Terms & Conditions

These Terms & Conditions govern the provision of tree surgery and related services by RJ Hutchinson Tree Services ("the Contractor") to you ("the Customer"). By engaging us to carry out work, you agree to these terms.

1. Quotations

All quotations are based on the Contractor's site visit and are valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Quotations are fixed unless the Customer changes the scope or hidden conditions are revealed once work begins (e.g. internal decay, undeclared services). Any change in scope will be agreed in writing before continuing.

2. Booking & Scheduling

Work is booked on receipt of a verbal or written confirmation from the Customer. We do not require a deposit for standard domestic jobs. The Contractor will confirm the scheduled date the working day before.

3. Customer Responsibilities

• Provide safe access to the work area
• Disclose the location of any underground services (gas, electric, water)
• Confirm ownership of trees and boundaries before work starts
• Obtain neighbour consent where work crosses or overhangs a boundary, where required
• Notify the Contractor of any TPO, Conservation Area or other restriction known to the Customer

4. Permissions & Local Authority Consent

The Contractor will check the local TPO register and Conservation Area boundaries as part of the quotation, and submit any required applications or notifications on the Customer's behalf. Statutory notification periods (typically six weeks for Conservation Areas, six to eight weeks for TPO consent) apply and are outside the Contractor's control.

5. Health & Safety

All work is carried out to NPTC and BS 3998:2010 standards. The Contractor holds £5m public liability insurance and full employer's liability cover. Risk assessments and method statements are produced for every job and available on request.

6. Waste & Site Clean-Up

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all arisings (timber, brash, chip) will be removed from site or processed (chipped/logged) per the quotation. The site will be swept clean before the Contractor leaves.

7. Payment Terms

Payment is due on completion of the work, by bank transfer or other agreed method. The invoice will be issued the same day. Commercial accounts may agree 14-day terms in writing in advance. Late payment may incur interest at the statutory rate.

8. Workmanship Warranty

All workmanship is warranted for 12 months from the date of completion. If any cut made by the Contractor fails or causes a problem within that period, the Contractor will return and remedy the issue at no charge. The warranty does not cover damage caused by storm, vandalism, third-party action or biological events outside the Contractor's control.

9. Cancellation

The Customer may cancel a booked job at any time with 48 hours' notice without charge. Cancellations inside 48 hours may incur a callout fee equivalent to one-quarter of the quoted price.

10. Limitation of Liability

The Contractor's liability is limited to the amount covered by the public liability policy in force at the time. The Contractor is not liable for indirect or consequential losses, or for damage arising from undisclosed underground services or hidden defects in trees.

11. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

12. Contact

Any questions about these terms: Rjhutchinson18@gmail.com or 07710 015292.