Tree Surgeons Whitechapel Service Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions set out the basis on which Tree Surgeons Whitechapel provides tree surgery and related arboricultural services to customers in the United Kingdom. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or permitting work to begin, the customer confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to these terms. For the avoidance of doubt, these terms apply to all standard domestic and commercial services, including pruning, crown reduction, felling, stump grinding, hedge maintenance, clearance, and the management of tree-related waste. They are intended to be fair, clear, and consistent with current UK consumer and business law.

In these terms, “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the service provider trading as Tree Surgeons Whitechapel. “You” and “your” mean the person or business instructing us, whether as owner, occupier, agent, landlord, managing agent, or other authorised representative. If you instruct us on behalf of another person or organisation, you confirm that you have authority to do so. These terms should be read together with any quotation, estimate, work order, or written confirmation issued before the service begins.

We aim to keep our service straightforward, professional, and transparent. However, tree work can be affected by weather, access, third-party permissions, tree condition, wildlife considerations, utility services, and site hazards. As a result, the scope and timing of work may need to change for safety or legal reasons. Where changes are necessary, we will explain the reason and, where appropriate, provide revised terms or pricing before proceeding.

Booking Process

Bookings may be made by telephone, email, online enquiry, written instruction, or any other method we accept from time to time. A booking is not confirmed until we have accepted it and, where required, received any deposit or written acceptance of the quotation. A provisional date may be offered, but this does not guarantee attendance on that date unless expressly stated in writing. We may ask for photographs, site details, access information, and any relevant planning, conservation, or ownership information before confirming the appointment.

When you request a quotation, you agree to provide accurate and complete information about the trees, the land, access routes, parking arrangements, nearby structures, underground or overhead services, known hazards, and any restrictions affecting the work. If the information provided is incomplete or inaccurate, the quotation may need to be revised. Our price is based on the information available at the time of assessment, and any additional work, delays, or equipment required because of undisclosed conditions may result in an extra charge.

We may carry out a site visit before confirming the booking if the scale or complexity of the tree surgery services requires it. You are responsible for ensuring that we have safe and reasonable access to the site at the agreed time. If access is restricted, unsafe, or unavailable, we may be unable to commence work and may charge a call-out fee or reasonable wasted time costs. If permits, parking suspensions, licences, or other permissions are required, you are responsible for obtaining them unless we have agreed in writing to do so on your behalf.

Scope of Work and Service Standards

Our services are limited to the work described in the quotation, estimate, or confirmed instruction. Any additional instruction given on site must be agreed by both parties before the extra work is carried out. We reserve the right to decline work that is unsafe, unlawful, outside our competence, or likely to cause avoidable damage. Where trees are subject to preservation controls, conservation restrictions, or protected species considerations, the customer must ensure that all necessary permissions have been obtained before work starts.

We will use reasonable skill and care in providing the services, and we will aim to carry out work in a competent and professional manner in line with accepted arboricultural practice. However, living trees are dynamic and their future behaviour cannot be guaranteed. Any assessment, recommendation, or opinion we provide is based on the visible condition of the tree and the circumstances at the time of inspection. Unless expressly agreed in writing, our service does not include formal tree reports, planning submissions, expert witness services, ecological surveys, or engineering advice.

Where applicable, the customer must remove or secure fragile items, ornaments, lights, garden furniture, vehicles, and other property that may be affected by normal tree work operations. We will take reasonable care to avoid unnecessary damage, but some disruption, minor staining, debris, noise, vibration, and temporary obstruction are inherent in the nature of the work. You should notify us in advance of any hidden risks, such as buried utilities, septic systems, weak structures, or protected surfaces.

The price for the service will be as stated in our quotation, estimate, or confirmation, unless the scope changes or unexpected conditions arise. Prices may be fixed or subject to adjustment where the work depends on access, waste volume, timber handling, machinery use, or the discovery of additional hazards. Unless otherwise stated, prices are exclusive of VAT where VAT is chargeable. Any deposit requested must be paid by the date specified to secure the booking.

Payment terms will be set out in the quotation or invoice. Unless agreed otherwise, payment is due immediately upon completion of the work or within the period stated on the invoice. We accept payment methods notified at the time of booking or invoicing. Late payment may result in administration charges, interest, or recovery action permitted by law, including under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 where applicable. We reserve the right to suspend future work until overdue balances are settled.

Where the customer is a business, local authority, landlord, managing agent, or another commercial client, invoices must be paid in full within the stated credit period. If payment is disputed in part, you must pay the undisputed balance by the due date. We may charge reasonable costs for recovering unpaid sums, including debt recovery charges, court fees, and legal costs where permitted. Ownership of any supplied materials remains with us until full payment has been received.

Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Delays

You may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving us notice as soon as reasonably possible. Where a cancellation is made before we incur costs, no charge may apply unless otherwise stated in the booking terms. If cancellation occurs after we have reserved labour, machinery, vehicles, or specialist equipment, we may charge a reasonable cancellation fee to cover our loss. If materials have been ordered specifically for your job, you may be charged for those costs if they cannot be returned or reused.

If you cancel within a short notice period, fail to provide access, or are not present where attendance is required, we may treat the appointment as a late cancellation or missed visit. In such cases, we may charge for wasted time, travel, and any third-party costs incurred. We may also reschedule work due to adverse weather, unsafe conditions, staff illness, vehicle breakdown, permit issues, utility restrictions, or other events outside our control. We will use reasonable efforts to notify you promptly and agree an alternative date.

Where delays arise because the site is unsafe, access is obstructed, or additional permissions are required, we will not be responsible for any resulting inconvenience or indirect loss. If you ask us to pause work and return later, we may charge an additional attendance fee. If our attendance is prevented by circumstances that were known to you but not disclosed in advance, any wasted costs may be recoverable from you. Nothing in this clause affects your statutory rights where we cancel without a lawful reason.

We will carry appropriate insurance cover for our business activities, including public liability insurance at a level we consider suitable for the services we provide. Copies of insurance details may be made available upon request, subject to confidentiality and insurer requirements. Our liability is not unlimited. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for indirect loss, consequential loss, loss of profit, loss of business, loss of opportunity, or loss arising from events outside our reasonable control.

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 under UK law. If we are found liable for loss or damage arising from our work, our total liability shall, where lawful, be limited to the amount paid or payable for the specific service giving rise to the claim, unless a different cap is stated in writing. This limitation is intended to be reasonable and proportionate.

You are responsible for telling us about any special vulnerability, hidden defect, or sensitive item that may be affected by the work. We are not liable for pre-existing defects, decay, unstable structures, or failures that become apparent during or after the service if they were not caused by our negligence. Trees may continue to move, shed limbs, or change condition after cutting, especially where the tree was already compromised. Recommendations about retention or removal are professional opinions, not guarantees of future performance.

Waste Regulations and Disposal

Tree work often produces timber, brushwood, logs, leaves, stump material, and other green waste. Unless agreed otherwise, we will remove and dispose of waste arising from the job in accordance with applicable waste management rules. Waste will be handled in a lawful and environmentally responsible manner, including transfer only to licensed or otherwise authorised facilities where required. We may retain some timber or woodchip for our own operational use or recycling unless you request otherwise in advance and we agree.

The customer must not ask us to dispose of waste illegally, to burn prohibited materials, or to leave waste in a manner that breaches environmental or local authority requirements. If the customer wishes to keep logs, woodchip, or other material, this must be arranged before work begins, as it can affect the pricing and the operational plan. We may charge additional fees for loading, sorting, hauling, or the disposal of contaminated waste, invasive species, or materials requiring special handling.

Where the site contains waste that is not generated by our work, we are not responsible for removing it unless this has been expressly agreed in writing. Any waste transfer, carrier, or disposal documentation required by law will be completed in accordance with our normal procedures. The customer agrees to cooperate with any reasonable request needed to ensure lawful segregation, storage, collection, or movement of waste arising from the service.

You must ensure that the person instructing the work is authorised to do so and that the tree owner or relevant occupier has consented where necessary. You are responsible for disclosing any relevant legal restrictions, boundary issues, disputes, easements, covenants, or third-party interests affecting the trees or the land. If ownership or authority is disputed, we may suspend or refuse the work until the matter is resolved to our reasonable satisfaction. We are entitled to rely on your instruction unless we have reason to believe it is invalid.

You must make sure that children, pets, occupants, staff, and the public are kept clear of the work area while operations are underway. If our team considers that the area is unsafe because of interference, interference by third parties, or a lack of cooperation, we may stop work until the issue is resolved. You must not interfere with equipment, climbing systems, power tools, or machinery, and you must follow any reasonable safety instructions given by our team.

After completion, you should inspect the work promptly and raise any obvious issues within a reasonable time. Failure to do so may make it harder to investigate a complaint or claim. Any request for remedial work must be limited to the original scope unless we agree otherwise. Normal natural shedding, regrowth, and seasonal variation are not defects. If you request written confirmation of completion, we may provide it at our discretion.

Termination and Suspension

We may suspend or terminate the service if you fail to pay, provide unsafe working conditions, misrepresent key facts, refuse reasonable instructions, or otherwise materially breach these terms. If we terminate for your breach, you may remain responsible for work already carried out, materials ordered, travel costs, and other reasonable losses incurred. We may also withdraw from a site if continuing would be unsafe, unlawful, or likely to cause significant damage.

We may cancel the service without liability if performance is prevented by events outside our reasonable control, including severe weather, flood, fire, accident, acts of vandalism, labour disruption, equipment failure, or legal restrictions. In such cases, we will try to rearrange the work where possible. If a force majeure event continues for an extended period, either party may be entitled to end the affected booking without further obligation, subject to payment for work already performed.

If any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force. A failure by us to enforce a right does not mean we waive that right. Any variation to these terms must be agreed in writing. These terms are intended to reflect a lawful and balanced contract for tree surgery services and related work.

These terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the law of England and Wales. If you are a consumer, your statutory rights are not affected and you may have additional protections under consumer law. If you are contracting as a business, you agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, unless mandatory law provides otherwise.

By proceeding with a booking for Tree Surgeons Whitechapel, you confirm that you accept these terms and conditions and agree that they form the contractual basis for the services supplied. They are designed to support safe, lawful, and professional tree work while setting clear expectations on both sides. If there is any inconsistency between these terms and a written quotation or specific service agreement, the written agreement shall prevail to the extent of that inconsistency.