SD GROUND MAINTENANCE
SD GROUND MAINTENANCE
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions shall apply to and are incorporated in any quotation and shall be deemed to apply unless expressly modified or excluded in writing by S D Ground Maintenance (hereby known as the Contractor). These terms and conditions have been written to produce a transparent transaction, bound by a contract, to protect both parties.
1. Quotation
1.1 The quotation price is valid for thirty days from the date shown on the quotation and thereafter lapses automatically. If you wish to proceed with your quote you must let us know before the 30 day period expires.
1.2 The quotation is based on conditions known and told by the client at the time of viewing.
1.3 The client will pay any costs related to extra works, or costs due to unknown difficulties or changes, which were not explained at the time of viewing and that have therefore not been noted within the quotation.
1.4 The contractor reserves the right to increase quotation prices with prior notification to the client. This will only relate to factors outside the Contractor’s control, leading to a price increase. Examples are – Raw materials increase, fuel price increase, and minimum wage rate increase.
1.5 Any special conditions, of which the Contractor has been informed will be noted in the quotation i.e. access issues or neighbour disputes.
1.6 It is the responsibility of the client to ensure we are made aware of any special/statutory Bylaws/Conditions/Permissions that may be involved.
1.7 The Contractor and their staff accept no responsibility for works that have been carried out on land that is not under the ownership of the client and it is assumed that all planning laws or regulations have been applied before the commencement of any works.
2. Scope of work
2.1 The Contractor shall carry out and complete the landscape work/maintenance work described in the quotation document in a professional manner. They shall have no obligation to execute any further work unless agreed in writing between the parties of the contract.
2.2 Please try not to engage in chit-chat with our landscaping/maintenance team when they are working. They will be using professional/heavy/ potentially dangerous machinery they need to fully concentrate. They also will be adhering to a carefully planned work schedule. It is important that they pay full attention to any task for theirs and your safety. It is vital that our team utilise their time effectively to keep your job on schedule too.
3. Gardening work/maintenance
3.1 The work is as described to the client in the form of a formal quotation, this will always include descriptions of the work to be carried out.
3.2 Gardening work or provision of materials will not take place until the client has accepted S D Ground Maintenance Quotation via an email or telephone call. This will then act as a legally binding document between the client and the Contractor.
3.2 The client must take full responsibility for any pet waste in their garden. This must be cleaned up before every visit, failure to do so will result in a fine.
S D Ground Maintenance will work on a three strike basis. First will be a verbal warning, second will be a written warning and the third and final one will result in a £75 fine being added to the cost of that visit.
Fine costs will be to clean all clothing, machinery and tools.
Photos of the above will be taken and sent on as proof.
3.3 Cancellation of visits need to be advised at least 48 hours prior to the visit, failure to do so will result in 50% of the visit charged to the client.
3.4 If access is unavailable on the day of the visit, the full cost will be charged to the client.
4. The site
4.1 The client warrants that the site is free from springs, flooding, rock, tree stumps not specified to be removed, mine workings, covered wells or other cavities, running sand, service pipes, and cables, sewage or land drains, foundations or other hazards or obstructions which are not discoverable upon visual inspection of the surface of the site or made known in writing to the Contractor prior to the submission date of the quotation. The Contractor shall be entitled to make a reasonable charge for all additional work necessary resulting from the discovery of such hazards.
4.2 Timely possession of the site and proper and adequate access to it must be made available by the Client to the Contractor to enable the work to be carried out in a regular and economic manner. Failure to do so will result in the visit cost still being charged in full.
Any parking permits will be supplied by the client and parking charges will be charged to the customer.
4.3 The Client will provide access to water, electricity, and toilet facilities wherever possible for use by the Contractor in carrying out the work agreed. The provisions of these services and facilities shall be at the sole cost of the client.
4.4 The client shall be responsible for ensuring the safety of their children, family members, pets, animals, and visitors at all times whilst work is being carried out on their premises.
4.5 The Contractor shall be free from any liabilities, structural or accidental, when using machinery, except for accidents caused by improper use. The contractor holds no responsibility for any internal damage when taking either tools or waste though the clients house. The client is requested to remove all personal possessions prior to SD Ground Maintenances visit.
4.6 The client will remove and dispose of any pet waste before work begins.
4.7 The client will move any garden furniture/children’s play equipment/ garden plant pots prior to work commencing.
5. Quotations/prices given
5.1 Hard/soft landscaping/garden maintenance prices/quotations are not open to negotiation.
6. Materials
6.1 Materials delivered to the site become the responsibility of the Client and the Contractor accepts no loss, damage or expense after delivery of the materials to site for any reason.
6.2 All materials brought to the site which prove to be in excess to the Contractor’s requirements shall remain the property of and shall be removable by the Contractor who shall have the right to enter the site for that purpose.
6.3 The contractor shall not be liable for any loss or theft of materials from the site. Any additional materials required following damage, loss, or theft shall be at the Client’s expense.
7. Payment
7.1 All accounts/invoices/bills are payable upon the day of completion.
7.2 Garden Maintenance contracts should also always be paid in full on the day of completion or the same terms will apply.
8. How to pay S D Ground Maintenance
8.1 Payments where materials are bought will only consist of the materials cost upfront. Further costs will be taken upon completion of the job.
Payments should be made to Samuel Dickenson by Bank Transfer or with cash. We do not accept cheques. Account details will be listed on final invoice.
10. What work will be carried out and by whom and who’s responsible for what.
10.1 Only landscaping work detailed in the signed quotation will be carried out by the Contractor.
10.2 The quotation is a detailed, accurate description of discussions and plans that have been agreed by the client and the Contractor.
10.3 All work will be carried out by S D Ground Maintenance’s experienced staff.
10.4 The client shall provide access to the site during the Contractor’s normal working hours (8 am until 5 pm including Saturdays in Winter months and 7.30 am – 5.30 pm in the Summer months ) and storage space for materials and machinery during the contract progress.
10.5 Any addition and/or alterations to the already agreed schedule shall be properly treated as variations and subject to written quotations.
11. Landscaping projects exceeding a two week period
11.1 Stage payments will be made by the client against works completed/materials on-site to be made at weekly intervals.
11.2 Final balance payment to be made on the day of completion.
12. Soft Landscaping – Anything which is living
12.1 The contractor is not able to accept responsibility for the well-being and maintenance of living plant material, including turf, shrubs, trees, plants, or hanging baskets following delivery/practical substantial completion.
12.2 It is the clients’ responsibility to water/feed turf, plants, trees, hanging baskets, newly planted shrubs/trees after a landscaping project has been completed.
Upon practical substantial completion, the responsibility for the care and watering of all living matter is handed over to the client and will require regular attention until established.
12.3 Any plants, hanging baskets, shrubs, trees purchased, or delivered to the site can not be exchanged or returned.
13. Accidental/weather damage to completed hard or soft landscaping
13.1 After practical substantial completion, the Contractor is not able to accept responsibility for any damage to hard or soft landscaping for example: Through the elements, including drought, winds, rain, and frost to any material(s) including plants. This includes freeze-thaw action occurring in the cement work.
13.2 Accidental damage caused by the client, client’s family/friends, or via a third-party who has no connection to S D Ground Maintenance to materials or completed projects will not be covered by S D Ground Maintenance in any circumstances.
13.4 If S D Ground Maintenance accidentally breaks/damages your property or materials we will replace the item/s or fix the problem.
14. Delays or disruption
13.1 The Contractor undertakes to use all reasonable endeavours to complete the work within a reasonable time or by a specified date if agreed. Under no circumstance shall the Contractor incur any liability to the Client for any untimely performance or delays arising from force majeure, adverse weather conditions or events beyond their reasonable control.
13.2 Weather conditions, including snow, hard frost, extreme rain, excessive heat, and drought may cause the delay of a start or completion date of a contract. We will always inform you at the earliest, most convenient time of any such expected delays.
13.3 Staff illness/death of family members may cause unavoidable delays to garden projects. If a member of our team has an illness or is off work due to an extenuating circumstance that is beyond their control and this is going to affect a start or end date of a project you will be informed as soon as possible. SD Ground Maintenance will always endeavour to start and complete all works on time.
13.4 Delays caused by companies working on-site that have not been contracted/employed by S D Ground Maintenance will result in charges to the client to recover business losses/costs.
13.5 S D Ground Maintenance will always inform you as soon as it is practically possible if we need to alter your garden work start or completion date for any reason.
14. Photographs/videos
14.1 S D Ground Maintenance photograph and video all of our garden maintenance work before & after. These photographs/videos may be used on our website/Facebook business page/ Twitter and Instagram accounts. Photographs and videos are used to advertise our business and our work. All photographs are the property of S D Ground Maintenance.
14.2 The Contractor reserves the right to publish photographs/videos of our hard/soft landscaping and garden maintenance work on our Facebook business page and other social media.
14.3 All photographs sent to S D Ground Maintenance will become the property of the Contractor and may be used on our website or social media platforms.
15. Additional work
15.1 Work that is not included within the original quotation/s and that are/is later requested by the client, or client representative will be treated as additional works. The Contractor will always try to carry out any additional work you request at the same time as an ongoing project, however, sometimes especially when we are very busy this may not be possible. In this instance, a separate work date will need to be agreed upon.
15.2 S D Ground Maintenance will provide detailed costs of additional work for the client’s consideration in the form of a quotation. Once costs have been agreed in writing and a deposit received, S D Ground Maintenance will be happy to undertake the extra work requested.
16. Machinery, tools, and fuel
16.1 Unless clearly specified by the Client, The contractor will provide machinery, tools, and fuel to undertake works that are detailed in the quotation/work schedule/garden maintenance contract.
17. Cancellation of contract
17.1 The notice period for cancellation of work is fourteen clear days (inclusive) from the date your quotation was signed.
17.2 Any unrecoverable costs incurred in respect of commitments made for materials during that period will be charged in full to the client.
17.3 For cancellations that do not give the Contractor fourteen clear days (inclusive) notice from the date you signed your quotation, 50% of all agreed fee rates will be charged. In addition, any materials that have been purchased on behalf of the client or any other unrecoverable costs in respect of commitments made during that period e.g. machine hire contracts will be charged to the client. The Contractor will also retain any deposits paid to cover their losses.
17.4 Notice of cancellation must be made as soon as possible, initially by telephone, and then supported by written confirmation. You can e-mail us at sdgroundmaintenance@gmail.com or call on 07832139475
Important information
S D Ground Maintenance is not able to accept responsibility for any damage to (or cost involved with) any underground hazards, obstructions, or services not made known to us in writing or apparent on visual inspection.
S D Ground Maintenance is not able to accept responsibility for any of our clients’ electrical appliances that may be unplugged/switched off during the working day for the purpose of using the client’s power source or for safety reasons.
It is the client’s full responsibility to ensure that any electrical equipment, i.e fridges, freezers, cookers, lights, clocks, etc. are all plugged back into their sockets and switched on during or at the end of any working day, or during the gardening contract.
If neighbour disputes prevent or delay any of S D Ground Maintenance staff from carrying out agreed on work the client will be charged for S D Ground Maintenance’s lost time.
Public liability insurance
S D Ground Maintenance has full public liability insurance. If you would like to view our public liability insurance please ask.
Terms & Conditions for garden maintenance contracts
S D Ground Maintenance runs a very busy, carefully managed garden maintenance service throughout the year from January until December. This may involve us visiting your property weekly/bi-weekly/monthly the choice is yours.
1.1 Clients shall commit to the days and dates arranged with the Contractor for the period of their contract.
1.2 S D Ground Maintenance reserves the right to refuse/withdraw our maintenance services at any time during your contract with us.
1.3 Clients who abuse our maintenance routines by being absent from their property when the Contractor visits will be withdrawn from our services permanently and the full visit cost will be charged to them.
1.4 Clients have the right to alter/cancel their garden maintenance contract with us at any time in writing. You must give us at least fourteen days’ notice of any changes in your plans so that we can reorganise our work schedule accordingly. A full refund of the Client’s advance payment will be made.
1.5 Clients who cancel scheduled visits, then leave long periods between their next appointment with S D Ground Maintenance can expect our rate to increase upon our next visit to their property- If your garden is not regularly maintained, lawns, hedges, shrubs, and plants will become overgrown, this will create more work and more waste for S D Ground Maintenance to dispose of. In these instances, the Contractor will re-quote your maintenance price as a one-off job, then continue with the previous rate if the garden is again regularly maintained i.e. weekly/bi-weekly or monthly.
1.6 Clients agree to remove dog/cat waste/hazardous waste/litter from any areas we will be working in prior to our visit. The client must take full responsibility for any pet waste in their garden. This must be cleaned up before every visit, failure to do so will result in a fine.
1.7 It is the client’s responsibility to ensure any children’s play equipment or other garden furniture/obstacles are moved off the area you wish us to work on.
1.8 For your own and our safety please ensure that your pets/young children are kept indoors whilst we are working on your property.
2.Tree felling
2.1 If we are felling a tree/s at your property please ensure that you remove any breakables from the area we are working in i.e. garden pots or ornaments. The Contractor can not be held responsible for breakages that occur to plants, shrubs or outdoor buildings as a result of tree branches falling.
2.2 Felling trees can be hazardous therefore we ask that all clients, your pets, or children remain inside your property whilst any work is underway.
3.Stump removal
3.1 The client shall remove any breakables from the area in which we are working.
3.2 The client understands that grinding out of tree stumps causes mess and may flatten/damage plants that are growing in the vicinity the Contractor/s is/are working in.
3.3 The Contractor will always tidy the area where they have been working to the best of their ability, however, you will always be left with slight evidence that a tree stump has been ground out.
3.4 The client shall remain indoors whilst the Contractor is working, this is for the client’s safety.
4.Disposal of green waste
4.1 S D Ground Maintenance are registered Green Waste Carriers.
4.2 S D Ground Maintenance is insured to remove Green Waste only. Please do not ask us to remove any other form of household waste or green waste which is not a bi-product of our garden/maintenance work on your property. We will not do this. Types of waste depends on price.
5.Delays or disruption
5.1 The Contractor undertakes to use all reasonable endeavours to complete the work within a reasonable time or by a specified date if agreed. Under no circumstance shall the Contractor incur any liability to the Client for any untimely performance or delays arising from force majeure, adverse weather conditions or events beyond his reasonable control.
6.Garden maintenance staff and landscapers
6.1 All our staff are fully trained and are up to date with their Health & Safety training.
6.2 S D Ground Maintenance understands that clients grow accustomed to a particular operative visiting and tending to their gardens, while we will endeavour to send the same operative each time this is not always possible and cannot be guaranteed. All of our staff are all fully trained, skilled professionals.
6.3 The visiting landscaper will be adhering to strict deadlines and timings, if you would like a particular task carrying out on a visit please ensure we know this in advance.
6.4 Your contractor will not carry out extra work free of charge. We are always happy to include a new garden task for you upon our next visit, although a fee will be incurred for any extra time spent at your property.
6.5 Please try not to engage in chit-chat with our team when they are working, they will be using professional machinery and it is important that they pay full attention to the task in hand for theirs and your safety.
S D Ground Maintenance appreciate your valued business and we look forward to providing you with quality, professional Garden Maintenance services.
7.Customer care policy
7.1 S D Ground Maintenance is proud of the value, quality, and dependability of the services it provides.
7.2 If the client is not fully satisfied with any part of our service, then please inform us in writing.
7.3 We treat our client’s concerns and comments as constructive and positive feedback and can only improve our services if informed of any shortcomings.
7.4 If there is a concern in regard to any aspect of the services we are contracted to undertake, the client must inform S D Ground Maintenance immediately in writing.
7.5 The Contractor guarantees to investigate and respond to your concerns within 14 working days.
S D Ground Maintenance reserve the right to change these terms and conditions at any time.
Law:
S D Ground Maintenance’s terms and conditions shall be subject to the Laws of England & Wales, and the client agrees to be bound by the exclusive jurisdiction of these courts.
S D Ground Maintenance are gardeners based in Surrey. We are a friendly team of hard and soft landscape gardeners.
Our team take great care and pride in all of their garden designs and constructions.
We thank you for your custom.