Gardeners Forest Gate Service Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Gardeners Forest Gate provides gardening and related services to residential and commercial clients. By making a booking or allowing work to commence, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before confirming any service.

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions have the meanings set out below:

Client means the individual, business, or organisation requesting or receiving services from Gardeners Forest Gate.

Company means Gardeners Forest Gate, the gardening service provider.

Services means any gardening, grounds maintenance, clearance, planting, lawn care, hedge cutting, pruning, landscaping preparation, or related work performed by the Company.

Visit means an agreed date and time when the Company attends the Client property to carry out Services.

Property means the garden, land, or premises at which the Services are to be carried out.

2. Scope of Services

The Company provides general gardening and grounds maintenance services, which may include lawn mowing, edging, weeding, hedge and shrub trimming, pruning, planting, garden clearance, leaf collection, border maintenance, lawn treatment, and related outdoor work. Any landscaping, construction, or specialised horticultural services are provided only if expressly agreed in writing before work begins.

The precise scope of work for each Visit will be agreed with the Client at the time of booking or on arrival at the Property, taking into account the time booked, site conditions, safety considerations, and any pre-agreed plan or quote.

3. Booking Process

Bookings can be requested by the Client through the Company booking channels as advertised from time to time. The Company will confirm acceptance of a booking and provide an estimated date and time for the Visit.

All bookings are subject to availability and to the Company acceptance. The Company reserves the right to refuse any booking at its discretion, including where the requested work is unsafe, unlawful, unsuitable for the services offered, or impractical due to site conditions.

Where the Client requests ongoing or regular maintenance, the Company will agree a schedule of Visits. This schedule is indicative only and may be changed by mutual agreement or due to weather, staff availability, or other operational reasons.

The Client is responsible for providing accurate information regarding the Property, access arrangements, and the nature and size of the work required so that a realistic booking and any estimate can be provided.

4. Quotes and Estimates

Any price indication provided before a Visit is an estimate based on the information supplied by the Client. Estimates may be given as a fixed price for defined work or as an hourly rate with an expected duration.

The Company reserves the right to amend an estimate if the actual condition of the garden or the volume of work is materially different from that described by the Client, if access is restricted, or if additional work is requested on the day.

Where possible, any change in price will be discussed with the Client before work proceeds. If the Client does not agree to the revised price, the Company may limit the work to the value originally agreed or cancel the Visit, in which case a call-out fee may apply.

5. Client Responsibilities and Access

The Client must ensure that the Company has safe and reasonable access to the Property at the agreed time. This includes providing any necessary access codes, keys, or instructions in advance, and ensuring that gates are unlocked and that pets are secured.

The Client must ensure that the working area is reasonably clear of obstacles, waste, and hazards not related to the agreed work. The Client must advise the Company of any underground services, pipes, cables, or other hidden features that could be damaged during normal gardening work.

The Client is responsible for keeping children, pets, and other third parties away from machinery, tools, and working areas during the Visit. The Company may refuse to carry out all or part of the work if it considers that conditions are unsafe.

6. Payments and Rates

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Services are charged either at an agreed hourly rate or at a fixed price for a specified job. Rates may vary depending on the nature of the work, the size of the team, and any specialist equipment required.

Payment is due on completion of the Visit, unless the Client and Company have agreed to an alternative arrangement, such as invoicing for regular maintenance. Invoices are payable by the due date stated. The Company reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts from the due date until the date of actual payment.

The Company accepts payment by the methods it makes available from time to time, which may include bank transfer, card payment, or other non-cash methods. Cash payments are only accepted if expressly agreed in advance and a receipt will be provided upon request.

The Company may request a deposit or part payment before commencing certain larger or one-off projects. Deposits are non-refundable if the Client cancels within the periods described in the cancellation section unless the Company decides otherwise at its discretion.

7. Cancellations and Rescheduling by the Client

The Client may cancel or reschedule a Visit by giving notice to the Company. To avoid cancellation charges, the Client must normally give at least 24 hours notice before the scheduled Visit time, or any longer period specified in an agreed written quotation.

Where less than 24 hours notice is given, the Company may charge a cancellation fee, which may be up to the full price of the booked Visit or a minimum call-out fee, at the Company discretion.

If the Client fails to provide access to the Property at the agreed time, or the Visit cannot proceed for reasons within the Client control, this will be treated as a late cancellation and the relevant charges may apply.

For larger or project-based work, different cancellation terms may apply as specified in the written quotation or agreement for that project.

8. Cancellations and Changes by the Company

The Company may cancel or reschedule a Visit in circumstances including, but not limited to, unsafe weather conditions, staff illness, equipment failure, access issues, or other factors beyond its control.

The Company will aim to provide as much notice as reasonably possible and to agree a new suitable time with the Client. The Company will not be liable for any loss of profit, loss of enjoyment, or other indirect losses arising from cancellation or rescheduling, provided that any fees already paid for that Visit are refunded or credited if the Visit is not carried out.

The Company may terminate ongoing arrangements with the Client by giving reasonable notice. Reasons for termination may include repeated non-payment, persistent cancellations, abusive behaviour, unsafe working conditions, or fundamental disagreements about the scope or method of work.

9. Standards of Work and Complaints

The Company will carry out the Services with reasonable skill and care, in line with typical standards for professional gardening and grounds maintenance in the United Kingdom.

If the Client is dissatisfied with any aspect of the work, they should notify the Company as soon as reasonably practicable, ideally within 48 hours of the Visit. The Company may request photographs or a site inspection to assess the issue.

Where a complaint is justified and relates to quality of work, the Company will, at its discretion, either rectify the issue, repeat the relevant part of the service, or offer a partial refund. This will be the Client sole remedy in respect of quality issues.

10. Waste Handling and Environmental Regulations

During the course of providing Services, the Company may generate green waste, such as grass clippings, leaves, branches, and plant trimmings. The standard service level does not include removal of green waste from the Property unless explicitly agreed as part of the booking.

Where green waste removal is requested and agreed, additional charges may apply to cover labour, transport, and disposal in accordance with applicable waste regulations. The Company will handle waste in compliance with relevant UK environmental and waste disposal laws and guidelines.

If waste removal is not included, the Company may bag or stack green waste neatly within the Property boundaries, as agreed with the Client. The Client is then responsible for arranging council collection, taking the waste to an appropriate facility, or otherwise disposing of it lawfully.

The Company does not handle hazardous waste or materials such as asbestos, chemicals, contaminated soil, or sharp objects that may present a risk. The Client is responsible for ensuring that such materials are removed or isolated before Services begin, or for arranging specialist contractors where necessary.

11. Health, Safety, and Site Conditions

The Company will take reasonable steps to ensure that Services are provided safely. This may include use of personal protective equipment, safe operation of machinery, and refusal to carry out certain tasks where the risk is considered unacceptable.

The Client must inform the Company of any hazards on the Property, including uneven ground, unstable structures, ponds, poisonous plants, or aggressive animals. The Company may refuse to work in or near hazardous areas until the risk is removed or controlled.

In adverse weather, such as heavy rain, high winds, extreme heat, or icy conditions, the Company may adjust the work to suit what is safe and practical. Certain tasks, such as climbing ladders for hedge work or tree pruning, may be postponed or adapted to comply with safe working practices.

12. Damage, Liability, and Insurance

The Company will exercise reasonable care to avoid damage to the Property while carrying out Services. However, the Client acknowledges that minor surface marks, lawn indentations from equipment, or incidental disturbance of soil and plants may occur as part of normal gardening work.

Any damage must be reported to the Company as soon as practicable and in any event within 7 days of the Visit. The Company will inspect and, where damage is attributable to its negligence, may repair, replace, or offer financial compensation up to the value of the damaged item, at its discretion.

The Company liability to the Client, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, is limited to the total amount paid or payable for the specific Visit or project during which the event giving rise to the claim occurred. The Company is not liable for indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, loss of enjoyment, or loss of opportunity.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under UK law.

13. Property, Plants, and Natural Variations

Gardening results depend on factors such as soil quality, weather conditions, pests, diseases, and the ongoing care provided by the Client between Visits. The Company cannot guarantee specific outcomes, plant survival, or growth rates.

Any advice given by the Company regarding plant selection, treatments, feeding, watering, or long-term garden planning is given in good faith but does not constitute a guarantee of performance.

14. Data Protection and Privacy

The Company may collect and store personal information about the Client, including name, address, and contact details, for the purposes of managing bookings, providing Services, issuing invoices, and maintaining records.

The Company will take reasonable steps to keep such information secure and will not sell or share it with unrelated third parties except where required by law, for debt collection, or where necessary to deliver the Services.

15. Termination of Ongoing Arrangements

Either party may terminate an ongoing maintenance arrangement by giving reasonable notice, typically at least 14 days unless a different period has been agreed in writing. Any Visit already agreed within the notice period will proceed unless cancelled in accordance with the cancellation provisions.

Termination does not affect any rights or obligations that have already arisen, including payment for Services already performed or for which the Company has incurred costs.

16. Changes to These Terms and Conditions

The Company may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The latest version will apply to new bookings and, where notified to the Client, to ongoing arrangements after a reasonable notice period.

Continued use of the Services after notification of updated terms will be treated as acceptance of those terms.

17. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or the Services provided, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

The parties agree that 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 their subject matter.

18. General Provisions

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court or other competent authority, 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.

These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between the Client and the Company in relation to the Services, superseding any prior discussions, correspondence, or understandings, except where a written quotation or agreement expressly supplements these terms.