Terms & Conditions

Last updated: 17 July 2026

These Terms and Conditions apply to services supplied by Ground Mode Ltd. They should be read alongside any quotation, proposal, schedule of works, service agreement or other written confirmation we provide.

By accepting a quotation, instructing us to begin work, allowing work to commence or continuing to use our services, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.

1. About Us

In these terms, “Ground Mode”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Ground Mode Ltd. “Customer”, “you” and “your” refer to the person, company, organisation or public body purchasing or requesting our services.

2. Our Services

Ground Mode provides professional grounds, estate and environmental services. Depending on the agreed scope, these may include:

• Routine and one-off grounds maintenance
• Grass cutting, edging and lawn care
• Hedge cutting and vegetation management
• Tree works and arboricultural services
• Site clearance and overgrowth removal
• Drainage inspections, clearance and water management
• Gully, ditch and watercourse maintenance
• Leaf, litter and waste clearance
• Fly-tipping and environmental clearance
• Sweeping and general external-area maintenance
• Maintenance of communal grounds, estates and outdoor spaces
• Other associated grounds and estate-management services

The exact services we have agreed to provide will be set out in our quotation, proposal, schedule of works or other written confirmation.

3. Quotations

Unless stated otherwise, quotations are valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

A quotation is based on the information available to us when it is prepared, including any photographs, measurements, site descriptions or access information supplied by the Customer.

A quotation does not include work or materials that are not expressly identified within it.

Where the actual site conditions, quantity of work, access arrangements or Customer requirements differ materially from the information on which the quotation was based, we may revise the price or issue a separate quotation for the additional work.

4. Formation of the Contract

A contract is formed when:

• You accept our quotation or proposal in writing;
• You confirm that we should proceed;
• You pay any requested deposit;
• You sign a service agreement; or
• We begin work at your request.

If there is any conflict between these Terms and Conditions and a quotation or signed service agreement, the quotation or service agreement will take priority in relation to the specific services covered by it.

5. Performance of the Services

We will perform the agreed services with reasonable care and skill and in accordance with applicable legal and safety requirements.

Dates and times given for starting or completing work are estimates unless we expressly confirm in writing that a date is fixed.

The nature of outdoor work means that services may be affected by weather, ground conditions, access restrictions, seasonal growth, nesting wildlife, machinery availability and other matters outside our reasonable control.

We may change the order or timing of tasks where reasonably necessary to deliver the work safely and effectively.

6. Subcontractors and Third-Party Specialists

We may use suitably experienced employees, subcontractors, consultants or specialist third-party providers to carry out all or part of the services.

This may include arborists, drainage specialists, waste carriers, plant operators, surveyors or other appropriately qualified trades and professionals.

Ground Mode will remain responsible to the Customer for the proper performance of the services we have contracted to provide, subject to these Terms and Conditions.

Where a specialist is appointed directly by the Customer, that specialist will be responsible for their own work and contractual obligations.

7. Customer Responsibilities

The Customer must:

• Provide accurate and complete information about the site and work;
• Provide safe and reasonable access at the agreed times;
• Ensure that we have permission to enter and work on the property or land;
• Tell us about known underground or hidden services, including cables, pipes, drainage systems, irrigation systems and utilities;
• Tell us about hazards, contamination, unstable ground, asbestos, dangerous materials or other site risks;
• Keep children, pets, vehicles and other persons clear of working areas;
• Obtain any permissions or approvals allocated to the Customer;
• Provide access to water, electricity or welfare facilities where this has been agreed or is reasonably required;
• Remove fragile, valuable or movable items from the working area where reasonably possible;
• Pay invoices in accordance with the agreed payment terms.

We are not responsible for delay, additional cost or damage arising from inaccurate information, undisclosed hazards or the Customer’s failure to meet these responsibilities.

8. Access and Site Conditions

The Customer must provide suitable access for our personnel, vehicles, machinery and equipment.

If access is unavailable, unsafe or materially different from what was described, we may:

• Postpone or suspend the work;
• Charge for reasonable wasted time and attendance;
• Charge for additional labour, equipment or access arrangements; or
• Revise the proposed method or price.

We may stop work where we reasonably believe there is a risk to health, safety, property, the environment or the public.

9. Underground and Hidden Services

Before any excavation, drainage, groundworks, stump removal or similar intrusive work begins, the Customer must disclose all known underground and concealed services.

Unless specifically included within our quotation, our price does not include utility searches, service drawings, specialist surveys or trial excavations.

We will take reasonable care while working, but we will not be responsible for damage to an underground or hidden service that was not correctly identified, disclosed or reasonably detectable before work commenced.

10. Trees, Hedges and Protected Areas

The Customer is responsible for telling us about any tree preservation order, conservation-area restriction, planning condition, protected species, nesting bird activity, covenant, boundary restriction or other legal limitation affecting the work.

Where agreed, Ground Mode may assist with applications, checks or specialist advice. Any related fees will be charged separately unless included in the quotation.

We may refuse, delay or stop work where carrying it out could breach legislation, permissions, professional guidance or environmental protections.

11. Drainage and Water-Management Work

Drainage and water-management work may be affected by hidden defects, collapsed pipes, root ingress, ground movement, unsuitable gradients, historic alterations, inadequate capacity or defects outside the area included in our quotation.

Unless expressly stated in writing, drainage clearance or repair does not guarantee that a system will remain free from future blockages, flooding or defects.

Additional investigation or remedial work identified after work begins will be discussed with the Customer and may be charged separately.

12. Green Waste, General Waste and Materials

The quotation will state whether removal and disposal of waste is included.

Where waste removal is not included, cuttings, logs, spoil, arisings or other material may be left at the site in an agreed location.

Additional charges may apply for:

• Unexpected quantities of waste;
• Contaminated or hazardous material;
• Waste requiring specialist handling;
• Waste not produced by our work;
• Additional disposal, haulage or permit costs.

Waste collected by us will be handled using appropriate disposal routes and contractors where required.

13. Materials, Plants and Natural Products

Natural materials, plants, turf, soil, timber, stone and aggregates may vary in colour, shape, texture and appearance.

Plant establishment and growth depend on weather, soil, irrigation, maintenance, disease, pests and site conditions. Unless expressly stated in writing, we cannot guarantee the survival or continued condition of plants, turf, seed or other living materials after completion.

Any specific maintenance or watering instructions provided by us should be followed by the Customer.

14. Changes and Additional Work

Any request to alter the agreed scope may affect the price, materials, programme and completion date.

Wherever reasonably possible, we will explain the effect of a requested change before carrying out the additional work.

Where urgent work is reasonably necessary to protect people, property, equipment or the environment, and it is not reasonably possible to obtain prior approval, we may take proportionate action and charge the reasonable associated cost.

15. Prices and VAT

Prices will be stated in the relevant quotation, proposal or service agreement.

Unless clearly stated otherwise, prices exclude:

• VAT, where applicable;
• Planning, permit or application fees;
• Specialist surveys or reports;
• Traffic management or road closures;
• Unexpected waste or disposal charges;
• Additional work resulting from undisclosed site conditions.

We may adjust prices for ongoing services by giving reasonable written notice, including where labour, fuel, materials, disposal charges, insurance or other operating costs increase.

16. Deposits

We may require a deposit or advance payment before ordering materials, reserving specialist labour, hiring machinery or starting work.

Unless otherwise agreed or required by law, deposits may be applied towards costs already incurred, ordered materials, booked labour and other commitments made for the Customer’s work.

17. Invoices and Payment

Payment terms will be shown on our quotation, invoice or service agreement. Unless otherwise stated, invoices are payable within 14 days of the invoice date.

The Customer must raise any genuine invoice query promptly and pay any undisputed amount by the due date.

For commercial customers, we may charge statutory interest, compensation and reasonable recovery costs on overdue sums where permitted by law.

We may suspend further services where an invoice remains overdue after reasonable notice.

18. Recurring Services

Routine grounds or estate-management services may be supplied under an ongoing or fixed-term arrangement.

The agreed frequency may be adjusted reasonably to reflect seasonal growth, weather, ground conditions, safety considerations and the actual needs of the site, provided that the overall contracted service is maintained.

Cancellation and notice periods for an ongoing service will be stated in the quotation or service agreement. If no specific period is stated, either party may end the arrangement by giving 30 days’ written notice.

19. Delays and Events Outside Our Control

We will not be responsible for delay or failure caused by circumstances outside our reasonable control, including:

• Severe or unsuitable weather;
• Flooding, storms, fire or natural events;
• Unsafe or waterlogged ground conditions;
• Road closures or access restrictions;
• Utility failure;
• Shortages of labour, materials, fuel or equipment;
• Supplier or subcontractor disruption outside our control;
• Government restrictions or emergency measures;
• Wildlife, environmental or legal restrictions.

We will take reasonable steps to minimise disruption and rearrange the services where practicable.

20. Cancellation by the Customer

The Customer should notify us as soon as possible if they wish to cancel or postpone work.

Subject to the Customer’s statutory rights, we may charge reasonable costs resulting from cancellation or postponement, including:

• Work already completed;
• Materials ordered or supplied;
• Plant or equipment hire;
• Specialist or subcontractor cancellation charges;
• Reasonable administration and committed labour costs.

Any cancellation charge will reflect the loss and costs reasonably incurred and will not operate as a penalty.

21. Consumer Cancellation Rights

If you are a consumer and enter into a contract with us online, by telephone or away from our business premises, you may have a statutory right to cancel the contract within 14 days without giving a reason.

Where you expressly ask us to begin providing services during the cancellation period, you may be required to pay a proportionate amount for services performed before cancellation.

Where the service has been fully performed during the cancellation period following your express request and acknowledgement, the statutory cancellation right may end.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions affects any cancellation or other statutory rights available to a consumer.

22. Cancellation or Suspension by Ground Mode

We may suspend or end the services where:

• Invoices remain unpaid;
• The Customer materially breaches the agreement;
• The site is unsafe or inaccessible;
• The Customer or another person behaves abusively, threateningly or unlawfully;
• The work cannot lawfully or safely continue;
• Circumstances outside our reasonable control prevent performance for a significant period.

We will provide reasonable notice where practicable. The Customer will remain responsible for work performed and reasonable costs incurred up to the date of suspension or termination.

23. Inspection and Reporting Problems

The Customer should inspect completed work as soon as reasonably practicable and tell us promptly about any concern.

Complaints should include enough information for us to understand the issue and, where relevant, photographs showing the affected area.

We must be given a reasonable opportunity to inspect and, where appropriate, remedy work before another contractor is engaged to alter or replace it.

Nothing in this section limits the legal rights of a consumer.

24. Damage and Existing Defects

We will take reasonable care to avoid damage while carrying out the services.

We will not be responsible for deterioration or damage caused by:

• Pre-existing defects, weakness or decay;
• Hidden or incorrectly identified services;
• Unsafe, unstable or unsuitable structures or surfaces;
• Ordinary wear, weathering or seasonal conditions;
• Pests, disease, wildlife or natural plant failure;
• Work or interference by the Customer or another contractor;
• Failure to follow maintenance or aftercare instructions.

25. Limitation of Liability

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits liability where it would be unlawful to do so, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.

Where the Customer is acting in the course of a business, Ground Mode will not be liable for indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit, loss of revenue, loss of business, loss of opportunity or loss of anticipated savings.

Where the Customer is acting in the course of a business, our total liability arising from a particular contract will, to the extent permitted by law, be limited to the total price paid or payable under that contract, except where a different limit is stated in the relevant service agreement.

These business liability limitations do not apply to consumers where they would restrict statutory rights or otherwise be unfair or unenforceable.

26. Insurance

Ground Mode maintains insurance appropriate to the nature of its operations.

Details of relevant insurance may be supplied to commercial or public sector customers on reasonable request.

27. Photographs and Project Records

We may take photographs or videos of the site before, during and after work for operational, safety, quality-control and record-keeping purposes.

We will not use identifiable images of a private home, individual, vehicle registration or commercially sensitive site for marketing without an appropriate lawful basis or permission.

Where permission has been given, we may use non-confidential project images to demonstrate our work on our website, social-media channels or marketing materials.

28. Confidentiality

Each party will take reasonable care to protect confidential information received from the other in connection with the services.

This does not prevent disclosure to employees, subcontractors, professional advisers, insurers or authorities who reasonably need the information, or where disclosure is required by law.

29. Data Protection

We process personal information in accordance with applicable data protection legislation and our Privacy Policy.

Our Privacy Policy is available on our website or by contacting: contact@groundmode.co.uk .

30. Third-Party Rights

Unless expressly stated otherwise, a person who is not a party to the contract has no right to enforce any of its terms.

31. Transfer of Rights

We may transfer or subcontract our rights and obligations where reasonably necessary to deliver the services, provided this does not reduce the Customer’s legal rights.

The Customer may not transfer the contract to another person or organisation without our prior written agreement.

32. Severability

If any part of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect.

33. No Waiver

A delay or failure by either party to enforce a right does not mean that the right has been waived.

34. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms and Conditions periodically. The terms applying to a particular contract will normally be those provided or available when that contract was formed, unless a change is agreed or required by law.

For ongoing services, we may notify the Customer of reasonable changes before they take effect.

35. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions and any dispute arising from them are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

If the Customer is a business, the courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction.

If the Customer is a consumer, they may also have the right to bring proceedings in the part of the United Kingdom in which they live.

36. Contact Us

For questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact: