Tree Surgeons Chelsea Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Tree Surgeons Chelsea provides domestic and commercial arboricultural services in the UK. By requesting a quotation, booking an appointment, or allowing our team to commence work, you agree to these terms. They are designed to create a clear understanding of the service scope, booking process, payment obligations, cancellation rules, liability limits, waste handling, and the legal framework that applies to all work undertaken by our tree surgery team. Please read them carefully before confirming any service.

Throughout these terms, references to “we,” “us,” and “our” mean the service provider operating as Tree Surgeons Chelsea. References to “you” or “the customer” mean the person, business, landlord, managing agent, or other party instructing us. Where more than one party is involved, each is jointly and severally responsible for payment and compliance unless agreed otherwise in writing. These terms apply alongside any written quotation, inspection note, or agreed scope of works, and in the event of inconsistency, the written quotation or variation document shall prevail to the extent stated.

Our services may include tree pruning, crown reduction, crown lifting, formative work, deadwood removal, tree felling, stump grinding, vegetation clearance, and related arboricultural operations. Any mention of Chelsea tree surgeons, tree surgery in Chelsea, or local tree surgeons is for service identification only and does not create a separate contract or guarantee of outcome beyond the specific works agreed. We reserve the right to refuse or suspend work where conditions are unsafe, where access is not available, or where the customer fails to satisfy any of the requirements set out below.

1. Booking Process

All bookings begin with an enquiry followed by a review of the requested works. In many cases, we will ask for photographs, site details, tree species information, or access notes so we can provide an accurate quotation. Where necessary, a site visit may be arranged before a price is confirmed. Any quotation issued by Tree Surgeons Chelsea is based on the information supplied at the time and remains valid for the period stated in the quotation, or if no period is stated, for a reasonable period subject to market conditions and availability.

A booking is not confirmed until the customer has accepted the quotation and we have acknowledged the agreed schedule in writing, by email, text, invoice acceptance, or other recorded communication. The customer is responsible for ensuring the works described are correct. If the actual site conditions differ from those represented, or if additional work is needed to complete the task safely and lawfully, we may revise the price, reschedule the work, or issue a variation order for approval before proceeding. Tree surgeons in Chelsea and across the UK routinely encounter hidden issues such as decay, decay-related instability, underground obstructions, or restricted access, and these can materially affect cost and timing.

2. Payments

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due immediately upon completion of the works, or in advance for certain deposits, specialist equipment, or larger projects. We may request a deposit to secure a booking, purchase materials, or reserve labour. Deposits are non-refundable except where we cancel the service without cause or where your statutory rights require a refund. Payment may be taken by bank transfer, card payment, or another method notified in the quotation or invoice. Cash payments, if accepted, must be made in full and without deduction.

All prices are quoted in pounds sterling and may be exclusive of VAT unless stated otherwise. If VAT applies, it will be shown separately or included in the final amount depending on the format of the quotation or invoice. If payment is not made by the due date, we reserve the right to charge interest on overdue sums at the statutory rate applicable under UK law, together with reasonable recovery costs. We may also suspend current or future services until all overdue balances are settled. Title to any materials supplied does not pass to the customer until full payment has been received.

3. Cancellations, Delays and Access

Customers may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving reasonable notice. For standard work, at least 48 hours’ notice is preferred. For larger or more complex projects, a longer notice period may be required and may be specified in the quotation. If you cancel after we have incurred costs, reserved equipment, scheduled staff, or commenced mobilisation, we may retain the deposit or charge a cancellation fee that reflects our reasonable losses. If we arrive on site and cannot complete the work because access is blocked, permissions are missing, unsafe conditions exist, or the customer is unavailable to authorise variations, we may charge a call-out or wasted appointment fee.

Weather, emergency call-outs, traffic disruption, utility strikes, or unforeseen site conditions may require us to delay or rearrange the service. We will use reasonable efforts to notify you and agree a new date. However, we shall not be liable for delay caused by circumstances beyond our control, including severe weather, accidents, acts of third parties, or restrictions imposed by authorities. If a tree surgeon, climbing arborist, or ground crew member determines that work cannot safely proceed, our decision on safety grounds is final for that visit. The customer must ensure that pets, children, vehicles, fragile items, and third-party contractors are kept clear of the work area.

4. Liability and Limitations

We will carry out our services with reasonable skill and care and in accordance with generally accepted UK arboricultural practice. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded. Subject to this, our total liability for any loss or damage arising from a service shall be limited to the total amount paid or payable for the specific work giving rise to the claim, unless a higher limit is required by law.

Tree surgery involves inherent risks. Trees may contain hidden defects, decay, internal cracking, deadwood, fungal infection, or unstable limbs that are not visible during a visual inspection. We are not responsible for pre-existing defects, latent structural weakness, root instability, or failures that occur due to conditions not reasonably detectable before the work. Where work is carried out near fences, sheds, paving, turf, gutters, roofing, glass, or underground services, some disturbance may be unavoidable. Unless expressly agreed, we do not accept liability for ordinary wear, pre-existing damage, or consequential loss such as loss of earnings, business interruption, or loss of amenity.

Customer instructions that conflict with our professional judgment may be declined. If you require a particular finish, height, or retention level, you acknowledge that natural variation may still occur and that tree response can differ by species, season, and condition. We cannot guarantee regrowth patterns, flowering, fruiting, or long-term health outcomes. Any advice given by our tree surgery team is offered in good faith based on the information available at the time and should not be treated as a guarantee or substitute for a formal survey where one is required.

5. Waste Regulations and Site Clearance

Waste generated during the works, including branches, timber, arisings, leaves, woodchip, and stump material, will be handled in accordance with applicable UK waste regulations. We operate in line with the Waste Duty of Care and relevant environmental requirements. Unless the quotation states otherwise, we will remove agreed waste from site and arrange lawful transport, transfer, recycling, composting, chipping, or disposal through appropriate channels. Waste remains our responsibility only once it has been loaded for removal and accepted within the agreed scope.

If you request that waste is left on site, stacked, or processed for your own use, this must be agreed in advance. Any on-site waste retained by the customer becomes the customer’s responsibility from the point it is left behind, including storage, use, and subsequent disposal. We do not permit the unlawful burning, fly-tipping, or improper storage of green waste. The customer warrants that any site provided for waste loading or collection is accessible and suitable for the vehicle or machinery required. Additional charges may apply if waste has to be moved manually over long distances, sorted due to contamination, or removed from difficult terrain.

6. Customer Responsibilities

The customer must disclose anything that may affect the work, including known tree preservation controls, conservation restrictions, boundary disputes, underground utilities, hidden structures, protected species concerns, shared ownership issues, or access limitations. Where permission, consent, or approval is needed from a landlord, freeholder, managing agent, neighbour, local authority, or any other party, the customer is responsible for obtaining it before work begins. We may ask for evidence of such approval and may suspend the service if it is not provided.

You must ensure that the site is safe for our personnel and equipment. This includes providing clear access, securing hazardous animals, isolating risks where reasonable, and informing us of any asbestos, contaminated ground, overhead cables, or unstable surfaces. If the work area is occupied by third-party contractors, the customer must coordinate activities so that there is no interference with our operations. Failure to cooperate may result in delay charges, revised pricing, or termination of the visit.

7. Changes to Scope and Subcontracting

If the scope of work changes after booking, we may issue a revised quotation or variation. This includes additional branches, larger volumes of waste, unexpected access issues, emergency safety measures, or changes requested on site. No variation will be binding unless confirmed by us, although urgent safety work may be undertaken immediately where necessary to prevent imminent harm or property damage. We may use suitably qualified subcontractors or specialist equipment to deliver all or part of the services, provided the standard of work remains consistent with these terms.

Where a permit, highway arrangement, parking dispensation, or third-party authorisation is needed to carry out the work, the customer is responsible for securing it unless we agree in writing to arrange it on your behalf. Any fees charged by authorities or third parties are payable by the customer. If we must work around retained features, utility markings, traffic management controls, or access schedules, we will do so as reasonably practical, but we are not liable for resulting inefficiency unless caused by our negligence.

8. Governing Law and General Provisions

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, 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 consumer rights provide otherwise. If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time to reflect changes in law, operational practice, or service structure. The version in force at the time of your booking will apply to that booking unless a change is required by law or agreed in writing. No waiver of any term shall be effective unless made in writing. These terms represent the entire agreement between the parties concerning the services described, and any previous discussions or informal assurances are superseded to the extent permitted by law. By proceeding with a booking, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these conditions for Tree Surgeons Chelsea services.