Terms and Conditions for Gardeners South Croydon

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which gardening services are provided by Gardeners South Croydon to residential and commercial customers. By making a booking, requesting a quotation, or allowing work to commence, you agree to these terms. They are designed to create a clear and fair arrangement for both parties, covering the booking process, payment terms, cancellations, liability, waste handling, and the law that applies to the service.

For the purposes of these terms, references to “we,” “us,” and “our” mean the gardening service provider, while “you” means the customer or person instructing us. These terms apply to regular maintenance, one-off garden work, seasonal clearance, soft landscaping, hedge cutting, lawn care, planting, and related garden services unless a separate written agreement states otherwise.

Any special conditions agreed before the work starts must be confirmed in writing or recorded in the booking details. If there is any conflict between a written quotation and these Terms and Conditions, the written quotation will apply only to the specific points it addresses, and these terms will otherwise continue in full force.

1. Booking process

Bookings may be made after an enquiry, site visit, or assessment of the work required. We may provide an estimate at first and then a final quotation once the scope of the work is clear. A booking becomes confirmed when you accept our quotation, agree a date or service schedule, and, where required, pay any deposit or advance payment requested.

We will aim to provide an accurate description of the services to be carried out, but the final scope may need to be adjusted if the condition of the garden, access, or size of the work differs from what was originally described. Gardeners South Croydon may refuse or reschedule a booking if access is unsafe, weather conditions are unsuitable, or the work requested falls outside the agreed service.

If you are booking on behalf of another person, you confirm that you have authority to do so. You are responsible for making sure that the information you provide is accurate, including the address, access instructions, service requirements, and any relevant hazards. We are entitled to rely on the details you provide when preparing a quotation and planning the work.

We may ask for photographs, measurements, or a site visit before confirming certain jobs. This is especially relevant for larger clearances, hedge reduction, turf work, or tasks involving waste removal. If the customer changes the requested work after confirmation, we may revise the price, the timetable, or both. Any revised arrangement will be treated as binding once accepted by both sides.

Where a recurring gardening service is arranged, such as weekly, fortnightly, or monthly maintenance, the same booking rules apply for the initial appointment and any future visits. We may amend scheduled dates where needed due to seasonal demand, staff availability, weather, or practical issues affecting the property.

2. Pricing and payments

All prices will be communicated before the work begins unless the job is carried out on a time-and-materials basis or the nature of the task prevents a fixed quotation. Prices may be quoted inclusive or exclusive of VAT depending on the service and business status at the time. If VAT is chargeable, it will be stated clearly.

Payment terms will be confirmed at the time of booking. For many services, payment is due on completion of the work. In some cases, particularly where materials are ordered, larger projects are scheduled, or repeated services are arranged, we may require a deposit, part-payment, or payment in advance. Deposits are normally non-refundable unless we cancel the booking or agree otherwise in writing.

Gardeners South Croydon accepts payment by the methods notified in advance. If payment is overdue, we may charge reasonable recovery costs and interest where permitted by law. We also reserve the right to suspend future work until outstanding sums are settled in full. Failure to pay on time may result in cancellation of future appointments and recovery action where appropriate.

Any additional work requested during a visit will be charged separately unless we expressly agree to include it within the original quotation. This applies to extra labour, waste disposal, materials, equipment hire, or specialist services. If the customer asks us to proceed with additional work, that request will be taken as acceptance of the associated extra cost.

Quotations are usually valid for a limited period. If the customer delays acceptance, if materials become more expensive, or if the booking date changes significantly, the quotation may need to be revised. We will make reasonable efforts to keep our pricing fair and transparent, but we are not obliged to hold a quotation indefinitely.

3. Cancellations, postponements, and access

Either party may cancel or postpone a booking by giving reasonable notice. If you need to cancel, please do so as soon as possible. For one-off jobs, late cancellation may result in a charge to cover reserved time, staff allocation, or materials already purchased. For recurring services, notice requirements may apply to each service cycle.

If you cancel after work has already started, you may be charged for labour, travel, materials, and any part of the service completed up to the point of cancellation. Where a deposit has been paid, it may be retained against our losses if the cancellation is made too late or if we have already committed resources to the booking. We will act reasonably in assessing any cancellation charge.

If we need to cancel or delay a visit because of severe weather, vehicle issues, staff illness, unsafe working conditions, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control, we will rearrange the appointment where practical. We are not liable for minor delays caused by traffic, weather changes, or access problems that make the original schedule impossible to meet.

It is your responsibility to ensure safe and reasonable access to the property and work area on the agreed day. This includes unlocking gates, securing pets, moving vehicles, and providing any necessary instructions for entry. If access is not available, or if the site is unsafe for our team to begin work, we may treat the visit as a late cancellation and charge accordingly.

If a service is delayed because of inaccurate instructions or missing information supplied by the customer, we may adjust the price or timetable. We will always seek to complete the work where reasonably possible, but we cannot be responsible for losses caused by a failure to provide proper access or accurate booking details.

4. Liability and service standards

We will provide our services with reasonable care and skill and in line with generally accepted standards for professional gardening work. However, gardening is a practical outdoor service and outcomes may be affected by weather, soil condition, plant health, previous maintenance history, hidden defects, and other factors outside our control. For that reason, no guarantee is given that every plant, lawn, hedge, or feature will achieve a particular result unless expressly stated in writing.

We are not liable for pre-existing damage, deterioration caused by natural causes, or issues that arise because of the age or condition of plants, lawns, soil, fences, paving, or structures. If you ask us to work in an area that has delicate, unstable, or poorly maintained features, you accept the risk that further damage may occur despite reasonable care.

Where we supply materials or plants, any manufacturer or supplier warranty will apply where available, and our responsibility will be limited to passing on relevant information and assisting where reasonable. We do not accept liability for failures caused by incorrect aftercare, lack of watering, unsuitable weather, frost, pests, disease, or other environmental factors after completion of the work.

Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded under English law. Subject to that, our total liability for any claim arising from a service will be limited to the amount paid or payable for the specific work in question, unless a different limit is required by law.

We are not responsible for indirect or consequential losses, including loss of profit, loss of enjoyment, loss of opportunity, or inconvenience, unless such loss is caused by a legal breach for which liability cannot be excluded. You are responsible for removing or protecting fragile items, ornaments, valuables, buried services, hidden cables, and any other items that may be affected by normal gardening operations.

5. Waste removal and environmental obligations

Where garden waste removal is included in the service or arranged as an extra, it will be handled in accordance with applicable waste legislation and duty of care requirements. We will transport and dispose of green waste, soil, cuttings, branches, and similar garden debris only through lawful and responsible methods. Waste may be transferred to authorised facilities, recycling points, or licensed carriers where appropriate.

You must tell us in advance if the waste includes anything other than normal garden arisings, such as soil contaminated by chemicals, timber treated with preservatives, broken glass, asbestos, building waste, electrical items, or other controlled materials. Such items are not accepted unless we have expressly agreed in writing and are legally able to remove them. Additional charges may apply for unusual or heavy waste streams.

We may leave waste on site if no disposal service has been agreed, if there is insufficient access, if collection would exceed the agreed scope, or if local restrictions prevent removal at that time. In those circumstances, the waste remains your responsibility unless otherwise stated. You must ensure that any waste we leave is stored, moved, or disposed of lawfully.

If waste transfer notes, carrier details, or other documentation are required, we will provide them where applicable. You agree not to request unlawful disposal, fly-tipping, or any action that would breach environmental law or the duty of care attached to waste handling. We reserve the right to refuse any work involving waste that appears unsafe, prohibited, or unsuitable for collection.

6. Customer responsibilities

You must ensure that the work area is reasonably clear and that you have obtained any permissions needed to carry out the requested services. This includes permission from landlords, management companies, neighbours, or freeholders where relevant. You are responsible for advising us about underground services, irrigation systems, fragile surfaces, hidden hazards, or any restrictions affecting the garden.

You must also tell us about protected species, nesting birds, tree preservation restrictions, or conservation-related matters if you are aware of them. We do not provide legal planning advice, and it is your responsibility to check whether any consent is needed before work starts. If you ask us to proceed in circumstances where consent is required, you accept responsibility for obtaining that consent.

Where machinery, tools, or ladders are used, you must keep children, pets, and unauthorised persons away from the work area. We may stop work if we consider the conditions unsafe. In that event, the booking may be charged in full or in part depending on the stage reached and the cause of the interruption.

7. Governing law

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from them, are governed by and interpreted in accordance with the law of England and Wales. Both parties agree that the courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction, except where mandatory consumer rights provide otherwise.

If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful, invalid, or unenforceable, that part will be treated as removed to the minimum extent necessary, and the remainder of the terms will continue in effect. No failure or delay in enforcing a right under these terms shall be treated as a waiver of that right.

By booking a service with Gardeners South Croydon, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these terms. They are intended to support a clear and professional service relationship and to ensure that garden work is arranged fairly, lawfully, and with proper regard for both parties’ responsibilities.