Tree Surgeons Chessington – Service Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Tree Surgeons Chessington provides tree surgery and related arboricultural services to domestic and commercial customers. By booking any service, you agree to these terms, which are designed to make the process clear, fair, and safe for both parties. They apply to quotations, scheduled works, emergency call-outs where offered, site inspections, pruning, removal, stump treatment, and any associated waste handling or access arrangements. For the purposes of these terms, references to “we,” “us,” and “our” mean the service provider, while “you” and “your” mean the customer, occupier, or authorised representative requesting the work.
All services are provided subject to a valid booking and acceptance of a quotation or written estimate. Any variation requested after booking may affect the scope, cost, timing, and method of work. Where applicable, we may need to inspect the site before confirming the final price or scheduling the work, particularly where access, tree condition, proximity to structures, nesting birds, protected species, or utilities may affect the job. These terms should be read carefully alongside any written quote, proposal, or work order, as those documents may include project-specific conditions that form part of the agreement.
We aim to deliver a professional tree surgery service that is efficient, proportionate, and compliant with relevant UK law. However, as tree work can involve changing site conditions and natural variability, we cannot guarantee that every issue will be fully visible before work begins. If new risks, hidden defects, or legal restrictions arise, we may need to pause, adjust, or decline to proceed with certain tasks. In such cases, we will explain the reason and, where possible, discuss suitable alternatives or revised arrangements.
Booking Process
Bookings may be made by agreeing a quotation, accepting a written estimate, or confirming work in another recorded format. A booking is not final until we have received your acceptance and, where required, any deposit or pre-payment. We may request supporting information such as the location of the trees, whether the land is privately owned, whether access is shared, and whether there are known site restrictions. It is your responsibility to provide accurate and complete information at the time of booking. If incorrect details are supplied, we may revise the quotation, reschedule the service, or cancel the booking if the work can no longer be completed safely or lawfully.Any dates or times provided are estimates unless expressly agreed otherwise. Weather, traffic, plant availability, emergency work, safety concerns, or previous jobs overrunning can affect scheduling. While we will make reasonable efforts to attend at the agreed time, we are not liable for delay caused by factors beyond our control. If access is blocked, the site is unsafe, or necessary permissions are missing on the day of attendance, the visit may be cancelled or charged as a wasted journey in line with the quotation or agreed call-out terms.
Before work starts, you must ensure that all relevant permissions have been obtained. This may include landlord consent, neighbour permission where access is required, management company approval, or planning consents where applicable. It is also your responsibility to notify us of any underground or overhead services, alarms, hidden structures, fragile surfaces, or other hazards. We may refuse to commence work if, in our reasonable opinion, the site is unsafe or if proceeding would risk damage, injury, or breach of regulation. Acceptance of a booking confirms that you understand these responsibilities and will cooperate with reasonable site requirements.
Payments and Pricing
All prices are provided in pounds sterling unless otherwise stated and may be quoted inclusive or exclusive of VAT depending on the nature of the service and our tax status at the time of booking. Quotes are based on the information available when they are issued and may be revised if the specification changes. Unless stated otherwise, quotations are valid for a limited period. We reserve the right to withdraw or amend a quote after that period expires. Any additional work requested by you, or required due to unforeseen conditions, will be charged separately where reasonable and agreed.Payment terms will be stated on the quote or invoice. In many cases, payment is due on completion of the work, although deposits, staged payments, or advance payment may be required for larger projects, specialist equipment, or waste disposal arrangements. Where a deposit is taken, it may be non-refundable except in circumstances where we cancel without lawful cause. If payment is not made by the due date, we may charge interest and recovery costs to the extent permitted by law. We also reserve the right to suspend further work, withhold completion documentation, or pursue debt recovery where necessary.
Prices are based on a reasonable estimate of labour, machinery, access, disposal, and risk. If the scope changes because of hidden decay, additional stem sections, unstable ground, structural concerns, or unexpected difficulty in dismantling a tree, we may pause work and provide a revised price before continuing. Any increase will be discussed with you where practicable. You agree that the final invoice may differ from the initial quote if the actual work carried out differs from the original assumptions or if you request extra services during the visit.
Cancellations, Rearrangements, and Right to Refuse Work
You may cancel or rearrange a booking by giving reasonable notice. Unless a different notice period is stated in your quotation, cancellations received within a short period before the scheduled date may be subject to a cancellation charge if we have already allocated labour, machinery, or disposal resources. If specialist equipment has been reserved or a non-recoverable deposit has been paid to third parties, those costs may also be charged to you where lawful and proportionate. We will always aim to act fairly and to keep any charge reflective of actual loss.We may cancel or postpone work if weather conditions are unsuitable, if a tree is more dangerous than anticipated, if protected wildlife issues arise, if access is denied, or if a legal issue prevents the task from continuing. We may also refuse to carry out work that is unlawful, unsafe, or materially different from what was quoted. If we cancel for reasons within our control and you have paid in advance for the cancelled portion, we will refund the relevant amount unless we have already performed part of the service. If the cancellation is due to your breach of these terms, no refund may be due beyond any amount required by law.
Where work is rearranged, we will use reasonable efforts to offer a new date, but we cannot guarantee immediate availability. You agree that delays caused by weather, safety concerns, supply issues, or force majeure events do not amount to a breach of contract by us. Any rescheduled appointment will remain subject to the same terms unless we notify you of a revised quotation, revised scope, or updated conditions. This approach is intended to keep the service practical while protecting both parties from unnecessary risk.
Liability and Service Limitations
We will exercise reasonable skill and care in performing our services and will take appropriate precautions consistent with professional tree surgery practice. However, tree work carries inherent risks, and it is not always possible to avoid all damage or loss. We are not responsible for pre-existing defects, hidden decay, unstable masonry, defective fencing, old surface damage, buried services not disclosed to us, or damage caused by factors outside our reasonable control. You should remove or secure valuables, fragile items, vehicles, or other property that may be affected by the works.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, our liability is limited to direct loss arising from our proven negligence or breach of contract. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded. We are not liable for indirect, special, or consequential losses, including loss of profit, loss of enjoyment, or business interruption, unless required by law. Any claim for damage must be notified promptly and supported by reasonable evidence so that we can inspect the issue and, where appropriate, investigate it fairly.
You agree to keep children, pets, and unauthorised persons away from the working area during the service. If you or anyone on site ignores safety instructions, enters a cordoned-off area, or interferes with the operation of machinery, we will not be responsible for resulting injury or loss except where caused by our negligence. We may stop work if we believe the situation has become unsafe. Any restart may be treated as a new attendance or charged for additional time if the interruption is caused by your actions or omissions.
Waste Regulations and Site Clearance
Where tree waste is removed by us, it will be handled in line with applicable waste management requirements and relevant environmental rules. We will dispose of arisings such as branches, timber, foliage, and woodchip through appropriate channels unless you request otherwise and we agree to leave materials on site. In some cases, material may be recycled, chipped, reused, or repurposed where lawful and suitable. If you request to keep timber, logs, or woodchip, it is your responsibility to ensure the storage area is safe and suitable.Unless agreed in writing, stump arisings, large trunk sections, root material, or contaminated waste may be subject to additional charges because of extra handling, transport, or disposal requirements. We reserve the right to determine the most practical method of waste removal, provided it remains compliant with legal obligations. If waste must be segregated because of pests, disease, invasive species, or contamination, you agree to cooperate with any special handling requirements and associated costs. We will not knowingly dispose of waste in a way that breaches environmental law or site conditions imposed by the customer or landowner.
If the contract includes site clearance, we will leave the work area in a reasonable condition, but no surface can be guaranteed to return to an identical state. Soil movement, footprinting, bark scatter, sawdust, and minor surface disturbance can occur as part of normal tree surgery operations. It is your responsibility to advise us of any fragile paving, drains, lawns, or recently landscaped areas before work begins. Where applicable, we will take reasonable care to minimise impact, but some degree of disturbance may be unavoidable.
Property Access, Customer Duties, and Risk Transfer
You must provide safe, lawful, and timely access to the site, including any gates, keys, codes, parking permissions, or access routes required for our team and vehicles. If access is restricted or delayed, work may take longer and additional charges may apply. You are responsible for ensuring that the trees to be worked on are clearly identified and that any disputed ownership or boundary issues are resolved before the appointment. If we are asked to work near neighbouring property, you must ensure that the necessary consent or authority is in place.Risk in any materials left on site transfers to you once the work is complete and we have notified you that the service has finished, unless we have agreed in writing to return later to collect materials. If we leave timber, brash, or chip on site at your request, you accept responsibility for its safe storage, movement, and use after handover. We are not liable for injury or damage resulting from your later handling of materials, except where caused by our negligence. Any retention of waste or timber does not alter payment obligations unless a specific discount or arrangement has been documented in advance.
Where our equipment, vehicles, or staff are required to remain on site beyond the planned duration because of your delay, lack of access, or changing instructions, we may charge for the extra time. We will normally notify you before incurring substantial additional costs. If we are prevented from completing the work because conditions are unsuitable, we may still charge for the completed portion and any unavoidable mobilisation costs. These provisions ensure that the service remains fair while reflecting the real nature of arboricultural operations.
Insurance, Complaints, and Governing Law
We will maintain insurance cover that is appropriate to the nature of the services we provide, including public liability cover where applicable. Evidence of insurance may be made available on request. However, insurance does not transfer risk away from you for matters outside our control, and it does not cover loss caused by inaccurate information, concealed hazards, or unauthorised interference by third parties. You should check your own property insurance where there is a possibility that the work could affect structures, surfaces, or fixtures that are already damaged or unstable.If you have concerns about the service, you should raise them as soon as reasonably possible so that we can review the matter while relevant information remains available. We will aim to deal with any issue in a fair and practical manner. No part of these terms prevents you from relying on rights that cannot lawfully be excluded. If a provision is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in force. Any waiver of a right must be in writing and should not be treated as a continuing waiver for future occasions.
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising from or connected with the agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, unless a different forum is required by law. By instructing us to proceed, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and that you are authorised to enter into the booking on behalf of yourself, your household, your business, or the relevant property owner.
