Terms and Conditions for Gardeners Aldborough Hatch

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which garden services are provided by Gardeners Aldborough Hatch. By making a booking, confirming an estimate, or allowing work to begin, the client agrees to these terms. They are intended to create a clear understanding of the service, the booking process, payment arrangements, site responsibilities, and the limits of liability. These terms apply to domestic and commercial customers unless a separate written agreement has been signed.

Throughout this document, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the gardening service provider, and references to “you” and “your” mean the customer. The wording used here is designed to be fair, practical, and consistent with UK consumer law. If any part of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remainder shall continue in full force.

These conditions cover the service relationship for gardeners in Aldborough Hatch and related garden maintenance, clearance, planting, pruning, and seasonal work. They do not form a guarantee of results beyond the normal standards reasonably expected of a professional garden service. Any variation to these terms must be agreed in writing before work begins.

1. Booking Process

All bookings are subject to availability and confirmation. A booking may be made following an estimate, quote, or discussion about the required work. The booking is only secured once we have confirmed the date, scope of work, and any agreed price or charging method. For larger or repeat projects, we may request additional details before confirming the appointment.

It is your responsibility to provide accurate information about the site, access, parking, water supply, existing hazards, and any known restrictions. If the information supplied changes before the appointment, you must tell us as soon as possible. Failure to do so may affect timing, cost, or the ability to complete the service safely. Where appropriate, we may inspect the property before starting to ensure that the proposed gardening work is suitable and safe.

We reserve the right to decline or postpone a booking where the work requested is outside our capabilities, where access is unsafe, or where the weather makes the task impractical. In such cases, we will try to rearrange the work within a reasonable period. For the avoidance of doubt, an estimate is not a fixed offer unless stated as a written fixed-price quotation.

2. Service Scope and Customer Responsibilities

Our services may include general garden maintenance, hedge trimming, lawn care, weeding, planting, tidying, light clearance, and related outdoor labour. The exact scope will be described in the quote, invoice, or booking confirmation. Any work not expressly included is treated as an additional service and may be charged separately. Gardeners Aldborough Hatch may refuse to carry out any task that appears unsafe, unlawful, or likely to damage property.

You must ensure that the area is reasonably accessible and free from hidden dangers to the extent that these are within your knowledge. This includes securing pets, removing fragile items where necessary, and ensuring that the garden is safe for work to begin. If we discover concealed hazards such as sharp objects, unsafe structures, contaminated waste, or pest infestations, we may stop work until the issue is addressed. Any delay caused by such matters may be chargeable if it results in additional time on site.

Where plant material, soil, or waste is to be removed, you must tell us in advance if any item may be subject to special handling requirements. We are not responsible for identifying protected species, contaminated materials, or items requiring specialist disposal unless this has been expressly agreed. Services provided by Gardeners Aldborough Hatch are based on the information available at the time of booking.

3. Payments and Charges

Prices will be set out in the estimate, quote, hourly rate, day rate, or agreed fixed price. Unless otherwise stated, all prices are exclusive of any applicable VAT. Charges may vary depending on the size of the garden, the condition of the site, the level of waste to be removed, and whether additional labour or equipment is required. Any material increase in the scope of work may result in a revised price.

Payment terms will be confirmed before or at the time of booking. Unless agreed otherwise, payment is due upon completion of the work or on receipt of invoice. For recurring services, payment may be required weekly, monthly, or at another agreed interval. We may request a deposit for larger jobs, first-time appointments, or work requiring substantial materials or labour. Deposits are used to reserve time and may be non-refundable where stated at the time of booking.

Late payments may incur interest and recovery costs in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 where applicable, or other lawful remedies available for unpaid sums. If a payment is overdue, we may suspend further services until the account is settled. You remain responsible for all agreed charges, including additional fees arising from changes made by you after booking, waiting time caused by access problems, or extra work agreed on site.

4. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Access

Cancellations should be made as early as possible. If you need to cancel or reschedule, you must give reasonable notice so that the appointment can be reallocated. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, cancellation charges may apply where insufficient notice is given or where a team has already been dispatched. For bespoke or large-scale garden services, a longer notice period may be required and will be confirmed in advance.

If we are unable to gain access to the property at the agreed time, or if the work cannot proceed because of missing instructions, absent keys, blocked entry, unsafe conditions, or weather that makes the task unworkable, we may charge a call-out fee or a reasonable sum for lost time. We will try to contact you to resolve the issue, but we are not obliged to wait for an indefinite period.

Where a booking is rescheduled by us due to illness, adverse weather, equipment failure, or another event beyond our control, we will make reasonable efforts to offer an alternative appointment. We do not accept liability for indirect losses arising from a postponed visit, provided the delay is reasonable and outside our control. This applies equally to work carried out by subcontractors or temporary staff acting on our behalf.

5. Liability and Limitations

We will take reasonable care and skill when carrying out all services. However, gardening work often involves living plants, variable ground conditions, and pre-existing site issues that are outside our control. We are not liable for natural changes to plants, seasonal dieback, fungal disease, weather damage, or the consequences of underlying defects in the garden or property. Any advice given is provided in good faith but does not amount to a guarantee unless expressly stated in writing.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. Subject to that, our total liability for direct loss arising from a service claim shall not exceed the amount paid or payable for the specific work giving rise to the claim. We are not responsible for business interruption, loss of profit, loss of opportunity, or consequential loss.

It is your responsibility to tell us about any fragile installations, hidden services, irrigation systems, underground cables, or valuable items in the garden before work starts. Where you ask us to work close to such items, you accept the risk of ordinary accidental disturbance unless we have specifically agreed to take additional precautions. Gardeners Aldborough Hatch will not be liable for damage caused by defects or conditions that were not reasonably visible or disclosed.

6. Waste Regulations and Disposal

All waste handling will be carried out in accordance with applicable UK waste law, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste Duty of Care regime. Waste produced during our work may include grass cuttings, branches, leaves, soil, green waste, and general garden debris. We will dispose of waste responsibly and may use licensed waste carriers or approved disposal facilities where necessary.

You agree that any waste removed from your property may be transported for lawful disposal, recycling, or composting as appropriate. If a waste transfer note, receipt, or other record is needed, we will retain or provide it where required by law or business practice. Certain items may not be accepted as part of standard garden waste removal, including hazardous materials, asbestos, chemicals, oils, paint, clinical waste, or contaminated soil. If such items are discovered, work may be paused pending further instructions.

Any additional disposal charges will usually be based on the volume, weight, and type of waste removed, plus any fees charged by third-party facilities. If you ask us to leave waste on site, you accept responsibility for its storage and onward disposal. Where waste is mixed with non-garden material, the price may be adjusted to reflect the increased disposal cost. We reserve the right to refuse waste that would breach legal or environmental obligations.

7. Materials, Planting, and Substitutions

Where plants, compost, mulch, fertiliser, or other materials are supplied, we will aim to match the specification agreed at the time of ordering. However, exact varieties, sizes, colours, and seasonal availability cannot always be guaranteed. If a specified item becomes unavailable, we may offer a suitable equivalent of comparable value and quality. Any significant substitution will normally be discussed with you first.

If you supply your own materials, we are not responsible for defects, suitability, or failures arising from those items unless the problem should reasonably have been identified by us at the time of use. We may refuse to plant, prune, or install materials that appear diseased, unsafe, or unsuitable for the intended location. The condition of living plants is affected by weather, soil, watering, and aftercare, so outcomes cannot be guaranteed in the same way as non-living goods.

To the extent permitted by law, we do not accept liability for plant loss where the cause is outside our reasonable control, including drought, frost, wind, vandalism, pests, or inadequate aftercare by the customer. Any warranty on materials must be expressly stated in writing and will be limited to the terms agreed for that particular job.

8. Complaints, Changes, and Governing Law

If you have any concerns about the service, you should raise them promptly so that we can review the matter and, where appropriate, attempt to put it right. Evidence such as photographs, invoices, and details of the work completed may be requested. We are more likely to resolve a concern effectively if it is reported soon after the relevant visit or event.

We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version applicable to your booking will normally be the one in force on the date the booking was confirmed, unless a later version is agreed in writing. No waiver of any term shall be effective unless it is clearly stated by us in writing. Headings are included for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising from the services provided by Gardeners Aldborough Hatch shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, unless mandatory consumer law provides otherwise. By continuing to use the service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted these terms in relation to the garden work requested.