery action, or the addition of reasonable administrative and debt recovery costs where permitted by law. We reserve the right to charge interest on overdue sums in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts legislation where applicable, or at the statutory rate otherwise permitted for consumer or non-commercial arrangements. Ownership of any removed timber, arisings, or processed materials does not pass until all outstanding sums relating to the work have been settled in full, unless we agree otherwise.
Cancellations, changes, and rescheduling
If you need to cancel or rearrange a booking, you must give us notice as early as possible. For standard bookings, cancellation made with reasonable notice may not attract a charge, provided no significant preparation, labour, or third-party costs have been incurred. If cancellation occurs after we have purchased materials, allocated a crew, hired equipment, or reserved a time-sensitive slot, you may be charged for our reasonably incurred costs and, where relevant, part or all of any deposit paid. This applies equally to tree surgery services in Blackheath and to work carried out elsewhere under the same contract.
Where weather, safety concerns, access problems, utility interference, or legal restrictions prevent work from taking place on the planned date, we may postpone the job without liability. We will aim to rearrange the appointment at the earliest suitable time. In such cases, any deposit will usually remain valid for the rescheduled visit, unless the circumstances make performance impossible or the parties agree a different solution. We may also decide to stop or postpone work if conditions become unsafe after commencement, including but not limited to high winds, storm damage, unstable ground, or unforeseen structural hazards.
If you want to make changes to the agreed scope, such as adding additional trees, increasing the amount of crown reduction, or requesting extra clearance, those changes must be confirmed before we proceed where possible. We are not obliged to carry out additional work that has not been priced, scheduled, or safely assessed. Any variation may affect the completion date, workforce requirement, disposal arrangements, and final invoice amount. Repeated changes may require a revised quotation and may delay the original booking.
Liability and customer responsibilities
We will use reasonable skill and care in carrying out the agreed work. However, tree surgery involves natural variation, hidden defects, and site-specific risks, and results cannot always be guaranteed in the same way as standardised products or services. We are not liable for pre-existing structural weaknesses, decay, root movement, disease, or any condition that was not reasonably visible or disclosed before work began. Natural shedding, further seasonal growth, or movement of adjacent vegetation after the work is completed does not amount to a defect in our service.
The customer is responsible for ensuring that the site is safe and accessible for the planned works. This includes securing pets, removing fragile items from the vicinity, providing clear access, and warning us of any known hazards such as underground services, concealed drains, overhead cables, contamination, asbestos, or unstable surfaces. If you ask us to work near fences, roofs, greenhouses, sheds, or parked vehicles, you should remove or protect these items unless we have expressly agreed to do so. We do not accept liability for damage caused by the customer’s failure to prepare the site properly or by undisclosed risks.
Our liability for loss or damage is limited to the value of the service supplied, except where the law does not allow such limitation. We will not be liable for indirect, consequential, or economic losses such as business interruption, loss of profit, loss of use, or inconvenience, except where required by law. Nothing in these terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded. Any claim for alleged damage must be notified to us promptly and, where possible, before the site is altered after completion.
Waste regulations and site clearance are an important part of professional arboricultural work. Where waste removal is included in the quotation, we will take reasonable steps to handle green waste, timber, brash, and related materials in accordance with applicable environmental and waste management law. We may chip, remove, recycle, or repurpose suitable materials, and any disposal route may depend on the nature and quantity of the waste produced. The customer should assume that all waste arising from the work will be handled lawfully and responsibly, but exact disposal methods may vary according to operational needs.
Unless otherwise agreed, timber, logs, chips, and arisings remain our property until disposal or collection arrangements are completed. If you want to retain logs, woodchip, or other materials, this must be agreed in advance and may affect the price or logistics of the job. We are not obliged to leave waste onsite unless it has been expressly included in the agreement. If waste is to remain at the property, the customer must provide a suitable location for it and accept responsibility for its storage and subsequent use, subject to any legal restrictions.
We will comply with relevant waste duty-of-care obligations and will use lawful carriers, facilities, and procedures where necessary. The customer must not instruct us to dispose of waste unlawfully, fly-tip, or leave materials in a manner that breaches local or environmental rules. If the customer requests handling of hazardous, contaminated, or unusual materials, this must be declared in advance and may require specialist arrangements, additional charges, or refusal of the work. Any hidden contamination discovered during the service may result in immediate suspension until the issue is assessed.
Permits, property rights, and access
It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that all necessary permissions are in place before work begins. This may include landlord approval, freeholder consent, neighbour agreement where relevant, and any statutory permission required for protected trees or conservation-related controls. We may ask for evidence of approval, but we are not responsible for obtaining consents unless we have expressly agreed in writing to manage that process. If work is delayed or cancelled because consent is missing or invalid, any resulting costs may be charged to the customer to the extent permitted by law.
You must ensure that we have lawful access to the property and any relevant part of the site on the agreed date and time. Where access requires keys, gates, parking arrangements, or entry through shared land, these must be arranged in advance. Delays caused by inaccessible premises, blocked routes, or absent representatives may result in a waiting charge or cancellation fee. If we cannot safely complete the job because access is denied or materially restricted, we may treat the booking as a customer cancellation and recover reasonable costs.
Our personnel may need to take photographs before, during, and after the work for record-keeping, quality control, and evidence of completion. These images may also be used to document site conditions, tree defects, and waste removal. They will be handled in line with applicable data protection obligations. Any personal data provided in connection with a booking will be used only for the purpose of administering the service, invoicing, compliance, and related communications, unless the law permits or requires otherwise.
Completion, defects, and service standards
Work will be considered complete when the agreed tasks have been performed to a reasonable professional standard and the site has been left in the condition described in the quotation, subject to normal variability in arboricultural operations. Minor debris may remain after completion, particularly where access is limited or where weather conditions affect clean-up. If you believe any item of the agreed work has not been completed properly, you must tell us within a reasonable period so the issue can be inspected and, where appropriate, remedied.
Tree surgery can affect appearance, growth pattern, and future maintenance requirements. Pruning and reduction work may result in temporary visual imbalance, natural regrowth, or seasonal changes that are not defects. We are not responsible for results caused by the inherent characteristics of the tree, aftercare failures, or external events such as storms, drought, pests, disease, or impact. Any advice given regarding future maintenance is provided in good faith but does not create a guarantee unless expressly stated in writing.
If any dispute arises, both parties should first try to resolve it in good faith. If the issue cannot be settled informally, the parties may consider written clarification, site review, or another appropriate dispute resolution method before legal action is taken. These terms and conditions for tree surgeons are governed by the law of England and Wales. Any dispute or claim arising from the service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, unless mandatory consumer law provides otherwise.