FAQs

We are very keen to provide a quality service and a high level of customer satisfaction. Please take a few minutes to read the information below as this forms the terms and conditions of our contract. Conservation Contractors agree to perform the work in a competent manner in compliance with the specification and quotations contained in the estimate.  Our quotation is valid for 60 days from date of issue unless otherwise agreed in writing on acceptance of instructions from the Owner. Acceptance of the quotation either verbally or in writing shall be deemed to signify acceptance of these terms and conditions.

Things to think about before the day.

Terms and Conditions

Standard of work

We are accredited to ISO Standards for the following areas of their Assessment Scope:

  • Tree Surgery Contracting
  • Forestry Contracting
  • Tree Consulting
  • Fencing

All work shall be completed in line with

  • BS3936-1:1992 Nursery stock specification for trees and shrubs
  • BS3998: 2010 Tree Work Recommendations
  • BS5837:2012 Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations where appropriate unless agreed otherwise with the customer.

For details of all our accreditations including being ARB Association Approved please see our Accreditations page, here.

Things to think about before the Day

Will my neighbours be affected?

Sometimes it is necessary to have access to a neighbouring property, particularly when branches overhang. It would be very helpful if you could inform them of your intention to carry out work and the date on which it will take place and arrange access where appropriate.

Do I need to protect my walls or lawns?

Whilst our staff will operate with care and diligence often our work entails the carrying of large amount of material (brushwood/logs) over lawns and past the house. Please make sure that vulnerable surfaces (such as white walls) are adequately protected (builders polythene is a good method) and that fragile objects are moved (such as pots etc.). Our staff will be more than happy to move heavier objects for elderly or disabled clients. Lawns tend to recover rapidly but very wet weather can give rise to very muddy conditions. We are able to provide boards to protect the lawn. However, this is not a standard procedure and may incur an additional cost. If in doubt, please discuss with our office.

What does 30% mean?

Tree pruning is usually described in terms of a percentage amount. Therefore 30% reduction means approximately one third of the branch length. The climber will aim to prune to the most ideal point, usually a smaller secondary branch. Thinning is different from reducing. Thinning involves removing a percentage of materials from the tree without actually reducing its size.

Do I need permission?

The trees within this contract specification may be in a Conservation Area or be subject to a Tree Preservation Order. Upon acceptance of our quotation, we shall check for the presence of legislative protection (Tree Preservation Orders etc). We would be happy to make an application on your behalf but would advise that a charge may be made for this service. No additional charges shall be applied to this work without first seeking your acceptance.

Investigation of Private Covenants shall be the responsibility of the Owner and no liability shall attach to Conservation Contractors for a breach of any such Covenant.

On the Day What time will the team arrive?

We will agree a date with you within seven days of your accepting our quotation and will call the day beforehand to confirm. Most jobs are completed efficiently and on time. However, occasionally a job will over-run or the weather will prevent us from working to time. The earliest time the team will arrive is 8.30/9.00 a.m. However, in the case of smaller contracts, we are not able to estimate an arrival time until late afternoon of the previous day and can only then advise either a.m. or p.m. arrival. We will of course make every effort to please clients who particularly require a morning or afternoon visit.

Do you take everything away?

Most customers these days require removal of all arising waste material from site and this will normally be specified in the quotation. However woodchips make useful garden mulch and we are increasingly finding clients requesting that the chips are left for their own use. Timber may also be useful for firewood but it is not normally left in sizes ‘ready for the fire’ unless specified in the quotation.

When do I pay?

When the job is completed, the Team Leader will ask you to sign the job sheet to confirm your satisfaction. Please raise any queries with the team Leader before signing the job off. The office will invoice ‘signed off’ jobs within a few days.

All contracts and instructions are accepted on the basis of payment of full invoice price within 14 days of the date of invoice if paying by BACS or 7 days if sending a cheque. Where applicable, Value Added Tax (VAT) shall be charged at the current rate.

Amendments to the contract must be made in writing.

Any complaints, which may arise from work performed under any contract, arising from acceptance of the estimate must be made within the period of 7 days from the date of invoice, unless agreed in writing to the contrary.

Underground and overhead services

Although every reasonable effort shall be made to locate the presence of underground services, unless a plan showing the exact location of underground pipes, wires or cables has been forwarded to us by the Owner of the land or his agent prior to the formation of the Contract we shall be under no liability for any damage caused as a result of work performed under the Contract to such pipes, wires or cables or for any damage to property resulting there from, and the Owner of the land or his agent shall be solely liable for any such damage. Any charge for the removal of power lines or telephone cables shall be the responsibility of the Owner, unless otherwise agreed in writing with us.

Terms & Conditions

Measurements:

All measurements mentioned in any correspondence are approximate.

Insurance:

All work carried out by Conservation Contractors shall be covered by a £10,000,000 Third Party and Public Liability Insurance for damage to person’s property that may result in the implementation of the Contract.

Stump grinding:

Stump grinding is normally carried out within a few days of the felling rather than on the same day. We will call you to arrange a convenient time to undertake this work.
Stump grindings are normally used to backfill the resulting hole as they decompose rapidly. The chippings can be removed from site but this would incur an additional cost.

Do you replace trees/shrubs that die?

We endeavour to obtain good quality plants that comply to BS3936: Part 1: 1992 - Nursery Stock – ‘Specification for Trees and Shrubs’ which are handled with care and planted to industry standard. It is important however that you look after your new plantings and ensure that they are regularly watered and maintained. Trees and shrubs that fail due to circumstances beyond our control shall not be replaced. Please ask our staff for guidance on how to look after new trees if in doubt.

Do I need to treat the stump after felling?

The majority of conifers will cease to grow following felling and will decay naturally. Some deciduous species will send up shoots. We try to avoid the use of chemicals but, on request, will apply a single treatment to manufacturer’s specification. Further treatments may be required with certain species. No guarantee can be given as to the efficiency of a pesticide after application, due to conditions beyond our control.

General

Conservation Contractors shall not be liable in damages or otherwise because of non-performance of a Contract arising on account of adverse weather conditions, strikes, lock-outs, war and civil commotion; or lack of adequately skilled labour due to causes beyond our control. Further, we retain the right in such circumstances to cancel the Contract in whole or in part. Completion dates shall be contingent upon weather conditions.

Quotations for felling are based upon the assumption of trees being free from metal, stone or other hidden obstructions. In the event of a tree being impossible to fell in the normal way, we reserve the right to re-quote accordingly. The Contract price is based on the site conditions existing at the time of the preparation of the estimate remaining unchanged.

All materials shall remain the property of Conservation Contractors until paid for in full.

If you would like a no nonsense quotation.
Where common sense is still common

Contact us