Tree Surgeons Mortlake Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Tree Surgeons Mortlake provides tree surgery and related arboricultural services to domestic and commercial clients. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or allowing work to commence, the client agrees to be bound by these terms. They are designed to make the service clear, fair, and consistent, while protecting both the client and the contractor. In these terms, references to tree surgeons, arborists, or Tree Surgeons Mortlake refer to the service provider carrying out the work.
The scope of work may include pruning, crown reduction, crown thinning, crown lifting, deadwood removal, tree felling, stump grinding, hedge cutting, site clearance, and associated green waste collection. Any additional tasks requested on site will only be undertaken if they are safe, lawful, and agreed by both parties. The client is responsible for ensuring that any person instructing the work has the authority to do so, particularly where the property is rented, jointly owned, leasehold, or managed by a third party.
These terms apply to all services supplied by Tree Surgeons Mortlake unless a separate written agreement states otherwise. They should be read alongside any quotation, estimate, or written proposal, which may include job-specific details such as the work specification, access arrangements, waste handling, timing, and pricing basis. If there is any inconsistency, the written quotation or proposal will normally take priority for that particular job.
1. Booking Process
All bookings begin with an enquiry and an assessment of the requested work. A quotation may be based on photographs, descriptions, site visits, or a combination of these. In some cases, a tree surgeon may recommend a site inspection before confirming the price, especially where access is restricted, the tree is large or near structures, or the extent of work cannot be assessed accurately from images alone. Any quotation given is usually valid for a limited period, which will be stated where relevant.
Once the client accepts the quotation, a date or date range may be offered for the work. The booking is only confirmed when the client has accepted the terms and any requested deposit has been received, if applicable. The client must provide accurate information regarding the property, access, parking, utilities, nearby hazards, and any other matters that may affect the work. If information supplied before booking is incorrect or incomplete, Tree Surgeons Mortlake may revise the quotation, reschedule the work, or withdraw the booking.
It is the client’s responsibility to obtain any permissions, consents, or approvals required before the service begins. This may include landlord approval, managing agent consent, neighbour agreement where access is needed, or any planning-related permission applicable to the tree or site. If the work is subject to a Tree Preservation Order, conservation-area restriction, or another statutory control, the client must disclose this before the booking is confirmed. The contractor may assist with general information, but the legal responsibility for permissions remains with the client unless agreed otherwise in writing.
2. Payment Terms
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due on completion of the work and before the team leaves the site. For larger projects, staged payments, a deposit, or partial advance payment may be required. The amount, method, and timing of payment will be set out in the quotation or invoice. Accepted payment methods may include bank transfer, card payment, or other methods notified to the client in advance. Cash may be accepted at the contractor’s discretion, but this is not guaranteed.
Prices are normally quoted on the basis of the information available at the time of quotation. If the actual conditions differ materially from those described, the price may need to be adjusted. Examples include concealed structural defects, materially heavier timber than expected, blocked access, additional waste volume, emergency call-outs, or extra labour caused by unsafe or unanticipated conditions. Any material change will be discussed where practical before extra work proceeds. If the client declines necessary additional work, the contractor may suspend or limit the service for safety reasons.
Invoices must be paid in full by the due date stated on the invoice. Late payment may result in further charges, including reasonable debt recovery costs and interest where permitted by law. The client is responsible for all bank charges, failed payment fees, and other costs associated with the chosen payment method. Tree Surgeons Mortlake reserves the right to withhold ancillary documentation, including waste transfer evidence where applicable, until payment has cleared in full.
3. Cancellations, Delays and Access
The client may cancel or rearrange a booking, but reasonable notice must be given. If cancellation occurs after work has been scheduled and resources reserved, the client may be charged a cancellation fee to cover lost time, travel, administration, or any materials already ordered. Where a deposit has been paid, it may be retained in part or full to reflect costs already incurred, provided this is fair and proportionate to the circumstances. Any refund entitlement will depend on the timing of cancellation and whether any preparatory work has already taken place.
If the contractor must cancel or postpone due to adverse weather, equipment failure, staff illness, emergency commitments, unsafe site conditions, or circumstances beyond reasonable control, a new date will normally be offered. In such cases, the contractor will not be liable for indirect losses caused by the change in schedule. Tree work is often dependent on safe ground conditions, suitable weather, and adequate visibility, so timing may need to be adjusted at short notice. The client acknowledges that some work cannot safely proceed in high winds, heavy rain, ice, or other hazardous conditions.
The client must ensure suitable access to the site, including lawful parking arrangements where needed, unlocked gates if appropriate, and the removal of obstacles that would prevent safe operation. The client should also inform neighbours or occupiers if access across adjacent land is required. If the team arrives and cannot proceed because access is unavailable, or because site conditions are not as described, a call-out charge, waiting fee, or rescheduling fee may apply. Any such charges will be reasonable and based on the time and costs actually incurred.
4. Liability and Safety
Tree Surgeons Mortlake will carry out services with reasonable skill and care and in line with accepted arboricultural practice. However, tree work is inherently risky and may involve unpredictable natural conditions. The contractor does not guarantee that a tree will remain stable after pruning, that disease will not recur, or that hidden defects will be discovered before work begins. Where a tree has a defect, internal decay, root instability, fungal infection, or storm damage, the outcome may be limited by the condition of the tree itself.
The contractor will not be liable for damage arising from matters outside reasonable control, including hidden underground services, pre-existing defects, structural weaknesses, subsidence, unstable ground, or failure of the client to disclose relevant information. The client should notify the contractor of known services, drains, cables, irrigation systems, fragile surfaces, ornamental features, and any other items that may be affected by the work. While reasonable care will be taken, the client accepts that minor scuffing, vibration, falling debris, or temporary disruption may occur during normal tree surgery operations.
Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. Subject to that, the contractor’s total liability for any claim arising from the service will ordinarily be limited to the amount paid or payable for the specific job in question. The client is responsible for protecting valuables, moving vehicles where requested, and keeping children, pets, and unauthorised persons away from the work area during operations.
5. Waste, Timber and Environmental Regulations
Unless the quotation states otherwise, green waste produced during the work will be removed and handled in accordance with applicable waste regulations. Tree surgeons in Mortlake may chip branches, collect brushwood, log timber, and remove arisings from site as part of the service. Waste will be transported, stored, and disposed of only through lawful and responsible methods. Where relevant, the contractor will maintain appropriate records and will not dispose of material in a manner that breaches environmental or waste legislation.
The client should note that not all timber, logs, mulch, or woodchip are automatically removed from site. Some materials may be left if agreed in advance, if useful for habitat or landscaping, or if removal would be impractical or uneconomical. Any retained material remains the property of the party stated in the quotation. If the client asks for specific timber lengths, log splitting, or separation of material streams, this must be arranged before work starts. Additional labour for sorting or extra loading may be charged if not included in the original price.
Where invasive species, pests, disease controls, protected habitats, or biosecurity concerns are suspected, the contractor may take additional precautions. This can include segregating waste, cleaning equipment, or delaying removal until safe disposal arrangements are confirmed. The client must disclose known infestations or contamination risks before the visit. If the site contains hazardous substances, asbestos, sharp waste, Japanese knotweed, or other regulated hazards, the contractor may refuse to proceed unless suitable controls are in place. Any special disposal or compliance cost may be added to the invoice if not previously allowed for.
6. Variations, Complaints and Ownership of Materials
If the client requests changes to the agreed specification after the booking has been confirmed, the contractor may revise the price, timing, or scope accordingly. Any variation should be agreed before the additional work is carried out wherever reasonably possible. In the event of a complaint, the client should notify Tree Surgeons Mortlake as soon as possible and provide reasonable details of the issue. The contractor may be given the opportunity to inspect, rectify, or explain the concern before any third-party work is arranged.
Unless otherwise agreed, all removed timber, branches, foliage, and arisings become the property of the contractor or are treated as waste for lawful disposal once removed from the agreed working area. If the client wishes to retain firewood, logs, stumps, or woodchip, this must be confirmed in advance. The contractor accepts no responsibility for deterioration, splitting, staining, insect activity, or weathering of timber left on site after completion, except where caused by proven negligence.
Photographs may be taken before, during, or after the work for records, quality control, quotation purposes, or evidence of completion. These images may also help document site conditions, waste removal, and any hazards encountered. Personal data collected in the course of the booking will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection law. Any information supplied by the client will be used only for service administration, record keeping, legal compliance, and related operational purposes.
7. Force Majeure and Governing Law
The contractor will not be in breach of these terms where delay or failure to perform arises from events beyond reasonable control. Such events may include severe weather, fire, flood, accident, industrial action, supply chain disruption, road closures, epidemic restrictions, acts of terrorism, or legal restrictions affecting the work. In these circumstances, the contractor may suspend performance, reschedule the service, or cancel the booking where necessary. Any money already paid will be handled fairly in light of the work completed and the costs incurred.
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising from or connected with the service, the quotation, the payment, or these terms will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. If any provision is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force. No waiver of any right will be effective unless agreed in writing, and any failure to enforce a term on one occasion will not prevent enforcement on a later occasion.
Tree Surgeons Mortlake may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time of booking will normally apply to that job unless a later written agreement states otherwise. By proceeding with a booking, the client confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted these terms in full. The aim is to provide a transparent and professional service framework for all tree surgery services, while ensuring that work is carried out safely, lawfully, and with reasonable care.