Terms and Conditions for Gardeners Ardleigh Green

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which gardening services are provided by Gardeners Ardleigh Green. They are intended to clarify how bookings are made, how payments are handled, what happens if a visit is cancelled, and how responsibilities are shared when work is carried out on private or commercial property. By requesting or accepting any service, the customer agrees that these terms apply to the relevant work order, quotation, or scheduled appointment.

For the purposes of these terms, the words “we”, “us” and “our” refer to the gardening service provider, and “you” or “the customer” refer to the person, business, landlord, tenant, or representative arranging the work. These terms are written for use in the United Kingdom and are intended to support a clear and fair arrangement between the parties. They should be read together with any written quotation, invoice, or service note issued for the job.

No part of these terms creates a guarantee that every issue in a garden can be resolved in a single visit or that seasonal conditions will always allow work to be completed exactly as first scheduled. Gardening services are affected by weather, plant condition, access, safety, and site-specific factors. Accordingly, any engagement with Gardeners Ardleigh Green is subject to reasonable variation where required for safety, legality, or practical performance.

1. Booking Process

Bookings may be made after an initial enquiry and an assessment of the requested work. A booking is not confirmed until it has been accepted by us and, where applicable, any deposit or advance payment has been received. The booking may be based on a written description, photographs, measurements, a site visit, or other relevant information supplied by the customer. If the details provided are incomplete or inaccurate, the scope, price, and timing of the service may need to be adjusted.

Where a quotation is issued, it will normally describe the services included, the estimated or fixed price, and any assumptions made about access, waste removal, labour time, or materials. Quotations are generally valid for a stated period or, if no period is stated, for a reasonable time only. Acceptance of a quote by email, message, telephone, or other agreed means will be treated as consent to proceed, provided that the customer has authority to instruct the work.

We reserve the right to decline or postpone a booking if the work requested falls outside our service scope, if the site is unsafe, if access is not adequate, or if the proposed work would require specialist equipment, permissions, or qualifications not available for that appointment. Gardeners Ardleigh Green may also refuse a booking where a conflict of interest, legal restriction, or unreasonable risk exists. If a booking is accepted subject to certain conditions, those conditions must be met before the work starts.

2. Service Standards and Customer Responsibilities

The customer must ensure that the property is reasonably accessible on the agreed date and time. This includes providing access to gates, driveways, gardens, water sources if needed, and any relevant communal or private areas. The customer should also notify us in advance of hidden hazards such as broken glass, unstable structures, animal waste, exposed wiring, underground services, or aggressive pets. If such hazards are discovered after work begins, we may stop work until the area is made safe.

The customer is responsible for obtaining any permissions required from landlords, managing agents, freeholders, neighbours, local authorities, or other third parties. This includes consent for work on shared boundaries, tree-related matters, or work that may affect adjoining property. If permission is missing and the job cannot lawfully proceed, any wasted attendance time or preparatory work may still be chargeable where reasonable.

We aim to carry out gardening work with reasonable care and skill, using suitable methods and equipment for the task agreed. However, natural features such as turf, shrubs, trees, and soil conditions can vary widely, and outcomes may be influenced by previous neglect, disease, weather exposure, or hidden defects. Soft landscaping, pruning, clearance, and maintenance work are therefore provided on a best-efforts basis within the practical limits of the site.

3. Payments, Charges, and Invoicing

Prices may be fixed, estimated, or calculated on a time-and-materials basis depending on the nature of the work. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, charges are based on the scope described at the time of booking and any additional work requested later will be charged separately. Materials, waste disposal fees, parking costs, special equipment hire, and urgent attendance may be added where these are necessary and have been disclosed or reasonably implied by the nature of the work.

Payment terms will be set out in the quotation or invoice. In many cases, payment is due on completion of the work, though advance payment or staged payment may be required for larger jobs, specialist projects, or repeat services. We may request a deposit to secure a date, cover material purchases, or reserve labour time. Unless stated otherwise, all invoices must be paid in full within the stated period, and failure to pay on time may result in suspension of further services.

If payment is not made by the due date, we reserve the right to charge reasonable late-payment interest and recover costs incurred in pursuing overdue amounts, to the extent permitted by law. Any dispute about an invoice should be raised promptly and in good faith, with clear details of the item in question. Undisputed sums remain payable even if another part of the invoice is disputed. Gardeners Ardleigh Green may withhold future bookings until outstanding balances are cleared.

4. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Delays

If you need to cancel or reschedule a booking, please provide notice as early as possible. Short-notice cancellation may create unavoidable loss of time, travel, and reserved labour, so a cancellation fee may apply where reasonable and proportionate. If materials have already been ordered, prepared, or delivered for your job, you may be charged for those items even if the service itself does not proceed.

Where we need to cancel or move an appointment because of severe weather, unsafe conditions, illness, equipment failure, or other unavoidable cause, we will seek to rearrange the visit within a reasonable timeframe. Any date or time given for attendance is an estimate unless specifically agreed as fixed. Delays caused by traffic, site access issues, unexpected hazards, or preceding work overruns do not usually give rise to compensation unless required by law.

Repeated failed access, absence of an authorised person where required, or inability to complete work because necessary preparation has not been carried out may be treated as a cancellation by the customer. In such circumstances, a call-out charge or wasted journey fee may apply. We will always act reasonably when deciding whether such a fee is justified, taking into account the circumstances and the time reserved for the service.

5. Liability and Limitations

We will exercise reasonable care and skill in carrying out the agreed gardening services. However, except where liability cannot be excluded under law, we are not responsible for pre-existing damage, latent defects, hidden ground services, structural weakness, plant disease not caused by our work, or damage arising from inaccurate information supplied by the customer. The customer should ensure that any fragile, valuable, or unusually sensitive items are removed or identified before work begins.

Where we are asked to move or work near items such as ornaments, irrigation equipment, lighting, pots, paving, fencing, or decorative features, the customer accepts that minor disturbance may occur as part of normal working conditions. We are not liable for indirect or consequential losses, including loss of enjoyment, loss of profit, or loss of use, except where such exclusion is prohibited by law. Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot legally be limited.

If damage is alleged, the customer must notify us as soon as reasonably possible and provide appropriate evidence and access for inspection. We may repair, replace, or compensate at our discretion where we accept responsibility and where this is a proportionate response. Our total liability for any claim relating to a particular service is limited to the amount paid, or payable, for that specific service, except where a higher limit is required by law.

6. Waste Removal and Regulatory Matters

Garden waste generated by our work may be removed only where this has been agreed in advance or where it forms part of the booked service. Waste will be handled in accordance with applicable UK waste regulations and the duty of care requirements governing transfer, transport, and disposal. We may use licensed facilities or approved disposal routes, and the customer may be charged for lawful disposal costs where relevant.

The customer must not ask us to dispose of controlled, hazardous, or non-garden waste unless this has been specifically agreed and can be handled lawfully. This includes chemicals, asbestos, oil, paint, electrical items, sharp metal objects, contaminated soil, or other restricted materials. If prohibited waste is discovered mixed with garden waste, we may pause or decline removal until the issue is resolved. Additional charges may apply for segregation, safe handling, or a separate disposal arrangement.

Where green waste is left on site, the customer accepts responsibility for ongoing storage, movement, or disposal unless we have agreed otherwise. Composting, shredding, chipping, or removal methods may be selected according to practicality, site constraints, and legal compliance. We will not knowingly breach environmental or waste-handling rules, and the customer agrees not to request any action that would place either party in breach of applicable regulations.

7. Complaints, Changes, and General Terms

If the customer wishes to raise a concern about the service, the matter should be reported promptly so that it can be reviewed while the details are still available. We may ask for photographs, written notes, or access to the area concerned. Minor issues may often be resolved by a return visit, adjustment, or partial remedy if this is fair and practical. Raising a concern does not automatically suspend the obligation to pay for undisputed work already completed.

We may update these terms from time to time to reflect legal or operational changes. The version in force at the time of booking will normally apply to that specific service unless a later change is required by law. If any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect. No delay or failure to enforce a term shall be treated as a waiver of that term.

These terms, together with the booking details and any written quotation or invoice, form the agreement between the parties for the relevant work. They are not intended to create rights for anyone other than the customer and the service provider unless a law says otherwise. By proceeding with a booking, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these terms.

8. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising from or connected with the services, the booking process, payment, cancellation, liability, waste handling, or any related matter shall be dealt with by the courts of England and Wales, unless mandatory legal rules provide otherwise. Nothing in this clause affects any statutory rights that cannot be excluded or restricted.

Gardeners Ardleigh Green aims to keep all arrangements straightforward, lawful, and proportionate. The purpose of these terms is to support a clear working relationship, ensure transparency about the service provided, and reduce misunderstanding about what is included. When interpreted fairly and in context, they are intended to protect both parties and reflect the practical realities of professional gardening work.