Terms and Conditions of Business

Your Guide to Working with William Bird Tree Services 

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. Further information about the company is available on our website https://wbtreeservices.co.uk.

WIlliam Bird Tree Services agree to perform the work in a competent manner in compliance to the specification and quotations contained in our quotation.

Acceptance of the contract and programming of the work: 

Acceptance of the contract and programming of the work: When you accept the quotation we will start the work planning process which may include dealing with permissions from the Local Authority (see the clause below in respect of ‘do I need permission’).

We will advise you of the estimated completion date for your work. All customers are entitled to a 14 day cooling off period following acceptance of the quotation and after this period, in the event of a cancellation at short notice, we may charge a percentage of the quotation to cover our costs.

Standard of work. 

All work shall be completed in line with BS3998 ‘Recommendations for Tree Work’ where appropriate unless agreed otherwise with the customer.

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 wood chips make a 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.

Felling trees and stump grinding. 

When felling trees we will take the tree down to as near to ground level as possible dependant on ground level and foreign objects around the base of the tree. Stump grinding can be arranged at an additional cost. 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.

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.

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 team 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.

When do I pay? 

When the job is completed, the Crew Leader will ask you to sign to confirm your satisfaction. Please only sign this when you are satisfied that all items are completed. Please raise any queries with the Crew Leader before signing the job off. The office will invoice ‘signed off’ jobs within 7 days. All contracts and instructions are accepted on the basis of payment of full invoice price on receipt of invoice.

Unless other terms have been agreed in writing. 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.

All invoices are due for payment by return. Any invoice outstanding beyond this period will be referred to William Bird Tree Services and will be subject to a surcharge of 15% plus VAT plus any administration fees involved in the collection of the invoice. This surcharge together with all other charges and legal fees incurred will be the responsibility of the Customer and will be legally enforceable

Reductions:

Where a reduction is required a photo and picture may be supplied with quotation. The quotation will be given in meterage. This is only a guide but can help both the Customer and the arborist work towards an end result.

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 (more details of specification can be found on our website).

What time will the team arrive? 

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 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, William Bird Tree Services 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 but 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 William Bird Tree Services for a breach any such Covenant.

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 (poison) 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 (if required) will attract additional cost.

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;

William Bird Tree Services 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.

Measurements: 

All measurements mentioned in any correspondence are approximate.

Insurance: 

All work carried out by William Bird Tree Services 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.

General:

William Bird Tree Services 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. Twelve months after the submission of the quotation, William Bird Tree Services reserves the right to withdraw and re-price work, unless otherwise agreed in writing on acceptance of instructions from the Owner. 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, Company reserves 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.

Complaints:  

We always endeavour to provide the best service and products for our customers. However, on rare occasions, we recognise that there may be times where our customers may not be completely satisfied.

Registered Office: William Bird Tree Services, Kempsey, Worcester, WR5 3NY