Terms and Conditions for Tree Surgeons Neasden
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which tree surgeons in Neasden provide arboricultural services to domestic and commercial customers. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or allowing work to begin, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms. They are designed to create a clear understanding of the service, payment arrangements, access requirements, safety responsibilities, and the limits of liability that apply to each project.
For the purposes of these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the service provider carrying out tree surgery, tree pruning, felling, stump work, or related site clearance. References to “you” and “your” mean the customer, occupier, landlord, managing agent, or other person requesting the work. Where a written quotation or estimate is issued, it forms part of the agreement and should be read alongside these terms.
The nature of tree surgery services means that every site is different. Trees are living assets, and conditions can change between the time of quotation and the day work is due to begin. Weather, nesting activity, hidden defects, access issues, overhead services, ground conditions, or emergency situations may affect the scope, timing, or method of work. These terms therefore allow reasonable operational adjustments where necessary, provided that any material change is communicated to you as soon as reasonably practicable.
A booking is normally confirmed in three stages. First, you provide the basic details of the job, including the type of work required, the location, and any known site constraints. Second, we may request photographs, a site visit, or further information so that we can assess the work safely and accurately. Third, once we issue a quotation or estimate and you accept it, the booking will be treated as confirmed, subject to any deposit or scheduling conditions that may apply.
Quotations are usually based on the information available at the time. If the actual work differs from what was described, or if hidden circumstances are discovered once the job begins, we may revise the quotation before continuing. Examples include decay within the tree, unexpected obstruction, restricted vehicle access, additional waste volumes, or the need for specialist equipment. We will seek approval before proceeding with any significant variation, unless delay would create a safety risk or emergency.
If a customer asks for work to be carried out urgently, including storm damage response or dangerous tree remediation, we may prioritise safety and speed over standard scheduling. In such cases, a rapid assessment may be made on site and the final scope agreed there and then. 
The customer accepts that urgent work may be subject to changed timings, limited rescheduling options, and higher operational costs where additional labour, machinery, or out-of-hours attendance is required.
It is your responsibility to ensure that we can access the site safely on the arranged date. This includes making sure gates, driveways, communal areas, and any required parking spaces are available and that pets, vehicles, or fragile items are removed from the work area. If access is delayed or blocked, we may need to rearrange the visit and charge reasonable costs incurred as a result of wasted attendance or additional waiting time.
Payment terms will be confirmed in the quotation, invoice, or booking confirmation. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due in full upon completion of the work. For larger projects, deposits or staged payments may be requested before work starts or at agreed milestones. We may also require advance payment for specialist materials, permits, traffic control, or hire equipment. Failure to pay on time may result in suspension of further work and recovery action for any outstanding balance.
Prices are normally quoted exclusive of VAT unless expressly stated otherwise. Where VAT applies, it will be added at the prevailing rate. Any agreed discounts, credits, or allowances will only be valid if recorded in writing. We reserve the right to charge interest on overdue sums in accordance with applicable UK legislation, together with reasonable administrative and debt recovery costs where permitted. Acceptance of a quotation does not include any work outside the agreed specification unless we confirm this separately.
You may cancel or reschedule a booking, but notice requirements depend on the scale and timing of the work. For standard domestic jobs, we ask for reasonable notice so that we can release staff and equipment. For larger or planned works, shorter notice may lead to charges for costs already incurred, such as labour allocation, equipment hire, or disposal arrangements. If we have already commenced the work, you may be charged for the completed portion and any unavoidable costs arising from cancellation.
If you cancel because site conditions have changed materially, we may agree to rearrange the work rather than charge a cancellation fee, provided that the change was not caused by you or by a failure to provide accurate information. In the event of severe weather, dangerous site conditions, emergency utility issues, or any circumstance that makes the work unsafe or impractical, we may postpone or cancel without penalty. Our decision to suspend work for safety reasons will be final and will not be treated as a breach of contract.
Where a booking is postponed at your request, we will make reasonable efforts to reschedule within a suitable time frame, but we do not guarantee immediate availability. Repeated cancellations or repeated failure to provide access may result in a requirement for a non-refundable deposit on future bookings or a refusal to accept further work. Any deposit terms will be explained before confirmation, and deposits may be retained to cover genuine costs already incurred where this is lawful and reasonable.
Our team will carry out tree work with reasonable care and skill, using appropriate methods for the species, condition, and location of the tree. However, arboricultural work carries inherent risks. Trees may fail unpredictably, hidden decay may be present, and root systems or branches may react in ways that cannot always be predicted in advance. 
Accordingly, we do not guarantee that every risk can be eliminated, and you acknowledge that some outcomes are influenced by the natural condition of the tree and site.
We will take reasonable steps to protect nearby structures, fences, lawns, paths, planting, and other property, but we are not liable for pre-existing defects, underlying weakness, or minor cosmetic disturbance that is reasonably unavoidable when carrying out tree surgery. Where access requires machinery or vehicles to cross soft ground or narrow spaces, some surface marking or compaction may occur. If you have particular concerns about vulnerable surfaces or underground services, you must tell us before work begins so that we can consider suitable precautions.
Limitation of liability applies to the fullest extent permitted by law. 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 legally be excluded. Subject to that, we will not be responsible for indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, business interruption, or losses arising from information you failed to disclose. Our total liability for any claim relating to a specific job will normally be limited to the amount paid or payable for that job, except where the law requires otherwise.
We are not responsible for damage caused by hidden defects, unstable trees, concealed services, or conditions that could not reasonably have been discovered during an ordinary visual assessment. If you request that work proceeds despite our warning that a tree, stump, or nearby structure may be unstable, you do so at your own risk to the extent permitted by law. You must also ensure that any underground or overhead services that are not visible have been identified and communicated to us before work starts.
All waste arising from the work will be managed in accordance with relevant UK waste regulations and good environmental practice. This includes arisings such as timber, branches, leaves, stump grindings, and associated debris. Unless otherwise agreed, we will remove waste generated by the agreed service and transport it to an authorised facility or otherwise handle it lawfully. Waste transfer arrangements may be documented where required, and you agree to cooperate with any information needed for lawful disposal or recycling.
Where waste is left on site at your request, responsibility for its storage and any subsequent handling may pass to you once the work is complete, provided that this arrangement is lawful and agreed in advance. You must not request or permit disposal methods that would breach environmental law. If protected species, nesting birds, or controlled materials are encountered, we may pause the work until the situation is assessed and lawful action can be taken. Any additional time or specialist handling required may be chargeable if it falls outside the original scope.
We will use reasonable skill and care to comply with applicable health and safety obligations, including safe use of machinery, personal protective equipment, and site risk assessment. You agree not to interfere with the work area or with our staff while work is in progress. Children, visitors, and members of the public should be kept away from the active work zone. If we believe conditions are unsafe, we may stop the job until the hazard is addressed, and any delay caused by unsafe conditions may be charged if it is beyond our control.
Any advice we provide about tree condition, pruning, felling, or aftercare is given in good faith based on the information available at the time. Tree biology and site conditions can change, and no verbal comment should be treated as a guarantee of future performance unless confirmed in writing. If a written specification is provided, the work will be carried out in line with that specification where reasonably practicable, though adjustments may be necessary for safety or compliance reasons.
Ownership of any timber, woodchip, or other material removed from site will depend on the agreement made for the job. If you wish to keep firewood, logs, or arisings, you must tell us before work starts. Otherwise, removed material will usually be treated as waste or recycled in accordance with our standard practice and environmental obligations. Any property left behind by us by mistake should be reported promptly so that we can arrange collection, if practical.
These terms apply alongside any other written conditions specifically agreed for a particular project, provided those special conditions are set out in writing and signed or otherwise accepted by both parties. If there is any inconsistency, the specific written agreement for that job will usually take priority over these general terms, to the extent of the inconsistency. No waiver of any right or remedy will be effective unless made in writing.
If any part of these terms is found by a court or competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force. A failure to enforce any right immediately will not prevent that right from being enforced later. We may update these terms from time to time to reflect changes in law, operational practice, or commercial arrangements, but the version applied to your booking will be the version in force at the time the booking was accepted.
These terms for tree surgeons in Neasden are intended to be fair, transparent, and consistent with UK consumer and commercial law. They should be read carefully before confirming any booking. If you instruct us to proceed, you acknowledge that you have authority to do so and that you accept responsibility for ensuring the information supplied is accurate and complete.
Governing law and jurisdiction: These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from them or their subject matter, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, except where mandatory law provides otherwise. If a dispute arises, both parties should first seek to resolve it in good faith before commencing formal proceedings.
Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights where you are a consumer. Where services are supplied to a business customer, the parties acknowledge that the contract is entered into on a commercial basis and that any non-excludable statutory protections will still apply. These terms represent the entire agreement between the parties concerning the relevant service, save where a separate written variation is made.
Final acceptance occurs when you accept the quotation, confirm a booking, or permit the work to begin. By doing so, you confirm that you have read and understood these terms, that you have authority to engage the service, and that you agree to cooperate with reasonable site, payment, and safety requirements. Our aim is to provide a professional and lawful tree surgery service with clear expectations on both sides.