Terms and Conditions for Gardeners St Pauls Cray

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which gardening services are provided by Gardeners St Pauls Cray. They are intended to create a clear understanding between the service provider and the customer before any work begins. By making a booking, the customer agrees to these terms, which cover the booking process, payment arrangements, cancellations, liability, waste handling, and the legal framework that applies to the agreement.

These terms apply to domestic and light commercial gardening work unless a separate written agreement has been made. The service may include routine garden maintenance, lawn care, hedge trimming, pruning, planting, clearance, and related outdoor tasks. Any service offered will depend on the condition of the site, seasonal timing, access, and the suitability of the requested work.

For the purposes of these terms, references to we, us, or our mean the gardening service provider. References to you or your mean the customer or any person acting on the customer’s behalf. Use of the service confirms that the customer has read, understood, and accepted these conditions.

1. Booking process

All bookings are subject to availability and are not confirmed until accepted by us. A booking may be made by telephone, email, online form, or any other method we make available from time to time. When a booking request is received, we may ask for details such as the type of gardening work required, the garden size, access arrangements, parking restrictions, disposal needs, and any known hazards or special instructions.

Any quotation or estimate provided before the work begins is based on the information supplied at the time. If the actual conditions differ from those described, we reserve the right to revise the price, the scope of work, or the time required to complete the service. This is especially relevant where overgrown areas, hidden waste, restricted access, or unexpected safety issues are discovered on arrival.

Once a booking has been accepted, we will confirm the proposed date or visit window, the service requested, and any agreed price or charging basis. A confirmed booking does not guarantee that every item originally discussed will be completed if site conditions make this impractical, unsafe, or outside the agreed scope. In such cases, we may recommend a revised approach or a separate appointment.

Customers are responsible for ensuring that the site is accessible on the agreed date and that we can carry out the work safely. This includes making sure gates are unlocked, pets are secured, and any areas to be treated or cleared are reasonably available. If access is not possible, or if the appointment cannot proceed for reasons outside our control, a call-out or cancellation charge may apply.

2. Payments

All prices will be stated in pounds sterling unless agreed otherwise. Charges may be based on a fixed quote, hourly rate, day rate, or a combination of these, depending on the nature of the job. Unless expressly stated, quotations are valid for a limited period and may be withdrawn or amended if the work is delayed or the original assumptions change.

Payment is due in accordance with the terms stated on the quotation, invoice, or booking confirmation. In many cases, payment is required on completion of the work, although larger projects may require a deposit or staged payments in advance. We may suspend or refuse future services where prior invoices remain unpaid.

Late payment may result in administration charges, interest, or recovery action where permitted by law. Any bank charges, failed payment fees, or additional collection costs caused by an unsuccessful payment method may be passed on to the customer. If a payment dispute arises, the customer must raise it promptly and provide reasonable details so the matter can be reviewed.

3. Cancellations and rescheduling

Customers may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving reasonable notice. Where sufficient notice is provided, we will usually offer an alternative date subject to availability. However, if materials have already been purchased, labour has been scheduled, or equipment has been allocated, some or all of those costs may still be charged.

If a booking is cancelled at short notice, or if we arrive and are unable to carry out the work because of circumstances within the customer’s control, a cancellation fee may apply. This may include situations where the site is inaccessible, unsafe, occupied by another contractor, or unavailable for any reason that should reasonably have been disclosed in advance. The amount of any fee will reflect the time and expense already committed.

We also reserve the right to cancel or rearrange a booking where weather conditions, staff availability, equipment failure, legal restrictions, or health and safety concerns make the visit impractical. If we need to cancel for reasons within our control, we will use reasonable efforts to rearrange the appointment or refund any prepaid amount for the cancelled portion of the service.

4. Liability and customer responsibilities

We will exercise reasonable care and skill when carrying out gardening services. However, gardening work can involve natural variation, hidden defects, fragile surfaces, uneven ground, buried objects, and living material that cannot be guaranteed in every respect. The customer acknowledges that some results may vary depending on season, weather, plant health, soil condition, and the existing state of the garden.

We are not responsible for pre-existing damage, deterioration, poor plant condition, disease, pest infestation, or structural defects that were already present before the work began. We are also not liable for losses arising from inaccurate instructions, incomplete information, or a failure by the customer to disclose important site conditions.

The customer must make us aware of any underground services, sprinkler systems, concealed cables, fragile items, protected features, or other risks that may affect the work. Where necessary, the customer should mark or identify anything that should be avoided. If such matters are not disclosed, we will not be responsible for damage caused as a result of that omission.

Our liability for direct loss or damage caused by our proven negligence is limited to the amount paid, or payable, for the specific service in question, except where the law does not allow such limitation. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other matter that cannot lawfully be limited. We will not be liable for indirect or consequential losses, including loss of profit, loss of enjoyment, or loss of opportunity.

Customers are responsible for removing or protecting items that could be damaged by normal gardening activity, such as ornaments, furniture, potted plants, cables, or decorative fixtures. Where items are left in place, they are deemed to be at the customer’s own risk unless we have expressly agreed to handle them.

5. Waste regulations and disposal

All garden waste handling will be carried out in line with applicable UK waste rules and any local requirements relevant to the service. Green waste, soil, branches, turf, and similar material may be removed from site only where that has been included in the agreed service or separately authorised. We may use licensed disposal routes, recycling facilities, or composting methods where appropriate.

The customer must not request or permit us to dispose of prohibited, hazardous, or contaminated waste unless this has been specifically agreed and can be lawfully handled. This includes items such as asbestos, chemicals, paint tins, fuel containers, household rubbish, electrical items, sharp metal, or any material that requires specialist treatment. If such waste is discovered, we may stop work, isolate the area if safe to do so, and advise on the next steps.

Where waste removal is included, the customer acknowledges that estimated charges may change if the volume, weight, or type of waste is greater than expected. Waste transfer may require sorting, loading time, tipping fees, or additional labour. We reserve the right to leave unsuitable waste on site if its removal would breach legal obligations or exceed the agreed scope of work.

Title to any waste removed as part of the service passes in accordance with the agreed disposal arrangement once it has been loaded for lawful transport. Any waste not collected or not accepted for disposal remains the responsibility of the customer. The customer should retain any relevant receipts or records if required for their own compliance purposes.

6. Service changes, weather, and access

Gardening services are often affected by weather, daylight, ground conditions, and plant dormancy. We may postpone or amend the work if heavy rain, frost, high winds, drought, or other conditions make it unsafe or impractical. In such circumstances, we will try to offer a reasonable alternative appointment, but we are not responsible for delays caused by conditions beyond our control.

If the customer requests changes to the agreed service once work has started, we may treat those changes as a variation and adjust the price or completion time accordingly. Additional work requested on site is only binding if accepted by us. Where the customer asks us to continue despite a warning that the work may carry risk, that instruction will be followed only if it is lawful and reasonably safe to do so.

We may refuse to enter areas that appear unsafe, contaminated, excessively cluttered, or unsuitable for the intended work. This includes gardens with uncontrolled animals, unstable structures, broken glass, exposed wiring, or any condition that presents a hazard to people or property. Safety takes priority over completion of the task.

7. Complaints and notice of issues

If the customer believes the service has not been delivered in accordance with the agreement, they should notify us as soon as reasonably possible after completion. This allows concerns to be reviewed while the relevant details are still available. Where appropriate, we may inspect the issue, provide clarification, or carry out reasonable corrective work.

Minor natural variation in living materials, including colour changes, regrowth, seasonal dieback, and recovery time after pruning or treatment, does not in itself constitute a breach of these terms. Claims based on subjective preferences must be considered in light of the agreed scope of service, the condition of the garden, and the practical limits of horticultural work.

Any request for redress must be made honestly and with enough detail for us to assess the matter properly. The customer should keep relevant evidence where possible, including photographs and invoices. Nothing in this section limits rights that cannot be excluded under UK consumer law.

8. Data, communications, and records

We may keep records of bookings, invoices, service notes, and communication relating to the work. These records are used to manage appointments, process payments, and maintain an accurate history of services provided. Personal data will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection law and only for legitimate business purposes connected with the service.

By making a booking, the customer agrees that we may contact them about their appointment, payment status, schedule changes, or matters necessary to deliver the service. We will not use customer details for unrelated purposes unless permitted by law or separately agreed. The customer is responsible for ensuring that any contact details supplied are accurate and up to date.

9. Governing law

These terms and any non-contractual disputes or claims arising from them are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The parties agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction unless mandatory consumer rights provide otherwise. If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in force.

These Terms and Conditions form the full agreement relating to the service unless a separate written contract states otherwise. No waiver, variation, or informal promise will be effective unless it is agreed in writing. The fact that we do not enforce a particular right at one time does not prevent us from relying on it later.

Using the service means accepting a fair and practical framework for the provision of gardening work. Gardeners St Pauls Cray aims to deliver services with care, professionalism, and transparency, while also ensuring that booking, payment, cancellation, liability, and waste handling are managed in a lawful and orderly way.