Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

By requesting, scheduling, or receiving any services from Tree's 101 ("Company," "we," "us," "our"), you ("Customer," "you," "your") agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree, do not engage our services.

• You represent that you are at least 18 years of age and have the legal authority to enter into this agreement and to authorize work on the property in question.
• We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason, including but not limited to unsafe site conditions, access issues, or scope disagreements.
• In the event of a pricing error on any estimate, invoice, advertisement, or website listing, we reserve the right to correct the error and provide an updated price before work begins. A pricing error does not obligate us to perform services at the incorrect price.

2. Services

Tree's 101 provides professional tree care and landscape services throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area, including but not limited to:

• Tree Removal — complete removal of trees of all sizes, including hazardous and storm-damaged trees
• Trimming & Pruning — crown reduction, canopy thinning, deadwood removal, and shaping for health and aesthetics
• Stump Grinding — mechanical grinding of stumps below grade level
• Emergency Tree Services — urgent response for storm damage, fallen trees, and hazardous limb situations
• Lot & Land Clearing — clearing of trees, brush, and vegetation for construction, development, or property improvement
• Landscape Design — design and installation of landscaping features, plantings, and hardscape elements

Service availability may vary by location. We primarily serve Houston, Cypress, Magnolia, Tomball, The Woodlands, Conroe, and surrounding communities.

3. Estimates & Pricing

We provide free on-site estimates at no obligation to you. All estimates are based on visible and accessible conditions at the time of the site visit.

Hidden conditions may change the scope and cost of work. Tree work frequently reveals conditions that are not visible during an initial assessment. These include but are not limited to:

• Internal rot, decay, or hollow trunks not evident from the exterior
• Pest or insect infestations (termites, borers, beetles) discovered during removal
• Underground utilities, pipes, septic systems, or irrigation lines not disclosed or not marked
• Trees leaning or weighted in unexpected directions due to internal structural compromise
• Soil conditions (saturated ground, rock, buried debris) that affect equipment access or stump grinding
• Additional trees or branches requiring attention discovered once canopy work begins

If hidden conditions are discovered during work, we will notify you as soon as practicable. By engaging our services, you authorize us to proceed with reasonable adjustments to scope and pricing necessary to complete the job safely and professionally. Significant changes will be communicated before additional charges are incurred whenever possible.

4. Property Access & Customer Responsibilities

You are responsible for ensuring the following before our crew arrives:

• Clear access to the work area for personnel and equipment (trucks, chippers, stump grinders, cranes if applicable). Gates must be unlocked or keys/codes provided.
• Accurate disclosure of property lines. If there is any uncertainty about property boundaries, it is your responsibility to have the property surveyed before work begins. We are not responsible for work performed on a neighbor's property based on incorrect boundary information provided by you.
• Disclosure of underground utilities and systems, including but not limited to: water lines, sewer lines, gas lines, electrical conduits, septic tanks and drain fields, irrigation/sprinkler systems, French drains, invisible pet fencing, and fiber optic or cable lines.
• HOA approvals and city permits. If your property is governed by a homeowners association or requires municipal permits for tree removal, it is your sole responsibility to obtain all necessary approvals before work begins. We will not be held liable for fines, violations, or required remediation resulting from unpermitted work.
• Mark all sprinkler heads, invisible fencing, and other ground-level features in or near the work area. These items are easily damaged by heavy equipment and falling debris, and we cannot be held responsible for damage to unmarked items.

5. Tree Removal & Liability

Tree removal is inherently dangerous work. By authorizing tree removal services, you acknowledge and accept the following:

• Falling debris is an inherent risk. Despite best practices and safety precautions, branches, trunk sections, and wood chips may contact surrounding structures, vegetation, or ground surfaces during removal operations.
• Ground damage from equipment. Heavy equipment (trucks, cranes, stump grinders, skid steers, chippers) may cause ruts, compaction, or surface damage to lawns, driveways, and soft ground, particularly in wet conditions.
• Proximity to fences and structures. When trees are located near fences, buildings, sheds, pools, or other structures, there is an elevated risk of incidental contact or damage during removal, even with careful rigging and directional felling techniques.
• Stump grinding affects underground areas. Grinding operations extend below ground level and may encounter or damage underground utilities, roots of adjacent trees, irrigation lines, or other buried features.
• We are not liable for damage to undisclosed underground utilities. If you fail to disclose or mark underground utilities, pipes, lines, or systems, and they are damaged during our work, responsibility for repair lies with you.
• We are not liable for lawn damage from heavy equipment that is reasonably necessary to complete the contracted work.
• We are not liable for neighbor disputes over shared trees. If a tree sits on or near a property line, you represent that you have the legal right to authorize its removal. Any disputes with neighbors regarding shared trees, boundary trees, or overhanging branches are your responsibility.

6. Emergency Services

Tree's 101 offers 24/7 emergency tree services on a best-effort basis. We understand that fallen trees and hazardous limbs don't wait for business hours.

• Storm demand may cause delays. During and after major storms, hurricanes, or severe weather events, demand for emergency tree services surges dramatically across the Houston area. We respond as quickly as possible but cannot guarantee specific response times during high-demand periods.
• Emergency pricing applies. Emergency and after-hours services are priced differently from standard scheduled work due to crew mobilization, equipment deployment, overtime, and urgency. Emergency rates will be communicated before work begins whenever circumstances allow.
• Response time estimates are not guarantees. When we provide an estimated arrival or response time, it is our best-faith estimate based on current conditions. Traffic, weather, road closures, and prior emergency commitments may affect actual response times.

7. Stump Grinding

Stump grinding is a mechanical process with specific limitations you should understand:

• Grinding depth. Stumps are ground to the depth specified in your estimate (typically 6–12 inches below grade). Deeper grinding is available upon request and may incur additional charges.
• The root system remains. Stump grinding removes the visible stump and immediate root flare. The extensive underground root system of the tree remains in the ground and will decompose naturally over time (which may take several years depending on species and conditions).
• Regrowth is possible. Some tree species are aggressive resprouters. Shoots may emerge from remaining roots after grinding. This is a natural biological process and does not indicate incomplete work.
• Underground damage. If underground utilities, pipes, irrigation lines, or other buried features are present in the grinding area and were not disclosed or marked, we cannot be held liable for damage. See Section 4.
• Fill material and seeding are not included unless specifically itemized in your estimate. The grinding process produces wood chips/mulch that can be used to fill the hole, left on site, or hauled away per your preference.

8. Payments & Refunds

• Deposits. A deposit may be required for large or multi-day jobs, crane work, or jobs requiring advance material ordering. Deposit amount and terms will be specified on your estimate or invoice.
• Balance due on completion. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the remaining balance is due upon completion of the work described in the estimate.
• Labor is non-refundable. Once our crew has mobilized and begun work, labor charges are non-refundable. If you cancel a job in progress, you are responsible for all labor performed up to the point of cancellation.
• Materials are non-refundable once ordered. If specialty materials, fill dirt, sod, plants, or other materials have been ordered or purchased for your job, those costs are non-refundable.

We accept cash, checks, credit/debit cards, Zelle, and other payment methods as communicated at the time of service.

9. Cleanup & Debris

We take pride in leaving your property clean. Here's how cleanup works:

• Full cleanup is included per your estimate. All branches, brush, and debris generated by our work will be removed from the site unless otherwise specified.
• Wood is hauled away unless you request to keep it. If you want to keep firewood, logs, or wood rounds, let us know before work begins. We'll cut and stack them in a location you designate.
• Large pieces may remain if accessible. Very large trunk sections or root balls that cannot be safely loaded with our equipment may be left on site in an accessible area. We will discuss this with you if it applies to your job.

10. Limitation of Liability

All services are provided "AS IS" and to the fullest extent permitted by Texas law:

• Liability cap. Our total aggregate liability for any claim arising from our services shall not exceed the lesser of (a) the total amount paid or payable under the specific invoice giving rise to the claim, or (b) $500.00 USD.
• No consequential damages. We shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, including but not limited to: loss of property value, cost of replacement landscaping, diminished aesthetic appeal, neighbor claims or disputes, loss of use, or emotional distress.
• One-year deadline. Any claim arising from our services must be brought within one (1) year of the date the services were performed. Claims brought after this period are waived.
• Force majeure. We are not liable for delays, damage, or failure to perform caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: severe weather, hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, lightning, acts of God, government orders, utility failures, pandemics, or supply chain disruptions.

11. Premises & Worksite Safety

Tree work involves serious hazards. For your safety and the safety of our crew:

• Our work areas involve chainsaws, falling limbs, heavy machinery, wood chippers, and flying debris. These are inherently dangerous.
• Stay clear of the work zone at all times. Our crew will establish a safe perimeter and we ask that you respect it.
• Children and pets must be kept indoors or well away from the work area for the duration of the job. This is non-negotiable for safety.
• Move personal property out of the work zone before our crew arrives. This includes vehicles, outdoor furniture, grills, potted plants, decorations, trampolines, play equipment, and any items of value.
• We are not liable for damage to items left in the work zone. If personal property, vehicles, or other items are not removed from the designated work area despite reasonable notice, damage to those items is your responsibility.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Tree's 101, its owners, officers, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to:

• The condition of your property, including pre-existing hazards, structural deficiencies, or environmental conditions
• Undisclosed hazards, including but not limited to underground utilities, unstable structures, contaminated soil, or hazardous materials
• Property line disputes — claims by neighbors or adjacent property owners regarding trees, branches, or roots that cross property boundaries
• HOA violations resulting from your failure to obtain required approvals before work was performed
• Utility damage caused by your failure to disclose or accurately mark underground lines and systems
• Neighbor claims of any kind arising from work you authorized on your property

This indemnification obligation survives the completion or termination of our services.

13. Waiver of Claims

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you waive any and all claims against Tree's 101, its owners, officers, employees, contractors, and agents for any injury, loss, or damage arising from or related to the services performed, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

This waiver is broad and intended to be comprehensive. It is binding upon you, your heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns.

14. Recording & Photography

We may photograph or video record our work, including before, during, and after images, for use in our portfolio, website, social media accounts, marketing materials, and training documentation.

By engaging our services, you consent to such recording and use. Photos and videos will depict the work performed and the property's exterior only. If you object to photography of your property, please notify us in writing before work begins.

15. Dispute Resolution & Binding Arbitration

We want to resolve any issues fairly and efficiently:

• Informal resolution first. Before initiating any formal proceeding, you agree to contact us directly and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for a period of at least 30 days from the date of your written notice.
• Binding arbitration. If informal resolution fails, any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or our services shall be resolved by binding arbitration conducted in Harris County, Texas, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association.
• No jury trial. By agreeing to arbitration, you waive your right to a trial by jury.
• No class action. All disputes must be brought in your individual capacity, not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class, consolidated, or representative proceeding.
• Small claims exception. Either party may bring an individual action in small claims court in Harris County, Texas, if the claim falls within that court's jurisdictional limits.

16. Privacy

We respect your privacy. Any personal information you provide (name, address, phone number, email) is used solely for the purpose of providing our services, communicating about your job, and sending estimates or invoices.

We will never sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. Period.

17. General Provisions

• Severability. If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
• Entire Agreement. These Terms, together with your signed estimate or invoice, constitute the entire agreement between you and Tree's 101 regarding the services described. No oral statements, representations, or prior written communications alter these Terms unless expressly agreed in writing by both parties.
• No Waiver. Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not be construed as a waiver of that provision or the right to enforce it at a later time.
• Assignment. You may not assign your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations to a successor entity, affiliate, or acquirer of our business.
• Changes to Terms. We reserve the right to update or modify these Terms at any time. Changes are effective upon posting to our website. Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.