Gardeners North Finchley Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Gardeners North Finchley provides gardening and related services. 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.

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions have the meanings set out below:

Client means the person, business, or organisation requesting the services.

Company means the gardening service provider trading as Gardeners North Finchley.

Services means any gardening, maintenance, clearance, soft landscaping, or related work carried out by the Company.

Site means the garden, outdoor space, or premises where the Services are to be provided.

Agreement means the contract between the Client and the Company incorporating these Terms and Conditions and any written quotation or booking confirmation.

2. Scope of Services

The Company provides a range of gardening and garden maintenance services, including but not limited to lawn care, hedge trimming, pruning, planting, weeding, garden clearance, and seasonal tidy-ups. Any description in a quotation or communication is intended to set out the agreed scope of work for a particular booking.

The Company reserves the right to decline work which it reasonably considers unsafe, unsuitable, or outside its normal scope of operation. Any additional work requested by the Client that is not included in the original quotation may be charged separately and may require a revised quotation or additional booking.

3. Booking Process

3.1 Enquiries and quotations

The Client may request a quotation by providing details of the required Services, the Site, and availability. Quotations may be given verbally or in writing. Written quotations will usually set out an estimate of time required, the nature of the work, and the price or charging structure.

All quotations are based on the information supplied by the Client. If, upon arrival, the Company discovers that the conditions at the Site differ materially from those described, or that additional work is required, the Company may revise the quotation or propose a new Agreement before commencing or continuing work.

3.2 Accepting a booking

A booking is treated as confirmed when the Client expressly accepts a quotation or booking proposal, or when the Client requests a specific date and time for the Services and the Company confirms availability. The Agreement is formed at the moment of confirmation.

For some Services, the Company may require a site visit before confirming a quotation. The Client must ensure accurate access details are provided at the time of booking, including any entry codes, parking requirements, or restrictions.

3.3 Access to the Site

The Client must ensure that the Company and its personnel have safe and reasonable access to the Site at the agreed time. This includes access through any gates or communal areas, and the ability to move tools and equipment to and from the working area.

If the Company is unable to gain access to the Site at the agreed time due to circumstances within the Client's control, the visit may be treated as a late cancellation and a charge may be applied in accordance with the cancellation terms below.

4. Pricing and Payments

4.1 Pricing structure

The Company may charge on an hourly rate, a fixed price for a defined job, or a combination of both, as set out in the quotation or confirmation. Prices are based on the anticipated time, complexity, and resources required to complete the Services.

Additional charges may apply for green waste removal, disposal fees, materials, plants, soil, mulch, turf, or specialist equipment, where these are requested or required as part of the Services. Any such charges will be outlined in advance where reasonably possible.

4.2 Deposits

For larger or multi-day projects, bespoke planting schemes, or where materials must be purchased in advance, the Company may request a deposit before the scheduled start date. The deposit amount and due date will be communicated to the Client at the time of booking. The Company may decline to commence work until the deposit has been received in full.

4.3 Payment terms

Unless otherwise stated in writing, payment is due on completion of the Services or on the date of invoice, whichever is specified in the confirmation. The Company accepts common methods of payment as communicated in advance. Cash payments should be made directly to the attending gardener or representative, if this method is offered.

For ongoing or regular maintenance contracts, invoices may be issued at agreed intervals. The Client remains responsible for ensuring that payments are made in full and on time.

4.4 Late payments

If payment is not received by the due date, the Company reserves the right to suspend further Services until all outstanding amounts are settled. The Company may also charge interest on overdue balances in accordance with applicable law or at a reasonable rate for late payment, and may recover reasonable costs incurred in pursuing the debt.

5. Cancellations and Amendments

5.1 Client cancellations

The Client may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving the Company reasonable notice. Unless otherwise agreed, the minimum notice period is 24 hours before the scheduled start time for standard visits.

If the Client cancels or reschedules with less than the minimum notice, or fails to provide access at the agreed time, the Company may charge a cancellation fee. The fee may be a flat charge or a proportion of the quoted price, reflecting the time reserved and any costs already incurred.

For larger projects where a deposit has been taken, the deposit may be partially or fully retained if cancellation occurs within a short period before the start date, particularly where materials have been ordered or work has been scheduled specifically for the Client.

5.2 Company cancellations

The Company endeavours to keep all agreed appointments. However, the Company may need to cancel or reschedule a booking due to adverse weather, illness, equipment failure, safety concerns, or other circumstances beyond its reasonable control. In these cases, the Company will notify the Client as soon as practicable and offer an alternative date or arrangement.

The Company is not liable for any loss or inconvenience caused by such cancellations beyond the cost of the rescheduled or cancelled visit itself.

5.3 Amendments to services

If the Client wishes to change the scope of Services, the date, or the duration of a visit, the Client should contact the Company as early as possible. Changes are subject to availability and may require a revised quotation.

6. Client Responsibilities

The Client agrees to provide accurate information about the Site and any known hazards, such as uneven ground, buried cables, or previous chemical treatments. The Client also agrees to:

Ensure the Site is reasonably clear of obstructions such as toys, furniture, or pet waste before the work begins.

Advise the Company of any plants, trees, or features that must not be pruned, removed, or disturbed.

Ensure that children and pets are kept away from working areas for safety reasons.

Obtain any necessary permissions, consents, or approvals from landlords, neighbours, or local authorities where required for the requested work.

Where the Client provides any materials, such as plants or products, the Client is responsible for ensuring they are suitable for use and free from disease or infestation.

7. Performance of Services and Standards

The Company will exercise reasonable care and skill in performing the Services and will provide them in a professional and timely manner. The nature of gardening means that results can depend on weather, soil conditions, plant health, and ongoing maintenance by the Client.

Any timescales for completion are estimates only and may be affected by factors such as weather, unforeseen Site conditions, or additional work requested by the Client.

If the Client is dissatisfied with any aspect of the Services, the Client should notify the Company promptly, ideally within 48 hours of completion, so that any reasonable concerns can be investigated and addressed.

8. Waste Handling and Environmental Regulations

8.1 Green waste

The Company will, where agreed, collect and bag green waste such as grass cuttings, leaves, and small branches. Unless the quotation explicitly includes removal, green waste will normally be left on Site for the Client to dispose of using their own garden waste facilities or composting arrangements.

If the Client would like the Company to remove green waste from the Site, this must be agreed in advance and may incur an additional fee to cover transport, labour, and disposal costs in line with local waste regulations.

8.2 Non-green waste

The Company is not responsible for removing general rubbish, rubble, metal, plastics, or other non-garden waste unless specifically agreed and quoted for in advance. The Client is responsible for disclosing the presence of such waste and for arranging appropriate disposal where the Company does not provide this service.

8.3 Compliance with waste and environmental law

The Company will handle and dispose of any waste it removes in accordance with applicable waste and environmental regulations. The Client agrees not to request any disposal that would breach such regulations.

9. Health, Safety, and Insurance

The Company takes health and safety seriously and will take reasonable steps to work safely at all times. Power tools, ladders, and other equipment will be used only by personnel who are competent to do so. The Company may decline to carry out tasks that it considers unsafe, including work at excessive heights or in hazardous conditions.

The Client must not ask the Company to perform any activity that would breach health and safety rules. The Client is responsible for keeping pathways clear, ensuring access is free from hazards, and for informing the Company of any risks that may not be immediately obvious.

The Company will maintain appropriate insurance cover for its operations where required by law or good practice. Details may be provided to the Client upon reasonable request.

10. Liability and Limitations

10.1 General liability

The Company will be liable for damage or loss caused by its negligence or breach of contract, subject to the limitations below. The Company will take reasonable care to avoid damage to property, plants, and structures, but some incidental damage can occur during normal gardening activities, such as minor scuffs or disturbance to soil.

10.2 Exclusions and limitations

The Company is not liable for:

Loss or damage resulting from inaccurate or incomplete information supplied by the Client.

Pre-existing defects or conditions at the Site, including diseased plants, unstable structures, or hidden obstructions.

Failure of plants, turf, or seeds to establish or thrive, as this can be heavily influenced by weather, soil conditions, pests, and ongoing care by the Client.

Any indirect or consequential loss, such as loss of enjoyment, loss of use, or loss of profit.

Subject to law, the total liability of the Company for any claim arising out of the Agreement will not exceed the total fees paid or payable by the Client for the specific Services giving rise to the claim.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.

11. Property, Plants, and Materials

Any materials supplied by the Company, including plants, soil, and fixtures, remain the property of the Company until full payment has been received. Risk in such materials passes to the Client upon delivery or installation at the Site.

The Client is responsible for the ongoing care of plants and features after the completion of the Services, following any guidance provided by the Company where applicable.

12. Intellectual Property

Where the Company provides any design, planting plan, or other creative work, the intellectual property rights in those materials remain with the Company unless expressly transferred in writing. The Client is granted a licence to use such materials solely for the purpose of implementing the Services at the Site.

13. Data Protection and Privacy

The Company will collect and use personal data such as names, addresses, and contact details for the purpose of managing bookings, carrying out the Services, invoicing, and related administration. The Company will take reasonable steps to keep such data secure and will not disclose it to third parties except where required to fulfil the Services, comply with law, or with the Client's consent.

14. Changes to Terms and Conditions

The Company may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time of booking will normally apply to that booking. The latest version may be provided upon request or made available as part of the Company's service information.

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with them are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

The parties agree that the courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions or their subject matter.

16. General Provisions

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

No failure or delay by the Company in exercising any right or remedy under these Terms and Conditions shall operate as a waiver of that right or remedy.

The Agreement is between the Company and the Client. No other person has any rights to enforce any of its terms.

By requesting or accepting Services from Gardeners North Finchley, the Client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.