Terms and Conditions for Gardening Services

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which gardening services are provided by Gardeners South Norwood and apply to all bookings made for domestic and commercial garden work. By making a booking, the customer agrees to these terms. They are intended to create a clear understanding of how the service works, how charges are handled, and what responsibilities each party has before, during, and after the work is carried out. In these terms, references to “we,” “us,” and “our” mean the service provider, and references to “you” mean the customer.

These terms are designed to be fair and practical. They are meant to support a straightforward service relationship, whether the work involves routine maintenance, seasonal tidy-ups, planting, pruning, lawn care, hedge trimming, weed removal, or other agreed outdoor services. Any variation to these terms must be agreed in writing before the work begins. If any part of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining parts will continue to apply.

The provision of gardening services may depend on site conditions, weather, access, and the nature of the work requested. While we aim to complete all agreed tasks efficiently and to a professional standard, some services may require changes in timing or scope to ensure safety, compliance, and proper completion. The customer is encouraged to read these terms carefully before confirming a booking.

Booking Process

Bookings for gardening services in South Norwood are normally made after an initial enquiry and may be confirmed by email, telephone, or another agreed method of communication. When you request a service, you should provide accurate information about the garden, the type of work required, access arrangements, parking restrictions if relevant, and any known hazards or special instructions. We may ask for photographs or additional details before confirming the appointment so that we can assess the work properly and provide an appropriate estimate or quotation.

A booking is only confirmed when we have accepted the job and, where required, received any deposit or advance payment requested. An estimate is not the same as a fixed quote unless clearly stated otherwise. If the scope of work changes after the booking has been accepted, we may revise the price, schedule, or duration of the visit. Any such change will be discussed with you before additional work is carried out whenever reasonably possible.

We will make reasonable efforts to attend at the agreed time and date, but time slots may be approximate unless specifically guaranteed in writing. Gardening work is often affected by weather, traffic, earlier jobs running over, or site-specific conditions. If a delay becomes likely, we will aim to inform you as soon as is reasonably practicable. You agree to ensure that the property is accessible and that any necessary permissions are in place before the visit.

If we are unable to complete the work because access is denied, the site is unsafe, or the information provided was materially inaccurate, we may charge a call-out fee or part of the agreed service fee, depending on the circumstances. In some cases, we may reschedule the appointment instead of attending on the original date. Where the service is recurring, such as weekly or monthly garden maintenance, the booking arrangement may continue until cancelled in accordance with these terms.

Gardeners South Norwood may decline or cancel a booking where the requested work falls outside our service scope, requires specialist equipment not available, or presents a health and safety risk. We also reserve the right to pause or stop work if conditions on site change in a way that makes the job unsafe or impractical. In such cases, we will aim to explain the reason and, where appropriate, offer a revised arrangement.

Payments

Payment terms will be confirmed at the time of booking or set out in the quotation. Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due on completion of the work or, for larger jobs, in stages as the work progresses. For recurring gardening services, payment may be required after each visit or by invoice at regular intervals. We may request a deposit to secure a booking, particularly for larger projects or seasonal work requiring advance planning.

Accepted payment methods may include bank transfer, card payment, or another method specified at the time of booking. Cash may be accepted only if agreed in advance. All invoices must be paid in full by the due date stated on the invoice or booking confirmation. If payment is not received on time, we may charge interest and reasonable recovery costs where permitted by law, and we may suspend further work until overdue amounts are settled.

The price for the service will normally include labour and standard equipment required for the agreed task. Any materials, specialist plants, disposal charges, or additional labour requested by you may be charged separately. If we discover during the job that the work is more extensive than originally described, we will try to obtain your approval before proceeding with extra charges. You are responsible for ensuring that payment details are correct and that funds are available when due.

Where a quote has been issued, it will usually remain valid for a limited period stated in the quotation. Quotes are based on the information provided at the time and may change if the job scope changes, hidden conditions are found, or access is restricted. Any discount, promotional price, or special arrangement will apply only if expressly confirmed and may be withdrawn for future visits or revised bookings.

Cancellations and Rescheduling

You may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving notice within a reasonable period before the scheduled service date. The amount of notice required may vary depending on the size and complexity of the job, but we ask that you inform us as early as possible. If you cancel at short notice, we may retain any deposit or charge a cancellation fee to cover time reserved and costs already incurred.

If we need to cancel or rearrange a visit due to illness, adverse weather, equipment failure, staff shortage, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control, we will make reasonable efforts to offer a new appointment. We are not responsible for any indirect loss caused by a cancellation or delay, provided that we acted reasonably and with proper care. We aim to keep disruption to a minimum and to communicate changes promptly.

For recurring garden maintenance services, you may end the arrangement by giving the agreed notice period. If no notice period has been expressly stated, a reasonable notice period will apply. Any work completed before cancellation remains payable. If the cancellation is made after materials have been purchased or preparation work has begun, you may be charged for reasonable costs already incurred.

Customer Responsibilities

You must ensure that the garden and surrounding areas are reasonably safe and accessible when we attend. This includes removing or securing pets, informing us of hidden hazards, and advising of any fragile items, underground installations, water features, electrical fittings, or restricted access points. If a task requires permission from a landlord, freeholder, neighbour, or managing agent, you are responsible for obtaining that permission in advance.

We may need access to water, electricity, or external taps for certain services. If such access is needed, you should make it available or tell us beforehand if it is not possible. You are also responsible for ensuring that paths, gates, and entrances are clear enough for normal garden work to be carried out safely. Where the customer supplies plants, compost, or other materials, we are not responsible for their quality or suitability unless we have expressly agreed otherwise.

After the work is completed, you should inspect the area promptly and raise any concerns within a reasonable time. This allows us to review the issue while the job is still fresh. If a matter is not reported promptly, it may be harder to determine whether the issue relates to the original work, later weather conditions, new growth, or normal wear and tear.

We are not liable for pre-existing defects, poor soil condition, hidden disease, pest activity, underground obstructions, or damage caused by factors outside our control. This includes deterioration resulting from extreme weather, drought, frost, waterlogging, animal activity, or natural growth patterns. Gardening involves living materials, and results may vary depending on season, plant health, and environmental conditions. No guarantee is given that a particular plant will survive unless expressly agreed in writing and maintained according to any care instructions provided.

Liability

We will carry out the service with reasonable skill and care. If we fail to do so, our responsibility will be limited to re-performing the affected part of the service where reasonable, or providing a fair refund or price reduction, depending on the circumstances. Nothing in these terms limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot legally be limited under UK law.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for loss of profit, business interruption, loss of opportunity, indirect loss, or consequential loss arising from the service. Our total liability for any claim relating to a booking will not exceed the amount paid or payable for the specific service giving rise to the claim, except where the law says otherwise. This limitation is intended to be reasonable and proportionate for a service business providing outdoor work.

Waste Regulations and Disposal

Garden waste arising from the service may include grass cuttings, hedge clippings, branches, leaves, weeds, soil, and other organic material. Where waste removal is included in the service or requested separately, it will be handled in accordance with applicable UK waste laws and environmental requirements. We will take reasonable steps to segregate, transport, and dispose of garden waste responsibly, including using authorised facilities or licensed carriers where required.

You acknowledge that some waste items may require separate handling or may not be suitable for ordinary garden waste disposal. This can include treated wood, old fencing, contaminated soil, building rubble, sharp objects, chemicals, asbestos-containing materials, electrical items, or household rubbish mixed with green waste. If such items are found, we may refuse to remove them, may charge extra, or may require you to arrange proper disposal yourself. It is your responsibility to tell us in advance if the site contains unusual or hazardous waste.

Any waste transfer arrangements, including whether waste is left in bags, removed from site, or taken for disposal, should be agreed before the work starts. If we agree to remove waste on your behalf, you authorise us to make the necessary arrangements consistent with lawful disposal practices. We may issue an additional charge if the volume of waste exceeds what was estimated or if access, loading, or transport becomes more difficult than expected.

Health, Safety, and Site Conditions

We may stop work if we believe there is a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment. This may include severe weather, unstable structures, exposure to pests, dangerous tools left on site, aggressive animals, or the presence of hazardous materials. If work is paused for safety reasons, we may reschedule, modify the task, or end the visit where necessary. You agree not to interfere with safe working practices or ask us to undertake work that would be unlawful or unsafe.

Where machinery, ladders, cutting tools, or other equipment are used, we will operate them responsibly and in accordance with appropriate safety standards. You must keep children and pets away from the work area while services are being provided. If you or another person on site requests changes during the visit, those changes may affect the price and completion time. We are not required to continue if instructions change in a way that creates a risk.

Complaints and Remedies

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of the service, you should notify us as soon as possible and provide reasonable detail about the issue. This helps us assess whether the concern can be corrected, revisited, or compensated. We will review complaints in good faith and, where appropriate, may offer a revisit, partial refund, or another suitable remedy. Any remedy will depend on the nature of the issue and whether the complaint was reported in time.

Complaints will not affect your obligation to pay for services already completed unless the issue relates directly to that work and is verified as a fault on our part. Minor variations in appearance, growth response, or seasonal change do not automatically amount to a breach of these terms. Gardening results may evolve over time, especially where living materials and weather conditions play a significant role in the outcome.

Governing Law

These terms and any dispute or claim arising from them are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The parties agree that the courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction, although this does not affect any rights you may have under mandatory consumer law. If any term is interpreted differently under applicable law, the rest of the agreement will remain valid and enforceable.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to remove or reduce your statutory rights as a consumer where those rights apply. In the event of a conflict between these terms and any mandatory legal requirement, the legal requirement will take precedence to the extent required by law. By booking a service, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms as the basis of the service contract.