Tree Surgeons Spitalfields Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Tree Surgeons Spitalfields provides domestic and commercial tree surgery services. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or instructing work to begin, the client agrees to be bound by the terms below. These conditions are intended to promote a clear, fair and professional service relationship, while reflecting the practical realities of arboricultural work, site access, weather sensitivity, and legal compliance. For the purposes of this document, references to tree surgery services, tree surgery work, and arboricultural services refer to the full range of services we may provide, including pruning, crown reduction, dismantling, felling, hedge maintenance, stump work, and related site clearance where agreed in writing.
The client is responsible for ensuring that all instructions provided are accurate, that they have authority to request the work, and that any relevant permissions, consents, or neighbour notifications have been obtained where required. This may include, where applicable, tree preservation orders, conservation area controls, landlord permissions, leasehold permissions, or approvals from managing agents. We may assist by identifying the need for such permissions, but the responsibility for obtaining them remains with the client unless we have expressly agreed otherwise in writing. No term in this agreement is intended to remove any statutory rights that cannot be lawfully excluded.
Our services are carried out by trained personnel using appropriate equipment, but all tree work carries inherent risks and requires cooperation from the client and any third parties on site. Access routes, parking arrangements, underground services, overhead hazards, fragile structures, and neighbouring land can all affect how the work is completed. The client agrees to disclose any known site restrictions before the visit date. Where site conditions differ materially from those described at booking or quotation stage, we reserve the right to revise timing, pricing, staffing, or method of work to reflect the actual conditions encountered.
Booking Process
Bookings for tree surgeons in Spitalfields are normally made following an initial enquiry and, where required, an inspection or assessment. A quotation may be provided verbally or in writing and will usually describe the proposed works, any assumptions made, and any exclusions. A quotation is not a guarantee of availability until it has been accepted and confirmed by us. The acceptance of a quotation or estimate by the client forms the basis of the contract, subject to these Terms and Conditions and any specific written variations agreed by both parties.
Where an on-site survey is needed, the survey may be charged or may be carried out free of charge at our discretion, depending on the scale and complexity of the work. Any site assessment is based on visible conditions at the time of inspection and cannot always reveal concealed defects, underground obstructions, root issues, unstable stems, or hidden structural weaknesses. If additional matters become apparent after the contract has been agreed, we may need to amend the scope of work or the price. We will aim to notify the client promptly and seek agreement before proceeding with any significant variation, unless urgent action is necessary for safety reasons.
When a date is arranged for tree surgery in Spitalfields, the client must ensure that the site is ready for the planned work. This includes keeping access clear, arranging for gates or entrances to be available, ensuring vehicles are moved if needed, and confirming that any occupants, neighbours, tenants, or managing agents who may be affected are informed. If our team is unable to commence or complete the work because of access problems, incorrect information, unsafe conditions, or the absence of necessary permissions, we may charge a call-out fee, waiting time, reattendance fee, or other reasonable costs incurred.
Payments and Pricing
All prices are quoted in pounds sterling unless stated otherwise. Unless a fixed written price has been expressly agreed, estimates may vary where the actual conditions differ from those reasonably anticipated. Factors that can affect pricing include tree size, crown density, stem number, access difficulty, disposal volume, stump complexity, traffic management requirements, waste handling, and the presence of hazards such as power lines or restricted working areas. We will act reasonably when adjusting prices and will explain the basis for any increase where practical.
Unless agreed otherwise, payment is due immediately upon completion of the work or on invoice terms set out in the quotation. For larger projects, we may request a deposit, staged payments, or part payment in advance to secure the booking and cover preparatory costs. Deposits may be non-refundable where specifically stated, especially where we have reserved time, committed materials, or arranged specialist equipment. Failure to pay on time may result in interest, recovery costs, suspension of further work, or legal action, where permitted by law. Any discounts or promotional prices must be confirmed in writing and may be withdrawn if the booked scope changes materially.
Where the client requests additional work beyond the original agreement, including extra dismantling, stump grinding, waste removal, log splitting, hedge shaping, or emergency attendance, such work will be treated as a variation and may incur additional charges. We may proceed without prior written approval only where immediate action is necessary to prevent injury, damage, or significant risk to property or persons. In such cases, the client agrees that reasonable charges for the extra work will be payable. Invoices should be checked promptly, and any query regarding a charge should be raised as soon as possible so that we can review it in good faith.
Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Delays
Clients may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving reasonable notice. Because tree surgery services are often arranged around equipment, staff allocation, weather conditions, and disposal logistics, late cancellations can result in unrecoverable costs. If a booking is cancelled with insufficient notice, we may charge a cancellation fee to cover lost time, labour, and any third-party costs already committed. The exact fee may depend on the amount of notice given, the nature of the work, and whether special arrangements have already been made.
We may also need to reschedule work due to adverse weather, safety concerns, staff illness, plant breakdown, emergency call-outs, traffic disruption, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control. Tree work is especially sensitive to wind, rain, icy conditions, and ground saturation, all of which may make operations unsafe or impracticable. In these situations, we will try to offer a new date as soon as reasonably possible. We are not liable for indirect losses caused by a delay where the delay is outside our control and has been handled with reasonable care.
If the client fails to provide access, fails to be present when required, or does not ensure that the site is ready, we may treat the appointment as cancelled or postponed at our discretion. If our crew attends and cannot complete the work because of issues attributable to the client or another party acting on the client’s behalf, charges may still apply for attendance, preparation, and any time spent on site. Repeated cancellations or repeated changes to agreed dates may require a revised booking arrangement or additional deposit before the work can be rebooked.
Liability and Responsibility
We will carry out all tree surgeon services with reasonable skill and care, using appropriately trained staff and suitable equipment. However, tree surgery involves unavoidable risk, especially where trees are decayed, storm-damaged, leaning, close to structures, or located in confined settings. The client acknowledges that some outcomes cannot be fully predicted in advance, particularly where hidden defects are present. We are not responsible for pre-existing defects, unstable material that was not reasonably visible, or consequences arising from information that was not disclosed before the work began.
Our liability is limited to loss or damage caused by our negligence, breach of contract, or failure to use reasonable care and skill. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law. Subject to those legal limits, we are not liable for indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, loss of business, loss of opportunity, or emotional distress. Where we are found liable for direct loss or damage, our liability will be limited to the amount paid or payable for the specific work in question, except where a different limit is required by law or agreed in writing.
The client must take reasonable steps to protect their property before and during the work. This may include moving delicate items, securing pets, protecting soft furnishings, closing windows, and informing us of hidden services or vulnerabilities. We accept no responsibility for damage arising from items left in hazardous positions, from the failure of the client to disclose relevant information, or from the natural characteristics of timber, bark, roots, and debris falling in the ordinary course of the work. If boundary issues, neighbour concerns, or disputed ownership affect the site, the client is responsible for resolving those matters before work proceeds unless we have expressly agreed to intervene.
Waste Removal and Environmental Regulations
All waste created during tree surgery operations, including branches, logs, chips, leaves, and stump arisings, will be managed in accordance with applicable waste legislation and environmental requirements. Where we remove waste, it will be transported, stored, and disposed of or recovered through lawful channels. We may retain timber, woodchip, or other arisings unless the quotation states that all material will be removed from site. If the client wishes to keep logs, mulch, or chip, this must be agreed in advance and may affect the final arrangement or price.
The client acknowledges that green waste is a regulated waste stream and that we may separate, process, re-use, or recycle arisings where appropriate. We aim to minimise environmental impact and to handle waste responsibly, but we cannot guarantee any particular reuse or destination for all material unless specifically promised in writing. Any hazardous or contaminated materials encountered on site, including items contaminated with paint, chemicals, or other substances, will not be treated as routine tree waste and may require special handling at an additional charge. The client must inform us in advance of any known contamination or unusual disposal needs.
Where stump grinding or removal is included, the resulting material may be left on site, spread around the working area, or removed, depending on the quotation and practical constraints. Roots extending under paths, walls, driveways, or underground services may limit the extent of stump work. We are not responsible for latent underground obstructions that cannot reasonably be identified before commencement. If permits, traffic control, skip arrangements, or specific disposal routes are required by law or by site conditions, the client agrees to provide the necessary approvals or to pay the relevant additional costs if we arrange them on the client’s behalf.
General Provisions and Governing Law
Any title to equipment, timber, or waste shall remain with the party entitled to it under the quotation or written agreement. Nothing in these Terms prevents either party from relying on statutory rights where applicable. We may assign or subcontract certain elements of the work where necessary to complete the service efficiently, provided that reasonable care is taken in selecting competent contractors. The client may not assign the contract without our written consent. If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
These Terms and Conditions, together with the accepted quotation and any written variations, constitute the entire agreement between the parties in relation to the services described. No statement made in marketing material, informal conversation, or preliminary correspondence will override these Terms unless confirmed in writing. Any delay or failure by either party to enforce a right shall not be treated as a waiver of that right. We may update these Terms from time to time, but the version that applies is the version in force when the booking is accepted unless a later written agreement states otherwise.
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising from or connected with the services, the booking, the quotation, payment, waste handling, liability, or cancellation provisions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. By confirming a booking for tree surgeons in Spitalfields, the client confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted these conditions and that they have authority to enter into the agreement on behalf of the property owner or responsible party where applicable.