Gardeners Colyers Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Gardeners Colyers provides domestic and commercial gardening services. By booking any service, the customer agrees to these terms in full. They are intended to be clear, fair, and practical, and to reflect standard UK service expectations. In these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean Gardeners Colyers, and references to “you” and “your” mean the customer receiving the service.

These terms apply to all quotations, bookings, scheduled visits, and one-off or recurring works carried out by our team. They cover the booking process, pricing, payment, cancellations, liability, waste handling, and other important matters. If any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining sections will continue to apply. No variation of these terms will be binding unless agreed by us in writing.

We may update these terms from time to time to reflect changes in our services, pricing approach, legal obligations, or operational requirements. The version in force at the time of booking will normally apply to that booking unless a later change is required by law. By continuing with a booking after receiving revised terms, you are deemed to have accepted the updated version.

Our gardening services may include lawn care, hedge trimming, planting, bed maintenance, seasonal tidy-ups, pressure-free outdoor maintenance, green waste collection, and similar tasks agreed in advance. Any task not expressly included in the quotation or booking confirmation is outside the scope of the contract unless we agree otherwise. We reserve the right to decline work that is unsafe, unlawful, or beyond our competence, equipment, or insurance cover.

Booking Process

Bookings may be made by phone, email, online form, or through any other booking channel we make available. A booking is not confirmed until we have reviewed the requested service, checked availability, and issued acceptance. Where necessary, we may request photographs, site access details, dimensions, or other relevant information to prepare an accurate quotation. Any estimate is based on the information provided at the time and may change if the actual site conditions differ materially from those described.

Gardeners Colyers may offer fixed-price quotations, hourly rates, or schedule-based maintenance arrangements. If a quotation is provided, it will usually remain valid for a stated period. We may withdraw or revise a quotation if pricing inputs, access conditions, or the scope of work changes before acceptance. A booking is only binding once we have confirmed it and, where required, received any deposit or advance payment.

Customers must ensure that the information supplied during booking is accurate and complete. This includes the address, access arrangements, parking restrictions, pets, hazards, and any other factor likely to affect the service. If you fail to disclose relevant information and this results in delay, extra labour, or additional materials, we may charge reasonably for the additional time or costs incurred. Any requested date or time is subject to availability and may need to be changed due to weather, staff illness, equipment failure, or circumstances beyond our control.

Where a recurring service is arranged, visits will be scheduled at intervals agreed in advance, but exact timings may vary. We will make reasonable efforts to attend on the agreed day, yet we do not guarantee an exact arrival time unless expressly stated. If access is not available when we arrive, or if the site is unsafe to work on, we may treat the visit as cancelled by you and charge in accordance with the cancellation terms below.

Payments

Payment terms will be stated in the quotation, invoice, or booking confirmation. Unless agreed otherwise, payment is due on completion of the work or within the period specified on the invoice. We may request a deposit, part-payment, or full advance payment for larger, seasonal, or material-heavy jobs. Any deposit is used to secure the booking and cover administrative and scheduling costs.

All prices, where quoted, are inclusive or exclusive of VAT according to the status shown on the quotation or invoice. If VAT applies, it will be added at the applicable rate. Materials, waste transfer, specialist equipment hire, parking charges, and other third-party costs may be charged separately if not included in the original price. Late payment may result in suspension of future services, recovery action, and reasonable debt recovery costs where permitted by law.

If payment is made by bank transfer, it must be received in cleared funds by the due date. Cash payments, where accepted, must be provided in the correct amount unless otherwise agreed. We are not obliged to release invoices, complete recurring services, or return for follow-up work if an outstanding balance remains unpaid. In the event of a genuine billing dispute, you must notify us promptly and pay any undisputed amount by the due date.

Where a quotation is based on an hourly rate, the total charge will depend on the time spent on site and the agreed labour rate. We will act reasonably and in good faith when recording time, but task duration can be affected by site conditions, weather, access constraints, and the condition of the garden. If additional work is requested during the visit, it may be charged at the applicable hourly or fixed rate.

Cancellation and Rescheduling

You may cancel or reschedule a booking by providing reasonable notice. The amount of notice required may depend on the type and size of the job, but unless otherwise stated, at least 48 hours’ notice is expected for non-emergency services. If you cancel with insufficient notice, we may charge a cancellation fee reflecting time reserved, administrative costs, and any materials already ordered or prepared specifically for your job.

If we need to cancel or reschedule due to weather, staff unavailability, vehicle issues, safety concerns, or any other event outside our control, we will aim to offer an alternative date. We will not be liable for any indirect losses arising from a cancellation or delay, including loss of enjoyment, inconvenience, or any consequential costs, provided we have acted reasonably. If a deposit has been paid for a cancelled appointment, its refundability will depend on the work already carried out, the notice given, and any non-recoverable expenses incurred.

Liability and Service Standards

We will carry out the services with reasonable care and skill, using suitably trained personnel and appropriate equipment. However, gardening work often involves living materials, variable ground conditions, hidden defects, and weather-dependent outcomes. For this reason, we do not guarantee the survival, growth, or performance of plants, turf, or other natural materials unless a separate written warranty is provided. Any advice given is based on our professional judgment at the time and should not be treated as an absolute guarantee.

Our liability for loss or damage is limited to the extent permitted by law. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded. Subject to that, we will not be responsible for indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit, loss of business, or damage caused by pre-existing defects, hidden underground services, unstable structures, poor drainage, or inaccurate information supplied by you.

Where we are working near fences, ornaments, paving, sheds, irrigation systems, or other features, you should tell us about any fragile or high-value items before the job starts. We will take reasonable care, but minor scuffs, marks, or wear associated with normal gardening operations may occur. You are responsible for removing or securing valuables, personal items, and breakables from work areas unless we have expressly agreed to do this as part of the service.

Customer Responsibilities

You must provide safe, lawful, and reasonable access to the property at the agreed time. This includes ensuring gates can be opened, keys or codes are available if needed, and pets are secured away from the work area. If our team is unable to work because access has not been provided, we may charge for the visit, travel, or idle time where appropriate. You are also responsible for ensuring that the site does not contain concealed hazards such as exposed wiring, unstable structures, sharps, asbestos, or contaminated waste unless disclosed beforehand.

If the service requires water, power, or access to shared facilities, you must make these available unless we have agreed to supply them ourselves. You are responsible for obtaining any permissions, consents, or approvals needed from landlords, managing agents, neighbours, or other third parties. Where work is to be carried out close to boundaries, you should ensure that you have authority to instruct the work on the relevant land or feature.

Waste Regulations

Waste generated during gardening services will be handled in accordance with applicable UK waste regulations and relevant environmental obligations. Green waste, soil, roots, branches, leaves, and similar organic material may be removed from site, composted, recycled, or disposed of through licensed or otherwise lawful channels. Where we are responsible for removal, we will decide the most appropriate route for disposal unless a specific method has been agreed in advance.

We will not knowingly transport or dispose of prohibited, hazardous, or non-garden waste without prior agreement and the appropriate handling arrangements. This includes items such as asbestos, chemicals, paint, oils, contaminated materials, sharp metal objects, batteries, electrical waste, and any substance requiring specialist disposal. If such items are discovered unexpectedly, we may stop work, isolate the area if safe to do so, and request further instructions. Any extra cost arising from the discovery, handling, or lawful disposal of restricted waste will be charged to you where permitted.

If you wish to keep any waste on site for reuse, mulch, composting, or other purposes, you must tell us before the work begins. Once waste has been removed by us, it will be treated as waste for disposal or recovery, and title will normally pass according to the terms agreed at booking or on the invoice. We may provide documentation for waste handling where required or reasonably requested, but any such paperwork depends on the nature of the work and the disposal route used.

Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations where the failure or delay is caused by an event beyond our reasonable control. This may include severe weather, flooding, fire, accident, industrial action, supply disruption, equipment failure, government action, epidemics, transport disruption, or any similar circumstance. In such cases, we will use reasonable efforts to resume or rearrange the service as soon as practicable.

If an event beyond our control prevents completion of the work, we may invoice for any part of the service already provided and any non-recoverable costs incurred. Where the work cannot be safely completed, we may cancel the remaining balance of the booking without liability for indirect losses. We will always seek to act fairly and proportionately in handling such matters.

Complaints and Disputes

If you believe there is an issue with the service, you must notify us within a reasonable time after completion or after the issue becomes apparent. We may ask for photographs, access to the site, or other information to investigate the matter properly. Where appropriate, we may offer a revisit, partial refund, or other reasonable remedy, but this will not be an admission of liability unless stated in writing.

Any dispute arising under these Terms and Conditions should first be raised with us in good faith so that we can try to resolve it promptly and fairly. If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, either party may pursue any legal remedy available. Nothing in this section prevents either party from seeking urgent injunctive relief or other immediate court assistance where necessary.

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the law of England and Wales. The parties agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction, except where consumer law provides otherwise. If you are contracting as a consumer, any mandatory rights available to you under applicable consumer legislation remain unaffected.

The headings used in these terms are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation. Any waiver of a provision must be in writing and will not constitute a waiver of any later breach. These terms, together with the quotation or booking confirmation and any written amendments, form the entire agreement between the parties in relation to the relevant service.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to create a partnership, employment relationship, or agency between you and us. If any clause is legally ineffective, that clause shall be severed to the minimum extent necessary and the rest of the agreement will continue in force. Our failure to enforce any right or remedy immediately does not mean that right or remedy has been waived.

By booking a service with Gardeners Colyers, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions. They are designed to support a professional, transparent, and reliable service relationship. We recommend that you keep a copy for your records.