Terms and Conditions for Gardening Services

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which gardening services are provided by Gardeners Harrow on the Hill. They are designed to create a clear understanding between the service provider and the customer, covering how bookings are made, how payments are handled, when cancellations may apply, and what responsibilities each party has during the provision of services. By requesting a service, the customer agrees to these terms and acknowledges that they form part of the contract for the work arranged.

In these terms, references to garden maintenance, landscape care, or gardening services may include routine maintenance, seasonal work, planting, pruning, clearance, lawn care, and related tasks agreed in advance. The exact scope of the work will depend on the written or verbal booking confirmation, the property conditions, and any specific instructions provided by the customer before the service begins.

These terms apply to domestic and commercial customers unless stated otherwise. They should be read carefully before confirming any booking with Harrow on the Hill gardeners. If any part of the service order conflicts with these terms, these terms will apply unless both parties agree in writing to a different arrangement.

1. Booking Process

A booking is only confirmed once the customer has provided the necessary details and the service provider has accepted the request. For accurate scheduling, the customer should supply information about the type of work required, access arrangements, any known hazards, parking limitations, and any relevant property conditions. The service provider may ask for photographs, measurements, or other details to assess the likely time, labour, and materials needed.

When a quote is issued, it is based on the information available at the time. If the actual conditions differ significantly from the information supplied, the quote may need to be revised before work starts. This may happen where there is excessive overgrowth, hidden damage, restricted access, difficult waste removal, or additional tasks requested on arrival. A revised price will be discussed with the customer and agreed before proceeding where reasonably possible.

Gardeners Harrow on the Hill may offer approximate arrival times or scheduled time windows rather than exact times. While every effort is made to attend as arranged, delays can occur because of traffic, weather, previous jobs, or circumstances outside reasonable control. The customer agrees to provide safe and reasonable access to the property at the agreed time. If access is not available, the appointment may be treated as a late cancellation or missed visit.

The customer is responsible for ensuring that pets, children, and valuable or fragile items are kept clear of the working area. If the property contains hidden hazards such as broken glass, unsafe wiring, unstable structures, or pest issues, the customer should notify the service provider before work commences. The service provider reserves the right to suspend or decline work if conditions appear unsafe, unlawful, or unsuitable for gardening operations.

2. Payments and Charges

All prices will be set out in the quote, booking confirmation, or service agreement. Charges may be fixed, hourly, or based on the scope and complexity of the work. Unless otherwise agreed, materials, disposal costs, specialist equipment, and extra labour are not included in the initial price if they are not expressly mentioned. Any additional charges will be explained before they are incurred, where practical.

Payment terms may vary depending on the nature of the service. For routine gardening services, payment is usually due upon completion of the work on the same day, unless invoicing terms have been arranged in advance. For larger projects, a deposit or staged payment may be required before work begins or as the work progresses. The customer must pay by the method stated in the invoice or booking terms.

Late payments may result in a suspension of further services and may also attract reasonable recovery costs where permitted by law. Any dispute about an invoice should be raised promptly and in good faith. The customer remains responsible for paying the undisputed portion of any invoice on time. Discounts, promotional rates, or special pricing are granted at the discretion of the service provider and may be withdrawn for future bookings.

3. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Waiting Time

The customer may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving reasonable notice. Unless otherwise stated in the booking terms, cancellations made with sufficient notice may not incur a charge, but short-notice cancellations may be subject to a fee to cover planning time, reserved labour, and any committed costs. Where a deposit has been taken, it may be non-refundable if the cancellation occurs within the agreed notice period or after materials have been purchased.

For bookings involving seasonal demand, specialist equipment, or multiple operatives, a stricter cancellation policy may apply and will be stated at the time of booking. If the service provider must cancel due to illness, severe weather, safety concerns, or other unforeseen circumstances, an alternative date will usually be offered. If no suitable alternative can be arranged, any prepaid amount for the cancelled service will be refunded for work not completed.

If the customer is not present when access is required, or if the service cannot begin because the property is inaccessible, the visit may still be chargeable. Waiting time may also be charged where the team is delayed on site beyond a reasonable period due to lack of access, missing instructions, or failure to prepare the area. In all cases, any charge will be fair and proportionate to the lost time and resources.

4. Liability and Property Care

The service provider will take reasonable care and skill in carrying out all work. However, gardening involves outdoor conditions and may involve natural variation, pre-existing wear, hidden defects, and the handling of plants, soil, tools, machinery, and waste. The customer acknowledges that certain outcomes, such as plant recovery, lawn appearance, or the longevity of living materials, may depend on weather, season, soil condition, watering, and ongoing care after the service has been completed.

The service provider will not be liable for loss or damage arising from matters beyond reasonable control, including adverse weather, storms, flooding, drought, frost, pest activity, or acts of third parties. Liability will also be limited where damage results from pre-existing defects, unsafe structures, undocumented underground features, or instructions given by the customer that later prove unsuitable. Nothing in these terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded.

Where the service provider is responsible for direct damage to property, a fair investigation will be carried out and appropriate steps taken to remedy the issue where appropriate. The customer must notify the service provider of any alleged damage as soon as reasonably possible and no later than a reasonable period after the service. The customer should take steps to protect items that are fragile, valuable, or sensitive to outdoor work before the appointment.

Any liability for indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, business interruption, or sentimental value, is excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. The total liability for any claim relating to a service will not exceed the amount paid or payable for the specific work that gave rise to the claim, except where a different limit is required by law. This limitation reflects the nature of garden services and the practical risks involved in outdoor maintenance and clearance work.

5. Waste Removal and Environmental Compliance

Gardeners Harrow on the Hill may remove green waste, soil, branches, and other approved materials if waste removal is included in the booking or arranged as an additional service. All waste handling will be carried out in line with applicable UK waste regulations, including legal duties relating to transport, transfer, and disposal. The customer agrees that waste may be taken to licensed facilities or managed through other lawful disposal routes.

The service provider may require the customer to confirm the nature of any waste before removal. Certain materials cannot be treated as general garden waste and may require separate handling, specialist disposal, or refusal of collection. These may include asbestos, chemicals, paint, oils, contaminated materials, clinical waste, electrical items, and other regulated substances. If such items are discovered, the service may be paused until appropriate arrangements are made.

If the customer asks for waste to be left on site for composting, reuse, or later collection, that request must be agreed in advance. Once waste is removed from the property, ownership and responsibility for lawful disposal pass in accordance with the agreed arrangement. The customer must not request unlawful disposal practices, fly-tipping, or mixing of prohibited waste with green waste. Any instruction that would breach environmental or waste laws will be refused.

6. Customer Responsibilities

The customer must provide accurate information when booking and must ensure that the service provider can work safely and lawfully on the property. This includes arranging access, making pets secure, identifying hazards, and informing the service provider of any restrictions such as shared access routes, parking controls, or neighbour permissions if relevant. Failure to provide correct information may affect timing, pricing, and the ability to complete the work.

The customer is also responsible for obtaining any permissions needed for the work, such as landlord approval, management company consent, or neighbour agreement where shared boundaries are involved. If local rules, lease conditions, or planning restrictions apply, the customer must make sure the requested service is permitted. The service provider may rely on the customer’s representation that such permissions have been secured.

Where plants or materials are supplied, the customer should follow any aftercare advice provided. The service provider will not be responsible for deterioration caused by lack of watering, extreme weather, misuse, neglect, or failure to follow reasonable maintenance instructions after completion. If ongoing care is needed, this should be agreed as a separate service rather than assumed to be included automatically.

7. Complaints, Changes, and General Terms

If the customer is dissatisfied with any part of the service, they should raise the issue promptly so that it can be reviewed fairly. Where appropriate, the service provider may offer to revisit the property, correct an error, or provide an explanation of the work completed. Any complaint should be made in a constructive manner and supported by relevant information, such as photographs or a description of the concern.

The service provider may update these terms from time to time. The version in force at the time of booking will apply to that booking unless a later version is expressly agreed. No variation of these terms will be valid unless agreed by both parties. If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining sections will continue to apply.

These terms are intended to operate in a clear and practical way for all standard gardening arrangements. They do not create a partnership, employment relationship, or agency relationship between the parties. The customer may not transfer their rights under the service agreement without consent, and the service provider may assign rights where permitted by law in connection with the business.

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising from or connected with the services, the booking, or these terms will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. By booking and receiving services, the customer confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted these conditions as the basis of the arrangement.