Terms and Conditions of Business
Terms & Conditions of Business (Draft v1.1) - last updated 27/01/2026
These Terms & Conditions apply to all services provided by Thrive Tree Consultancy Ltd ("the Consultant") unless otherwise agreed in writing.
1. Appointment and scope of services
1.1 The Consultant is appointed to provide independent arboricultural consultancy services as set out in
the written quotation, proposal or instruction ("the Services").
1.2 The Services are limited to those expressly described in the agreed scope. No other services are
included unless confirmed in writing.
1.3 The Consultant provides advice only and does not undertake tree works, construction supervision,
contractor selection or implementation unless explicitly agreed in writing.
2. Standard of care
2.1 The Consultant shall exercise reasonable skill and care in the performance of the Services,
consistent with the standard expected of a competent arboricultural consultant at the time the Services
are provided.
2.2 Advice is based on site conditions, information available, and professional judgement at the time of
inspection. Trees are living organisms and their condition may change over time.
3. Fees, VAT and payment
3.1 Fees are as set out in the Consultant’s quotation or proposal.
3.2 All fees are exclusive of VAT unless stated otherwise. VAT shall be charged at the prevailing rate where applicable.
3.3 Payment terms are 14 or 30 days from the date of invoice unless otherwise agreed in writing.
3.4 The Consultant reserves the right to suspend work or withhold deliverables in the event of non-payment.
4. Variations and additional services
4.1 Any services requested outside the agreed scope constitute a variation.
4.2 Variations will be agreed in writing, including any additional fees, before the additional work is undertaken.
4.3 The Consultant is not obliged to carry out additional work unless and until such agreement is reached.
5. Access, information and client responsibilities
5.1 The Client shall provide safe access to the site and ensure all necessary permissions are in place.
5.2 The Client shall provide accurate and complete information relevant to the Services.
5.3 Abortive visits, delays or additional costs arising from lack of access or inaccurate information may be chargeable.
6. Deliverables, reports and revisions
6.1 Deliverables shall be as described in the agreed scope (e.g. written report, plans, schedules).
6.2 Unless stated otherwise, the fee includes one round of minor factual amendments.
6.3 Substantial revisions, changes in scope, or re-inspection due to site or design changes may incur additional fees.
6A. Measurements and survey methodology
6A.1 Units of measurement
Unless otherwise stated, all measurements and dimensions are expressed in metric units.
6A.2 Measurement approach
The method by which tree dimensions are determined is dependent on the purpose of the survey and the level of accuracy required. Where exact measurements are required to support the intended use of the survey or report, dimensions will be measured directly, unless otherwise stated. Where exact measurements are not required or are not considered appropriate, dimensions will be estimated.
6A.3 Planning and development-related surveys
For planning and development-related surveys and reports, including BS5837 tree surveys and associated assessments, tree dimensions and spatial measurements shall generally be measured directly, unless explicitly stated otherwise within the report.
6A.4 Risk-based and advisory surveys
For tree risk surveys, condition surveys, routine inspections and other advisory services, tree dimensions and measurements shall generally be estimated, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Estimates are based on professional judgement, visual assessment, and experience of similar tree forms and sizes.
6A.5 Accuracy, estimation and calibration
Where measurements are estimated, the Consultant applies reasonable skill and care to achieve a level of accuracy appropriate to the purpose of the survey. Estimations may be informed by occasional direct measurement, routine calibration against measured trees, and reference to known dimensions or site features. As a general rule, tree heights are provided as approximate values, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
6A.6 Intended use and limitations
The level of measurement accuracy adopted reflects the purpose of the survey and the requirement for proportionate decision-making. Estimated measurements provided for risk-based or advisory purposes are not intended for detailed design, setting-out or construction purposes unless explicitly stated otherwise.
7. Ownership, copyright and use of documents
7.1 Copyright in all reports, drawings and other documents produced by the Consultant remains with the Consultant until full payment has been received.
7.2 Upon full payment, the Client is granted a licence to use the documents for the purpose for which they were prepared.
7.3 Documents may not be copied, relied upon by third parties, assigned or reused for other purposes without the Consultant’s prior written consent.
8. Third-party reliance
8.1 The Services and any resulting documents are prepared solely for the named Client.
8.2 No responsibility is accepted to any third party for the whole or any part of the Services or documents unless expressly agreed in writing.
9. Insurance and limitation of liability
9.1 The Consultant maintains Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance appropriate to the services provided.
9.2 The Consultant’s liability arising out of or in connection with the Services shall be limited to the level
of Professional Indemnity insurance in place at the time the Services are provided.
9.3 The Consultant shall not be liable for indirect or consequential losses, including loss of profit or business.
10. Data, records and retention
10.1 The Consultant will retain electronic records relating to the Services for a reasonable period, typically six years.
10.2 Requests for copies of reports or data after completion may be subject to an administrative charge.
11. Termination
11.1 Either party may terminate the appointment in writing.
11.2 The Client shall pay for all Services undertaken up to the date of termination.
12. Governing law
12.1 These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
England and Wales.