Terms & Conditions of Service

Oakdale NE Limited
Effective Date: May 2026

These Terms & Conditions apply to all quotations, estimates, reports, consultancy services and operational works undertaken by Oakdale NE Limited (“the Company”) unless otherwise agreed in writing.

By instructing Oakdale NE Limited, the Client accepts these Terms & Conditions.

1. Quotations & Estimates

Oakdale NE Limited will provide the Client with an estimate, quotation and/or report detailing the proposed services and findings where applicable.

Unless otherwise stated:

• quotations remain valid for a period of 30 days from the date issued;
• quotations are based upon conditions visible and reasonably identifiable at the time of inspection;
• quotations may be withdrawn or amended where material changes occur.

No binding agreement shall exist until acceptance of the quotation by the Client.

2. Timescale for Works

Upon acceptance of the quotation, Oakdale NE Limited will agree an estimated timescale for commencement and completion of works.

Timescales may be altered due to circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Company including but not limited to:

• adverse weather conditions;
• operational emergencies;
• mechanical breakdown;
• staffing limitations;
• access restrictions;
• statutory restrictions;
• ecological constraints;
• or other unforeseen events.

The Company shall not be liable for delays arising from such circumstances.

3. Standstill Period

Where works do not fall within an existing contractual agreement, works would not normally commence until a reasonable standstill period has elapsed following quotation issue, allowing the Client sufficient time to consider acceptance.

The Client may expressly waive this period where urgency or operational necessity requires earlier commencement.

4. Standard of Works

Oakdale NE Limited shall carry out all agreed works in a competent and professional manner.

Tree works shall normally be undertaken in general accordance with:

British Standards Institution BS3998:2010 – Tree Work Recommendations

unless:

• the Client specifically requests otherwise;
• site conditions dictate alternative methods;
• or statutory obligations require deviation.

All works shall be undertaken in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations, industry guidance, health & safety obligations, and Company operational procedures where relevant.

5. Client Responsibilities

The Client shall take all reasonable steps to:

• identify and notify the Company of any property, features, fixtures, ornaments, services, utilities, structures, or possessions that may be affected by the works;
• remove or protect vulnerable items where reasonably practical;
• provide safe and reasonable access to the site;
• disclose known hazards or restrictions affecting the property.

The Company may request the temporary relocation or protection of items within or adjacent to the operational work zone.

Oakdale NE Limited shall not be liable for minor or unavoidable disturbance reasonably associated with arboricultural or vegetation management operations.

5.1 Coordination of Third-Party / External Services

Where the Client has arranged, instructed, or procured any third-party services or contractors in connection with the works, including but not limited to:

• traffic management providers;
• road or lane closure contractors;
• crane or lifting services;
• access platform or MEWP suppliers;
• utility companies or service isolations;
• ecological or archaeological supervision;
• welfare or site facilities providers;
• or any other external specialist contractors,

the Client shall be solely responsible for the coordination, attendance, performance, suitability, and availability of such third parties.

Oakdale NE Limited shall not be responsible or held liable for any delay, disruption, inefficiency, or failure arising from the acts or omissions of such third-party providers.

5.2 Delay, Abortive Attendance & Standing Time

Where works are delayed, restricted, rescheduled, or cannot proceed due to:

• absence or late attendance of third-party providers;
• inadequate or unsafe traffic management provision;
• failure to implement agreed road closures or access arrangements;
• unsuitable site conditions created or controlled by third parties;
• or any other external coordination failure,

Oakdale NE Limited reserves the right to recover all reasonable associated costs, including but not limited to:

• labour and supervision time;
• plant and machinery standing time;
• transport and mobilisation costs;
• abortive attendance charges;
• subcontractor or specialist hire costs;
• and any resulting programme disruption costs.

5.3 Suspension of Works

Where safe, lawful, or efficient working conditions cannot be maintained due to third-party failure or absence, Oakdale NE Limited reserves the right to:

• suspend works immediately;
• demobilise from site;
• and/or reschedule works at a later date.

Any resulting delays or additional costs shall be borne by the Client unless otherwise agreed in writing.

5.4 Reasonable Cooperation

The Client agrees to take all reasonable steps to ensure third-party providers are briefed, scheduled, and present as required to enable uninterrupted execution of the works.

6. Tree Preservation Orders, Conservation Areas & Legal Restrictions

It remains the responsibility of the Client to make reasonable enquiries and disclose to Oakdale NE Limited any:

• Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs);
• Conservation Area restrictions;
• planning conditions;
• private covenants;
• felling licence requirements;
• ecological designations;
• landlord restrictions;
• or other statutory or legal protections affecting the site or trees.

Unless expressly agreed in writing, Oakdale NE Limited does not warrant that investigations into such restrictions have been undertaken on behalf of the Client.

Where the Client has failed to disclose restrictions reasonably known or discoverable to them, no liability shall attach to Oakdale NE Limited for resulting breaches, delays, enforcement actions or associated losses.

The Client remains responsible for ensuring all required permissions and consents are obtained prior to commencement of works unless specifically instructed otherwise in writing.

7. Underground & Overhead Services

The Client shall ensure that the Company is made aware of the presence and location of any:

• underground services;
• overhead cables;
• drainage systems;
• utilities;
• fibre optic infrastructure;
• water, gas or electrical apparatus.

Where available, the Client shall provide relevant plans, drawings or service information prior to commencement.

Oakdale NE Limited shall not be liable for damage to unmarked, undisclosed or inaccurately identified services.

8. Site Changes & Additional Charges

Material alterations occurring after quotation, including but not limited to:

• restricted access;
• changed site conditions;
• concealed defects;
• additional obstructions;
• contaminated material;
• third-party interference;
• or revised Client instructions

may result in:

• additional charges;
• revised timescales;
• suspension of works;
• or termination of part or all of the agreement.

Any significant variations shall be discussed with the Client as reasonably practicable.

9. Wildlife & Ecological Constraints

Works may be suspended, modified or delayed where protected habitats, species or ecological constraints are identified, including but not limited to:

• nesting birds;
• bats;
• badgers;
• protected flora or fauna.

Such matters may not reasonably be identifiable during the estimating stage.

Where suspension or alteration of works creates additional operational costs, including plant hire, specialist attendance or redeployment limitations, the Company reserves the right to recover reasonable additional costs incurred.

Additional hired plant or machinery shall only be charged at cost incurred to the Company unless otherwise agreed.

10. Tree Assessments

Unless otherwise specified in writing:

• tree work quotations are based upon visual assessment from ground level only;
• no invasive inspection is included;
• internal defects, decay, root conditions or structural weaknesses may not be reasonably identifiable during quotation stages.

Further investigation may be recommended where appropriate.

11. Invoicing & Payment Terms

Upon completion of works, Oakdale NE Limited shall issue an invoice for the agreed amount together with VAT at the prevailing rate where applicable.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

• payment is due within 14 days of the invoice date.

Oakdale NE Limited reserves the right to charge interest on overdue accounts at:

• 5% per week above the outstanding net balance,

together with any reasonable recovery or legal costs incurred in recovering unpaid sums.

The Company further reserves the right to suspend ongoing works, reports or future services where accounts remain unpaid.

12. Complaints & Dispute Resolution

Where complaints or disputes arise, both parties agree to attempt to resolve matters reasonably and amicably through direct communication between:

• Company Directors or representatives;
• and the Client or their authorised representatives.

Where disputes cannot reasonably be resolved informally, matters may be referred to:

• mediation;
• arbitration;
• or legal proceedings,

subject to the laws of England & Wales.

13. Limitation of Liability

Oakdale NE Limited shall not be liable for:

• indirect or consequential losses;
• loss of profit;
• delays beyond reasonable control;
• hidden defects;
• undisclosed restrictions;
• or matters arising from inaccurate information supplied by the Client.

Nothing within these Terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence or any liability which cannot lawfully be excluded under English law.

14. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Any disputes shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England & Wales.

15. Contact Details

Oakdale NE Limited
www.oakdaleltd.com

01287 644555