Commercial Work

Terms and Conditions

Contract Acceptance

Acceptance of our quotation, whether in writing or verbally, confirms that the client (a business entity) enters into a binding contract with Finch Arboriculture Ltd ("Finch") for the delivery of specified arboricultural works under the agreed price, scope and these terms and conditions. This contract is governed by English law and applies to commercial business relationships only.

  • Quotes remain valid for 30 days unless otherwise agreed in writing. 

  • All quotes are provided without obligation. Prices are exclusive of VAT, which will be charged at the prevailing rate. 

  • Additional work not included in the original quotation will incur extra charges, agreed upon in writing prior to commencement.

Please note: RAMS are not automatically provided and are excluded from the quotation unless explicitly stated. Generic RAMS can be supplied on request; site and task-specific RAMS are available at an additional cost.

Cancellations and rescheduling:

  • 48+ hours’ notice: No charge

  • Less than 48 hours: 50% of quote charged

  • Less than 24 hours: Full quoted price charged

Finch reserves the right to reschedule works due to adverse weather conditions or other safety concerns. This decision will be based on professional judgement and risk assessments.

Payment Terms:
An invoice will be raised upon completion of works. Payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date by bank transfer unless otherwise agreed. Cash payments are not accepted. Late payments will incur statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, plus a fixed recovery charge of £40, £70, or £100 depending on the value of the invoice. Finch reserves the right to suspend further works or services until outstanding balances are settled.

Insurances:
Finch is fully insured and covered with £10M any one occurrence Public Liability, £10M any one occurrence Contractors Combined Liability and £1M any one claim Public Indemnity.

Quality and Scheduling of Work:
Finch works to BS3998:2010 and complies with UK environmental and wildlife legislation. While every care is taken, Finch cannot guarantee the long-term health of trees or surrounding vegetation unless negligence is proven. Work may be postponed or halted due to wildlife presence or legal restrictions. Unless specific timeframes are agreed in writing prior to quotation, all works will be scheduled at Finch’s discretion to fit within our operational availability. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate client preferences where possible.

Consents, Licences and Permissions
The client is responsible for ensuring all relevant permissions, consents, and licences (e.g. Tree Preservation Orders, planning permissions, felling licences, conservation area checks) are obtained before work begins. Finch will not be held liable for delays or penalties resulting from insufficient permissions unless previously agreed in writing that Finch will manage the application process. Additional charges apply for any applications managed by Finch on the client’s behalf.

Works at Rented, Additional Sites or Third-Party Property
Where the Client is not present at the site (e.g. rental properties), it is their responsibility to arrange access. If access is not available, full charges may still apply.

Site Access and Readiness:

  • The client is responsible for ensuring unobstructed access to the worksite and making the area safe prior to work commencing this includes; vehicles, equipment or machinery, electrical wiring, any plants, pots, furniture, garden ornaments or precious items. Finch cannot be held responsible for any damage to these items. Any immovable objects should be identified to the work team on the day the work commences to prevent any damage. If unmovable items or unsafe working environments stop work progressing, Finch will invoice in full.

  • Remove any and all animal faeces from the work area and pathways. Any time Finch incur removing faeces, dealing with soiling of work clothing or equipment, the client will be charged without prior approval. Finch will inform the client at the time of removal or soiling.

Permissions and Responsibilities:

  • The client is to inform surrounding businesses and neighbours of proposed works, especially when trees are overhanging the client’s boundary, or there are shared living/working boundaries and the client is responsible for any claims resulting from such works.

  • The client is responsible for obtaining all required permissions and licences (e.g. Tree Preservation Orders, conservation area consent, wildlife licences, etc.). The client must provide copies of any approvals prior to work commencing. If agreed in writing that Finch will obtain such permissions, an administrative fee of £125 + VAT will apply. 

  • The Client acknowledges that all quotations are based on a visual, ground-level inspection only. Finch may encounter unforeseeable conditions during works, including but not limited to: decay, pest or storm damage, underground utilities, embedded foreign objects, or unsafe structural growth. If such conditions arise, Finch will notify the Client immediately. No additional work will be carried out without the Client’s prior authorisation. If the Client does not approve the additional work, all operations will cease. The Client remains liable for payment of all work completed up to that point, including any associated mobilisation costs.

  • Finch is not responsible for any damage to underground series or cables unless in the quote. Finch is also not responsible for any damage to any property that may arise from working in adverse weather conditions. In the event that damage to property occurs through negligence or substandard practices by Finch, Finch will accept responsibility.

Photos and data

  • Finch will take photos prior to commencement of works through to completion to ensure our work is documented and can be evidenced as and when required. These photographs are purely for internal record keeping unless otherwise authorised or required by law.

  • Photos and videos may be taken before, during, and after the work for record-keeping or promotional use unless the client objects in writing prior to the work starting.  Client data is stored securely and used only for operational purposes.

  • All client details and personal information are kept securely online and handled with care. Data is only used within Finch for the purposes of our work. If you like us to remove any of your information from our systems please let us know.

Stump grinding:

  • Where trees or hedges are to be removed, stumps will be cut as low as practicable to ground level, taking into account obstacles such as stones, metal, soil conditions, or embedded materials.

  • If foreign or embedded objects are encountered that prevent conventional removal, the client will be consulted before continuing. Any additional time, equipment, or resource requirements may result in a revised quote.

  • Unless otherwise stated in the quotation, stump grinding will remove the stump to just below surrounding soil level. Full root removal is not included.

  • Where obstacles (e.g. hard surfaces, hidden infrastructure) limit access, stump removal will proceed as far as is safely possible without causing damage. Finch will not alter or remove such obstacles unless previously agreed in writing.

  • If embedded hardened materials or obstructions are discovered during work, Finch will notify the client immediately. Additional costs may be incurred and will require the client’s approval before proceeding.

Planting, Watering, and Aftercare

  • Planting Standards: All planting will be carried out in line with current UK law, relevant British Standards (BS 8545:2014 for young trees and BS 4428:1989 for landscape works), and industry best practice.

  • Pre-Planting Advice: We recommend providing planting information to all relevant parties in advance of planting to allow arrangements for watering and aftercare to be made before works commence.

  • Responsibility for Plant Health: Finch will take reasonable care to ensure plants are healthy at the time of planting. Once planted, responsibility for plant health, watering, and maintenance passes to the Client unless otherwise agreed in writing.

  • Watering Guidance (General): For the first year following planting, we recommend:

    • First 2 weeks: water every day where possible.

    • Next 10 weeks: water 2–3 times per week.

    • Remainder of first year: water weekly, especially in dry weather, and even during winter months.

    • Always ensure soil is kept moist but not waterlogged.

  • Establishment Period: Whilst plants establish their rooting systems, consistent watering is essential. 

  • Larger Projects / Plants Delivered in Advance: If plants are delivered to site before planting, and planting does not take place on the same day, it is the Client’s responsibility to water them daily (and twice daily during summer/hot periods above 20°C). Plants in containers must have consistently wet soil. Standing container roots in water where possible will help prevent dehydration.

  • Irrigation Systems: If an irrigation system is being installed, the Client is responsible for watering plants/trees until the system is operational and switched on.

  • Aftercare and Replacement: Unless expressly included in the quotation, Finch’s service does not cover ongoing aftercare, maintenance, or replacement of failed plants/trees once works are complete.

  • Soil Quantities: The amount of soil required for planting is an estimate only. Actual quantities may vary once planting commences. Any additional soil required will be charged at cost plus delivery.

  • Site Conditions: Planting is priced on the basis that the site is prepared and suitable for planting. If ground conditions (e.g. compacted soil, contamination, obstructions) prevent planting as planned, additional preparation costs may be charged.

  • Pests and Wildlife: Finch cannot be held responsible for damage caused by pests, animals, or wildlife after planting (e.g. rabbits, deer, insects, or vandalism) unless protection measures are included in the quotation.

  • Weather Delays: Adverse weather conditions (e.g. extreme heat, frost, waterlogging) may require postponement of planting to ensure plant survival. Scheduling will be at Finch’s discretion in line with best horticultural practice. If extreme weather occurs during planting works, Finch will take reasonable steps to protect plants, but cannot be held responsible for any plant losses or delays caused by such conditions.

  • Plant Substitution: In the event that a specified plant variety or size is unavailable from suppliers, Finch reserves the right to provide the closest suitable alternative, subject to prior agreement with the Client.

  • Ownership of Materials: All plants, trees, and associated materials remain the property of Finch until full payment is received.

  • Warranty: Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Finch does not provide a warranty on plant survival. There are too many factors beyond our control, including but not limited to: insufficient watering, extreme weather, vandalism, or unsuitable site conditions not disclosed before works commence.

Work standards and definitions:

  • Clean-up includes removal of arisings (e.g. branches, brush, clippings, chippings, and leaves) directly resulting from the specified work only. Raking of the immediate work area will be carried out where possible.

  • Unless specifically noted in the quote, clean-up does not guarantee complete removal of small debris such as sawdust, twigs, or leaf remnants, which may remain depending on weather and site conditions.

  • If arisings are to be left on site (e.g. logs, mulch), they will be left in a location and form deemed safe and practical for the work team.

  • Finch will make reasonable efforts to minimise damage to clients/neighbouring lawns and landscaped areas. However, due to the nature of arboricultural operations, some disturbance may be unavoidable. Lawn or landscape restoration is not included in the quoted price unless explicitly agreed in advance.

Language clarification:

  • Removal of deadwood - means any dead wood over 5cm in diameter and 50cm in length unless stated otherwise.

  • Ground level is defined within 30cm of the surrounding soil level.

  • Manageable sections - refers to two person lifts, approximately 40kgs.

  • Arisings include all waste material generated from agreed work. Arisings is any material and waste produced from our activity that includes fallen branches, twigs, stones, bricks and litter regardless of its origin, and all grass cuttings, trimmings, weeds, moss, prunings, chippings, plant growth and other excess materials produced from purely carrying out the specified services. To be clear, any pre-existing materials and waste will only be removed if it has been requested and a quote agreed.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us and Finch looks forward to working with you.