Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Deptford
These Terms and Conditions apply to all services provided by Tree Surgeons Deptford and set out the basis on which work is booked, carried out and paid for. By requesting a quotation, confirming a booking or allowing work to commence, the customer agrees to these terms. They are intended to create a clear and fair framework for both residential and commercial clients seeking tree surgery services in Deptford, including pruning, crown reduction, stump work, removals and associated site clearance.
In these terms, references to “we”, “us” and “our” mean the service provider trading as Tree Surgeons Deptford. References to “you” and “your” mean the customer, homeowner, landlord, managing agent, business or other party contracting for the work. These terms should be read together with any written quotation, job specification, risk assessment, work order or invoice provided in relation to the services. If any part of a quotation or written agreement conflicts with these terms, the written agreement will take priority to the extent of the inconsistency.
All work is carried out subject to the information made available at the time of enquiry and inspection. Tree surgery is inherently variable, and the condition of trees, access, ground conditions and surrounding structures may affect the scope, timing and method of work. We therefore reserve the right to amend the proposed service where a reasonable professional assessment shows that a different approach is required for safety, compliance or tree health reasons. Any substantial change will normally be discussed with the customer before proceeding.
The booking process begins when you submit an enquiry and provide enough information for an initial assessment. This may include the location of the tree, the type of service required, whether the tree is on private or shared land, and any relevant access issues. A quotation may be based on photographs, a site visit or other information supplied by you. Quotations are normally valid for a stated period and may be withdrawn if site conditions, material costs or legal requirements change before acceptance.
A booking is only confirmed when you accept the quotation and we acknowledge the booking in writing or by other recorded means. For many tree surgeon Deptford services, we may require access arrangements, permission details, or confirmation that all necessary consents are in place before a date can be secured. You are responsible for ensuring that any permissions, landlord approvals, freeholder consent, neighbour agreements or local authority permissions are obtained where required. We are not responsible for delays caused by missing approvals or inaccurate information.
Once a booking is confirmed, you must make sure that the site is ready for the agreed start date. This includes providing safe access, clearing obstacles where reasonably necessary, and informing us of underground services, overhead cables, shared boundaries, concealed hazards or fragile structures. 
If the site is not ready, the appointment may be delayed, rescheduled or cancelled at our discretion, and additional charges may apply where time has been lost through no fault of our own. We may also refuse to begin or continue work if we consider the site unsafe.
Prices are normally set out in the quotation and are based on the scope of work described at the time of assessment. Unless expressly stated otherwise, quoted prices may exclude unforeseen work, specialist equipment, traffic management, permits, parking charges, waste disposal variations, or costs arising from hidden defects. Any extra work requested by you, or required because the tree or site conditions differ materially from the original description, may be charged in addition to the quoted price. Where possible, we will explain the basis of any extra charge before it is incurred.
Payment terms will be confirmed in the quotation or invoice. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due immediately upon completion of the work or on the invoice due date stated. For larger jobs, deposits, staged payments or advance payment may be requested to secure labour, equipment and materials. We accept payment by the methods stated on the invoice, and we may suspend future work, withhold optional extras, or charge reasonable recovery costs where payment is overdue. Title to any materials supplied does not pass until full payment has been received.
If you fail to pay on time, we may charge interest and recovery costs in accordance with applicable UK law. Any dispute about an invoice must be raised promptly and in writing, giving full details of the issue. Disputed items do not automatically suspend your obligation to pay undisputed sums. We encourage customers to review the quotation carefully so that the expectations around a Deptford tree surgery project, including waste handling and finishing standards, are understood before work begins.
Cancellations and postponements must be notified as soon as possible. If you cancel a confirmed booking, we may charge a reasonable cancellation fee to recover administration, reserved labour time, hired equipment or other committed costs. The closer the cancellation is to the planned start date, the more likely it is that such costs will apply. If work has already commenced, you will be charged for work done, materials used, and any costs incurred up to the point of cancellation.
We may cancel or reschedule a booking where weather, safety concerns, access issues, legal restrictions, staff illness, plant failure or other circumstances beyond our control make it unreasonable or unsafe to proceed. In such cases, we will aim to offer a new date as soon as practicable. We are not liable for consequential losses arising from a genuine rescheduling that is required for safety or compliance reasons, provided we act reasonably and communicate the change promptly.
Customers should note that certain tree services may be time-sensitive, especially where trees are storm-damaged, unstable or close to structures. Where emergency attendance is requested, the response may be prioritised on a safety basis rather than a fixed timetable. 
Emergency callout work may therefore be subject to altered pricing, limited availability and revised scope depending on site conditions, staffing and the urgency of the risk involved. Any emergency service remains subject to these terms unless expressly varied in writing.
All tree work is carried out with reasonable care and skill by suitably trained personnel and, where appropriate, under supervision by an experienced arboricultural professional. We use methods that we consider appropriate to the site, the tree species, the intended outcome and the safety risks present. However, tree surgery involves natural materials and living organisms, and no service can guarantee a specific biological outcome. Trees may react unpredictably to pruning, reduction, surgery or removal, especially where they are diseased, decayed, storm affected or previously poorly maintained.
Our liability is limited to losses that are reasonably foreseeable and directly caused by our proven negligence, breach of contract or breach of statutory duty. We do not exclude or limit 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. Subject to that, we are not responsible for indirect losses, loss of profit, loss of business, loss of amenity, or losses arising from circumstances outside our reasonable control.
You are responsible for informing us of all known hazards, including damaged fences, unstable ground, concealed utilities, weak structures, protected wildlife issues and any conditions that may affect the safety or legality of the work. If you fail to disclose relevant information, you may be responsible for resulting losses or additional costs. Where we identify a hazard not previously disclosed, we may stop work, adapt the method, or require further information before continuing. This is particularly important for tree surgeons in Deptford working near buildings, public areas or shared boundaries.
Waste generated by tree surgery, including branches, wood, stump material, leaves and arisings, will be handled in accordance with applicable waste legislation and good industry practice. Where waste removal is included, we will transport, process or dispose of green waste using appropriate facilities and lawful methods. If the quotation states that waste is to be left on site, it becomes your responsibility from the point of handover, subject to any agreed placement instructions and local restrictions.
We will not knowingly dispose of controlled waste unlawfully or in a manner inconsistent with the Environmental Protection Act 1990, duty of care requirements, or other relevant regulations. Any waste transfer documentation will be completed where required, and the customer may be asked to cooperate with reasonable record-keeping or access arrangements. If hazardous material, contaminated waste, asbestos, invasive species or other special waste is discovered, the work may be paused and separately priced specialist disposal may be necessary.
Timber, logs and chip left on site are ordinarily your responsibility once accepted, unless the quotation states otherwise. If you ask us to leave arisings in a particular location, you accept responsibility for confirming that the location is suitable and lawful. We may refuse to leave waste where we believe it could obstruct access, create a nuisance, breach planning conditions, or present a safety risk. Clean-up standards will be aligned with the service agreed, but some fine debris is unavoidable after tree work.
Where a project requires permission from a local authority, landlord, freeholder, management company or other third party, it is your responsibility to obtain such consent unless we have agreed in writing to assist. We do not accept liability for work delayed, restricted or prohibited because the necessary permission was not in place. Similarly, if a tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order or lies within a conservation area, you must ensure that the relevant formalities have been completed before the work date unless otherwise agreed. Our quotation assumes that the work can lawfully proceed.
We may provide practical advice on the likely implications of the proposed service, but any advice is offered in good faith and should not be treated as legal or planning advice. The customer remains responsible for confirming compliance with any applicable rules affecting trees, buildings, neighbours, boundaries or access. If an authority, neighbour or managing agent objects to work on the day, and that objection is not due to our fault, we may charge for time lost, travel and any preparatory costs incurred.
Any materials, equipment, or plant left on site remain our property until payment is received in full, unless otherwise agreed. You must not use, alter, remove or dispose of our tools, ropes, machinery, signage or documents without permission. If items are accidentally damaged by you, your household, your contractors or your visitors, you may be liable for repair or replacement costs. Likewise, we will take reasonable care not to damage surfaces and structures, but we cannot guarantee against all incidental marks or minor disturbances that can arise during professional tree surgery services.
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate services where you behave abusively, refuse to follow safety instructions, withhold material information, or create conditions that make the work unsafe or unlawful. In such circumstances, you may be charged for costs already incurred. Any termination right in these terms is without prejudice to rights that have already accrued, including the right to recover unpaid fees for completed work or agreed materials.
These terms may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in law, insurance requirements, operating practices or payment methods. The version applicable to your booking is the one in force at the time your quotation was accepted, unless a later version has been agreed in writing. If any provision is found to be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be read down to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force.
Nothing in these terms is intended to affect your statutory rights as a consumer where applicable. If you are a business customer, you confirm that you are authorised to enter into this agreement and that the services are acquired for business purposes unless stated otherwise. We recommend that all customers keep a copy of the quotation, booking confirmation and invoice for their records. This helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures the agreed scope of a Deptford tree surgeon appointment is clear from the outset.
The contract between us is governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions, the quotation, the work carried out, or any invoice shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. This applies whether the customer is an individual, landlord, managing agent, company or other organisation.
If a dispute arises, both parties should first try to resolve it in good faith by reviewing the relevant documents and the circumstances of the service. Many issues can be resolved quickly by checking the original quotation, the site conditions, and any instructions given before the work began. Where a matter cannot be resolved informally, either party may seek legal remedies available under applicable law. These Terms and Conditions are intended to support fair dealing, safe work practices and lawful conduct for all tree surgeons engaged under this agreement.