CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT

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1. DEFINITIONS

1.1 The Client: Being the person or persons who has requested a quotation for works/ authorized the works to proceed. Normally this will be the owner of the trees specified or the owners representative in whatever capacity with regard to said trees. 

1.2 The Estimator: Being the person who has carried out the site inspection and forwarded the quotation for works. 

1.3 The Quotation: Being the written specification and costing for works as inspected and/or discussed on site and sent to the client. Quotations are valid for six months from their date after which period the Contractor reserves the right to amend costs/submit a new quotation. 

1.4 The Works: Being the tree work operations as detailed in the quotation. 

1.5 The Contract: Being the works within the quotation requested/accepted/agreed by the client in writing. 

1.6 The Contractor: Being Green Urban London LTD.

2. GENERAL

2.1 Tree Preservation Orders/Conservation Areas: Where trees detailed in the quotation are covered by Tree Preservation Orders or are located within a Conservation Area, the contractor make an application on behalf of the client in order to carry out the works once written acceptance of the contract has been received from the client. Should the client cancel the tree works with the contractor after the Local Authority has permitted the works, we will charge the client an administration fee of £225.00.

2.2 Insurance: The contractor is covered by £5,000,000 Public Liability Insurance. Copies are provided alongside the quotation.

2.3 Additional Works: If during the execution of the contract, additional works are requested by the client which are outside of the original quotation, then additional costs can be agreed on site or an additional quotation can be prepared which may necessitate a further site inspection(s) by the original estimator. 

2.4 Emergency call out: A charge of £250.00 is a flat/set fee for the call out. Tree works required onsite will be charged additionally. 

2.5 Cancellation:48 hours notice of cancellation of scheduled works is required, otherwise a cancellation charge of up to 50% of the job price may be levied.

2.5 Neighbouring trees: If works are to be carried out on a clients neighbours trees which necessitate access to their property then written consent from the owner will be required. Any works carried out on a clients neighbours trees which do not necessitate access to their property do not need written consent. It is deemed prudent to inform them of the proposed works. All the above is the sole responsibility of the client. 

2.6 Parking: Where residents Parking or Pay and Display bays apply with regard to the contractors vehicle parking requirements then the local council parking suspension costs will be chargeable to the client.
When it has been agreed that the client/tenant will arrange the reserving of parking upon the quoting stage, if upon arrival on site to carry out the works there is no parking available for our vehicles which results in us being unable to carry out the works, then a cancellation fee of £100 will be charged.

2.7 Day/Hourly Rate: Where applicable day/hourly rates will be quoted on a man-hour basis and will cover travelling time in addition to the time required on site. 

2.8 Deposit: Green Urban London reserve the right to require a deposit of up to 60% for contracts over £1500.00 (at our discretion). Where applicable the deposit will be required to be paid upon confirmation of booking. 

2.9 Payment: Payment is due upon the completion of the contract within 5 days, unless otherwise agreed. Transfer of funds via internet banking upon receipt of invoice to the details located on the rear of the document. PLEASE NOTE we are unable to accept cheque payments.

2.10 Property Managing Agents: It is the responsibility of the Managing agents/Landlord to inform the tenant(s) at their properties of the works being carried out. 

It is the responsibility of Green Urban London LTD trading to liaise with the tenant(s) in regards to booking a quotation appointment/tree work date.

2.11 London Plane Trees: When London plane trees are in leaf they produce small fibrous hairs on both the leaves and the branches, this can cause severe irritation to the lungs, eyes and skin.
Due to the potential health hazard, it is our policy not to prune London plane trees during the months when they are in leaf. The months works can be carried out on these trees are in the dormant months which is generally mid-end December – February/March.

2.12 Complaints: Any complaints or queries relating to the satisfactory completion of works must be raised with our head office within 24hours of receipt of invoice, otherwise the contractor reserves the right to charge additional fees for further works/attendance/amendments. 

2.13 Settlement of disputes: The contractor will do everything within their power to resolve any misunderstandings arising from contract works to the satisfaction of both parties. 

3. THE WORKSITE

3.1 Site conditions: The contract price is based on the site conditions upon initial inspection by the estimator. The contractor reserves the right to levy additional costs subject to the degree of additional changes to site, postpone or rearrange works as necessary. The works area must be accessible prior to commencement of works. The contractor does not accept any responsibility for any damage or loss incurred through the need to clear access for works. 

3.2 Services: The contractor will, upon written acceptance of contract, make any necessary arrangements with relevant authorities to make safe any external/overhead power services. Any costs will be chargeable to the client. 

It is the responsibility of the client to inform the contractor of any underground services within the proposed area of works prior to the works commencing. The contractor will not accept liability for any damage to services which we are not informed about and reserves the right to cancel works if deemed a potential hazard. Any injury to operatives caused whilst carrying out the contact with undisclosed services will remain the responsibility of the client. 

3.3 Weather conditions: The contractor reserves the right to delay, postpone or cancel works affected by inclement/dangerous weather conditions and to resume works as soon as conditions allow. 

3.4 Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981):The contractor shall take all responsible steps to ensure the safe retention of any wildlife habitats and reserves the right to delay, postpone or cancel works accordingly and to resume the works as soon as practical. 

3.5 Site Clearance: The contractor shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the worksite is left clear and safe at the days end and on completion of all works. 

4. EXPLANATION OF TERMS:

4.1 Clean Out Crown: Being the removal of deadwood, dying, diseased, weak, suppressed, split, broken, hanging, crossing and rubbing branches and epicormic growth (small shoots emanating from the main trunk and stems) from the crown, 

4.2 Remove Deadwood: Being the removal of all major deadwood in the tree down to 3-4cm diameter. 

4.3 Formative Prune: Being the minimal pruning of usually young trees, to maintain optimum branch structure and crown balance in order to pre-empt potential, future problems. 

4.4 Trim/Shear: Usually refers to hedging and shrubs both evergreen and deciduous. Being the pruning back to flatten off or round off of growth to contain spread and maintain/control optimum visual appearance and shape.

4.5 Crown Lift: Being the complete removal of lowest branches to the main trunk and/or the reducing back in length of the lowest branches thus increasing the height of the main crown line above ground level. Usually expressed in meters. 

4.6 Crown Thin: Being the removal of all branches as in “Clean out Crown” and the removal of further smaller diameter branches evenly throughout crown in order to lessen the crown density and thus improve the light through the tree. Crown thinning will not result in any major alteration in the outline of the tree. Usually expressed as a percentage. 

4.7 Crown Reduce/shape: Being the all round reduction of the crown size of the tree. Usually expressed as a percentage or meterage. In some cases only partial crown reduction is specified in order to clear buildings, street furnishings etc. usually expressed in meters. 

4.8 Pollard: Being the removal of all growth back to main trunk knuckles, unless otherwise specified. 

4.9 Carefully dismantling to ground level (Felling):The controlled dismantling of tree(s) to ground level to minimise or wholly avoid breakage and damage.

4.10 Stump Grinding: Refers to the stump at or near ground level. Grinding being the mechanical chipping out of the stump to approximately 200-300mm below ground level only and then backfilling with stump grinding arisings (Mulch) The remaining stump grinding arising to remain onsite unless otherwise specified. The trees’ radial root spread remains intact unless otherwise specified. 

4.11 Grub out: Being the physical/manual digging out of a stump. Usually applies to smaller trees. 

4.12 Treating the stump to prevent regrowth:Being the poisoning of the stump at ground level to prevent the tree from regenerating. This involves the drilling of holes at regular intervals around the stump and then inserting Eco plugs into the holes. Each plug contains 300mg of granular glyphosate herbicide. Once inserted and hammered in place, Ecoplug Max releases glyphosate through the sides directly into the tree stumps.

4.13 Cable Bracing: Being the support of the trees branch/limb structure. This is a non invasive procedure using Cobra bracing which involves the use of nylon rope encircling trunks and connected to itself. This reduces the risk of sudden stress and failure of weak branches.