Terms and Conditions for Gardeners Chislehurst
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Gardeners Chislehurst provides domestic and commercial gardening services in the UK. By making a booking, confirming an estimate, or allowing work to begin, the customer agrees to these terms. They are designed to give clear expectations about the service, payment, cancellations, liability, and waste handling, while keeping the arrangement fair and practical for both parties. In these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the gardening service provider, and references to “you” and “your” mean the customer receiving the work.
These terms apply to all routine and one-off services, including but not limited to lawn care, hedge trimming, pruning, planting, seasonal maintenance, clearance work, and general garden upkeep. They should be read carefully before any booking is made. Where a written quotation, schedule, or service note differs from these terms, the written document will take priority for that specific job, provided it does not conflict with applicable law.
1. Booking Process
The booking process begins when you request a service and provide sufficient information for us to assess the work. This may include the size and condition of the garden, access arrangements, the type of work required, and any known restrictions or hazards. We may provide an estimated price, a fixed quotation, or a visit-based assessment depending on the nature of the job. Any estimate is given in good faith, but it is not a binding final price unless expressly stated as fixed.
Acceptance of a Booking
Once you confirm the quotation or otherwise instruct us to proceed, a booking is considered accepted. We may confirm the date, likely duration, and scope of services in writing or verbally. Gardeners Chislehurst reserves the right to refuse or decline a booking where the work requested is unsafe, impractical, outside our service scope, or where access, weather, or other conditions make completion unreasonable. If a site visit reveals a material change from the information initially supplied, we may revise the quotation before starting work.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the information provided at the time of booking is accurate and complete. Any omission that affects the time, cost, equipment, staffing, or disposal requirements may lead to a revised price or amended schedule. We will normally try to accommodate reasonable changes, but additional work requested on the day may be treated as an extra chargeable service if it falls outside the original agreement.
Appointments are allocated according to availability, and any times given are estimates unless we specifically confirm a fixed arrival slot. Weather, traffic, emergencies, and prior job overruns may affect our attendance. We will act reasonably to keep you informed if delays occur, but we are not liable for inconvenience caused by events beyond our control.
2. Pricing and Payments
Pricing and Payment Terms
Our prices may be based on hourly rates, day rates, fixed project prices, or a combination of these. Any quotation will normally state what is included and what is excluded. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, prices are exclusive of any additional materials, specialist disposal fees, parking charges, permit costs, or third-party services required to complete the work. Where applicable, VAT will be charged in accordance with UK law.
Payment is due on the date stated in the quotation, invoice, or service confirmation. For many jobs, payment is required on completion of the work, although some larger or scheduled projects may require a deposit or staged payments in advance. We may pause or refuse further work if invoices are overdue. If payment is not made by the due date, we reserve the right to charge reasonable late payment interest and recovery costs as permitted by law.
If you dispute an invoice, you should notify us promptly and give clear reasons. You must still pay any undisputed amount by the due date. A dispute about part of an invoice does not entitle you to withhold payment for the remainder. Any agreed refund, credit, or adjustment will be handled fairly and within a reasonable time.
3. Changes, Cancellations, and Rebooking
You may request a change to the booking, including the date, scope, or frequency of service. We will try to accommodate changes where possible, but we are not obliged to do so if the revised request would materially affect planning or resources. Any change in scope may affect the price. Where work has already been scheduled or materials have been ordered, we may charge for costs reasonably incurred before the change was made.
Cancellations should be made as early as possible. If you cancel with sufficient notice before the appointment, we will generally not charge a cancellation fee unless we have already incurred non-recoverable costs. If you cancel at short notice, or fail to provide access on the agreed day, we may charge a reasonable fee to cover lost time, travel, and any preparatory expenses. The exact amount will depend on the circumstances and the stage of the booking.
We may also cancel or reschedule a booking where necessary. This may happen due to severe weather, illness, equipment failure, safety concerns, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control. In such cases, we will seek to offer an alternative date. We will not be responsible for indirect losses arising from a postponement, provided that we act reasonably and in good faith.
4. Scope of Work and Customer Responsibilities
You agree to provide safe and reasonable access to the property at the agreed time. This includes ensuring that gates, paths, and work areas can be accessed and that any necessary permissions have been obtained. You should also inform us of any hidden hazards, fragile fixtures, wildlife concerns, or known underground or overhead risks. If access is delayed or prevented, we may have to leave and rebook, and a call-out or wasted visit charge may apply.
You are responsible for securing pets, moving personal items, and protecting valuables before work begins. While our team will take care to work neatly and respectfully, we cannot be responsible for damage to items left in or near the work area where they are not reasonably identifiable as requiring special protection. If you wish us to avoid specific plants, structures, or surfaces, you must tell us clearly before the service starts.
Where planting, pruning, or treatment work is carried out, results may depend on weather, soil condition, growth patterns, and aftercare. Gardening services are nature-based and therefore outcomes cannot always be guaranteed in the same way as manufactured goods. We do not guarantee ongoing plant health, regrowth rates, flowering performance, or lawn recovery unless a written guarantee is expressly provided for a specific task.
5. Materials, Waste, and Environmental Compliance
Any green waste, soil, branches, cuttings, turf, or other materials removed during the service will be handled in line with applicable UK waste regulations. We may compost, recycle, reuse, or dispose of waste through authorised facilities depending on the type of material and the service agreement. Where waste removal is included, it covers only the volumes and categories specified in the booking. Additional waste may result in extra charges if it exceeds the agreed allowance.
You must not ask us to remove materials that are hazardous, contaminated, or unlawful to transport without prior agreement and disclosure. This includes but is not limited to asbestos, chemicals, oils, paint, clinical waste, or building waste mixed with garden waste. If such items are discovered during the job and were not disclosed beforehand, we may stop work and request that you arrange specialist removal. Any associated delay or additional cost may be charged to you where reasonable.
We aim to dispose of garden waste responsibly and in compliance with environmental standards. Ownership of waste may transfer to us only where this is stated in the quotation and the relevant fee has been paid. Otherwise, waste remains subject to the terms of the service until collected, removed, or processed in accordance with the contract. You must not place waste in our vehicles without permission.
6. Liability and Limitations
We will carry out services with reasonable care and skill. If we fail to do so, we may at our option return to rectify the issue, reduce the price proportionately, or provide another reasonable remedy. Our liability is limited to losses that are foreseeable and directly caused by our breach of contract or negligence. We do not exclude liability where it would be unlawful to do so, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or fraudulent misrepresentation.
We are not liable for pre-existing damage, hidden defects, unstable structures, underground services not reasonably identifiable, or issues arising from inaccurate information supplied by you. We are also not responsible for damage caused by extreme weather, pests, disease, natural decay, or the inherent condition of living plants. If you ask us to work near delicate surfaces or features, you accept that normal gardening activity carries some risk of incidental scuffing, disturbance, or breakage unless special precautions have been agreed in advance.
7. Insurance and Property Protection
We will maintain appropriate insurance cover as required for the nature of the services we provide. However, insurance does not create an entitlement to compensation in circumstances where no legal liability exists. You should ensure that your own buildings, contents, and valuables are suitably insured. If you believe a loss or incident has occurred, you must notify us as soon as reasonably possible and provide sufficient detail to allow us to investigate.
Any claim for loss or damage must be supported by evidence and must be submitted within a reasonable time. We may request photographs, invoices, maintenance records, or other information to understand what happened. Where a claim is valid, our responsibility will be limited to repair, replacement, or compensation up to the amount reasonably necessary to address the direct loss, subject to the limits of applicable law.
We are not liable for consequential or indirect losses, including loss of profits, loss of enjoyment, business interruption, or the cost of alternative arrangements, unless such liability cannot lawfully be excluded. Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer where applicable.
8. Complaints and Service Issues
If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service, you should raise the matter promptly so that we can review it. Most issues can be resolved by clarification, return attendance, or an agreed adjustment. It is important that concerns are raised before any third party carries out remedial work, where possible, as this helps us assess the situation fairly and avoid unnecessary cost escalation.
We may ask for photographs, notes, or a brief description of the concern. Where a problem is caused by factors outside our control, or by instructions given by you, we may not accept liability. However, we will always consider reasonable solutions in line with the circumstances and the evidence available.
9. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising from or connected with the services will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, except where consumer protection rules provide otherwise. If any clause is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining clauses will continue to apply in full.
Gardeners Chislehurst may update these terms from time to time to reflect changes in law, business practice, or service structure. The version in force at the time of booking will usually apply to that specific job unless a newer version has been accepted by both parties. Continued use of our services after an update will be treated as acceptance of the revised terms where lawful and appropriate.
By proceeding with a booking, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions. They are intended to provide a clear and balanced framework for professional gardening services, while ensuring that both customer and service provider know what to expect throughout the arrangement.