Terms of Service & Policies

1. Free Estimates & Low-High Valuation Bands

We provide complimentary, free estimates under two flexible options designed to respect your schedule:

• Online Remote Estimates: Formulated from recent property photos, video walkthroughs, and approximate measurements submitted via our web portal.
• In-Person On-Site Walkthroughs: An attentive on-site visit by our field supervisors to evaluate hillside grades, soil conditions, access paths, and drainage vectors.

Low-High Estimate Bands: Because North Shore terrain frequently conceals underground basalt bedrock, glacial granite boulders, native root networks, and unmapped private conduit lines, all written estimates are formulated within realistic low-to-high cost and hour bands.

Validity Period: Estimates remain valid for one (1) week (7 calendar days) from the date of issuance. Given market fluctuations in quarry stone, Western Red Cedar lumber, and live nursery inventory, estimates older than 7 days may be readily extended or re-verified upon client request.

2. Estimate Accuracy & 20% Overrun Discount

We pride ourselves on accurate scoping and disciplined project management. If an estimate proves inaccurate and execution requires additional time exceeding more than 10% of the total charges (labor and materials combined):

3. Billing Schedules & Milestone Installments

Our billing schedule is organized based on scope scale and equipment requirements:

• Standard Landscape & Grounds Maintenance (Daily Post-Billing): Routine horticultural care that does not require heavy excavation machinery, axes, or commercial chain/power saws (e.g., lawn edging, manicured hedge trimming, organic weeding, garden bed conditioning, debris cleanup) is post-billed at the conclusion of each day services are rendered.
• Projects Exceeding Five (5) Days (Milestone Installment Pre-Billing): Major structural installations requiring more than five (5) work days (such as large paver courtyards, radial engineered retaining walls, structural cedar fencing, or multi-tier softscaping) are estimated and billed in scheduled installments (initial mobilization/materials deposit, progression milestones, and final sign-off balance).

Accepted Payment Forms: Interac e-Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), and corporate cheques. Invoices are due upon receipt.

4. Scheduling, Coastal Weather & Arrival Windows

Pacific Northwest Weather Dynamics: Coastal mountain weather directly influences soil stability, base compaction, polymeric sand activation, and concrete/mortar curing. Client sessions are booked with the mutual understanding that torrential atmospheric rivers, sub-zero frost, or storm events may require appointments to be rescheduled without penalty in the interest of quality and safety.

North Shore Traffic & Arrival Windows: Transit delays on the Lions Gate Bridge, Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, and Highway 1 mountain cuts, paired with meticulous completions on prior job sites, may result in scheduled arrival times shifting by up to one (1) hour. In uncommon instances of severe highway gridlock, sessions may be rebooked at the earliest mutually agreeable window.

5. Property Access, Underground Utilities & Safety

• Clear Access: Property owners are responsible for ensuring unencumbered access to work areas (unlocked gates, cleared vehicle paths, and pets secured safely indoors throughout the workday).
• Private Utilities & BC 1 Call: Orca Pings coordinates public utility locates via BC 1 Call prior to major excavation. The property owner must disclose known private, unmapped underground infrastructure, including aftermarket irrigation lines, landscape lighting feeds, and invisible pet containment cables.
• Materials Staging & Ownership: All materials staged on site (pavers, natural flagstone, soil blends, timber) remain the legal property of Orca Pings until corresponding invoices are satisfied in full.

6. Botanical Nursery Stock, Warranty & Care

All living nursery stock (Western Red Cedar privacy screens, native Pacific rhododendrons, Japanese maples, perennial flora) is hand-selected from premier British Columbia growers for vitality and hardiness. Because plant longevity is fundamentally dependent on site conditions and post-planting hydration, warranty exclusions apply to prolonged drought, insufficient owner irrigation, wildlife foraging (deer, rabbits), and severe climatic freezes beyond zone standards.

7. Estate Privacy, Client Discretion & Cancellations

Discretion & Estate Privacy: Orca Pings adheres to strict confidentiality standards. Crew members do not capture photos of residential interiors, security installations, license plates, or identifiable personal assets. Commercial radios, loud music, and disruptive behaviors are strictly prohibited on all client properties.

Cancellation Notice: For routine property care visits, a minimum notice of 24 hours is requested. For construction projects involving non-returnable materials (such as custom stone cutting or special-order timber), incurred procurement costs will be billed directly to the client.

8. Business License, WorkSafeBC Coverage & Licensed Trade Partners

Licensing & Safety Coverage: Orca Pings operates with an active municipal business license and maintains active, comprehensive WorkSafeBC coverage for all on-site personnel and operations.

Scope of Work & Certified Trade Partners: Our direct operations encompass landscape construction, paving, retaining terracing, site grading, custom carpentry, and estate grounds care. For specialized scopes where provincial or municipal regulations require certified trades, permits, or professional stamps—such as potable water plumbing ties (backflow prevention) or gas lines, high-voltage electrical installations, certified arborist hazard assessments, legal boundary surveys, or sealed engineering/architectural drawings—Orca Pings coordinates and partners directly with licensed red-seal trades and registered professional specialists.