Service Agreement

This document will outline the terms and conditions of service between the client and Urban Effects Lawn Care (Urban Effects). This will govern the respective rights, responsibilities, and obligations.  The use of any Urban Effects services is governed by these terms and conditions. All clients must agree to the following and sign this document before any services can be performed. Please read these terms carefully.

Urban Effects will provide the services agreed upon by both parties. This is done through one of the service selection forms via paper or through the companies website, or by speaking with an Urban Effects employee to confirm services, or to add additional services.  Any service request will be granted based on availability. Urban Effects will schedule the client's service(s) accordingly. Schedules and service dates are set to maximize performance and efficiency. Urban Effects will do its best to maintain a consistent schedule and to service the client's property on the scheduled day to the best of their abilities. Specific requests for the day of service will only be granted based on availability.  Due to uncontrollable weather conditions, as well as various other unforeseen circumstances, Urban Effects cannot always guarantee an exact day or time of service and reserves the right to change the scheduled date/time if necessary. Services that are delayed will be rescheduled for the next permitting day, or shortly thereafter - dependent upon the number of continuous days affected.  The client grants permission for Urban Effects employees or personnel to access their property to perform services. The client permits Urban Effects to use their driveway or parking lot to park our vehicle(s) to perform services if they deem it necessary and/or if there is no street parking available within close proximity to the service area.

The client is not required to be at the property while services are performed. However, the service area must be accessible and free of obstructions. Urban Effects will service what they can reasonably access and service. This includes but is not limited to gate locks, animal feces, hazardous materials, chemicals on turf, decorations, toys, furniture, lighting, drip lines, etc. Objects such as sprinkler heads, hoses, water/cable lines, pipes, etc., not buried at least 6” below ground level must be clearly marked with a flag by the client. This is especially important during services such as mowing, aeration, and/or any digging. Sprinkler systems must be turned off at least 12 hours before any service, as well as ensure that they will not be active during the regularly scheduled service day. If service is delayed to another day due to any circumstance, please ensure that the sprinkler is turned off for the new day of service as well. All pets must be secured to prevent any threat to service personnel. Property must be free and clear of animal feces before each service. Failure to do any of the above may result in service being skipped or rescheduled only if time permits, without a discount or refund. Urban Effects is not responsible for damage to any unmarked objects, obstructions, or fixtures on the property within the service area not clearly marked or moved out of the service area (see notice of damage section for more details).

The client agrees to pay for all services performed, including any supplies or materials authorized by the client to complete the work. Urban Effects invoices monthly for recurring mowing and maintenance services. Any additional services performed during that billing period will be added to that month's invoice. Invoices/billing periods represent a regular calendar month. Invoices will be delivered by the end of the first full week of the following month. Urban Effects will provide you with an invoice via one of the following methods: mail, personal drop-off, email, or text (SMS) as mutually agreed upon. Payment Collection & Terms: Payment is due within 14 days of receiving the invoice. Some services may require payment due immediately after the service is completed. After 14 days, we will provide a reminder about your outstanding balance. If payment is not received by the 1st of the following month of receiving the invoice, Urban Effects reserves the right to suspend or cancel your services until payment is received in full (+ any additional fees incurred). Urban Effects will provide at least one reminder before your account is suspended. If the client refuses to pay the outstanding amount, it will be sent to collections. NSF cheques will incur a $40 processing fee. If the client has a billing discrepancy, the client should notify Urban Effects within 7 days of receiving their invoice. For new clients, Urban Effects may ask for a deposit of 50% of the first invoice or quote, which is due before work can begin. Payment Methods: Accepted methods of payment include: Cash Cheque - (Payable to: Urban Effects Lawn Care) E-Transfer - (Send to: info@urbaneffects.ca) - If a password/security question is required, please make the password your street name OR house number. Credit Card - Intuit QuickBooks Payments link via e-mail. Cash and cheques can be received in person by an authorized Urban Effects employee at the time of invoice delivery, or in the following week(s) before the invoice due date. If the client is not home during service, they can choose to leave payment in a safe place such as a mailbox, in a sealed envelope, or somewhere you deem safe. Please advise Urban Effects where the payment will be left in advance. Urban Effects is not responsible for lost payments as a result of leaving it somewhere for us to collect. If you wish to mail your payments (do not mail cash). Direct all mail to: Urban Effects Lawn Care 1157 Ouellette Ave Windsor ON, N9A 4K1 Price Adjustments: As costs are subject to change, our service prices are also subject to change. Urban Effects will advise the client, in advance, of any price adjustments before any services are performed at the new rate. Sales Tax: All services are subject to 13% HST. Taxes will apply to all forms of payments and all services. No exceptions can be made.

Cancelling a Visit: The client must notify Urban Effects as soon as possible to skip or reschedule a service. Mowing: If the client would like their yard skipped for a specific week, please let Urban Effects know in advance. As mowing is done on a subscription basis, Urban Effects will not provide a refund or discount for that service and you will still be charged in full. Maintenance Services: Services such as spring/fall cleanups, or other maintenance work require at least 5 days notice to cancel or reschedule that service. A rescheduling fee of $80 may be applied to your account if less than 5 days of notice is provided. Cancellation of Services: If for any reason the client would like to cancel their services indefinitely, please notify Urban Effects as soon as possible. Services can be cancelled without penalty as long as 14 days notice is given. If the client would like services cancelled immediately, they will be billed for any upcoming services within the next 14-day period. Urban Effects may, at their discretion, accept an immediate cancellation notice for the following reasons*: the client moves out of or sells the property, unemployment, sickness and/or death. Accounts must be paid in full at the time of cancellation. Cancelling services does not remove the client from their obligation to pay all fees outstanding. If the client refuses to pay the outstanding amount, it will be sent to collections. All fees associated with pursuing to collect any outstanding fees will be the sole responsibility of the client. Termination of Services: Urban Effects reserves the right to terminate services or the account at any point for any reason. Termination does not remove the client of their responsibility to pay for all services owed to date.

Urban Effects requires the client to promptly report any damage caused by their employees during services, with a 48-hour notification window for minor issues via phone and written notice for more complex problems. Urban Effects aims to address problems within one to five business days, though complex issues may take longer. Urban Effects is insured, and the resolution may involve collaboration with their insurance provider.  Urban Effects is not accountable for plant damage as a result of regular maintenance.  We will advise the client in advance if we believe that the service may cause harm to any plantae.  Damage to property due to regular use, such as gates, gate latches, stepping stones, etc., is not Urban Effects' responsibility.  The service area must be accessible and free of obstructions. We will service what we have access to and can reasonably service. This includes but is not limited to gate locks, animal feces, hazardous materials, chemicals on turf, decorations, toys, furniture, string lighting, drip lines, etc. Objects such as sprinkler heads, hoses, water/cable lines, pipes, etc., not buried at least 6” below ground level must be clearly marked with a flag by the client. This is especially important during services such as mowing, aeration, and/or any digging. Urban Effects is not responsible for damage to any unmarked objects, obstructions or fixtures on the property within the service area not clearly marked or moved out of the service area.

Cleanup services will vary based on the customers needs. Most cleanups will consist of cutting down overgrown grass, plantae, removing leaves, branches and other debris from turf areas, garden beds, patios, driveways, walkways, etc., using blowers, rakes, lawnmowers, and other garden tools. Bushes, shrubs and trees may be cut back, trimmed, or pruned at this time if necessary, and at the customer's request. We are not responsible for the death of any plants or bare spots being created in shrubs or trees due to extensive pruning or trimming as requested by the customer. Leaf cleanups will be done when most leaves have fallen off all surrounding trees. Fall cleanups include hauling away of all debris and leaves. We cannot guarantee that all leaves, trimmings, or clippings will be removed from garden beds, patios, pools, or turf areas, however, we will do our best to collect as much as we can. If bark mulch is to be installed, we do so at an approximate thickness of 2-4”. This helps to prevent weed growth through the mulch, as well as to allow water to still reach the soil. Urban Effects cannot guarantee that weeds will not grow through the mulch. During property cleanups, Urban Effects cannot guarantee that weeds won’t grow back. Additional appropriate measures such as adding new rock, mulch, weed barriers etc. should be implemented. Weed maintenance requires continued upkeep. If Urban Effects is planting provided plants/shrubs, Urban Effects is not liable for plants that do not root properly, become diseased, or are malnourished and ultimately die. Some plants may be covered under the nursery’s warranty.

If for any reason, you are not 100% satisfied with your services, please contact us within 24 hours to resolve the issue. We pride ourselves on providing a quality service that satisfies our client's reasonable expectations.  Your Satisfaction is Our Priority!

The terms and conditions of the following subheadings are all amalgamated together and apply to each aspect of service regardless of the heading it is under. Lawn mowing is a subscription-based service. This means that the client is charged on a recurring and regular basis for that service, giving the client the option to opt-out or cancel the services if needed. Continuous sign-up and cancellation will lead to an account suspension. The mowing season begins in April and extends through to October/November (approximately 28-34 weeks). This period is up to Urban Effects' discretion (depending on the weather for that year). Mowing is done on a weekly basis - we do not provide bi-weekly services (unless other arrangements have been agreed upon). One-time cuts will only be granted based on availability. Mowing consists of 1 cut per week for the duration of the mowing season.  Urban Effects will give each client a day of the week that their property will be serviced. Day-of-the-week service requests will be granted based on availability. Urban Effects has the right to change the day of service without notice to maximize performance. However, we will advise you of permanent schedule changes. Urban Effects reserves the right to service your property up to two days before or after your scheduled service date, dependent on factors out of our control, such as weather. Urban Effects will do its best to maintain a consistent schedule and to service your property on your scheduled day of service to the best of their abilities.  Services that are delayed due to weather will be rescheduled for the next weather-permitting day, or shortly thereafter, dependent upon the number of continuous days affected by weather.  During times of extreme heat or low rainfall, Urban Effects reserves the right to skip mowing, and trim/blow certain areas of the yard instead or do general cleanup maintenance around the yard keeping your lawn looking tidy. Mowing during extreme heat and low rainfall periods where grass has not grown enough to cut will only damage the health of your lawn. During these situations, mowing service for that week will be skipped (alternative service may be provided), invoicing will remain at the agreed-upon rates and prices will not be adjusted. Mowing: Turf areas will be cut at an average height of approximately 2.75” during the Spring and Summer months.  The grass is cut at a height of 2.75” during peak season to encourage deeper root growth, reducing weeds in the lawn, improve overall density, and reduce stress and disease outbreaks on the turf. Turf areas can be cut higher or shorter upon client request.  If damage or overgrowth occurs, Urban Effects will not be held responsible for remedying the situation. In late fall and/or for the final cut of the season, the grass will be cut to an approximate height of 2.25”. Grass clippings will be mulched back into the yard. If you require bagging, there will be an additional surcharge for bagging and/or hauling away clippings. If we do not haul away the clippings, they will be left in lawn bags in an appropriate spot on your property. Urban Effects can mow during rain, or when the grass is wet if we deem that it is safe and appropriate to maintain a high-quality cut. Mower blades will be sharp at all times to provide a high-quality cut and minimize disease. Urban Effects is not responsible for stressed turf or the death of any turf areas due to cutting height, disease, weed infection, or any other outbreak that may occur on or surrounding the turf areas. We are not responsible for grass clippings that may occasionally end up in garden beds, pools, or any other area where grass clippings do not belong, however, we will employ our best efforts to contain grass clippings within the turf areas. Damage to cables, lines, pipes, irrigation heads, etc., not installed 6” below ground level is not our responsibility. The service area must be accessible and free of obstructions (lawn furniture, toys, trash, bio-hazardous materials, pets, animal feces, sprinkler heads, debris, wet grass due to sprinklers being on before or during service, chemicals on the yard, etc.) before the scheduled visit, or service may be skipped or rescheduled as time permits without a discount or refund. Animal feces on the lawn will be subject to an extra equipment cleaning fee starting at $40.  We reserve the right not to service certain areas of the property where we deem there is a threat to service personnel’s safety or risk of damaging our equipment, the client's property, or any other obstructions on the property. If we deem there is a potential threat to our well-being or the client's property, we have the right to refuse that service, providing no refunds or discounts. Trimming and Edging: Trimming/edging of turf edges includes areas such as: around trees, plants/garden beds, buildings, sidewalks, curbs, driveways, patios, parking lots, fences, and other surfaced areas bordered by grass. Trimming does not include trimming weeds between patio pavers, or cracks in any driveways, walkways, or hard surfaces. Trimming/edging will not be performed to certain areas of the property where Urban Effects deems that there is a threat to service personnel safety, or risk of damaging our equipment, plants, buildings, or any other objects on the client's property. Blowing: To provide a professional appearance to your service, all grass clippings will be blown from or out of garden beds, sidewalks, curbs, driveways, patios, parking lots, roadways, etc. Trimmings will not and cannot be blown into roadways, or sewer drains. If the grass is wet when cutting, it may be difficult to remove all the clippings from hard surfaces. Some clippings or temporary stain marks may be left on driveways or hard surfaces however, we will do our best to remove as much as we can. Some mulch, or dirt from garden beds may end up in the grass from blowing grass clippings out of the garden beds. Urban Effects will do its best to minimize the dirt and mulch that ends up on the turf areas as a result of blowing. Debris from the road may inadvertently end up in your yard while blowing grass clippings back onto your yard.