Terms And Conditions
Gardeners South Ruislip Service Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of gardening and related services by Gardeners South Ruislip to residential and commercial customers within its service area. By making a booking, accepting a quotation or allowing work to commence, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before confirming your appointment.
1. Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions the following expressions have the meanings set out below.
Customer means any individual, business, landlord, tenant, managing agent or organisation requesting the services.
Company means Gardeners South Ruislip, the provider of the services.
Services means gardening, garden maintenance, clearance, soft landscaping and any related work agreed between the Company and the Customer.
Service Area means the locations in which the Company offers services, including South Ruislip and surrounding districts as determined by the Company from time to time.
Booking means an appointment made by the Customer for the Company to provide services at an agreed time and place.
Agreement means the contract between the Company and the Customer incorporating these Terms and Conditions and any written quotation or confirmation.
2. Scope of Services
The Company provides a range of gardening and outdoor maintenance services. These may include lawn care, hedge trimming, pruning, planting, weeding, garden clearance, green waste handling in accordance with regulations, and other agreed tasks.
The exact scope of work for each booking will be set out in the quotation or booking confirmation. Any illustrations, descriptions or examples of services on marketing materials are for guidance only and do not form part of the Agreement unless expressly stated in writing.
The Company reserves the right to decline work that it considers unsafe, unlawful, unsuitable for its equipment or outside its usual scope of services.
3. Booking Process
Bookings may be requested by the Customer through the Company’s chosen contact methods. The Customer must provide accurate information about the property, access, parking, and the requested services.
Bookings are subject to availability and are not confirmed until the Company has issued a written or verbal confirmation specifying the date, approximate arrival time, and any applicable charges. The Company may offer time windows rather than exact start times due to the nature of outdoor work and variable conditions.
The Customer is responsible for ensuring that an authorised person is present at the property at the agreed time if access is not otherwise arranged. If the Company cannot gain access due to the Customer’s fault or omission, a call out or cancellation charge may apply.
For larger projects or ongoing maintenance contracts, the Company may require a site visit before confirming the booking and price. Any quotation given following a site visit will be valid for a limited period, which will be communicated to the Customer.
4. Quotations and Pricing
Prices may be based on an hourly rate, a fixed fee, or a combination of both, as specified in the quotation or booking confirmation. Any quoted prices are inclusive or exclusive of value added tax as indicated at the time of quotation.
Quotations are given on the assumption that the information provided by the Customer is complete and accurate. If the actual condition of the garden, access, or scope of work differs significantly from what was described, the Company reserves the right to amend the price or refuse to proceed. Any revised charges will be discussed with the Customer before work continues.
Additional work requested by the Customer on the day of service that falls outside the original scope may be charged at the Company’s prevailing rates and may require separate approval.
5. Customer Responsibilities
The Customer must ensure that the property is safe and reasonably accessible for the Company’s personnel and equipment. This includes providing clear access routes, informing the Company of any hazards such as uneven ground, hidden cables, or unstable structures, and ensuring that pets and children are kept away from work areas.
The Customer must obtain any necessary permissions, consents or approvals for the services, such as landlord permission, freeholder consent, or approvals required by local regulations for certain works, including tree works where applicable.
The Customer should clearly identify any plants, trees or features that must not be cut, removed or disturbed. The Company cannot be held liable for damage to items that were not reasonably visible or that were not brought to its attention before work began.
Where access relies on keys, codes or shared entrances, the Customer is responsible for providing correct details and ensuring that the Company can gain entry at the agreed time.
6. Payments and Invoicing
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment for services is due on completion of the work on the day of service. The Company may, at its discretion, require a deposit for larger projects or for new Customers, payable prior to the commencement of any work.
The Company accepts payment by methods communicated to the Customer at the time of booking or invoicing. The Customer must ensure that funds are available and that payment is made in full without set off or deduction.
Where the Company issues an invoice with a payment term, payment must be received within the stated period. If payment is not received when due, the Company may charge interest on the overdue amount at a reasonable rate and may suspend further services until all outstanding sums are settled.
Any queries or disputes regarding an invoice must be raised by the Customer promptly and in any event within seven days of the invoice date. Raising a query does not entitle the Customer to withhold payment of undisputed amounts.
7. Cancellations and Rescheduling
The Customer may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving notice to the Company. To avoid charges, the Customer should provide at least 24 hours notice before the scheduled start time for standard appointments, or a longer period for large projects if specified in the quotation or confirmation.
If the Customer cancels or reschedules with less than the required notice period, the Company may charge a late cancellation fee or a call out charge to cover lost time and costs. Where a deposit has been taken, it may be retained to offset such charges.
The Company may cancel or reschedule a booking due to adverse weather conditions, safety concerns, staff illness, equipment failure or other circumstances beyond its reasonable control. In such cases, the Company will aim to offer an alternative appointment as soon as practicable and will not be liable for any costs or losses incurred by the Customer arising from the change.
Persistent cancellations or missed appointments by the Customer may result in the Company declining future bookings.
8. Access, Parking and Site Conditions
The Customer must ensure that suitable parking is available for the Company’s vehicle as close as reasonably possible to the property. If parking charges apply, these may be added to the final invoice unless agreed otherwise.
The Customer is responsible for providing clear access to the garden and any areas where work is to be carried out. This includes removing obstructions where possible and informing the Company of any special access arrangements such as narrow side passages, shared driveways or restricted entrances.
The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry out work if site conditions are unsafe, if access is unreasonable, or if continuing would risk damage to property, vehicles, or equipment. In such cases a call out charge may apply if the issue arises due to the Customer’s act or omission.
9. Waste Handling and Environmental Regulations
The Company seeks to comply with all applicable waste and environmental regulations relating to the handling, transport and disposal of garden waste. The specific arrangements for waste will be set out in the quotation or agreed at the time of booking.
In many cases, garden waste such as clippings and small branches can be left on site in a compost area or green waste bin, if the Customer requests this. If the Customer requires the Company to remove garden waste from the property, an additional charge may apply based on volume, weight or number of loads.
The Company will not remove hazardous waste, contaminated material, chemical containers, asbestos or other regulated waste. If such materials are discovered, work may be paused and the Customer will be advised to contact a specialist contractor.
The Customer must not request or permit the Company to dispose of waste illegally, such as fly-tipping or using unauthorised sites. The Company reserves the right to refuse any instruction that would breach waste regulations or harm the environment.
10. Tools, Equipment and Property Protection
The Company will supply its own tools and equipment necessary to perform the services, unless otherwise agreed. All such tools and equipment remain the property of the Company at all times.
The Customer should move or protect vulnerable items near the work area, such as garden ornaments, furniture, electrical accessories, and fragile decorations. While the Company will take reasonable care, it cannot accept responsibility for damage to items that were left in an exposed position or not reasonably visible.
The Customer must not use or operate the Company’s equipment without express permission. The Company accepts no liability for injury or damage arising from unauthorised use of its tools or machinery.
11. Liability and Insurance
The Company will carry out the services with reasonable care and skill consistent with a professional gardening service provider. If the Customer is dissatisfied with any aspect of the work, they must inform the Company promptly, and the Company will consider reasonable steps to remedy the issue.
The Company maintains appropriate public liability insurance for its activities. Details of cover can be provided on request. The Company’s total liability to the Customer in connection with any claim arising out of the services or the Agreement shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be limited to the amount paid by the Customer for the specific service giving rise to the claim.
The Company does not exclude or limit its liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability that cannot be excluded under UK law.
Subject to the above, the Company will not be liable for loss of profits, loss of business, loss of use, or any indirect or consequential loss arising out of or in connection with the services, delays, or cancellations, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise.
12. Weather, Seasonal Factors and Plant Growth
Gardening services are influenced by weather conditions, seasons and natural plant growth. The Company cannot guarantee specific outcomes or growth rates, as these depend on factors beyond its control such as soil conditions, sunlight, watering, pests and diseases.
Where treatments, planting or lawn work are carried out, the Customer is responsible for following any aftercare advice provided by the Company. Failure to follow such guidance may affect the appearance or survival of plants, and the Company will not be liable for resulting losses.
In periods of extreme weather such as heavy rain, frost, snow, high winds or heatwaves, the Company may need to adapt the work, postpone certain tasks, or reschedule the appointment to protect staff safety and avoid damage to plants or property.
13. Complaints and Dispute Resolution
If the Customer has a complaint about the services, they should notify the Company as soon as reasonably practicable, ideally within 48 hours of the work being carried out. The Company may request photographs or a site visit to assess the issue.
The Company will aim to investigate complaints promptly and, where appropriate, offer a remedy such as additional work, a partial refund or an alternative solution. Any remedy offered is at the Company’s discretion, taking into account the circumstances and the nature of the complaint.
Both parties agree to make reasonable efforts to resolve disputes amicably before considering formal legal action.
14. Data Protection and Privacy
The Company may collect and process personal data such as names, addresses and contact details in order to manage bookings, provide services and handle payments. The Company will take reasonable steps to keep such data secure and to use it only for legitimate business purposes.
The Customer’s details will not be sold to third parties. The Company may share information with trusted third parties where necessary to provide the services, process payments or comply with legal obligations.
15. Amendments to Terms and Conditions
The Company may update or amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The current version will apply to all new bookings and agreements. Existing agreements will continue under the version in place at the time of booking unless changes are required by law or regulatory guidance.
Where material changes are made that could significantly affect ongoing or future services under an existing arrangement, the Company will take reasonable steps to inform affected Customers.
16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions or the services provided by the Company.
17. General Provisions
Each provision of these Terms and Conditions operates separately. If any provision is found by a court or competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
No failure or delay by the Company in exercising any right or remedy under these Terms and Conditions shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy.
The Agreement is between the Company and the Customer only. No other person shall have any rights under the Contracts Rights of Third Parties Act 1999 to enforce any of its terms.
By confirming a booking or allowing the Company to commence work, the Customer confirms that they have read, understood and agree to these Terms and Conditions.