Terms and Conditions for Gardeners Charlton

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which gardening services are provided by Gardeners Charlton to residential and commercial clients in the UK. By making a booking, confirming a quotation, or allowing work to begin, the client agrees to these terms. Please read them carefully, as they explain how bookings are accepted, how payments are handled, when cancellations may apply, what liability is limited, and how waste is managed in line with relevant rules. These terms are intended to be clear and fair, while protecting both the client and the gardening contractor throughout the service relationship.

For the purpose of these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the gardening service provider, and “you” or “the client” means the person or business receiving the service. The scope of work may include, for example, lawn care, hedge trimming, planting, pruning, clearance, maintenance, and related outdoor tasks agreed in advance. Any service description provided before booking is intended to outline the likely work only and does not form a fixed guarantee unless specifically confirmed in writing.

All services supplied by Gardeners Charlton are subject to availability, weather conditions, access to the property, and the accuracy of information provided by the client. If a task cannot safely be completed, or if conditions materially differ from those described at the time of booking, we may adjust the service, reschedule the visit, or decline part of the work. Where possible, we will explain the reason for any change before proceeding.

Booking process
Bookings may be made after an initial enquiry and a review of the required work. A booking is only confirmed when we have accepted the request and, where applicable, received any required deposit or written confirmation from the client. Quotations are usually based on the information available at the time and may depend on site conditions, the size of the garden, access arrangements, and whether specialist equipment is needed. The client is responsible for giving accurate information about the property, the area to be worked on, and any hazards that may affect the service. If details provided are incomplete or misleading, we may revise the quotation or the scope of work.

We will normally confirm the date, time, estimated duration, and main tasks included in the appointment. Although every reasonable effort is made to arrive on time, scheduled visits are subject to delays caused by traffic, adverse weather, earlier jobs overrunning, equipment issues, or circumstances outside our control. In such cases, we will aim to offer an alternative time or date. The client must ensure that the site is accessible at the agreed time and that any necessary permissions, parking arrangements, or entry instructions are provided in advance.

Where access cannot be gained, or where the property is not ready for the agreed work, we may charge a call-out fee, waiting time, or part of the booked service fee. If the client wishes to change the agreed work after confirmation, we may need to re-quote, especially where the revised request increases labour, materials, waste removal, or specialist treatment. Any additional tasks not included in the booking will be treated as extra work and charged accordingly only after agreement.

Payments and invoicing
Payment terms will be stated in the quotation, booking confirmation, or invoice. Unless agreed otherwise, payment is due on completion of the service or within the period specified on the invoice. For larger projects, recurring maintenance, or substantial material purchases, we may request a deposit or staged payments. Deposits are normally used to secure a booking and cover preparatory costs, and they may be non-refundable where work has been scheduled or resources reserved specifically for the client.

Accepted payment methods may include bank transfer, debit card, credit card, cash, or other methods confirmed in advance. Any card processing fees, if applicable, will be disclosed where permitted by law. If payment is not received by the due date, we may pause further work, cancel future visits, or charge reasonable recovery costs where allowed. The client remains responsible for all agreed sums, including any additional charges for extra labour, supplies, waste handling, or unforeseen work approved during the visit.

Prices are normally quoted in pounds sterling and may be subject to VAT where applicable. Written quotations remain valid for the period stated on the document, or if no period is stated, for a reasonable time only. We reserve the right to correct obvious pricing errors, clerical mistakes, or omissions. If a client requests materials to be purchased on their behalf, those items may be invoiced in advance or at cost plus an administration charge if previously agreed.

Cancellations, rescheduling, and missed appointments
Cancellations should be made as early as possible. If the client cancels with sufficient notice, no fee may be charged, provided no preparatory costs have been incurred. However, if a cancellation occurs after materials have been ordered, staff have been allocated, or the visit has been reserved specifically for the client, we may retain part or all of any deposit and charge for unrecoverable expenses. The exact position will depend on the timing and circumstances of the cancellation.

If the client needs to reschedule, we will try to offer a new appointment, subject to availability. Short-notice changes may be treated as cancellations if the original slot cannot be reassigned. If we must cancel or reschedule due to illness, weather, equipment failure, safety concerns, or another reason beyond our control, we will seek to rearrange the service promptly. We are not responsible for indirect losses arising from a lawful cancellation or change of date, provided we act reasonably and in good faith.

If the client is not present when required, or has not made suitable arrangements for access, the appointment may be classed as a missed visit. In such cases, a reasonable fee may be charged for wasted time, travel, or administration. For recurring gardening services, repeated missed appointments or unresolved access problems may lead to suspension or termination of the agreement. A client should inform us immediately if there is any issue likely to affect the scheduled work.

Service standards and liability
We will carry out the agreed gardening services with reasonable care and skill, using suitable tools and methods for the job. However, gardening often involves living materials, seasonal variation, and variable ground conditions, so outcomes may differ from one visit to another. We do not guarantee the survival or appearance of plants affected by disease, drought, poor soil, pests, frost, prior neglect, or previous handling by others. Where specialist horticultural treatment is required, we may advise that additional expertise is necessary.

We accept responsibility for direct loss or damage caused by our negligence to the extent required by law. Our liability is limited to the reasonable cost of repair or replacement of damaged property, or the amount paid for the relevant service, whichever is lower, except where the law does not permit such limitation. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other matter that cannot lawfully be excluded. We are not liable for pre-existing defects, hidden underground services, unstable structures, or damage arising from inaccurate information supplied by the client.

Clients should remove or identify fragile items, ornaments, valuables, low-voltage lighting, pets, and other obstacles before work begins. If the client asks us to work near vulnerable items or private installations, this is done at the client’s risk unless we expressly agree otherwise in writing. We may refuse to operate equipment or perform a task where we reasonably believe it would create danger to people, property, wildlife, or the environment. Any instructions from the client that conflict with safety requirements will not be followed.

Waste regulations and site clearance
Garden waste generated during the service will be handled in accordance with applicable UK waste and environmental rules. Unless agreed otherwise, the client remains responsible for confirming whether waste should be removed, composted on site, or left in a designated area. Where we remove waste, we may do so only in a lawful manner, using appropriate carriers, transfer facilities, and disposal routes. We will not knowingly dispose of controlled waste unlawfully or allow materials to be fly-tipped.

The client must disclose any waste that may require special handling, such as treated timber, soil contaminated by chemicals, invasive plant material, sharp objects, or non-garden items mixed into the waste pile. Additional charges may apply where waste separation, loading, transport, tipping fees, or special containers are needed. If waste is discovered that was not visible or not disclosed at the time of quotation, we may pause the job and revise the price before continuing. We reserve the right to refuse to remove prohibited or hazardous materials.

Where green waste is left on site, the client is responsible for its storage and final disposal unless we have agreed to take it away. If the client asks us to bag, stack, or place waste in a specific area, the area must be suitable and accessible. We are not responsible for nuisance, odour, or decay arising after the work has been completed, unless the issue results from our negligence. Any waste transfer note, receipt, or disposal record will be retained in line with applicable legal and business requirements where appropriate.

Client responsibilities and access
The client must ensure that the work area is safe and reasonably prepared before the visit begins. This includes securing dogs or other animals, moving vehicles if needed, and warning us about overhead cables, fragile structures, or slippery surfaces. If there are water, electricity, or drainage connections that may be needed for the work, the client must confirm that they are available and safe to use. We are not responsible for delays caused by a lack of preparation or by restricted access to parts of the property.

Where the job requires entry to locked gates, sheds, side passages, or communal areas, the client must arrange access in advance and make sure any keys, codes, or permissions are valid. If a neighbour, landlord, managing agent, or tenant is involved, it is the client’s responsibility to ensure that all necessary approvals have been obtained. We may rely on the client’s instruction as authority to proceed unless we have reason to believe that permission is missing or disputed.

If the property contains hidden hazards such as buried cables, septic components, fragile paving, rotten decking, or structural weaknesses, the client must tell us before work starts. We are entitled to stop work if unsafe conditions are discovered. Any work paused for safety reasons may still be charged for the time already spent. If specialist equipment, permits, or access arrangements are required, these should be discussed at the booking stage to avoid delay or extra cost.

Complaints, changes, and termination
If the client is unhappy with any aspect of the service, they should notify us as soon as possible so that the matter can be reviewed promptly. We may ask for photographs, a description of the issue, or the chance to revisit the site. If a complaint is upheld, we may offer a correction, partial refund, or another reasonable remedy. This process does not affect the client’s statutory rights. However, complaints raised long after completion may be harder to assess fairly, especially where weather, growth, or third-party interference may have changed the condition of the garden.

We may update these terms from time to time to reflect changes in law, business practice, or service structure. The version in force at the time of booking will usually apply to that booking unless a change is required by law. If any part of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply. No waiver of rights will be effective unless confirmed by us in writing.

Governing law
These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from them or in connection with them, are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction, unless the client is entitled to bring proceedings in another part of the UK under mandatory consumer protection rules. Nothing in these terms limits any rights that cannot be excluded under applicable law. By proceeding with a booking, the client confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to these conditions governing the gardening services provided.