Terms and Conditions for Gardeners Shooters Hill

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Gardeners Shooters Hill provides domestic and commercial gardening services. By making a booking, the customer agrees to be bound by these terms, which are designed to make the service clear, fair, and straightforward. They apply to all routine and one-off garden work, including lawn care, hedge trimming, planting, clearance, maintenance, and related tasks agreed in writing or verbally before the work begins.

The purpose of these terms is to define the responsibilities of both parties. The customer should read them carefully before confirming any appointment. We may update these terms from time to time to reflect changes in business practices, legal requirements, or operational needs. Any revised version will apply to bookings made after the date of update. If a customer continues with a booking, this will be treated as acceptance of the current terms.

In these terms, references to we, us, and our mean the gardening service provider, and references to you and your mean the customer requesting the service. These terms are intended to be practical and transparent, setting out the expectations that apply before, during, and after the gardening work is carried out.

1. Booking Process

Bookings for gardening services in Shooters Hill are confirmed only when the service scope, date, approximate duration, and pricing basis have been agreed. A request for work does not itself create a binding appointment until it has been accepted by us. We may ask for further details about the garden, access, parking, waste arrangements, or the condition of the site before confirming a booking.

When a booking is made, the customer should ensure that all information provided is accurate and complete. This includes the nature of the work required, the size or complexity of the garden, any known hazards, and whether special equipment may be needed. If the actual work differs significantly from the description provided, we may revise the price, timing, or scope of the service, or withdraw from the booking if the revised arrangement is not suitable.

We aim to attend on the agreed date and within the planned time window, but appointment times are estimates rather than guarantees unless explicitly stated otherwise. Weather conditions, delays at earlier jobs, traffic, equipment issues, or access problems may affect timing. Where reasonably possible, we will keep the customer informed of material delays or changes. If access is not available at the agreed time, the visit may be treated as a late cancellation or wasted appointment.

2. Service Scope and Customer Responsibilities

The scope of work will be limited to the tasks agreed before the visit. If additional gardening work is requested on the day, it may be accepted at our discretion and may require extra time or a revised quotation. A garden maintenance service may include mowing, pruning, weeding, edging, planting, leaf clearance, and similar tasks, but it does not automatically include heavy clearance, tree surgery, invasive species removal, pest control, or specialist treatment unless specifically agreed.

The customer must ensure that the work area is reasonably safe and accessible. This includes securing pets, moving fragile items, unlocking gates, and advising us of underground services, hidden obstacles, irrigation systems, ponds, poor footing, unstable structures, or other hazards. Where the site contains delicate plants, ornaments, lighting, or external fittings, the customer should identify these in advance so we can take reasonable care.

Unless agreed otherwise, the customer is responsible for providing access to water, electricity, and any required keys, codes, or gate arrangements. If access is delayed or restricted, we may not be able to complete the full appointment. We are not responsible for delays or incomplete work caused by the customer’s failure to prepare the site, give accurate information, or provide the agreed access.

3. Payments and Pricing

Prices may be quoted as fixed fees, hourly rates, or estimated ranges depending on the type of work. Any quotation is based on the information available at the time and may change if the actual conditions differ from those described. Where a fixed price is offered, it applies only to the specific tasks and site conditions agreed. Additional work, extra visits, or substantial changes in scope will usually be charged separately.

Payment terms will be confirmed at the time of booking or before the service begins. Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due immediately on completion of the work. We may request a deposit, part-payment, or advance payment for larger projects, repeat appointments, or bookings requiring special materials or reserved time. Accepted payment methods may vary, and any bank charges or failed payment fees caused by the customer’s payment method may be charged to the customer where lawful.

All prices are stated in pounds sterling unless otherwise specified. If VAT applies, this will be made clear in the quotation or invoice. The customer is responsible for paying all sums due in full and without deduction, except where a deduction is required by law. If payment is overdue, we may suspend further work, charge reasonable recovery costs, and seek interest or compensation where permitted under UK law.

4. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Missed Appointments

We understand that plans can change, and customers may need to cancel or reschedule a gardeners service. Where possible, we ask for reasonable notice. If the customer cancels with sufficient notice, no cancellation fee may apply, unless we have already incurred costs for materials, scheduling, or dedicated labour. If cancellation occurs shortly before the appointment, a fee may be charged to cover lost time and preparatory costs.

If the customer is not present and access is unavailable, or if work cannot proceed because the site is not ready, the appointment may be counted as a missed visit. In such cases, we may charge the full or partial booking fee. This is particularly relevant where a team has already travelled to the property, equipment has been allocated, or another appointment has been declined in reliance on the booking.

We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a booking if severe weather, unsafe conditions, staff illness, equipment failure, supplier disruption, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control make attendance impractical or unsafe. In those circumstances, we will try to offer an alternative appointment. We will not be responsible for indirect losses arising from a change of date, provided we act reasonably and communicate the change promptly.

5. Liability and Limitations

We will carry out all services with reasonable care and skill. However, gardening work often involves living plants, variable ground conditions, weather exposure, and existing wear and tear, so some outcomes may be affected by natural factors beyond our control. For example, lawns, shrubs, and seasonal plants may react differently depending on soil quality, drainage, previous maintenance, or weather conditions. We do not guarantee that every plant will survive pruning, relocation, or treatment.

We are not liable for pre-existing damage, hidden defects, or problems caused by earlier neglect, poor installation, pest infestation, disease, or unsuitable growing conditions. Where we identify a risk, we may notify the customer and proceed only if instructed to do so. The customer accepts that some work, such as cutting back overgrown material or clearing neglected areas, may reveal underlying issues that were not visible before the work started.

Our liability for loss or damage arising from our negligence is limited to the re-performance of the affected service, the cost of reasonable repair, or the amount paid for the relevant work, whichever is appropriate and lawful. Nothing in these terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under English law.

6. Waste Removal and Environmental Compliance

Any waste generated during the gardening work, including grass cuttings, branches, hedge trimmings, soil, weeds, and general green waste, will be managed in accordance with applicable waste regulations. Unless agreed otherwise, waste removal may be included as a separate charge or may be left on site for the customer to dispose of. The customer should confirm in advance whether waste is to be removed, composted on site, or left in an agreed location.

We will handle waste responsibly and in line with relevant UK requirements relating to duty of care, transport, and disposal. Certain items cannot be placed in green waste collections or mixed with ordinary garden waste. This includes contaminated soil, treated timber, broken fencing, building materials, hazardous substances, asbestos, oils, chemical containers, and similar materials. If such items are encountered, the customer will be informed and may need to arrange specialist removal at their own cost.

The customer is responsible for disclosing any restricted, hazardous, or non-green waste in the garden before work begins. If we discover waste that cannot lawfully be removed under a standard gardening service, we may stop work in the affected area until a suitable arrangement is made. Any additional disposal charges, permit costs, or third-party fees caused by the presence of regulated waste will normally be payable by the customer.

7. Materials, Plants, and Property

Where we supply plants, compost, mulch, or other materials, the customer should inspect them promptly upon delivery or installation. Natural variation in colour, size, growth habit, and performance is normal. We are not liable for variation that is inherent to horticultural products or for decline caused by adverse weather, watering issues, or unsuitable site conditions after installation.

Any goods supplied remain subject to the terms agreed at the time of sale or installation. If a customer asks us to source particular plants or products, we may rely on supplier descriptions and availability. If a named item becomes unavailable, we may propose a suitable alternative. The customer should notify us promptly if they believe there has been a supply issue, damage during handling, or an error in the items provided.

We will take reasonable care when working around patios, paving, borders, sheds, fences, ornaments, and other property features. However, minor scuffs, soil transfer, or incidental disturbance can occur during normal gardening activity. The customer should remove or protect items of particular value or fragility before work begins. We accept no responsibility for items left in vulnerable positions where a reasonable person would expect them to be moved or shielded.

8. Complaints and Notice of Issues

If the customer believes that the service has not been provided properly, they should raise the matter within a reasonable time after completion. This allows us to inspect the issue, gather relevant information, and decide whether any corrective action is appropriate. We may ask for photographs, details of the work carried out, and any other information needed to assess the complaint fairly.

Where a fault is confirmed and we are responsible, we may offer to revisit the property, correct the issue, or provide another reasonable remedy. Any such remedy will be determined by us acting reasonably, taking into account the nature of the work, the original agreement, and the practical options available. This process does not affect any statutory rights the customer may have as a consumer.

If a complaint cannot be resolved informally, the parties should continue to act reasonably and avoid unnecessary delay. The customer must not arrange third-party remedial work and seek reimbursement without giving us a fair opportunity to inspect and respond, unless urgent action is needed to prevent further damage or risk.

9. Force Majeure

We are not liable for failure or delay in performing our obligations where the delay or failure results from events beyond our reasonable control. This includes, without limitation, extreme weather, flooding, fire, power failure, transport disruption, government restrictions, strikes, illness affecting key personnel, or supply chain interruption. In such cases, performance may be suspended for the duration of the event.

If a force majeure event continues for an extended period, either party may be entitled to reschedule or cancel the affected booking by agreement. Any money already paid for work not yet carried out may be refunded or credited, subject to any reasonable costs already incurred. We will act fairly and try to minimise inconvenience where possible.

These provisions are intended to ensure that the contract remains workable in real-world conditions. Gardening work is especially sensitive to seasonal and environmental disruption, and both parties acknowledge that some flexibility may be required where weather or site conditions prevent normal performance.

10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from or connected with them, are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The parties agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, except where consumer law gives the customer the right to bring proceedings in another court of competent jurisdiction.

If any provision of these terms is found to be unlawful, invalid, or unenforceable, that provision shall be treated as severed to the extent necessary, and the remainder of the terms shall continue in full force and effect. No waiver of any right or remedy shall be effective unless stated in writing and agreed by the party giving the waiver.

By proceeding with a booking, the customer confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted these terms in relation to the garden maintenance service or other agreed work. These terms are intended to provide a clear legal basis for the service relationship and to support a professional, reliable, and well-managed gardening arrangement.