Terms and Conditions for Gardening Services

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Gardeners Tooting Bec provides domestic and commercial gardening services to customers in the UK. By booking a service, the customer agrees to these terms, which are intended to create a clear and fair arrangement for both parties. The purpose of this document is to explain how bookings are made, how payments are handled, what happens if work is cancelled or amended, and how responsibilities are shared during and after the service. These terms apply to all standard garden maintenance, planting, clearance, and related horticultural work offered under the name Tooting Bec gardeners.

In these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the service provider, and references to “you” and “your” mean the customer receiving the service. A booking request, confirmation, or instruction to proceed may be made in writing, by telephone, or by any other agreed method. Once a booking is accepted, these terms form part of the contract between the customer and gardeners in Tooting Bec. If any special arrangements are agreed for a particular job, those arrangements will apply only if confirmed in writing and will not override the rest of these terms unless expressly stated.

We may update these terms from time to time to reflect changes in law, service scope, pricing structure, or operational processes. The version in force at the time of booking will normally apply to that service, unless a legal requirement or a later written agreement states otherwise. Customers are encouraged to review the terms carefully before confirming any work. These terms are intended for general service use and are not a substitute for legal advice where a specific issue arises.

Booking Process

Bookings are usually made after an initial enquiry and a description of the required work. Depending on the type of service, we may ask for photographs, measurements, access information, or details of any known hazards. This helps us determine availability, estimate the time needed, and decide whether specialist equipment, more than one operative, or additional materials are required. Any quote or estimate provided before a booking is accepted is based on the information supplied by the customer and may change if that information proves incomplete or inaccurate.

Once the customer accepts a quotation or otherwise confirms the work, we will aim to schedule a suitable date and time. A booking is not guaranteed until we have sent confirmation or otherwise indicated acceptance. We may decline or reschedule a request if weather conditions, staffing, access problems, safety concerns, or other operational matters make the original arrangement impractical. The customer is responsible for ensuring that the site is ready for the agreed service, including access to the garden, safe entry points, and the removal of any valuables or fragile items that may be affected by the work.

On the day of the appointment, our team may need to confirm the scope of work before starting. If the work differs materially from what was described at the time of booking, we may revise the quotation, amend the schedule, or decline elements of the task that fall outside the agreed service. Where the customer asks for additional work once the visit has begun, we may charge extra in accordance with our usual rates or provide a revised price for approval. We reserve the right to suspend work if the conditions on site are unsafe or if access has been restricted without prior notice.

Payments

Payment terms will be confirmed at the time of booking or in the invoice issued after completion, depending on the type of service. In many cases, payment is due on the day of completion or within a short stated period after invoicing. We may request a deposit, advance payment, or staged payment for larger jobs, seasonal work, or projects requiring materials to be purchased in advance. All prices are normally quoted in pounds sterling and, unless stated otherwise, are exclusive of any applicable taxes or third-party charges. The customer agrees to pay the full amount shown on the invoice, including any agreed extras, waste handling charges, or material costs.

If payment is not made by the due date, we may charge reasonable late-payment interest and recover administrative costs to the extent permitted by law. We may also suspend future bookings or withhold the provision of further services until all outstanding sums have been settled. Any dispute about an invoice must be raised promptly and in good faith, with clear reasons and supporting information where available. A query about part of an invoice does not remove the obligation to pay the undisputed balance by the due date.

Cancellations and Changes

Customers may need to change or cancel a booking, and we ask for reasonable notice wherever possible. For routine services, notice given at least 24 to 48 hours before the appointment is usually sufficient to avoid cancellation charges, unless a different arrangement was agreed at booking. Short-notice cancellations may result in a fee, especially where staff have been allocated, materials purchased, or travel and preparation time already incurred. The exact amount of any fee will be proportionate to the loss or cost reasonably suffered because of the cancellation.

If we need to cancel or postpone a booking due to illness, adverse weather, equipment failure, access problems, or other unforeseen circumstances, we will aim to offer an alternative date. We are not liable for inconvenience caused by a reasonable postponement, but we will try to rearrange work promptly. The customer may also request a change to the scope or timing of the service. Where a change can be accommodated, the price may be adjusted accordingly. Repeated changes requested at short notice may affect availability and may require a revised quotation.

Where a customer fails to provide access, is absent when attendance is required, or does not ensure that the site is ready for the agreed work, this may be treated as a late cancellation or wasted visit. In such cases, we may charge a call-out fee or a reasonable proportion of the agreed service cost. If the job cannot proceed because of circumstances within the customer’s control, any materials ordered specifically for that booking may also be chargeable. We will always aim to act fairly and proportionately when applying any such charges.

Liability

We will carry out all services with reasonable skill and care, using appropriate methods and equipment for the task agreed. However, gardening work can involve natural variation, existing plant conditions, hidden defects, and weather-related uncertainty. As a result, outcomes may depend on factors beyond our control, including soil condition, plant health, previous maintenance history, and the state of the property. We do not guarantee the survival, growth, or recovery of plants unless a specific written guarantee has been given for a particular service.

Our liability for loss or damage caused by our negligence will be limited to the amount reasonably foreseeable at the time of contract, except where the law does not allow such limitation. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, business interruption, or losses arising from information or instructions supplied by the customer that are incomplete or incorrect.

The customer is responsible for informing us of any known hazards, underground services, hidden structures, pets, allergies, or protected items that may affect the work. Where the customer asks us to move objects, use equipment near fragile features, or work in a restricted area, the customer accepts that minor disturbance or incidental impact may occur. We are not liable for pre-existing damage, normal wear and tear, deterioration caused by weather, or issues that arise because a customer declines recommended maintenance or fails to follow aftercare advice where provided.

Waste Regulations

Garden work may create green waste, soil, cuttings, branches, roots, packaging, and other debris. Unless otherwise agreed, we will either leave waste in a designated area for the customer’s disposal or remove it as part of the booked service where this has been priced in advance. Waste removal is subject to legal and practical requirements, and charges may apply for transport, disposal, and tipping fees. Customers should assume that waste handling is not included unless it is clearly stated in the quotation or invoice.

We aim to comply with applicable UK waste legislation and local disposal rules. This means waste will be handled responsibly, segregated where appropriate, and taken only to lawful disposal or recycling facilities. Certain materials may require special handling or may not be accepted as standard garden waste, including items contaminated with chemicals, sharp objects, construction debris, or materials that are not from ordinary garden maintenance. If such items are discovered during the work, we may stop, delay, or price the removal separately.

The customer must not ask us to dispose of prohibited or hazardous materials as if they were ordinary green waste. If waste is found to contain restricted items, the customer will be responsible for the additional cost of compliant disposal and for any extra time required to sort, package, or transport the material safely. We may refuse to remove waste that appears unsafe, unlawful, or unsuitable for standard collection. Any waste left on site after completion becomes the customer’s responsibility unless removal was expressly included in the service.

Customer Responsibilities

The customer must provide accurate information when booking, including the size of the area, the nature of the task, access arrangements, and any relevant site conditions. If the service requires parking permission, keys, codes, or other access arrangements, these must be made available in good time. The customer should ensure that children, pets, and bystanders are kept away from active work areas. We may pause work if we believe conditions are unsafe or if third parties interfere with the service.

Customers should also protect sensitive items before work begins, including ornaments, outdoor furniture, lighting, and decorations that could be disturbed by routine gardening operations. If the customer asks us to handle delicate or valuable items, this must be agreed in advance and may affect pricing or liability. Any advice we provide about plant care, lawn treatment, seasonal maintenance, or general upkeep is given in good faith, but the customer remains responsible for deciding whether to act on that advice.

Complaints and Service Issues

If the customer believes a service has not been delivered as agreed, they should notify us as soon as reasonably possible and provide a clear description of the issue. We may request photographs or an opportunity to inspect the work before deciding how to resolve the matter. Depending on the circumstances, the remedy may include a partial refund, a follow-up visit, or another reasonable solution. We aim to handle concerns fairly and promptly, but any remedy will depend on the nature of the complaint and the evidence available.

Governing Law

These terms, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, except where mandatory consumer rights provide otherwise. If any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force. No failure or delay in enforcing a right under these terms shall operate as a waiver of that right.

By booking and paying for a service, the customer confirms acceptance of these terms and acknowledges that they have had the opportunity to review them before work begins. These conditions are designed to support a professional relationship between customers and Gardeners Tooting Bec, while ensuring that expectations around service delivery, payment, cancellations, liability, and waste handling are clear. If a written contract or special agreement conflicts with these terms, the specific written agreement will apply only to the extent of that conflict.