Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Kentishtown

These Terms and Conditions apply to the supply of tree surgery and related arboricultural services by Tree Surgeons Kentishtown (“we”, “us”, “our”) to residential, commercial, and public-sector clients (“you”, “your”). By booking, confirming, or allowing work to proceed, you agree to be bound by these terms. They are intended to set out a clear and fair agreement covering the booking process, payment, cancellations, liability, waste handling, and other important matters that may arise before, during, or after completion of the work.

Our services may include, without limitation, tree pruning, crown reduction, crown thinning, crown lifting, sectional dismantling, stump work, hedge management, inspections, and the removal of deadwood or storm-damaged material. The exact scope of work will depend on the written or verbal specification agreed at the time of booking and any updated instructions confirmed before commencement. Where there is any inconsistency between a quotation, a written estimate, and these Terms and Conditions, the most recent written confirmation from us shall prevail to the extent permitted by law.

These terms are designed for a standard service relationship and should be read carefully. They do not affect any rights you may have under UK consumer law where applicable. If you instruct tree surgeons in Kentishtown to carry out work on your property, it is your responsibility to ensure that you understand the scope of the work, the quoted price, any exclusions, and any conditions that may affect access, safety, or completion.

1. Booking Process

Bookings may be made after an initial enquiry and, where required, a site visit or remote assessment. Our quotations are usually based on information provided by you, photographs, site notes, measurements, or an in-person inspection. Where a quotation is described as an estimate, the final price may vary if the actual conditions differ materially from the information initially supplied. For example, concealed decay, restricted access, hidden utilities, additional debris, or unexpected structural issues may affect the time, labour, equipment, and disposal requirements.

Once you accept a quotation or otherwise confirm your instruction, a booking is formed. A booking may be accepted verbally, in writing, or by electronic communication. It is your duty to provide accurate and complete information about the site, the trees, access points, boundaries, overhead obstructions, underground services, protected status, and any known hazards. If you fail to provide relevant information, any resulting delay, reattendance, change in method, or extra cost may be charged to you where reasonable.

We may request a deposit, advance payment, or written confirmation before reserving a date. A booking date is not guaranteed until we have accepted the work and, where applicable, received any required deposit. We may reschedule if weather, safety, traffic, equipment failure, staff illness, permit requirements, or site conditions make it unreasonable or unsafe to proceed. If any formal consent, permission, or approval is required before work begins, you must obtain it unless we have expressly agreed in writing to do so on your behalf.

2. Work Specifications and Site Conditions

We will carry out the work with reasonable skill and care and in accordance with the agreed specification. However, tree work is inherently variable, and live trees can behave unpredictably. In consequence, the appearance of a tree after pruning, reduction, or dismantling may differ from any illustrative discussion or diagram used before the job. Unless we have expressly agreed a particular finish or outcome, our obligation is to carry out the agreed service to an appropriate professional standard, not to guarantee a precise aesthetic result.

You must ensure that the site is reasonably accessible and safe for the planned works. This includes keeping driveways, paths, access gates, and working areas clear; notifying us of pets, children, tenants, neighbours, or vulnerable persons; and ensuring that any hidden or temporary hazards are identified before work starts. We may pause, alter, or refuse to continue if the site becomes unsafe, if instructions change materially, or if conditions prevent work from being completed in a safe and lawful manner. Any additional visit, waiting time, or re-mobilisation may be chargeable.

Where the work affects neighbouring land, boundary features, shared access, or overhanging branches, you are responsible for ensuring that you have the necessary permission or legal basis for the work. We are entitled to rely on your instructions unless we know, or ought reasonably to know, that the instruction is unlawful or unsafe. If we believe the proposed work would breach tree protection controls, conservation restrictions, or other legal limitations, we may suspend the booking until the issue is resolved.

3. Payment Terms

Unless stated otherwise in writing, invoices are payable in full on completion of the work. For larger projects, staged payments, deposits, or part-payments may be required before commencement or at defined milestones. All prices are quoted exclusive of VAT unless we state otherwise. If VAT applies, it will be added at the applicable rate. The quotation may also exclude unforeseen extras such as specialist equipment, traffic management, urgent waste removal, emergency call-outs, or additional labour required because site conditions differed from those described.

Failure to pay by the due date may result in interest and recovery charges being applied in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 where applicable, or otherwise at a reasonable contractual rate permitted by law. We may suspend any further work, withhold reports or certificates not yet issued, and decline future bookings until overdue sums are settled. If you dispute any invoice item, you must notify us promptly and pay any undisputed balance on time.

Payments may be made by bank transfer or another method agreed in advance. Any bank charges, currency conversion costs, card surcharges permitted by law, or third-party processing fees are your responsibility unless otherwise agreed. We reserve the right to amend prices if you request changes to the agreed scope, if the specification increases, or if delays caused by you result in additional labour or return visits. A request to alter the work must be confirmed before we proceed with the revised instruction.

4. Cancellations, Postponements, and Missed Appointments

You may cancel or postpone a booking by giving reasonable notice. If you cancel after we have reserved time, allocated staff, hired equipment, ordered materials, or incurred disposal costs, we may retain the deposit or charge a reasonable cancellation fee to cover our losses. The closer the cancellation is to the agreed date, the more likely it is that costs have already been incurred. Any fee will be proportionate and reflective of the actual impact on our business.

If you are unable to provide access on the scheduled date, or if the site is unsafe for reasons outside our control, this may be treated as a late cancellation or missed appointment. In such cases we may charge for attendance, travel, labour lost, and any non-refundable third-party costs. We may also postpone the job if conditions are unsuitable due to severe weather, high winds, frost, lightning, flooding, nesting wildlife concerns, or other environmental factors affecting safe arboricultural work.

If we need to cancel or reschedule, we will act reasonably and try to offer an alternative date. We are not liable for unavoidable delay caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to extreme weather, accidents, road closures, emergency service restrictions, supply issues, or equipment breakdown. We will not be responsible for any indirect loss arising solely from a rescheduled appointment, provided we have taken reasonable steps to minimise disruption.