Gardeners Watford Service Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of gardening and related services by Gardeners Watford to residential and commercial clients. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or allowing work to commence, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before confirming any service.
Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions, the following definitions apply:
Client means the person or organisation requesting services from Gardeners Watford.
Company, we, us, our means Gardeners Watford.
Services means any gardening, garden maintenance, clearance, landscaping, or related work carried out by the Company for the Client.
Site means the garden, land, or property at which the Services are to be carried out.
Contract means the agreement between the Company and the Client for the supply of Services, made up of these Terms and Conditions and any written quotation or booking confirmation.
Scope of Services
The Company provides gardening and related services, which may include lawn care, planting, pruning, hedge cutting, garden clearance, soft landscaping, and general garden maintenance. The exact scope of the Services for each job will be described in the quotation or booking confirmation provided to the Client.
The Company reserves the right to decline work that it considers unsafe, unlawful, impracticable, or beyond its usual scope of operations. Any additional work requested by the Client that is not included in the original quotation will be treated as a variation and may be subject to separate charges.
Booking Process
Bookings may be requested by the Client through the Company’s accepted communication channels. A booking is not confirmed until the Client has received a booking confirmation or quotation acceptance from the Company.
The Company may conduct a site visit or request photographs and written descriptions before confirming a quotation. Quotations are based on the information provided by the Client and are given in good faith. If on arrival at the Site the conditions are materially different from those described, the Company may revise the quotation or decline to carry out the work.
The Client is responsible for ensuring that all details provided at the time of booking are accurate, including access requirements, parking information, and any relevant restrictions affecting the Site.
Quotations and Pricing
Unless stated otherwise, quotations are valid for thirty days from the date of issue. After this period the Company reserves the right to amend or withdraw the quotation.
Prices are generally provided on a fixed-price basis for defined works or on an hourly or daily rate for ongoing maintenance, as set out in the quotation or booking confirmation. Any additional time required due to unforeseen circumstances, extra tasks requested by the Client, or delays caused by the Client may be charged at the Company’s standard rates.
All prices are stated in pounds sterling and are exclusive of any applicable taxes, which will be added where required by law and clearly stated to the Client.
Access and Client Obligations
The Client must provide safe and reasonable access to the Site on the agreed date and time. This includes ensuring that gates are unlocked or access arrangements are in place and that any necessary permissions, keys, or codes are available.
The Client must ensure that the Site is free from unreasonable hazards and obstructions that could prevent or delay the Services, such as excess rubbish, hazardous materials, or unstable structures. The Company reserves the right to suspend work if it considers the Site unsafe.
The Client is responsible for securing all pets and informing the Company of any specific risks at the Site, such as ponds, uneven ground, or known underground utilities. The Company accepts no liability for escape of pets or damage caused by pets unless arising from the Company’s proven negligence.
Parking and Access Charges
The Client is responsible for ensuring adequate parking arrangements for the Company’s vehicles where necessary for the performance of the Services. Any parking fees, permits, or congestion-related charges that are reasonably incurred by the Company in attending the Site may be charged to the Client.
If the Company is unable to park within a reasonable distance of the Site and this significantly affects the ability to carry tools, materials, or waste, the Company may revise the quotation or cancel the booking, and a call-out or cancellation fee may apply.
Payments and Invoicing
Payment terms will be set out in the quotation or booking confirmation. The Company may require a deposit for certain works, particularly for larger projects or where materials must be purchased in advance. Deposits are generally non-refundable once materials have been ordered or where the Company has reserved specific dates for the Client.
For one-off jobs, payment is typically due on completion of the Services, unless agreed otherwise in writing. For ongoing maintenance, payment may be required after each visit or on a regular schedule, such as monthly, as agreed with the Client.
Invoices will be issued by the Company in accordance with the agreed payment terms. Payment must be made in pounds sterling by an accepted payment method as notified to the Client.
If payment is not received by the due date, the Company reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts, suspend further Services, and recover any reasonable costs incurred in pursuing payment.
Cancellations and Rescheduling by the Client
The Client may cancel or request to reschedule a booking by providing reasonable notice. The required notice period will be specified in the quotation or booking confirmation, but in most cases a minimum of 24 hours’ notice prior to the scheduled appointment is required.
If the Client cancels a booking with less than the required notice, the Company may charge a cancellation fee to cover lost time, travel, and any unrecoverable expenses incurred. The amount of this fee will be reasonable and proportionate to the booking.
Deposits paid for larger projects may be retained if the Client cancels the work after materials have been purchased or where work has already commenced. Any partial refund of a deposit will be at the Company’s discretion and will reflect costs already incurred and time reserved for the Client.
Cancellations and Rescheduling by the Company
The Company aims to attend all bookings as scheduled. However, the Company may need to cancel or reschedule a visit due to reasons such as severe weather, staff illness, vehicle breakdown, supply issues, or other circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
Where possible, the Company will inform the Client of any changes to the booking as soon as reasonably practicable and offer an alternative date or time. The Company will not be liable for any indirect or consequential losses arising from such cancellations or delays, but any deposits paid for Services that cannot be rebooked will be refunded where no costs have been incurred.
Weather and Site Conditions
Certain gardening tasks may be unsafe or impractical in adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain, storms, snow, or extreme heat. The Company may decide at its discretion to postpone or modify the planned Services if conditions on the day are unsuitable.
If work cannot proceed due to weather or ground conditions that were reasonably unforeseeable, the booking may be rescheduled without penalty to the Client. However, if the conditions are caused or exacerbated by the Client, or if the Client insists on proceeding against the Company’s advice, the Company may cancel the booking or continue only with a written acknowledgment of the Client’s responsibility for any resulting issues.
Waste Removal and Garden Waste Regulations
Garden waste removal is not automatically included in all Services. The quotation or booking confirmation will specify whether waste will be removed by the Company or left on Site for the Client to dispose of.
Where the Company agrees to remove green waste or other materials, this will be carried out in accordance with applicable waste regulations. The Company will only transport waste that it is legally permitted to carry and may refuse to remove contaminated, hazardous, or prohibited materials.
If the volume of waste generated exceeds the amount anticipated in the quotation, the Company may charge an additional fee based on the extra volume, weight, or disposal costs. The Client is responsible for informing the Company in advance of any large accumulations of waste or rubbish requiring clearance.
The Client remains responsible for complying with any local regulations relating to garden waste left on Site, including the use of council-provided bins or collection services, where applicable.
Materials, Plants, and Quality
Where the Company supplies plants, turf, or other living materials, it will use reputable suppliers and handle them with reasonable care and skill. However, the Company cannot guarantee the long-term survival of living materials once the work is complete, as this depends heavily on weather conditions, soil conditions, Client maintenance, and other factors beyond the Company’s control.
The Client is responsible for following any aftercare guidance provided by the Company, including watering, feeding, weeding, and protection against pests and diseases. The Company accepts no liability for failure of plants or turf where the Client has not followed reasonable aftercare instructions.
Any defects in materials or workmanship that are discovered shortly after completion must be reported to the Company within a reasonable time. The Company will investigate and, if appropriate, remedy genuine defects, but will not be responsible for damage or deterioration arising from misuse, neglect, or external factors.
Liability and Limitations
The Company will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing the Services. If the Company is found to be at fault, its liability will be limited to the cost of rectifying the damage or, at its option, the amount paid by the Client for the relevant Services.
The Company is not liable for pre-existing damage or defects at the Site, including damage to plants, lawns, structures, or utilities that are already in poor condition. The Client must notify the Company of any hidden features such as irrigation systems, cables, or pipes that could be affected by the work.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company is not liable for any indirect, consequential, or economic losses, including loss of profit, loss of enjoyment, or loss of opportunity, arising out of or in connection with the Services.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions seeks to exclude or limit any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence and any statutory rights of consumers.
Client Property and Damage
The Client should remove or protect any items of value in or near the working area before the Services commence. While the Company will take care to avoid unnecessary damage, minor scuffs, marks, or wear to surfaces and access routes may occur as a result of normal work activities.
Any significant damage caused by the Company’s proven negligence must be reported to the Company as soon as reasonably possible and, in any event, within a reasonable period after completion of the Services. The Company will assess the claim and, where appropriate, arrange repair or compensation within the agreed liability limits.
Complaints and Disputes
If the Client is dissatisfied with any aspect of the Services, they should inform the Company promptly so that the issue can be investigated and, where possible, resolved. The Client should provide clear details and, if available, photographs of any areas of concern.
The Company will make reasonable efforts to address complaints within a reasonable timeframe and may offer to revisit the Site, correct any shortcomings, or propose another suitable remedy. The Client agrees to allow the Company a reasonable opportunity to put matters right before seeking alternative remedies.
Force Majeure
The Company will not be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations where such delay or failure is caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to extreme weather, natural disasters, epidemics, strikes, transport disruptions, or acts of government. In such cases, the Company may suspend or cancel the affected Services and will seek to reschedule where feasible.
Data Protection and Privacy
The Company will collect and use Client personal data only as necessary to manage bookings, provide Services, issue invoices, and communicate with the Client. Client details will be handled with appropriate care and will not be sold to third parties.
The Company may retain records relating to the Services and the Client’s contact details for a reasonable period for administrative, legal, and accounting purposes, in line with applicable data protection laws.
Amendments to Terms and Conditions
The Company reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time of booking will apply to that Contract. Updated terms may be made available to Clients on request or through the Company’s usual communication channels.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions and any Contract between the Company and the Client shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
Any disputes arising out of or in connection with the Services or these Terms and Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, without prejudice to any mandatory consumer protection rights that may apply.
Severability
If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found by a court or competent authority to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed removed to the minimum extent necessary and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
Entire Agreement
These Terms and Conditions, together with any written quotation or booking confirmation, constitute the entire agreement between the Company and the Client relating to the Services and supersede any prior discussions, correspondence, or understandings, whether written or oral.
