Gardeners Harefield Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which garden services are provided by Gardeners Harefield. By making a booking, requesting a quotation, or accepting a service appointment, you agree to these terms. They are designed to create a clear, fair, and professional framework for both residential and commercial customers. Please read them carefully before proceeding with any booking or instruction.

For the purposes of these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean the service provider trading as Gardeners Harefield, and references to “you” or “the customer” mean the person, company, or other entity engaging our services. These terms apply to all routine and one-off gardening services unless a separate written agreement states otherwise. In the event of any conflict between these terms and a written estimate or contract, the written document will prevail only to the extent expressly stated.

We aim to provide a reliable and transparent service. However, because garden work is affected by weather, site conditions, plant health, and access issues, the exact scope of work may need to be adjusted from time to time. These terms explain how bookings are accepted, how payments are handled, when cancellations may apply, and how liability is limited. They also cover waste removal responsibilities and the legal framework governing the service.

1. Booking Process

All bookings with Gardeners Harefield begin with a request for service, which may include details of the garden, the type of work required, preferred dates, and any access or safety considerations. Any estimate or quotation provided before a booking is accepted is based on the information available at the time. If the actual site conditions differ materially from those described, we reserve the right to revise the quotation, schedule, or scope of work.

A booking is confirmed only when we have accepted your request and provided confirmation by written communication, which may include email, text message, or another agreed format. Until confirmation is issued, no appointment is secured. If a deposit is required, the booking may remain provisional until the deposit has cleared. We may decline a booking at our discretion where the work falls outside our service scope, where the premises are unsuitable, or where safety concerns cannot be reasonably managed.

Customers must ensure that all relevant information is accurate and complete at the time of booking. This includes informing us of restricted access, hidden hazards, protected plants, pets, water supplies, power sources, or any other condition that may affect the work. Failure to provide accurate information may result in additional charges, a change in the scheduled service, or cancellation of the booking if the work cannot safely proceed.

2. Service Delivery and Site Conditions

Our services may include, but are not limited to, lawn care, hedge trimming, pruning, planting, seasonal maintenance, clearance work, and general garden upkeep. The exact service will be defined by the booking confirmation, quotation, or written instruction. We will use reasonable skill and care in carrying out the agreed work, but the outcome of living plants, turf, or soil conditions can be affected by factors beyond our control.

If, upon arrival, our team identifies a significant difference between the quoted work and the actual requirements, we may revise the price or limit the work to the originally agreed scope. We may also pause or stop work if conditions present a risk to personnel, property, or equipment. In such circumstances, any wasted travel time, preparatory labour, or partial completion may still be chargeable where reasonable.

We are not responsible for delays caused by severe weather, traffic disruption, accidents, local restrictions, supplier delays, or other events outside our control. Where a delay arises, we will attempt to reschedule the service within a reasonable period. Any estimated completion time is indicative only and should not be treated as a guaranteed deadline unless explicitly agreed in writing.

3. Payments, Charges, and Invoicing

All prices are quoted in pounds sterling unless stated otherwise. Charges may be based on a fixed quotation, hourly rate, day rate, or a combination of these depending on the nature of the job. Quotations are usually valid for a limited period and may be withdrawn or revised if the scope changes, if materials become more expensive, or if the booking date is significantly delayed.

Payment terms will be set out in the booking confirmation or invoice. Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due on completion of the work or within the stated invoice period. We may request a deposit in advance, particularly for larger projects, recurring services, or bookings requiring materials, machinery hire, or reserved time. Any deposit paid forms part of the total service price and is non-refundable except where required by law or where we cancel the service without lawful justification.

If payment is not made on time, we reserve the right to suspend further services, charge interest on overdue sums in accordance with applicable law, and recover reasonable costs associated with collection. Any bank charges, failed payment fees, or charges arising from incorrect payment details provided by the customer may be added to the account. Ownership of any materials supplied by us does not transfer until full payment is received.

Where a job is priced on an hourly basis, the customer agrees that the final amount may vary depending on the time reasonably required to complete the work, including time spent dealing with unforeseen site issues, delays caused by access restrictions, or agreed additional tasks. We will not carry out significant extra work without approval unless it is necessary to protect property, health, or safety.

4. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Access

Customers may cancel or reschedule a booking by providing reasonable notice. The required notice period may vary depending on the service type, but cancellations made at short notice may incur a charge to reflect reserved time and any costs already incurred. If we have ordered materials, hired equipment, or arranged subcontracted support for your booking, those costs may be charged in full where they cannot be recovered.

If you are unable to provide access on the agreed date or time, or if the site is unsafe to enter, we may treat this as a late cancellation or failed attendance. In such cases, a call-out fee or minimum charge may apply. If repeated access issues occur, we may cancel future bookings without liability. You are responsible for ensuring that gates, alarms, pets, parking arrangements, and access instructions are properly managed before our arrival.

We may also reschedule a service where weather, operational constraints, or health and safety issues prevent the work from being completed properly. If we cancel without cause, any deposit for the affected service will be refunded or credited at our discretion, subject to any non-recoverable third-party costs that have been clearly disclosed in advance and cannot be lawfully retained.

5. Liability and Limitations

We will perform our services with reasonable care and skill, but we cannot guarantee the condition, growth, or survival of any plant, lawn, shrub, tree, or turf because natural materials are inherently variable. Gardeners Harefield is not liable for pre-existing damage, disease, pest infestation, soil deficiencies, structural defects, hidden utilities, or deterioration caused by weather, neglect, or third-party actions.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded under UK law. Subject to that, our total liability for loss or damage arising from a particular service shall be limited to the amount paid or payable for that service, except where a higher limit is required by law.

We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or special losses, including loss of profit, loss of opportunity, loss of enjoyment, or business interruption, whether arising in contract, tort, negligence, or otherwise. Customers are responsible for securing valuable, fragile, or movable items before work begins. We do not accept responsibility for damage caused by items left in working areas where reasonable steps could have been taken to protect them.

Where we use machinery, tools, or plant equipment, customers must not interfere with the work area unless instructed to do so by our team. Any injury or damage resulting from unauthorised interference, concealment of hazards, or failure to follow reasonable safety instructions will not be our responsibility. If we believe a task is unsafe, we may refuse to proceed until the risk has been removed or appropriately controlled.

6. Waste Regulations and Site Clearance

Garden work frequently generates green waste, soil, timber, packaging, and other materials that must be handled lawfully. Where waste removal is included in the service, we will dispose of relevant material in accordance with applicable waste management rules and environmental requirements. Customers must not request or expect us to leave waste in a location that would breach local or national waste obligations.

Unless expressly agreed otherwise, the customer remains responsible for the lawful disposal of any waste created by work carried out on their property. If we remove waste, we may apply a separate charge for loading, transport, tip fees, processing, or permit-related costs. We may also separate waste streams where required by law or where mixed waste would increase disposal costs. Contaminated waste, invasive species, and hazardous materials will be handled only if we have agreed to do so in advance and if it is lawful and safe to do so.

The customer must notify us in advance if the site contains asbestos, chemicals, sharps, protected wildlife, invasive plants, or any other material that could affect waste handling or disposal obligations. If undisclosed regulated waste is discovered during the service, we may stop work immediately and charge for time already spent. We are entitled to refuse the handling of any waste that would place us in breach of legal or environmental duties.

7. Customer Responsibilities

To allow us to carry out the work properly, you must ensure that the garden and access routes are reasonably clear and that any known hazards have been identified in advance. You are responsible for securing children, animals, and fragile items, and for informing us of any underground services, irrigation systems, or hidden structures that could be affected by the work. Where necessary, you should obtain any permissions required from landlords, freeholders, neighbours, or management companies.

You must not ask us to carry out unlawful, unsafe, or environmentally harmful work. If a request would breach law, regulation, or accepted safety practice, we may refuse it. We also reserve the right to stop work if the site conditions differ from what was agreed, if additional people interfere with the service, or if any conduct on site makes the work unsafe or impractical.

Any materials supplied by the customer should be suitable for the intended task. We are not liable for poor results caused by unsuitable products, defective materials, incorrect instructions, or planting stock that is unhealthy or mislabelled. If we identify a concern with materials supplied by you, we may decline to use them and recommend an alternative, but we are under no obligation to source replacements unless specifically instructed.

8. Complaints, Variations, and Governing Law

If you have concerns about the service, you should notify us as soon as reasonably possible after completion so that we may investigate the matter. Where appropriate, we may offer to revisit the site, carry out remedial work, or discuss another practical resolution. Any complaint must be based on the original scope of work and must not relate to normal natural variation or issues outside our control.

We may update these terms from time to time to reflect changes in law, service practices, or business requirements. The version in force at the time of your booking will normally apply to that booking unless a later written agreement states otherwise. If any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply in full.

The contract between you and Gardeners Harefield is governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising under or in connection with these Terms and Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. These terms are intended to be legally clear while remaining practical for everyday gardening services, and they should be read as a whole rather than in isolation.