Gardeners Childs Hill Service Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Gardeners Childs Hill provides gardening and related services to domestic and commercial customers. By booking or receiving any service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before placing a booking.

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions, the following definitions apply:

Client means the individual or organisation purchasing services from Gardeners Childs Hill.

Company means Gardeners Childs Hill and any authorised employees, subcontractors, or representatives acting on its behalf.

Services means any gardening, garden maintenance, clearance, landscaping, planting, lawn care, hedge trimming, pruning, or related works agreed between the Client and the Company.

Visit means any attendance by the Company at the Client premises to carry out the Services.

Premises means the garden, land, and any related outdoor areas where the Services are to be provided.

2. Scope of Services

The Company provides a range of gardening and outdoor maintenance services within its operating area. The precise scope of each job, including tasks to be carried out, estimated time, and any special requirements, will be agreed with the Client prior to the commencement of the Services. Any description, estimate, or quotation is based on the information provided by the Client and on an assumed normal condition of the Premises.

The Company reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any Service where it considers the work unsafe, unlawful, or beyond the capability or agreed scope of the booking.

3. Booking Process

3.1 Initial enquiries and quotations

Clients may request a quotation by providing details of the garden size, condition, access, and required work. Quotations may be provided verbally or in writing and are based on the information available at the time. The Company may recommend a site visit before confirming a quotation, particularly for larger or more complex projects.

3.2 Confirming a booking

A booking is confirmed only when the Company has accepted the job and provided a date or time window for the Visit. By confirming a booking, the Client accepts these Terms and Conditions. For ongoing or regular maintenance services, the Company may agree a recurring schedule such as weekly, fortnightly, or monthly Visits.

3.3 Access and instructions

The Client is responsible for ensuring safe and reasonable access to the Premises at the agreed time. The Client must provide any necessary access codes, gate keys, or instructions in advance. If access is not available at the time of the Visit, this may be treated as a late cancellation and may incur a charge under section 6.

3.4 Changes to bookings

Any requested changes to date, time, scope of work, or location must be communicated to the Company as early as possible. Changes are subject to availability and may affect the price or duration of the Services. The Company is not obliged to accommodate requested changes but will make reasonable efforts to do so.

4. Estimates, Quotes, and Pricing

4.1 Estimates

Where the Company provides a time-based estimate, the final charge may reflect the actual time spent on the job, subject to any minimum call-out or minimum time charges. If it becomes apparent during the Visit that significantly more work is required than originally anticipated, the Company will inform the Client and seek approval before proceeding further.

4.2 Fixed quotes

For certain jobs, the Company may provide a fixed quote, which will specify the scope of work included. Any additional tasks requested by the Client that fall outside the agreed scope may be charged separately.

4.3 Price changes

The Company may review and adjust its prices from time to time. For ongoing maintenance arrangements, any changes to rates will be communicated to the Client in advance of the adjustment taking effect.

5. Payments

5.1 Payment methods

Payment methods will be communicated to the Client during the booking or invoicing process. The Company does not accept cash payments sent by post. The Client must ensure that any electronic or bank transfers are correctly referenced so payments can be matched to the relevant invoice.

5.2 Payment terms

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due immediately upon completion of each Visit or upon receipt of invoice. For certain projects, including larger landscaping or multi-day works, the Company may require a deposit or staged payments. Any such arrangements will be confirmed before work begins.

5.3 Overdue payments

If payment is not received by the due date, the Company may suspend or cancel further Services until payment is made in full. The Company reserves the right to charge interest on overdue sums in accordance with applicable UK law and to recover reasonable costs incurred in pursuing late payment, including collection agency fees or legal expenses.

5.4 Ownership of materials

Any materials supplied by the Company as part of the Services, including plants, turf, soil, and fixtures, remain the property of the Company until all sums due in relation to those materials and the associated Services have been paid in full.

6. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and No-Show

6.1 Client cancellations

If the Client needs to cancel or reschedule a Visit, they must provide as much notice as reasonably possible. Where less than 24 hours notice is given, the Company reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee, which may be up to the full estimated cost of the Visit, particularly where it is unlikely that the time slot can be reallocated.

6.2 Company cancellations

The Company may need to cancel or reschedule a Visit due to staff sickness, adverse weather conditions, equipment failure, or other circumstances beyond its reasonable control. In such cases, the Company will aim to notify the Client as soon as practicable and offer an alternative date. The Company will not be liable for any loss arising from such cancellation or rescheduling, but any pre-paid sums for the affected Visit will be carried forward or refunded at the Company discretion.

6.3 Access issues and waiting time

If, upon arrival, the Company cannot gain access to the Premises or is delayed due to circumstances within the Client control, the time spent waiting may be charged, or the Visit may be treated as a late cancellation. The Company will take reasonable steps to contact the Client before leaving the Premises.

7. Client Obligations

7.1 Preparation of the Premises

The Client should ensure that the Premises are reasonably clear of obstructions such as toys, garden furniture, pet waste, and other items that may hinder the performance of the Services. The Company may refuse to work in areas that are unsafe or unsanitary.

7.2 Health and safety

The Client must inform the Company of any known hazards at the Premises, including uneven surfaces, sharp objects, unstable structures, or hazardous plants and materials. The Client must also keep children and pets away from the working area during Visits.

7.3 Utilities and water

The Client is responsible for providing access to any necessary utilities, including outdoor power sockets and water supply where required. The Company is not liable for any inability to complete the Services due to unavailable utilities unless this has been explicitly agreed in advance.

8. Waste Removal and Environmental Regulations

8.1 Green waste handling

The Company will handle green waste produced during the course of the Services in accordance with applicable UK waste and environmental regulations. Depending on the booking, green waste may be left neatly on site for composting or disposal by the Client, or may be removed by the Company if this has been included and priced as part of the Service.

8.2 Additional waste charges

Where significant volumes of waste are generated, or where the Client requires removal of waste beyond what was originally estimated, additional charges may apply. These will reflect disposal costs, transport, and labour time. The Company will inform the Client of any such charges before proceeding wherever reasonably practicable.

8.3 Non-green waste

The Company is not licensed to remove certain types of waste, such as hazardous materials, construction rubble, or bulky household items, unless this has been explicitly agreed and arranged in line with relevant regulations. The Client remains responsible for the proper disposal of such waste in accordance with local and national requirements.

9. Materials, Plants, and Guarantees

9.1 Quality of materials

The Company aims to use suitable and good quality materials and plants appropriate to the agreed design and the local growing conditions. Availability of specific plant varieties or materials may vary, and the Company reserves the right to provide reasonable alternatives of similar quality and function where required.

9.2 Plant establishment

Once the Services are completed, ongoing care and maintenance of plants, lawns, and other living materials become the responsibility of the Client, unless separate maintenance services have been agreed. The survival and performance of plants depend on multiple factors including weather, soil conditions, pests, and aftercare. For this reason, the Company cannot guarantee the long-term survival or performance of plants, turf, or seeds unless a specific written guarantee has been provided.

10. Liability and Insurance

10.1 Limitation of liability

The Company will perform the Services with reasonable care and skill. However, the Company liability to the Client for any loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the Services is limited to the amount paid or payable for the specific Visit or project in which the issue arose, except where such limitation is not permitted by law.

10.2 Exclusions

The Company is not liable for:

Loss or damage arising from inaccurate or incomplete information provided by the Client.

Any indirect, consequential, or purely economic loss, including loss of enjoyment, loss of profit, or loss of opportunity.

Damage caused by existing defects, weaknesses, or conditions at the Premises, including subsidence, unstable walls, or pre-existing plant diseases and pests.

Damage or loss arising from extreme weather events, acts of vandalism, or other events beyond the Company reasonable control.

10.3 Client property

The Client is responsible for protecting any items at the Premises that may be susceptible to dust, debris, or accidental damage during normal gardening operations. The Company will take reasonable care when working near property such as garden ornaments, outdoor furniture, vehicles, and glazing, but cannot accept liability for minor damage consistent with the normal risks of gardening and garden maintenance.

10.4 Insurance

The Company maintains appropriate public liability insurance for the Services it provides. Details of cover can be made available for inspection upon reasonable request.

11. Complaints and Dispute Resolution

If the Client is dissatisfied with any aspect of the Services, they should notify the Company as soon as possible, ideally within 48 hours of the Visit. The Company will investigate the matter and, where appropriate, may offer to rectify any issues within a reasonable time frame. The Client must allow the Company reasonable access and opportunity to address the concern before arranging for third parties to carry out remedial work.

If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, either party may seek to pursue their rights through the courts or any alternative dispute resolution scheme that may be agreed between the parties.

12. Data Protection and Privacy

The Company will collect and process personal data, including names, addresses, and contact details, for the purposes of managing bookings, providing Services, and handling payments. Personal data will be handled in accordance with applicable UK data protection laws. The Company will not sell or share Client personal data with third parties for marketing purposes without consent, but may share information with service providers or authorities where required for the performance of the Services or by law.

13. Force Majeure

The Company is not liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations where such delay or failure is caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including severe weather, industrial action, equipment breakdown, illness, transport disruption, or changes in law or regulation. In such circumstances, the Company may suspend the Services for the duration of the event and will resume performance as soon as reasonably practicable.

14. Amendments to These Terms

The Company may update or amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time of the Client booking will apply to that booking. Any material changes for ongoing maintenance Clients will be communicated in advance where reasonably practicable.

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or the Services, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising from or relating to these Terms and Conditions or their subject matter.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found by a court or competent authority to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that provision shall, to the extent required, be deemed deleted, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions, together with any written quotation or booking confirmation issued by the Company, constitute the entire agreement between the Client and the Company in relation to the Services and supersede any prior discussions, correspondence, or understandings.