Terms And Conditions

Gardeners Sipson Service Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Gardeners Sipson provides gardening and related outdoor services to residential and commercial clients. 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, firm or company requesting services from Gardeners Sipson.

Company means Gardeners Sipson, the gardening services provider.

Services means any gardening, grounds maintenance, lawn care, hedge trimming, planting, clearance or other related services supplied by the Company to the Client.

Site means the garden, grounds or other location where the Services are to be carried out.

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

2. Scope of Services

The Company provides gardening and outdoor maintenance services within its designated service area. The exact scope of work will be agreed with the Client in advance and recorded in a quotation, booking confirmation or other written description provided by the Company.

Any description of Services is based on information given by the Client and a visual assessment of the Site where applicable. If the Company discovers conditions that were not reasonably apparent at the time of quotation, it may recommend additional work, revised pricing, or adjusted timescales. Any such changes will be discussed with the Client before proceeding.

3. Booking Process

3.1 Service requests

The Client may request Services by contacting the Company and providing relevant details of the Site, required works, and preferred dates. The Company may ask for photographs, access information, and any specific instructions relating to the garden or property.

3.2 Quotations and estimates

Where possible, the Company will provide a written quotation or estimate describing the proposed Services and the applicable charges. Unless otherwise stated, quotations are valid for 30 days from the date of issue. An estimate is not a fixed price and may be adjusted if the actual work required differs from the Client's description or from initial assumptions.

3.3 Accepting a booking

A booking is accepted and an Agreement is formed when the Client confirms acceptance of the quotation or estimate, or when the Company confirms a visit date and time in writing. The Client's acceptance may be given verbally or in writing, but the Company may require written confirmation for certain types of work.

3.4 Regular and recurring services

For regular maintenance services, the Agreement will continue on an ongoing basis until terminated in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. The Company will reasonably endeavour to attend on agreed days, subject to weather conditions, access and other practical factors.

4. Access and Client Responsibilities

The Client must ensure that the Company and its staff or contractors have safe and timely access to the Site for the duration of the visit. This includes providing any necessary access codes, keys or instructions and ensuring that access routes are free from hazards.

The Client is responsible for keeping pets and children away from the immediate working area and any machinery or tools used by the Company. The Client must inform the Company of any known hazards at the Site, including uneven ground, hidden cables, unstable structures, or the presence of invasive plants or harmful substances.

Where Services cannot be fully or safely carried out due to a lack of access or other conditions within the Client's control, the Company may charge a call-out or cancellation fee as set out in these Terms and Conditions.

5. Health, Safety and Working Conditions

The Company complies with applicable health and safety obligations and may refuse to perform any work that it reasonably considers unsafe or beyond the agreed scope. In adverse weather or unsuitable ground conditions, the Company may reschedule work to a more appropriate time.

The Client acknowledges that gardening work can generate noise, dust and temporary disruption. The Company will use reasonable care to minimise disturbance but cannot guarantee complete absence of inconvenience while work is in progress.

6. Pricing and Payment Terms

6.1 Pricing basis

Charges for Services may be based on hourly rates, fixed prices, or a combination of both, as specified in the quotation or service confirmation. Prices are quoted in pounds sterling and are exclusive of any applicable taxes or waste disposal charges unless otherwise stated.

6.2 Payment methods

The Company accepts commonly used non-cash payment methods and may also accept cash by prior arrangement. The available payment methods will be communicated to the Client at or before the time of booking or invoicing.

6.3 Payment timing

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment for one-off Services is due immediately upon completion of the work. For regular maintenance, payment terms will be set out in the initial agreement or invoice. For larger projects, the Company may require a deposit or staged payments before and during the work.

6.4 Late payment

If payment is not received by the due date, the Company reserves the right to suspend further Services until outstanding sums are settled and to charge interest or late payment fees in accordance with applicable law. The Client will be liable for any reasonable costs incurred by the Company in recovering overdue sums.

7. Cancellations, Rescheduling and Delays

7.1 Client cancellations

The Client may cancel or reschedule a booking by giving reasonable notice. For one-off or project-based work, at least 48 hours notice prior to the scheduled start time is generally required. For regular maintenance visits, at least 24 hours notice is usually required. The specific notice requirements may be confirmed with the Client at the time of booking.

If the Client cancels with less notice than required, or fails to provide access at the agreed time, the Company may charge a cancellation or call-out fee, which will be a reasonable reflection of the time and costs incurred.

7.2 Company cancellations

The Company may cancel or reschedule a booking due to adverse weather, staff illness, safety concerns, or other circumstances beyond its reasonable control. The Company will notify the Client as soon as practicable and will seek to offer an alternative date and time. The Company will not be liable for any losses arising from such cancellations, provided it uses reasonable efforts to minimise disruption.

7.3 Delays during work

If work is delayed or interrupted by circumstances outside the Company's reasonable control, including lack of access, hidden site conditions, or Client instructions, the Company may adjust the estimated completion date and may charge for additional time or visits where necessary.

8. Garden Waste and Waste Regulations

8.1 Handling of green waste

Gardening work often generates green waste such as grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, branches and plant material. The default arrangement regarding waste will be agreed in advance with the Client. Options may include leaving waste on site in a designated area, placing it in the Client's garden waste bin, or arranging for removal by the Company subject to additional charges.

8.2 Waste removal charges

If the Client requests waste removal, the Company will charge a fee that reflects the volume and type of waste, as well as transport and disposal costs. The Client will be informed of these charges in advance where possible. Waste removal services are subject to the Company's capacity and to compliance with relevant waste regulations.

8.3 Compliance with regulations

The Company will handle and transport garden waste in accordance with applicable environmental and waste management laws. The Client must not request or permit the Company to dispose of waste unlawfully. The Company does not accept responsibility for any waste or materials left on site at the Client's request or where the Client has declined waste removal services.

9. Materials, Plants and Guarantees

9.1 Supply of materials

Where the Company supplies materials such as plants, turf, soil, compost, aggregates, or fixtures, it will use reasonable care to select suitable products of appropriate quality. The Client may request specific products, but availability cannot be guaranteed.

9.2 Living plants and natural variation

Plants, turf and other living materials are subject to natural conditions beyond the Company's control, including weather, soil, pests and disease. The Company cannot guarantee the long-term survival or performance of plants once installed, as this depends heavily on ongoing care by the Client and environmental factors.

9.3 Aftercare

The Company may provide basic aftercare guidance to the Client. It is the Client's responsibility to follow such guidance, including watering, feeding, and protection from frost or pests, unless an ongoing maintenance service is agreed.

10. Liability and Limitations

10.1 Duty of care

The Company will carry out the Services with reasonable care and skill, using appropriate equipment and methods for the work in question.

10.2 Exclusions of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company shall not be liable for:

Any indirect or consequential loss, including loss of enjoyment, loss of profit or loss of opportunity.

Damage arising from pre-existing defects, weaknesses or hazards at the Site that were not reasonably apparent or disclosed.

Damage to plants, lawns or features resulting from factors outside the Company's control, such as weather, pests, disease, or the Client's failure to follow aftercare advice.

Staining or minor marking to surfaces where this is an unavoidable result of carrying out the Services with reasonable care.

10.3 Limitation of liability

The Company's total liability for any claim arising under or in connection with the Agreement shall be limited to the total amount paid or payable by the Client for the specific Services giving rise to the claim, except where such limitation is not permitted by law.

10.4 Non-excludable rights

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall exclude or limit liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

11. Complaints and Dispute Resolution

If the Client is dissatisfied with any aspect of the Services, they should notify the Company as soon as reasonably practicable, ideally within 48 hours of completion of the relevant work. The Company will investigate the matter and, where appropriate, may revisit the Site to assess the issue.

The Company will aim to resolve complaints promptly and fairly. Remedies may include rectification of the work, a partial refund, or other appropriate solutions, depending on the circumstances. The Client agrees to allow the Company a reasonable opportunity to put matters right before seeking alternative remedies.

12. Termination of Ongoing Services

For regular maintenance agreements, either party may terminate the arrangement by giving reasonable notice, typically at least 14 days, unless a different period is set out in the specific agreement. The Company may terminate immediately if the Client materially breaches these Terms and Conditions, fails to pay sums due, or behaves in a manner that makes it unreasonable to continue providing Services.

Upon termination, the Client must pay for all Services supplied up to the termination date and for any non-refundable costs already incurred by the Company in relation to future scheduled work.

13. Data Protection and Privacy

The Company will collect and use personal information from the Client only to the extent necessary to arrange and provide the Services, handle payments, manage bookings, and communicate with the Client. The Company will take reasonable measures to safeguard such information and will not share it with third parties except where required to deliver the Services, comply with legal obligations, or with the Client's consent.

14. Amendments to these Terms

The Company may update or amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time of booking or renewal of ongoing Services will apply to that Agreement. The Company may notify existing Clients of significant changes where reasonably practicable.

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions, and any Agreement formed under them, are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The parties agree that the courts of England and Wales shall 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

16.1 Entire agreement

These Terms and Conditions, together with any quotation or written service confirmation, constitute the entire agreement between the Client and the Company in relation to the Services and supersede any prior discussions or understandings.

16.2 Severability

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

16.3 No waiver

Failure or delay by the Company in enforcing any right or provision under these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

16.4 Assignment

The Client may not transfer or assign its rights or obligations under the Agreement without the Company's prior written consent. The Company may assign or subcontract its rights and obligations where necessary to deliver the Services, provided that it remains responsible for the performance of such subcontractors.

By proceeding with a booking or permitting the Company to carry out Services at the Site, the Client confirms that they have read, understood and agree to these Terms and Conditions.