Terms and Conditions for Gardeners Aperfield

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which gardening services are provided by Gardeners Aperfield. They are written to help customers understand how bookings are made, how payments work, what happens if a visit needs to be rearranged, and how responsibilities are divided when garden work is carried out at a property. By arranging any service with us, the customer agrees to these terms. They apply to all routine and one-off garden services, including maintenance, clearance, pruning, turf care, planting, and related outdoor work. In these terms, the expressions we, us, and our refer to the gardening service provider, while you and your refer to the customer or property owner.

These terms are intended to be fair and practical. Gardening work often depends on weather, site access, seasonal conditions, and the nature of the garden itself, so some flexibility is sometimes necessary. We aim to complete work with reasonable care and skill, while keeping the booking process clear and the commercial terms straightforward. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions affects your statutory rights under UK law.

When booking a service from Gardeners Aperfield, you may be asked to provide details about the type of work required, the size and condition of the garden, access arrangements, and any special instructions. We may offer an estimate, a fixed price, or an hourly rate depending on the nature of the work. Any quotation or estimate remains valid for the period stated within it, or, if no period is stated, for a reasonable time. A quotation is based on the information available at the time and may need to be revised if the scope of work changes or if additional issues are discovered once work begins.

A booking is only confirmed once we have accepted the request and, where applicable, received any required deposit or advance payment. We may decline a booking if the work is outside our service scope, if access appears unsafe, if the site conditions are unsuitable, or if we do not have appropriate availability. Appointment times are arranged in good faith, but arrival windows may be affected by traffic, weather, equipment issues, or earlier jobs overrunning. If we anticipate a significant delay, we will try to notify you as soon as reasonably possible.

Gardeners Aperfield may request that you confirm key details before the work date, including whether pets will be secured, whether there are any hidden hazards, and whether water or electricity may be required. You must ensure that the information provided is accurate and complete. If access is restricted, or if our team is unable to carry out the agreed work because the site is not prepared, we may charge a wasted visit fee or reschedule the service at our discretion.

Payments for Gardeners Aperfield services are due in accordance with the terms set out in your quotation, invoice, or booking confirmation. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is required on completion of the work or within the stated invoice period. We may require a deposit for larger projects, seasonal bookings, or jobs involving special materials. Deposits are normally deducted from the final balance unless otherwise specified.

We accept payment by the methods notified at the time of booking. Any bank charges, card fees, or other transaction costs that arise because of your chosen payment method may be passed on to you where permitted by law. If payment is not received by the due date, we may charge interest and reasonable recovery costs in line with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts legislation where applicable, or take other lawful steps to recover the debt. We reserve the right to suspend future services until overdue amounts are settled.

Where a service is charged on an hourly basis, the final amount will depend on the time spent carrying out the agreed work. If unforeseen conditions arise, such as heavy weed growth, unsafe waste accumulation, difficult access, or hidden obstacles, we may discuss the need for extra time or additional charges before continuing. Any material changes to the estimated cost will be communicated where reasonably practicable.

Customers may cancel or rearrange a booking by giving reasonable notice. For standard appointments, at least 24 to 48 hours’ notice is preferred, although the exact cancellation period may be stated in your booking confirmation. If you cancel after work has already been scheduled and resources allocated, we may charge a cancellation fee to cover lost time and administrative costs. If cancellation occurs after materials have been ordered or special equipment arranged, those costs may also be payable by you if they cannot be recovered.

If you are not present at the agreed time and the team cannot access the property, or if the work cannot proceed because of locked gates, insufficient access, aggressive animals, or unresolved safety concerns, this may be treated as a late cancellation or wasted visit. In such cases, the full call-out charge or a proportion of the booking fee may still apply. We will always act reasonably and consider the circumstances, but the final decision will depend on the facts of each case.

If we need to cancel or postpone a booking due to weather, staffing issues, equipment failure, safety concerns, or other circumstances beyond our control, we will aim to offer an alternative date. We are not liable for any indirect losses caused by a necessary change of schedule, provided we have acted reasonably. In the event of a prolonged interruption, either party may cancel the booking without penalty for the unperformed portion of the service.

Our gardening work is carried out with reasonable care and skill, but outdoor environments naturally contain risks. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Gardeners Aperfield will not be liable for losses arising from pre-existing defects, hidden site hazards, structural failures, or defects in paths, fences, walls, drains, irrigation systems, sheds, or underground services unless caused by our negligence. You remain responsible for informing us of any known risks or fragile features on the property before work starts. Where we identify a potential hazard, we may stop work until the issue is addressed.

We are not responsible for damage caused by items left in the working area, including ornaments, lighting, plant supports, tools, toys, cables, loose paving, or breakable decorations, unless the damage is due to our failure to exercise reasonable care. Similarly, we are not liable for loss or damage to plants, lawns, or garden features that are already diseased, weakened, waterlogged, drought-stressed, or otherwise in poor condition before our attendance. If you ask us to carry out work that may stress or alter a plant’s shape, health, or appearance, you accept that gardening outcomes can vary with season and condition.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. Where our liability can lawfully be limited, it will be limited to the amount paid or payable for the relevant service, or to any other amount stated in your booking confirmation. Gardeners Aperfield accepts no responsibility for indirect or consequential losses such as loss of profit, loss of enjoyment, or loss of business opportunity.

Waste management forms an important part of many gardening jobs, and all waste handling must comply with relevant UK waste regulations. Unless otherwise agreed, the removal of green waste, soil, rubble, timber, or general garden debris will only be included if this is specifically stated in the quotation or booking confirmation. If waste removal is included, it will be carried out in accordance with applicable environmental and duty-of-care requirements. We may use licensed waste carriers or transfer stations where appropriate.

You must tell us if any waste on site may be classified as hazardous, controlled, contaminated, or unusual in nature. This can include asbestos, chemicals, pesticides, medical waste, oil, gas canisters, paint tins, sharps, animal waste, or materials suspected of containing harmful substances. We do not handle or remove hazardous waste unless expressly agreed in writing and lawfully permitted. If such material is discovered during a job, we may stop work immediately and request instructions. Any additional costs resulting from unexpected waste classification, specialist disposal, or legal compliance measures may be charged to you.

If you choose to retain waste on your property, it is your responsibility to store, sort, and dispose of it lawfully. We are not responsible for how waste is handled after it has been left with you or transferred to your chosen location. Where garden waste is removed by us, title to that waste passes in accordance with the agreed service arrangement once lawful transfer has taken place. We reserve the right to refuse removal if the load would breach safety, vehicle, weight, or regulatory requirements.

Any plant supply, soil, compost, mulch, timber, or other materials provided by us will be selected with reasonable care, but natural products vary in colour, size, texture, and performance. We do not guarantee that living plants will thrive if weather, soil conditions, watering practices, pests, or disease affect them after installation. Aftercare is important, and you are responsible for following any agreed maintenance requirements unless we have separately contracted to provide ongoing care. The same applies to newly seeded lawns, turfed areas, and planting schemes, which may require settling time and ongoing attention.

If work is performed on behalf of a tenant, managing agent, or other person who is not the sole owner, the person making the booking confirms that they have authority to instruct the service or that they accept responsibility for payment. Where approval from a third party is required, it is your responsibility to obtain it before the appointment. We are not liable for delays caused by missing permissions, unclear instructions, or disputes over access or ownership.

All intellectual property, written notes, schedules, and work descriptions created by us in connection with the service remain our property unless otherwise agreed. You may use the content for your own record-keeping, but you may not copy or reuse our service descriptions for commercial purposes without permission. These terms may be updated from time to time, and the version in force at the time of booking will normally apply to that service, unless a change is required by law.

If any part of these Terms and Conditions is found to be unlawful, invalid, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force. No failure or delay by either party in exercising a right or remedy shall operate as a waiver of that right or remedy. Any variation to these terms must be agreed in writing. These terms, together with your quotation or booking confirmation, form the entire agreement between you and Gardeners Aperfield for the relevant service.

The relationship between the parties is that of independent contractor and customer. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions creates a partnership, agency, or employment relationship. We may assign or subcontract part of the work where this is practical and lawful, provided that the overall service standard is maintained. You may not transfer your booking or rights under these terms to another person without our consent.

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising from or relating to the services, the booking process, payment, cancellation, liability, or waste handling will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. By proceeding with a booking, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these terms in full.