Acceptance and Contract Formation
By accepting our quotation, either verbally or in writing, you enter into a binding contract with Premier Treecare & Conservation Ltd. You have a 14-day cooling-off period, which is waived if you instruct us to begin work within this time.
Standard of Work
We commit to completing all work in accordance with BS3998 (Recommendations for Tree Work) unless otherwise instructed by the customer. Our team will perform the work competently, adhering to the specifications and pricing outlined in our quotation.
Amendments and Cancellations
For Jobs Under £5,000
- You may request a date change in writing via email at least 5 working days before the
scheduled date.
- If we’re on-site and the job is cancelled for any reason, you’ll be invoiced for 100% of the job
total.
For Jobs of £5,000 and Over
- Cancellation 14 days before the confirmed date incurs a 50% charge.
- Cancellation 7 days or fewer before the date, or while we’re on-site, incurs a 100% charge.
Payment Terms
- Invoices are due for payment immediately upon receipt.
- For jobs over £5,000, we require a 50% deposit, with the balance due on the final day on-site.
- Payment should be made via BACS bank transfer.
Waste Disposal
We typically remove all waste material unless otherwise specified. Woodchips and timber can be left on-site if requested. Large amounts of waste may incur additional costs. As licensed waste carriers, we ensure all removed waste is recycled into biomass, contributing to sustainable practices.
Stump Grinding
Stump grinding is usually performed on the same day as felling. We grind the main stump and large lateral roots but do not chase every root unless previously arranged.
Access and Property Protection
It’s the client’s responsibility to inform neighbours if access to their property is required. Clients should protect vulnerable surfaces and move fragile objects. We can assist vulnerable clients, but this is at the client’s own risk.
Permissions and Regulations
We will check for any necessary permissions (e.g., Conservation Area, Tree Preservation Order, Felling Licence) and can apply on your behalf for a fee. However, we are not responsible for investigating private covenants affecting your property.
Wildlife and Ecological Considerations
Our work adheres to relevant ecological and wildlife legislation, including the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Specifically, Section 1 of this Act makes it illegal to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. It is also illegal to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird or take, damage or destroy their eggs.
We conduct thorough pre-work checks for active nests. If an active nest is found upon arrival to carry out the job, we will not be able to proceed with any work that could disturb it. In such cases:
- We will need to reschedule the job until the nesting birds have vacated.
- You will be charged 50% of the job fee to cover our costs for the cancelled day.
- We will work with you to reschedule the job for a suitable time when the nesting activity has ceased
This approach ensures we comply with the law and protect wildlife while also covering our operational costs.
Insurance and Liability
We carry £10 million Public Liability Insurance. A copy of the certificate is available upon request.
Data Protection
We use your personal information solely for completing your tree work and comply with data protection regulations. Please refer to our customer privacy notice for full details.
Job Completion and Sign-Off
The job is considered completed and signed off by the customer once we have finished work on the day of the job (or the last day on site if we are there for multiple days). We will always complete all work as per the agreed quote unless prevented by reasons already stated in these terms and conditions.
If the client has any concerns or issues with the completed work, they must notify our office within 24 hours of us leaving the site on the final day. This allows us to promptly review and address any potential problems.
We cannot be held liable for any issues the customer chooses to raise after this 24-hour timeframe has elapsed. This policy ensures that any concerns are addressed in a timely manner and allows us to maintain the quality of our service.
Dispute Resolution
In the event of a dispute, we will first attempt to resolve the issue through direct discussion with the client. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached, Premier Treecare & Conservation Ltd reserves the right to proceed directly to legal action without the involvement of a thirdparty mediator.
Complaints Procedure
We strive to provide excellent service, but if you have any concerns, please follow these steps:
- Contact our office within 7 days of job completion.
- We will acknowledge your complaint within 2 working days.
- We aim to resolve all complaints within 14 days.
- If the issue remains unresolved, we will escalate it to senior management for review within an additional 7 days.
Payment Terms
Regarding payment, all invoices are due immediately upon receipt. In the event of nonpayment:
- We will send a reminder after 7 days.
- If payment is not received within 14 days of the invoice date, we reserve the right to charge interest on the outstanding amount at 8% above the Bank of England base rate.
- For persistent non-payment, we will use the Money Claim Online (MCOL) service to recover the debt.
- The client will be liable for all costs associated with debt recovery, including but not limited to court fees, legal costs, and any interest accrued.
- We may also report non-payment to credit reference agencies, which could affect the client’s credit rating.
We always prefer to resolve payment issues amicably and encourage clients to contact us promptly if they are experiencing difficulties in meeting payment terms.
Use of Images and Video
We may take photographs or videos of our completed work for marketing purposes. By accepting our services, you grant us permission to use these images. If you wish to opt out, please inform us in writing before work commences.
Handling Unexpected Issues
If we encounter unexpected issues during work (e.g., diseased trees, underground obstacles), we will:
- Immediately inform you of the situation.
- Provide a revised quote if additional work is required.
- Obtain your approval before proceeding with any extra work.
- If necessary, reschedule the completion of work to ensure proper handling of the issue.
Impact on Neighbouring Properties
Our work may impact neighbouring properties (e.g., noise, temporary access requirements). It is the client’s responsibility to:
- Inform neighbours of scheduled work.
- Obtain necessary permissions for access to neighbouring properties.
- Address any concerns raised by neighbours regarding the work.
We will make every effort to minimise disruption but are not liable for disputes arising from necessary work-related disturbances.
Emergency Call-Outs
For emergency tree work outside normal business hours:
- An additional call-out fee will apply, which will be quoted before work commences.
- Minimum charge of 2 hours labour, regardless of job duration.
- Travel time may be charged for locations outside our standard service area.
- We prioritise safety in emergency situations and may need to schedule follow-up work for comprehensive solutions.
Force Majeure
We are not liable for delays or failures due to circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to severe weather, natural disasters, acts of God or pandemics.
Intellectual Property
All designs, plans, and methodologies remain the intellectual property of Premier Treecare & Conservation Ltd.
Subcontractors
We reserve the right to use subcontractors, but we remain responsible for the quality of work
Health and Safety
Clients must adhere to our on-site safety instructions and respect cordoned-off areas.
Quotation Validity
Quotations are valid for 30 days unless otherwise stated.
These terms and conditions aim to protect both Premier Treecare & Conservation Ltd and our clients while ensuring clarity and fairness in our business relationships.