Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Shepherdsbush

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Tree Surgeons Shepherdsbush provides arboricultural and related outdoor services to domestic and commercial customers in the UK. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or allowing work to begin, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms. These terms are intended to create a clear, fair and practical framework for the supply of tree surgery services, including inspections, pruning, crown work, sectional dismantling, stump treatment, hedge management, site clearance, and the removal or processing of arising waste, where agreed. They apply alongside any written quotation, job specification, site notes, or service confirmation issued before work starts. If there is any inconsistency, the written quotation or confirmed scope of work will take priority to the extent of that inconsistency.

For the purposes of these terms, references to we, us, and our mean the service provider trading as Tree Surgeons Shepherdsbush, and references to you and your mean the customer, client, or person instructing the work. These terms are designed to be used as a legal page and therefore avoid promotional content. They do not affect any statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited. Nothing in these terms is intended to restrict rights under consumer law where such rights apply.

All work is carried out subject to the nature of the trees, the site, the weather, access conditions, legal restrictions, and the scope agreed in advance. Tree surgery can involve inherent risks, including falling branches, chainsaw use, wood chipping, grinding, climbing operations, and work near buildings, utilities, roads, or public spaces. Accordingly, the customer must read these terms carefully before confirming any booking. Where our operatives identify a material safety issue or a change in site conditions, we may pause, amend, or stop the work in order to protect people, property, and equipment.

1. Booking Process

A booking is normally formed when you request a quotation or assessment, we provide a written or verbal estimate, and you confirm acceptance of the proposed work. In some cases, acceptance may also require a deposit, signed work order, or email confirmation. We may ask for photographs, access details, tree locations, land ownership confirmation, or relevant permission information before confirming the appointment. Any dates given are estimates unless expressly stated otherwise. A booking is only secure once we have confirmed it, and any preliminary date offered may be changed if operational circumstances require it.

The customer must ensure that all information supplied is accurate and complete. This includes the location and number of trees, known defects, subsidence concerns, utility issues, protected tree status, conservation area restrictions, boundary issues, and whether the land is private, rented, managed, or shared. Where a quotation is based on incorrect or incomplete information, we reserve the right to revise the price, amend the scope, or withdraw the quotation. If consent, access, or third-party approval is required, the customer is responsible for obtaining it unless we have expressly agreed in writing to handle that process.

2. Quotations and Specification

Quotations are usually based on the information available at the time and on the assumption that the site is reasonably accessible, safe to work on, and free from hidden hazards. Unless stated otherwise, quoted prices are valid for a limited period and may be revised after that period expires. The quotation will normally describe the principal tasks, disposal arrangements, and whether logs, woodchip, timber, stump grindings, or arisings are to remain on site. Any extra work requested on the day may be charged separately, and we are not obliged to carry out additional tasks unless we agree to do so.

We may also issue a scope of work or method outline describing how the task will be approached. This may include the use of climbing equipment, elevated work platforms, rigging systems, sectional dismantling, or mechanical cutting methods. The exact method is for our professional judgment unless the customer has expressly required a specific approach and we have agreed to it in writing. If conditions differ from those described at the time of quotation, we may alter the method, the timing, the labour input, or the price to reflect the actual circumstances.

Any estimate of time, volume, or weight is approximate only. Tree surgery work can be affected by weather, species, stem size, crown density, access, ground conditions, nesting activity, and the presence of obstacles such as fences, sheds, greenhouses, parked vehicles, or fragile surfaces. We are not liable for delays caused by such factors where those delays are reasonable and outside our control.

3. Payments

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due upon completion of the work or within the payment period stated on the invoice. For larger projects, we may require a deposit or staged payments before work begins, during the project, or upon completion of defined phases. Deposits are generally used to secure time, labour, and equipment allocation, and may be non-refundable where work has been reserved specifically for you, subject to consumer law and any contrary written agreement.

Invoices must be paid in full using the payment methods specified on the invoice or quotation. If you are paying by bank transfer, cash, card, or another approved method, payment must be made in cleared funds. If payment is late, we may charge statutory interest and reasonable debt recovery costs where permitted by law. We also reserve the right to suspend future services, withhold completion documentation, or retain ownership of removable materials until overdue sums are paid, to the extent allowed by law.

Where work is invoiced to a business customer, the agreed price is exclusive of VAT unless we state otherwise. Any tax treatment will be shown on the invoice where applicable. If a customer disputes an invoice, they must notify us promptly and provide reasonable detail. The undisputed amount remains payable by the due date, and any disputed portion will be reviewed in good faith. We do not accept deductions or set-off unless required by law or agreed in writing.

4. Cancellations and Rescheduling

You may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving us reasonable notice. If you cancel after we have reserved time, obtained materials, mobilised staff, or incurred specialist costs, we may charge a cancellation fee that reflects our genuine losses and administrative time. Where a deposit has been paid, we may retain all or part of it to cover those losses, subject always to applicable consumer protections. If the work has already started, you will be charged for work completed, labour expended, and any unrecoverable costs.

We may need to reschedule due to unsafe weather, storm damage, equipment failure, staff illness, access problems, legal restrictions, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control. In such cases, we will aim to offer a revised appointment date. We are not liable for indirect loss arising from a rescheduled visit, including loss of use, inconvenience, or consequential delay, provided we act reasonably. If the service becomes impossible or unsafe to perform, we may cancel the booking and refund any unused prepaid amount, less any non-recoverable costs already incurred with your agreement.

If the customer is not present when required and we are unable to gain access, or if the site is materially different from what was described, we may treat the appointment as a late cancellation and charge accordingly. Examples include blocked access, locked gates, parked vehicles preventing safe operation, unmade paths, or the presence of hazards not disclosed beforehand. Repeated failure to provide access or accurate information may also result in the booking being withdrawn.

5. Customer Responsibilities

The customer must ensure the site is accessible and safe to the extent that they control it. This includes arranging clearance for vehicles or machinery, securing pets, warning occupants, and protecting vulnerable items where appropriate. The customer should notify us of underground services, overhead lines, sprinkler systems, irrigation, gas pipes, drains, or hidden structures that may affect the work. While we will act carefully, we are entitled to rely on the information provided by the customer unless we have reason to suspect it is inaccurate.

The customer must also obtain any permissions required from landlords, neighbours, management companies, freeholders, or other interested parties. Where tree preservation orders, conservation area controls, planning conditions, highway rules, or similar legal requirements apply, the customer remains responsible for ensuring the necessary consent is in place unless we have agreed in writing to manage the application. If work is delayed or prevented because permission was missing, any wasted attendance or administrative costs may be charged.

You must not instruct us to perform work that would be unlawful, unsafe, or contrary to best arboricultural practice. If you request an action that we reasonably believe would damage a tree unnecessarily, create avoidable risk, or breach legal duties, we may refuse to proceed with that element of the work. Our professional judgment on safety and operational matters is final on site, subject to any written scope accepted before arrival.

6. Liability

We will take reasonable care and skill in carrying out the services, and we will use appropriate equipment and competent personnel. However, tree surgery is a physically demanding and sometimes unpredictable activity. Some risk of minor damage, staining, ground disturbance, bark abrasion, lawn compression, or incidental debris may be unavoidable even where care is taken. We are not liable for natural characteristics of trees, including decay, hidden defects, brittle limbs, internal cavities, deadwood fall, or pre-existing weakness that could not reasonably be detected before or during the work.

We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability that cannot lawfully be limited. Subject to that, our total liability in connection with a particular contract shall be limited to the amount paid or payable for the relevant work, unless a higher limit is required by law. We shall not be liable for indirect or consequential losses, including loss of profit, loss of business, or loss of opportunity, where permitted by law.

If property damage occurs and is attributable to our negligence, you must notify us as soon as reasonably practicable so that the matter can be assessed. We may inspect the site, take photographs, and request relevant information. The customer must take reasonable steps to reduce any loss. We are not responsible for damage caused by poor pre-existing condition, defective materials, hidden underground or overhead hazards, third-party interference, or instructions given contrary to our advice.

7. Waste Regulations and Arisings

Tree surgery generates wood, branches, chip, sawdust, leaves, stump arisings, and other green waste. Where we agree to remove waste, it will be handled in accordance with applicable environmental and waste management requirements in the UK. Waste may be transported to lawful facilities, reused where appropriate, or processed as agreed. We may separate timber, chip, and green waste according to operational needs and lawful disposal routes.

The customer should understand that waste remains a material generated by the service and may not always be suitable for return or repurposing. Any request to leave logs, chip, or timber on site must be agreed before the work begins. If waste is to be retained by the customer, it becomes the customer’s responsibility from the point of handover or placement, and we accept no further responsibility for storage, movement, use, or disposal after that point, save where loss is caused by our proven negligence.

We aim to comply with relevant duty of care obligations and to transfer waste only to authorised recipients where required. The customer must not ask us to dispose of waste unlawfully, burn waste where prohibited, or leave materials in a location that would create a nuisance, obstruction, or hazard. If the customer later requests additional disposal of material not included in the quotation, that request may be charged as an extra service.

8. Access, Safety, and Site Conditions

We may stop work at any time if the site becomes unsafe, if weather conditions change materially, or if there is a risk to staff, the public, animals, structures, or utilities. This may include high winds, lightning, heavy rain, freezing conditions, poor light, or unstable ground. Our operatives may refuse to undertake work from unsafe positions or where they believe a method would create unacceptable risk. In such circumstances, the customer will be responsible for payment for work already carried out and any unavoidable costs.

The customer must not interfere with our equipment or operations. Children, pets, visitors, and unauthorised persons must be kept away from the work zone. We may establish a safety perimeter and ask the customer to comply with it. If nearby traffic control, permits, cones, barriers, or warning measures are necessary, the customer must cooperate with reasonable instructions. Any delay caused by the customer’s failure to maintain safe access or exclusion zones may be charged as downtime.

9. Ownership of Materials and Equipment Any materials, timber, chip, brash, or waste removed from site by us remain our property or are lawfully disposed of by us once loaded or transferred, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Equipment, tools, and machinery brought onto site remain our property at all times. The customer must not remove, use, or interfere with them. Any reusable items left on site by agreement remain subject to the terms of that agreement and should be treated carefully.

10. Complaints and Disputes

If you believe there is an issue with the service, you must notify us within a reasonable time and provide enough detail for the matter to be investigated. We may request photographs, access to the site, or further information. Where appropriate, we may offer a repair, re-attendance, price adjustment, or another reasonable remedy. This does not affect any rights that may arise under law, but it does mean that we should be given a fair opportunity to address concerns before third-party action is taken.

Any dispute should first be raised in writing and handled in good faith. Both parties agree to act reasonably and to try to resolve issues without unnecessary delay or expense. If a disagreement cannot be resolved informally, the parties may consider mediation or another suitable form of alternative dispute resolution before commencing court proceedings, where appropriate. Nothing in this clause prevents either party from seeking urgent injunctive relief or taking steps required to protect legal rights.

These terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising from or in connection with the services, these terms, the quotation, or the work performed, except where consumer law provides otherwise. If any clause is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, the remaining clauses will continue in full force and effect.

11. General Provisions

Nothing in these terms creates a partnership, joint venture, employment relationship, or agency relationship between the parties. Any waiver of a breach must be in writing and shall not operate as a waiver of any later breach. If we choose not to enforce a right on one occasion, that does not prevent us from enforcing it later. These terms, together with the quotation and any written variation agreed by both parties, form the entire agreement relating to the service.

We may update these terms from time to time to reflect legal, operational, or administrative changes. The version in force at the time of booking will normally apply to that booking unless a change is required by law. Continued use of our services after any updated terms are notified may be treated as acceptance of the revised version, to the extent permitted by law. Customers are encouraged to retain a copy of the version applicable to their booking for their records.

By proceeding with a booking, the customer confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted these Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Shepherdsbush. These terms are intended to provide a clear basis for safe, lawful, and professional tree surgery services, while preserving the rights of both parties and reflecting the practical realities of arboricultural work.