By accepting this quote, the Client (you, or the property's appointed manager) forms a contract with Total Tree Care Australia P/L (TTC) and accepts the following terms and conditions.
Bookings, Deposits, Scheduling, Cancellations
On accepting the quote, the customer may be requested to pay a deposit of 50% of the total price by cash or credit card if the quote is above $1,000. Upon Total Tree Care (TTC) receiving the deposit, we will book a suitable day of work. If you cancel your contract within 3 business days of your scheduled start date, you will forfeit your deposit. TTC will complete the contracted works within 4-6 weeks of the scheduled date with an extension for permit delays and inclement weather. Cancellation of the contract by the customer within that time frame will forfeit their deposit. If TTC cannot complete the contract within 4-6 weeks with an extension for permit delays & inclement weather, the customer may cancel the contract and receive a full refund of their deposit. If a permit has been applied for by TTC on behalf of the customer, then full payment for the permit application remains due. If the client cancels an accepted quote within 24 hours of the scheduled time or our Arborist crew is unable to access the site, or there are safety concerns a 25% cancellation fee will apply and is due within 3 working days of the cancellation. From time to time TTC may need to reschedule accepted work in the case of emergency tree works that require immediate attendance to make it safe and TTC will endeavour to reschedule the accepted works as a priority.
Payment, Late Payment Penalties
Immediately upon completion of the works, the customer will pay the balance due for all contracted works unless agreed to in writing before attendance. If payment is made by Credit Card, it will attract a 1.5% surcharge. Bank transfers are preferred. If the customer can not be present at that time, then prior arrangements for payment by invoice must be made. Payments not received by Total Tree Care within 7 days of completion will attract a late payment fee of $110. A Late Payment Reminder will then be sent including a late payment fee. If payment for the contract including the late payment fee is not received within 14 days, the account will be referred to a collection agency or lodgement for VCAT to have the matter heard. All additional costs and fees involved in the collection will be added to the original contract price and be payable by you.
Site Conditions & Access, Alterations, Additional Work Requests
This contract is based on site conditions as of the time of quoting. Any alterations that affect access or ability to complete the contract in the estimated time frame may result in re-quoting the works and forming a new contract. The customer will permit Total Tree Care and its contractors easy & full access to the site at the time that is required to carry out such works. The customer is responsible for keeping the site free & clear of other people, children, animals & pets during the work. Additional work requested by you, not in the original contract will be done at the crew's discretion on the day. If it fits within our schedule, the crew will give you an estimate and adjust the contract, and you will sign for any adjustments. Some requests may not be possible on the day due to Tree Permit requirements.
Permits
The customer acknowledges that all works on this contract are within the boundary of the abovementioned property. The customer is responsible for obtaining all relevant approvals and permits required under Local Law, Town Planning and Vegetation Protection Overlays or others to perform the described works and will provide TTC with copies before the commencement of works. If work is to be done at a site not owned by you, TTC will require the site owners to fill out and sign an authorisation form. It is also the tree owner’s responsibility to contact their Local Council to confirm if a Permit is required for Tree Pruning or Removal or disclose if any Planning Permits are attached to a property, which overrides any Local Law Tree Permit Applications. TTC will not be responsible for any Special Conditions attached to an approved Permit issued by the Local Council, or in relating to replacing vegetation or any Infringement Notices issued to the property owner.
Tree Removals
The customer accepts and understands the scope of the following terms: “Removed to ground level” or “Removed to base” refers to a tree being cut down as low as suitable with a chainsaw, usually leaving the stump 2-4cm high. The chainsaw operator will be the judge of fact as to how low is possible without damage to equipment. The term “Timber cut to firewood size” refers to logs being cut into blocks approx 300-400mm, or manageable lengths suitable for splitting but not including splitting unless specified. The term “wood remains on-site” refers to the blocks of cut wood being left in a convenient location but not moved elsewhere or stacked unless specified.
Stump Grinding
“Stump grinding is an underground operation where the operator is shielded from debris by guards and as such cannot see the working head. This means underground services can be damaged during stump grinding operations. TTC does not accept responsibility for damage caused to or disruption of any underground services including but not limited to power, water, gas, telephone, data, and reticulation.” The term “Stump Removal” or “Stump grinding” will be performed by a stump grinding machine that will typically cover an area 1.5 times the stump's diameter and be 200-450mm deep. This may be limited due to machine access and surrounding obstructions such as fences, pavers, concrete etc. Stump grinding debris (mulch) will remain on site unless specified otherwise. The mulch will be used to fill in the hole, larger stumps may result in some excess mulch. Stump Removal/Grinding does not include the removal of roots visible or not visible outside of these dimensions unless specified. You will make TTC aware of any underground services such as electricity, water, gas, telephone, irrigation, or similar before any stump removal/grinding. If unsure of the location of such services information can be obtained from the free service, Dial Before You Dig on 1100 [TTC does not accept responsibility for damage caused to or disruption of any such services]. We will always do the stump as well as possible given the site circumstances and access. The stump machine operator will be the judge of fact to the extent of grinding possible without risk. The customer understands that tree works can be a high-impact activity and that the team from TTC will do its best to avoid damage to property and that TTC accepts responsibility for damage to any surrounding structures such as houses, carports, fences, and other trees. The customer acknowledges that some minor disruption is to be expected such as wear of grassed areas, minor plant disturbance, and some sawdust. Our team will carry out the work in a conscientious and workmanlike fashion. TTC will provide all equipment and labour to perform the work, and all equipment shall be maintained in safe & good working condition.
Employees, Sub-Contractors, Agents
TTC generally uses in-house employees but may appoint sub-contractors to perform the work as it sees fit provided that any such contractors shall perform all works in a conscientious and workmanlike fashion with equipment maintained in safe & good working condition. TTC warrants that its employees, agents, and sub-contractors are competent and have the necessary skills & training to carry out the work.
Insurance
Total Tree Care and any contractors provided by it will have in place Public Liability Insurance to an amount of not less than $20,000,000. They will have all relevant Workers' Compensation Insurance with respect to any workers operating on site.
Site Access Total Tree Care requires a safe work site for all jobs so far as can reasonably be provided. Clients are required to provide safe access free of trip hazards from the road verge to the work site. Such access is to be 2 meters wide unless otherwise agreed. If Total Tree Care attends the site on the agreed date and work cannot be completed for reasons of safety or any site access issues, a call-out fee may be charged. Such fee is at the sole discretion of Total Tree Care.
On acceptance of our quote, you are agreeing to our Terms of Trade as outlined here:
GENERAL TERMS: Please note that payment is required in full on the day of tree work. If tree works takes more than one day, part payment will be charged at the end of each working day until the job is complete.
DEPOSITS: Where job value exceeds $2,000 or equipment is hired or subcontractors engaged, a deposit maybe be required on request to be paid 14 days in advance. Such deposit will be either 50% of the total job value or the total of all hire and contract fees whichever is greater.
^PERMITS: If Total Tree Care is applying on behalf of the property owner, the permit application fee of $175 (non-refundable) will be invoiced for payment before the commencement of permit lodgement with the council. A Tax Invoice and Owners Consent form will be emailed to you upon acceptance of this quote. ^It is the tree owner’s responsibility to contact their Local Council to confirm if a Permit is required for Tree Pruning or Removal and also, to disclose if any Planning Permits are attached to a property, which overrides any Local Law Tree Permit Applications.
PAYMENTS: A credit card number may be taken when the booking date and time are confirmed, and the payment will be processed once works have been completed unless otherwise agreed in writing by management, this will attract a 1.5% surcharge. Bank Transfers are preferred on Invoices rendered.
We accept Cash, Bank deposits, Visa, or Mastercard. We do not accept Cheques or AMEX Card payments. If paying by Credit Card and payment a 1.5% credit card surcharge will apply unless agreed by Management.
COMMERCIAL TRADE TERMS: Terms of 14 days net are ONLY available to commercial accounts after a completed credit application is approved; if engaged by a Real Estate Agent or Body Corporate Management a credit card (Landlord's/OC Manager) may be required on confirmation of booking the tree works. All Body Corporation accounts are to be paid in full on the day of completion of tree works unless otherwise agreed by Management. A Tax Invoice will be sent to the party responsible for the account on the day before the scheduled tree works.
LATE PAYMENTS: If any accounts fall past 14 days overdue a $110 Administration Penalty may be applied to any non-payment of Tax Invoices. The penalty charge is at the sole discretion of Total Tree Care and will be notified in writing to the client.
CANCELLATIONS: From time to time TTC may need to reschedule a booking, due to prioritising any emergency MakeSafe requiring our attendance. We will notify you ASAP and reschedule the job to a mutually convenient time. If a quote is accepted, scheduled (booked in), and confirmed; and you (the client) cancel the job within 24 hours OR if site access is not available as agreed; then 25%-50% of the accepted quote price will be invoiced on the day for payment, as per our Terms of Trade, unless agreed by management. Communication is the best policy, and if no communication is received from the client, then debt recovery will apply.
SITE ACCESS: If site access is not available as agreed, or there are any safety concerns deemed by our Arborist Crew on the day of work, and it cannot be quickly rectified, or the job is not able to be completed; Then 50% of the accepted quote price; or if a deposit has been paid will be invoiced on the day for payment as per our Terms of Trade, unless agreed by Management. Otherwise, a min. call-out fee of $500 plus GST (non-refundable) if the accepted quote is under $1,000 and will be invoiced on the day.