Terms and Conditions for Gardening Services
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Gardeners Upper Walthamstow provides domestic and commercial gardening services in the UK. By making a booking, the customer agrees to these terms, which are designed to create a clear understanding of the work to be carried out, the payment structure, the responsibilities of both parties, and the limits that apply to our services. These terms are written in plain English and should be read carefully before any appointment is confirmed.
For the purposes of this agreement, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the gardening service provider, while “you” and “your” mean the customer requesting the work. The terms apply to all bookings, whether made for one-off visits, recurring maintenance, or specific garden tasks. If any part of this document is unclear, the customer should request clarification before authorising the work.
These conditions are intended to apply alongside any written estimate, quotation, or service schedule issued in connection with a booking. In the event of any inconsistency, the agreed written quotation or job specification will take priority in relation to scope and pricing, provided that it does not conflict with mandatory UK law.
1. Booking Process
All bookings for gardening services must be arranged in advance and are subject to availability. A booking may be made by telephone, email, online form, or another agreed method, provided the necessary job details are supplied. We may request information about the size of the garden, the type of work required, access arrangements, any hazards, and whether specialist equipment may be needed. The more accurate the information provided, the more accurate our quotation and scheduling can be.
Any estimate or quotation given before a site visit is based on the information available at the time and may be subject to revision if the actual conditions differ. For example, hidden waste, overgrown areas, restricted access, unstable ground, or unexpected hazards may require additional time or resources. We reserve the right to amend the price or re-schedule the work if material facts were not disclosed at the time of booking.
Once a booking has been accepted, you will normally receive confirmation of the agreed service, date, and any relevant conditions.
The booking is not guaranteed until this confirmation is issued. If a deposit is required, the booking may remain provisional until the deposit is received in cleared funds. We may refuse or cancel a booking if the requested work is outside our capability, unsafe, unlawful, or otherwise unsuitable.
2. Scope of Services
Our services may include general maintenance, hedge trimming, lawn care, pruning, planting support, clearance, seasonal tidying, and related garden tasks as agreed in the job description. We do not carry out work that requires specialist licensing unless that is clearly stated in writing and any legal requirements are met. The customer is responsible for ensuring that the requested work is appropriate for the site and for advising us of any restrictions affecting the garden or surrounding property.
We aim to complete work with reasonable care and skill, using professional judgement appropriate to the circumstances. However, gardening is a living and seasonal service, and results may vary depending on plant health, weather, soil condition, and prior maintenance. We do not guarantee the future growth, survival, or condition of plants unless specifically agreed in writing.
Where access to water, electricity, or storage space is needed for the service, the customer must make these facilities available if previously agreed. We are not responsible for delays caused by lack of access, locked gates, incorrect instructions, or the absence of safe working conditions. If the garden area contains items that could be damaged by normal operational activity, the customer should remove or protect them before the appointment.
3. Payments and Charges
Charges for Upper Walthamstow gardeners services may be based on a fixed quotation, hourly rate, daily rate, or a combination of these methods, depending on the nature of the work. Unless otherwise stated, all prices are quoted in pounds sterling and may be subject to VAT where applicable. Any estimate provided before the work begins is indicative only unless expressly confirmed as a fixed-price agreement.
Payment terms will be set out in the quotation or invoice. We may require payment in advance, a deposit, staged payments, or full payment on completion. Unless agreed otherwise, invoices are payable within the period stated on the invoice. If payment is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to charge reasonable late payment fees and interest in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 where applicable, or to suspend further work until the account is settled.
Any additional work requested after the original booking has been accepted must be agreed before it is carried out. If unforeseen conditions arise that materially increase the time or cost required, we will either seek your approval for an amended charge or limit the work to the original scope. We are not obliged to continue beyond the agreed budget or appointment duration without authorisation.
4. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Missed Appointments
You may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving reasonable notice. If a cancellation is made less than 24 hours before the scheduled appointment, we may charge a cancellation fee to cover reserved time, travel planning, or preparatory costs. Where a deposit has been taken, it may be retained in whole or in part if late cancellation causes a loss to us. Any such fee will be reasonable and proportionate to the circumstances.
If we need to cancel or move an appointment due to weather, safety concerns, staff illness, equipment failure, or events beyond our control, we will aim to notify you as soon as practicable and offer an alternative date. We will not be liable for any indirect loss caused by cancellation or delay, provided we act reasonably and in good faith.
If nobody is available to grant access at the agreed time, or if the site is unsuitable for work on arrival, the appointment may be treated as a missed visit and charged accordingly. This includes situations where the necessary permissions have not been secured, the garden is inaccessible, or essential information was withheld. We recommend confirming access arrangements before the scheduled date to avoid unnecessary disruption.
5. Liability and Limitations
We will take reasonable care while carrying out all gardening work, but our liability is limited to losses caused directly by our negligence or breach of contract. We do not accept responsibility for pre-existing damage, latent defects, hidden underground services, deteriorated structures, or conditions that were not reasonably visible or disclosed before the work began. The customer remains responsible for identifying known hazards such as buried cables, fragile ornaments, weakened paving, unstable walls, or irrigation systems.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we will not be liable for indirect, consequential, or economic losses such as loss of use, loss of income, or loss of business opportunity. Nothing in these terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under UK law. Our total liability for any claim arising from a service visit will not exceed the amount paid or payable for the specific service giving rise to the claim, unless a higher amount is required by law.
The customer must notify us of any issue within a reasonable time after the work is completed. If a defect, concern, or alleged error is reported promptly, we may inspect the matter and, where appropriate, offer a remedy such as re-attendance, correction, or partial refund. This remedy will be at our discretion, provided it is fair and reasonable in the circumstances.
6. Customer Responsibilities
You must ensure that the property is safe and reasonably accessible for our team on the agreed date. This includes securing dogs or other animals, providing any required keys or entry instructions, and advising us of any private roads, parking restrictions, or limited access arrangements. If special parking permits or permissions are required, these should be arranged by the customer unless agreed otherwise.
You are responsible for obtaining any landlord, freeholder, management company, or neighbour permissions needed for the work. Where the service involves boundary areas, shared spaces, or properties close to neighbouring land, you must ensure that the work has been properly authorised. We will not be responsible for disputes arising from a lack of consent where the customer failed to secure it.
It is also your responsibility to inform us of any known allergies, plant sensitivities, restricted areas, or fragile features in the garden. If you ask us to move items, handle soil, or clear debris, you should first remove anything valuable or delicate that is not intended to be part of the task. We may refuse to handle items that appear hazardous, contaminated, or unsuitable for normal garden operations.
7. Waste Handling and Regulations
Garden waste generated during our services will be handled in accordance with applicable UK waste laws and local disposal requirements. Unless otherwise agreed, we may remove green waste, clippings, prunings, and similar biodegradable material for lawful disposal or recycling. The customer should note that waste removal may be charged separately if it is not included in the original quotation.
We do not remove controlled, hazardous, or specialist waste unless this has been specifically agreed and all legal obligations can be met. This includes materials such as asbestos, chemicals, oil, contaminated soil, building rubble, sharp metal, or any other waste requiring special treatment. If such items are encountered unexpectedly, we may stop work in the affected area and seek further instructions.
Where waste is left on site for collection or storage, the customer is responsible for ensuring it is not left in a manner that creates a hazard, nuisance, or breach of local rules. We reserve the right to decline removal of waste that is excessive in volume, unusually heavy, unsafe to handle, or inconsistent with the original service agreement. All waste disposal will be carried out with reasonable care and in a lawful manner, but we cannot guarantee disposal routes beyond our operational control.
8. Insurance, Force Majeure, and Service Interruptions
We maintain insurance cover that is appropriate for the nature of our work, but insurance does not extend to losses excluded under these terms or to matters arising from customer negligence. If damage occurs and is believed to be our responsibility, the matter must be reported as soon as possible so that it can be investigated fairly.
We shall not be liable for delay or failure to perform our obligations where such delay or failure is caused by events outside our reasonable control. These may include severe weather, fire, flood, transport disruption, industrial action, equipment shortages, supply delays, illness, accidents, or legal restrictions. In such circumstances, the affected obligations will be suspended for the duration of the event, and the parties will discuss a reasonable rescheduling arrangement.
If part of the service is completed before an interruption occurs, you may still be required to pay for the work already carried out. We will act reasonably in assessing any partial completion and will not seek payment for work not performed unless a deposit or cancellation fee is validly due under these terms.
9. Changes to Terms, Governing Law, and General Provisions
We may update these terms from time to time to reflect operational changes, legal requirements, or improvements to our service structure. The version in force at the time of your booking will usually apply to that booking, unless a later version is expressly agreed in writing. Continued use of our services after any update constitutes acceptance of the revised terms for future bookings.
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising under or in connection with the services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force to the extent permitted by law.
Nothing in this agreement affects your statutory rights as a consumer under applicable UK law. If a court or competent authority decides that any clause is unlawful, that clause will be severed or modified only to the extent necessary, and the remainder of the agreement will remain effective. By booking with Gardeners Upper Walthamstow, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these service terms for garden maintenance and related work.