Gardeners Eltham Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which gardening services are provided by Gardeners Eltham. By making a booking, requesting a quote, or allowing work to begin, the client agrees to these terms. They are intended to be clear, fair, and practical, so that both parties understand the scope of the service, the booking process, payment expectations, cancellation rights, liability limits, and the handling of waste materials. For the purposes of this document, references to Gardeners Eltham, we, us, or our mean the service provider, and references to you or the client mean the person or business receiving the service.

These terms apply to all domestic and commercial gardening work unless a separate written agreement states otherwise. They cover common services such as lawn care, hedge trimming, planting, seasonal maintenance, clearance work, and related outdoor tasks. Any additional work outside the original specification must be agreed in advance. Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights under UK consumer law where applicable.

We recommend that the client reads these terms carefully before confirming any service with our gardening team in Eltham. If any part of these terms is unclear, the client should ask for clarification before work begins. Once a booking is confirmed, these terms form part of the contract between the parties.

1. Booking Process

Bookings may be made by phone, email, online enquiry, or any other method offered at the time of request. A booking is only confirmed when we have accepted the request and, where required, received any deposit or written confirmation. A quotation alone does not create a binding booking. In some cases, we may need to inspect the garden before confirming the final price or timetable, especially where the work is large, irregular, or affected by access issues.

When making a booking with our Eltham gardeners, the client must provide accurate information about the property, the area to be worked on, access arrangements, parking restrictions, relevant hazards, and any special requirements. If the information provided is incomplete or inaccurate, the service may take longer, cost more, or need to be rescheduled. We may decline or postpone a booking if we believe the site is unsafe, the work falls outside our capabilities, or the client has not provided sufficient information.

We will use reasonable efforts to attend on the agreed date and time, but all start times are approximate unless specifically guaranteed in writing. Weather conditions, traffic, equipment failures, staff illness, or other unforeseen circumstances may affect attendance or completion times. If a change is necessary, we will notify the client as soon as reasonably practicable and arrange an alternative date where possible.

2. Scope of Services

Our gardening services are limited to the work described in the quotation, estimate, or booking confirmation. The client should ensure that the required tasks are identified before the visit. If additional work is requested on site, we may provide a revised quote or hourly rate before proceeding. We are not obliged to carry out extra work unless agreed by both parties. Any materials, plants, soil, or specialist equipment needed for extra tasks may be charged separately.

In some cases, we may advise that certain jobs should not proceed because of safety risks, poor weather, hidden defects, nesting wildlife, disease, contamination, or other issues beyond our control. Where work is delayed or suspended for such reasons, we will discuss the next steps with the client. The final decision on whether to proceed remains subject to safe working conditions and the availability of suitable resources.

Our service is provided with reasonable skill and care. However, gardening outcomes can vary depending on season, plant health, soil condition, weather, and prior maintenance. The client acknowledges that natural growth, regrowth, and weather-related changes are not defects in service. This is particularly relevant to garden maintenance services in Eltham, where living materials and outdoor conditions are inherently variable.

3. Payments

Payment terms will be stated in the quotation, invoice, or booking confirmation. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due upon completion of the work or within the period shown on the invoice. For larger jobs, advance payment or a deposit may be required before work begins. Deposits are used to secure dates, reserve labour, and cover administration and preparation costs.

All prices are quoted in pounds sterling and may be stated inclusive or exclusive of VAT depending on our tax status at the time of invoicing. If VAT applies, it will be shown separately where required by law. Quotations are based on the information supplied at the time and may be revised if the actual work differs from the original description, if access is restricted, or if the client requests additional tasks.

If payment is not made on time, we may charge interest on overdue sums in line with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 where applicable, or otherwise at a reasonable statutory rate for consumer matters where permitted by law. We may also suspend further work, withhold future bookings, or recover any reasonable costs incurred in collecting overdue amounts. Any bank charges, failed payment fees, or third-party collection costs caused by non-payment may be charged to the client where lawful.

Accepted Payment Methods

The following payment methods may be accepted, depending on the service arrangement:

• Bank transfer
• Debit card or credit card
• Cash, where agreed in advance
• Invoice payment for approved business accounts

4. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Waiting Time

A client may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving reasonable notice. Unless a different notice period is stated in the booking confirmation, at least 24 hours’ notice is expected for standard appointments and longer notice may be required for larger or specially arranged jobs. If the client cancels too late, we may charge a reasonable cancellation fee to cover lost time, travel, labour allocation, or materials already purchased.

If we need to cancel or reschedule, we will aim to offer a new appointment within a reasonable time. We are not responsible for delays caused by circumstances beyond our control, including severe weather, accidents, road closures, power failures, or supplier delays. In such cases, we will use reasonable efforts to minimise disruption. The client agrees that any refund or rescheduling offered will be the appropriate remedy unless otherwise required by law.

If our team arrives and cannot gain access to the property, or if the work cannot proceed because the site is not ready, the client may still be charged for the appointment, including call-out or waiting time where reasonable. This may also apply where gates are locked, access instructions are missing, pets prevent safe entry, or parked vehicles block the working area. The client should ensure the site is accessible and prepared at the agreed time.

5. Liability and Limitations

We will take reasonable care when carrying out garden work, using appropriate tools, professional judgment, and safe working practices. However, gardening work can involve inherent risks, especially where surfaces are uneven, plants are sharp, trees are unstable, or machinery is used. The client agrees to inform us of any hidden hazards, fragile structures, underground services, or other risks known to them before work begins.

We shall not be liable for damage caused by pre-existing defects, poor installation, weak or diseased plants, hidden structural issues, or items left in working areas unless the damage is caused directly by our proven negligence. We are not responsible for indirect, consequential, or economic losses such as loss of enjoyment, loss of profit, or loss of business opportunity, except where such exclusion is prohibited by law. Nothing in these terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded under UK law.

Where we move pots, furniture, ornaments, or other property to complete the work, we will take reasonable care but cannot guarantee against accidental movement or minor disturbance. The client is responsible for removing valuable, fragile, or sentimental items from the working area unless we have agreed in writing to handle them. If the client asks us to work near property that is already damaged or unstable, any resulting loss may not be our responsibility unless caused by our negligence.

The client is also responsible for ensuring that children, pets, and visitors are kept away from work areas during service. We may pause work if we believe conditions are unsafe. If the client asks us to continue despite a known risk, we reserve the right to refuse. Our liability in respect of any claim arising under these terms will, to the extent permitted by law, be limited to the amount paid for the specific service giving rise to the claim.

6. Waste Handling and Environmental Compliance

Any waste generated during gardening work, including grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, branches, soil, leaves, and plant material, will be handled in accordance with applicable UK waste laws and duty-of-care obligations. Unless the quotation states otherwise, waste removal may be included as part of the service or charged separately. The client should confirm whether waste is to be removed from site, left in a designated area, or disposed of in another agreed manner.

Where we remove waste, we will use lawful disposal routes and reasonable environmental practices. Waste may only be transported, transferred, or deposited in line with relevant regulations. The client must not ask us to dispose of prohibited, hazardous, or non-garden waste unless we have expressly agreed and are legally permitted to do so. If such waste is discovered during the job, we may stop work, revise the quote, or request that the client arranges specialist disposal.

Green waste may be composted, recycled, or taken to licensed facilities where appropriate. The client acknowledges that some waste may be mixed or compacted during normal collection and transport. Any recyclable materials or reusable green waste become our responsibility once removed, unless otherwise agreed. If the client retains waste on site, it becomes their responsibility to store and dispose of it safely and lawfully. We are not liable for any breach of waste regulations caused by inaccurate information supplied by the client or by the client’s own disposal arrangements.

Prohibited or Restricted Waste

• Asbestos or asbestos-containing materials
• Chemicals, oils, fuels, or paint
• Electrical waste
• Medical or clinical waste
• Soil suspected of contamination
• Anything classified as hazardous waste unless specifically agreed and lawfully handled

7. Client Responsibilities

The client must ensure that the property is ready for the agreed service. This includes providing access, disclosing relevant hazards, securing pets, and making sure any required permissions have been obtained. If the property is leasehold, shared, or managed, the client must obtain any necessary approvals before work begins. We are entitled to rely on the client’s instructions unless they conflict with law, safety, or these terms.

The client should also ensure that watering systems, electrics, buried cables, irrigation lines, or fragile installations are identified before work starts. If these are not identified and damage occurs as a result, liability may be limited or excluded to the fullest extent allowed by law. The client should understand that outdoor areas often contain hidden conditions that cannot be fully assessed without invasive inspection.

Where the client supplies plants, products, or equipment, we are not responsible for defects, poor quality, or incompatibility unless we have expressly agreed to inspect and approve them. If we recommend materials or treatments, the client remains responsible for deciding whether they are suitable for their purposes. Any instructions given by the client must be lawful, safe, and technically feasible.

8. Governing Law and General Terms

These terms, and any dispute or claim arising from them, are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The parties agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory consumer rights or alternative dispute resolution requirements that apply under law. If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining terms will continue in full force.

We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time to reflect changes in law, operational practice, or service structure. The version in force at the time of booking will apply to that booking unless a later version is agreed in writing. No waiver of any right under these terms will be effective unless stated in writing, and any delay in enforcing a right shall not prevent us from enforcing it later.

These terms are intended to create a balanced relationship between the client and Gardeners Eltham services. By booking or accepting work, the client confirms that they understand the nature of outdoor maintenance, accept the practical limits of gardening work, and agree to cooperate so that the service can be delivered safely and efficiently.