Terms and Conditions for Gardeners Mottingham
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which gardening services are provided by gardeners in Mottingham and apply to all domestic and light commercial bookings unless otherwise agreed in writing. By requesting a quotation, confirming a booking, or allowing work to begin, you agree to be bound by these terms. They are designed to create a clear, fair and practical arrangement for both parties, covering the booking process, payment expectations, cancellations, liability, waste handling, and the law that applies to the agreement.
For the purposes of this document, references to “we”, “us” and “our” mean the service provider, while “you” and “your” refer to the customer, property owner, occupier, landlord, managing agent, or any authorised representative making the booking. The services may include routine maintenance, seasonal care, hedge trimming, lawn work, planting, clearance, pruning, and related outdoor tasks, but only the work expressly agreed at the point of booking is included. Any additional or changed work must be approved before it begins.
These terms are intended to be read alongside any quotation, estimate, written schedule, or invoice issued for the services. If there is any conflict, the written service-specific agreement or quotation will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. If a provision is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. Nothing in these terms is intended to exclude or limit rights that cannot legally be excluded under UK law.
Booking Process
All bookings for gardening services in Mottingham begin with an enquiry and a description of the work required. We may ask for photographs, approximate measurements, access details, and information about the condition of the garden so that we can provide an accurate quotation or estimate. Quotes are generally based on the information supplied by you and may be revised if the actual site conditions differ materially from those described. An estimate is not a fixed price unless expressly stated as such in writing.
When you accept a quotation or otherwise confirm the work, a booking is formed and the agreed scope, date, or time window becomes the scheduled service period. We will use reasonable efforts to attend on the agreed date, but all timings are approximate unless a specific time has been confirmed in writing. Delays may occur because of weather, traffic, safety issues, equipment failure, or unforeseen operational circumstances. If a delay is expected, we will aim to notify you as soon as reasonably practicable.
You must ensure that the site is reasonably accessible on the scheduled date and that we can carry out the work safely. This includes providing access to gates, driveways, side passages, water points if required, and any necessary parking or loading arrangements where possible. If access is obstructed, the property is unsafe, or the condition of the site prevents completion of the work, we may need to reschedule or restrict the work to what is feasible. In such circumstances, a call-out charge, wasted visit fee, or partial charge may apply where reasonable.
Payments and Charges
All charges will be stated in pounds sterling and may be calculated as a fixed fee, hourly rate, day rate, or a combination of these depending on the nature of the service. Unless stated otherwise, quotations are based on labour only or labour plus specified materials, and additional items such as specialist waste removal, plants, timber, aggregates, fuel surcharges, parking charges, or equipment hire may be charged separately. Where a quotation indicates that materials are excluded, they will be invoiced at cost or at a reasonable marked-up rate if notified in advance.
Payment terms will be set out on the invoice or booking confirmation. Unless we agree otherwise, payment is due upon completion of the work or within the period stated on the invoice. For larger jobs, staged payments, deposits, or part-payments may be required before work begins or at agreed milestones. Deposits are used to secure availability and may be non-refundable where stated, particularly where materials have been purchased, labour has been scheduled, or the date has been reserved specifically for your job.
We reserve the right to suspend or withhold further services if any invoice remains unpaid after the due date. Late payment may result in reasonable administration charges, statutory interest, or debt recovery costs where permitted by law. If you dispute an invoice, you must notify us promptly with details of the issue. Undisputed sums remain payable by the original due date. Garden maintenance in Mottingham may involve variable work, and where the exact duration cannot be predicted, we may charge for the actual time spent on site, provided this has been made clear in advance.
Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Missed Appointments
We understand that plans may change. If you wish to cancel or reschedule a booking, you should give notice as early as possible. Unless a different notice period is stated in your quotation or contract, at least 48 hours’ notice is preferred for routine domestic jobs. Short-notice cancellations may incur a cancellation fee if we have already allocated staff, reserved equipment, purchased materials, or turned away other work on your behalf. Where a deposit has been paid, part or all of it may be retained to cover those costs.
If we need to cancel or reschedule due to illness, severe weather, unsafe conditions, equipment issues, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control, we will try to offer a new date or alternative arrangement. We will not be responsible for indirect losses caused by any reasonable cancellation or delay, provided we take reasonable steps to notify you and rearrange the service. If access is not available when we arrive, or you are not present where attendance or instruction is required, the visit may be treated as a missed appointment and charged accordingly.
In some cases, work may need to be postponed because the garden is too wet, frozen, overgrown beyond the agreed scope, or otherwise unsuitable for safe completion. For example, turf work, heavy pruning, or hedge cutting may depend on weather and plant condition. We will normally explain the reason for the postponement and agree a revised date. A fair rescheduling approach helps protect both the quality of the work and the safety of the people carrying it out.
Liability and Customer Responsibilities
We will carry out the services with reasonable care and skill and in accordance with the agreed scope of work. However, gardening involves natural materials, outdoor conditions, and pre-existing site issues, so some outcomes may vary. We are not responsible for damage caused by hidden defects, unstable surfaces, concealed services, underground pipes or cables not clearly marked, invasive roots, poor soil structure, disease, pests, or the natural decline of plants and lawns. You are responsible for informing us of any known hazards, fragile features, buried utilities, sprinkler systems, or recently installed items that could be affected by the work.
Where we move pots, furniture, ornaments, or similar items to complete the service, you accept that such movement is done at your risk unless we have agreed otherwise in writing. We will use reasonable care, but we cannot guarantee that older, weathered, or unstable objects will not suffer minor disturbance. You should remove or secure valuables, pets, and personal items before work starts. If you ask us to work near delicate features or within a confined area, you acknowledge that some minor incidental contact may be unavoidable.
Our total liability for loss or damage arising from the services, whether in contract, tort, negligence, or otherwise, shall be limited to the amount paid or payable for the specific service giving rise to the claim, except where the law does not allow this limitation. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, or fraudulent misrepresentation. Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer under applicable UK law.
Waste Regulations and Site Clearance
Garden work often produces green waste, soil, branches, turf, leaves, and other organic material. Disposal arrangements must comply with relevant UK waste regulations and local environmental requirements. Unless the quotation states that disposal is included, all waste remains the property and responsibility of the customer and should be managed in accordance with applicable rules. If we agree to remove waste, we may charge an additional fee for loading, transport, disposal, and any required permits or tipping costs. Waste may be taken to an authorised facility or handled by a registered waste carrier where necessary.
We will not knowingly dispose of prohibited items, hazardous materials, asbestos, chemicals, paint, oil, batteries, electrical goods, clinical waste, or any other regulated material unless a separate written agreement is in place and the law permits us to do so. If such items are discovered during the work, we may stop the affected part of the job and ask you to arrange appropriate removal. Any extra labour needed to segregate or handle non-standard waste may be charged in addition to the original quotation.
The customer is responsible for ensuring that green waste is presented in a suitable and lawful condition for collection if collection has been agreed. Waste should not contain hidden contaminants, household rubbish, rubble, or construction debris unless specifically authorised. Where mulch, compost, or reused organic material is created as part of the service, you accept that natural variation in texture, moisture, and composition is normal. We reserve the right to refuse waste that could create a safety, legal, or environmental issue.
Service Standards, Changes, and Force Majeure
We will aim to deliver the agreed services in a professional manner and may use appropriately trained staff or subcontractors to complete the work. Any change to the agreed scope should be confirmed before the additional work is started. If you request extra tasks on the day, we may revise the price and timing accordingly. If the change is significant, we may issue an updated quotation or ask for written approval before proceeding. This applies to all forms of garden care services in Mottingham, including one-off and recurring work.
We are not liable for delays or failures caused by events outside our reasonable control, including severe weather, fire, flood, strikes, transport disruption, supplier failure, public health restrictions, or utility outages. In such circumstances, our obligations will be suspended for the duration of the event, and we will resume performance as soon as reasonably practicable. If the event continues for an extended period, either party may be entitled to terminate the affected booking on written notice, with payment due for work already completed or committed costs already incurred.
Any variation to these Terms and Conditions must be agreed in writing. Silence, custom, or previous dealings do not amount to a waiver of any term unless expressly stated. If we decide not to enforce a right on one occasion, that does not prevent us from enforcing it later. The headings in this document are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation. Reasonable flexibility may be applied where it improves safety or service quality, but it will not override the agreed legal framework.
Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from or in connection with them, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Both parties agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, except where consumer law provides otherwise or where a different forum is required by mandatory legal rules. This governing law clause applies regardless of where the customer resides, where the property is located, or where the work was arranged.
If any dispute arises, the parties should first attempt to resolve the matter amicably and in good faith before commencing formal proceedings. This may include reviewing the quotation, invoice, scope of work, photographs, or other relevant records. Any failure to enforce a provision at any time shall not be deemed a continuing waiver. These terms create a balanced framework for the provision of Mottingham gardening services, helping ensure clarity on responsibilities, payment, cancellations, waste handling, and legal rights.
The services are provided under a straightforward commercial agreement intended to protect both sides and keep expectations clear. By proceeding with a booking, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these terms. If you are instructing work on behalf of another person or a managed property, you confirm that you have authority to do so and that any necessary permissions have been obtained before the service begins.