Tree Surgeons Docklands Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of tree surgery and related arboricultural services by Tree Surgeons Docklands to customers in the UK. By making a booking, requesting a quotation, or allowing work to begin, you agree to be bound by these terms. These conditions are designed to set clear expectations about the scope of work, the booking process, payments, cancellations, liability, waste handling, and the law that applies to the contract. In these terms, references to we, us, and our mean the service provider, while you and your mean the customer or person arranging the works.

Our services may include tree pruning, crown reduction, crown thinning, stump grinding, tree felling, deadwood removal, hedge cutting, emergency tree work, and associated site clearance. Every tree surgery job is different, and work is carried out based on the specific instructions agreed at the time of booking, subject to site conditions, access, weather, and any legal restrictions. Unless otherwise stated in writing, any quotation or estimate is based on the information available at the time and may be adjusted if the scope changes or if unforeseen issues are discovered once work begins.

These terms are intended for the use of customers in England and Wales and should be read alongside any written quotation, job sheet, or invoice issued for the works. If there is any inconsistency between these terms and a signed written agreement, the signed agreement will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. No person other than the customer and us shall have any rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 unless expressly stated otherwise in writing.

Booking Process

All tree surgery bookings begin with a request for an assessment or quotation. We may ask for photographs, videos, measurements, access details, and information about the tree location, size, condition, and any known hazards. Where appropriate, we may carry out a site visit before confirming the price or availability. Any quotation is usually valid for a limited period and may be withdrawn or revised if the circumstances change before acceptance. A booking is only confirmed once you accept the quotation or estimate and we acknowledge the booking, whether in writing, by email, or another recorded method.

It is your responsibility to ensure that all information supplied is accurate and complete. If you are not the property owner, you must confirm that you have authority to arrange the work. You must also ensure that there is suitable access to the site and that any restrictions, permits, or consent requirements have been disclosed before the booking is confirmed. Tree surgeons Docklands may refuse or postpone a booking if access is unsafe, if the tree is subject to legal protection, or if conditions make the work impracticable on the day.

Payments and Charges

Unless agreed otherwise in writing, payment is due immediately upon completion of the works and receipt of the invoice. We may require a deposit for larger or scheduled jobs, including complex tree removals, emergency call-outs, or works involving specialist equipment. Deposits, where taken, are non-refundable except where we cancel the booking without cause or where required by law. All prices quoted are exclusive of VAT unless expressly stated otherwise. Any additional work requested by you, or required because of hidden defects, difficult access, or changed site conditions, may be charged separately.

We accept payment by the methods stated on the invoice or quotation. If payment is not made on time, we reserve the right to charge interest on overdue sums under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 where applicable, or statutory interest in consumer cases as permitted by law. You agree to pay all reasonable costs incurred in recovering overdue sums, including administrative charges and legal fees, to the extent allowed by law. Any dispute about an invoice must be raised promptly and in good faith; however, undisputed amounts remain payable on the due date.

Cancellations, Changes, and Rescheduling

You may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving us reasonable notice. The amount of notice required may vary depending on the size, timing, and complexity of the job, but a minimum of 24 to 48 hours is generally expected unless a shorter period is agreed. If you cancel after we have incurred costs, reserved labour, hired equipment, or arranged disposal, you may be charged for those costs. For urgent or emergency tree surgery, cancellation charges may be higher because time-sensitive resources are committed immediately.

We may cancel or reschedule the service if weather conditions, safety concerns, staff illness, vehicle failure, access problems, or legal restrictions prevent us from completing the work safely or lawfully. Where possible, we will offer an alternative date. We are not responsible for delay or non-performance caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including severe weather, traffic disruption, utility failures, flooding, strikes, or unexpected site hazards. In such circumstances, we will aim to communicate promptly and minimise inconvenience.

If you are a consumer and have booked the service away from our business premises using distance communication, you may have cancellation rights under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, subject to the usual exceptions for services already performed and for urgent works requested for a specific date. Where those regulations apply, we will provide the required cancellation information and any applicable model cancellation form. If you request that the work begins within the 14-day cooling-off period, you may be liable for services already performed if you later cancel, to the extent permitted by law.

Service Standards and Customer Responsibilities

We will carry out tree surgery with reasonable care and skill, using appropriately trained personnel and equipment. However, tree work is inherently hazardous and may involve unpredictable natural conditions. You must tell us before work starts about hidden utilities, underground services, irrigation systems, fragile structures, animal nests, obstructions, or any other risks that could affect the job. You are responsible for ensuring that the work area is clear of valuable or breakable items unless we have specifically agreed to move or protect them.

You should also inform us of any known planning constraints, tree preservation orders, conservation area restrictions, easements, party wall issues, or landlord and leasehold requirements. Tree surgeons in Docklands and elsewhere in the UK often work in environments where permissions matter, and we rely on the customer to disclose information relevant to lawful completion of the works. If you instruct us to proceed despite a known restriction, you accept responsibility for obtaining the necessary approvals unless we have expressly agreed in writing to do so.

Waste Regulations and Site Clearance

Unless agreed otherwise, green waste generated during the works becomes our responsibility and will be removed, processed, recycled, or disposed of in accordance with applicable UK waste legislation, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, and any other relevant regulations or local authority requirements. We aim to manage arisings responsibly through lawful waste transfer and recycling routes. Waste transfer notes, consignment notes, or other records may be produced where required.

Liability and Insurance

We will take reasonable precautions to protect property, people, and the surrounding environment while carrying out tree surgery services. However, unless caused by our negligence or breach of contract, we are not liable for pre-existing defects, hidden decay, unstable roots, subsurface damage, or consequences arising from the natural condition of trees. Pruning, reduction, or felling can reveal pre-existing weaknesses that were not visible before work began, and we cannot be responsible for issues that arise from those underlying conditions where no fault on our part is established.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law. Subject to that, our total liability for any loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the services shall be limited to the amount paid or payable for the specific works giving rise to the claim, except where a higher limit is required by law. We shall not be liable for indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, loss of business, or loss of enjoyment, whether arising in contract, tort, or otherwise.

If any damage is alleged, you must notify us as soon as reasonably practicable and provide a fair opportunity to inspect the site before alterations or repairs are made, unless urgent action is needed to prevent further damage. You must also take reasonable steps to reduce any loss. We maintain appropriate insurance cover in line with the nature of our work, but insurance does not alter the allocation of risk set out in these terms.

Waste Handling, Timber, and Materials

All timber, logs, chips, and branches remain subject to the agreed scope of work. Unless we agree otherwise in writing, any saleable timber, firewood, or woodchip generated during the job remains our property or is otherwise handled according to the arrangements set out in the quotation. If you wish to retain timber, logs, or woodchip on site, you must request this before work starts so that the quotation can reflect the change in clearance arrangements. Retained materials are left at your risk once the work is completed and accepted.

Where stump grindings, sawdust, or chipped material are left onsite, you are responsible for ongoing site maintenance unless the quotation expressly includes aftercare or full removal. We do not guarantee that all roots, underground growth, or regrowth potential will be eliminated unless stump removal has been specifically included in the works. Natural regrowth can occur, and additional treatment or follow-up visits may be chargeable unless stated otherwise.

Health, Safety, and Access

You must ensure that the site can be accessed safely by our team and equipment on the agreed date and time. This includes providing suitable parking or drop-off arrangements, removing vehicles where necessary, securing dogs or other animals, and preventing unauthorised persons from entering the work zone. We may stop work immediately if conditions become unsafe, if there is a risk to operatives or the public, or if you or a third party interferes with the service in a way that compromises safety. In those circumstances, the original charge may still apply, and additional return-visit costs may be payable.

Ownership, Permissions, and Legal Compliance

By instructing us to carry out tree surgery services, you confirm that you either own the property or have the necessary permission from the owner or other interested parties to authorise the works. You are responsible for obtaining any planning permission, tree preservation consent, conservation area notice, leasehold approval, or other authorisation required for the job, unless we have expressly agreed in writing to obtain it on your behalf. Our agreement to carry out the work does not amount to a legal opinion or warranty that the works are permitted without further consent.

We may decline to proceed where, in our reasonable opinion, the proposed work would breach planning controls, tree protection rules, wildlife legislation, or health and safety requirements. If work has to be altered or postponed because permissions were not in place, any wasted costs reasonably incurred by us may still be charged. You agree to indemnify us against claims, fines, losses, or liabilities arising from inaccurate instructions or from your failure to secure the required permissions, except to the extent caused by our negligence or breach.

Disputes, Complaints, and Variation of Terms

If you have a concern about our service or invoice, you should notify us promptly so the matter can be investigated. We will use reasonable efforts to resolve disputes fairly and efficiently. Any variation to these terms must be agreed in writing by an authorised representative. No waiver of any right or remedy shall operate as a continuing waiver of that right or remedy. If any provision of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force to the extent permitted by law.

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or the services provided by tree surgeons Docklands, shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, except where consumer law gives you the right to bring proceedings in another competent court. If you are a consumer, nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights under applicable consumer protection legislation.

By proceeding with a booking, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions. They are intended to create a fair and transparent basis for the delivery of professional tree surgery services, while recognising the practical realities of outdoor work, changing site conditions, and legal duties relating to safety and waste management. We reserve the right to update these terms from time to time, and any revised version will apply to future bookings made after the update date.