7 Key Things to Know Before Hiring a Tree Service Company

Looking for a tree service seems like a simple task, but it's a big decision that can impact your landscaping and your safety.

Choosing a quality tree service ensures the work is done safely with proper equipment. You'll also end up with remaining trees that are healthy and look great.

How do you know which tree companies are reliable and which are just out for money? 

We've put together this list of seven things to look for before hiring a tree company.

1. Check Licensing and Credentials

A qualified tree company has the proper licensing and credentials to prove that they know what they're doing.

If you choose a company without the proper licensing, you're taking a risk. They may not follow the guidelines in other areas, which increases the risk of damage or injury.

Ask what type of training and credentials the lead employees have who handle the tree work. You want a company with a qualified, educated staff to ensure the safety of your property.

2. Ask for Insurance Verification

Another important sign of a responsible company is having the proper insurance. Even when a company uses safety protocols, accidents can happen. You want to know the company has coverage in those situations.

The company needs liability insurance to cover any damages done to your property. Say a branch falls and damages your property. The liability coverage can pay for that.

Worker's compensation insurance is also essential. This is what covers any injuries that workers have while they're on your property. It protects you from potential lawsuits by covering those injuries.

The requirements for worker's compensation vary by state. Some smaller companies with only a few employees don't have to have the coverage.

Even if it's a smaller company that's not required to have worker's compensation, it's best to find one that does. Skipping out on the coverage puts the employees at risk and may be a sign of a company that cuts corners to save money.

Ask for proof of the insurance policies. You can also call the insurance company to make sure the policy is still in force. The company can provide you a copy of the insurance certificate, but that doesn't prove that it's still a valid policy.

3. Look for Referrals

A company can make itself look reputable, but it's important to hear from other people, too. 

If you know someone who's had tree work done recently, ask them for recommendations.

If not, ask the companies you're considering for referrals from their past customers. Contact those people to verify that the company did the work as expected and safely. 

You can also check online for reviews and ratings on different tree companies. Many review sites let customers leave ratings and reviews. 

Another place to look for reviews is on the tree company's Facebook page.

Look for red flags about safety issues or damage done to property or trees. Check for issues with reliability and following through with promises.

4. Consider Service Options

Not all tree companies offer the same services. Some may specialize in certain types of services. 

Be clear on exactly what you want the company to do. Ask them if they provide those services and how much experience they have.

Another good question to ask is what type of equipment the company has. You want to make sure they have the necessary equipment to handle the work you need them to do.

5. Get Quotes

Ask the tree service for a quote before you agree to anything. Getting quotes from multiple companies helps you compare easily to see which is the best option.

An unusually low quote could be a red flag that the company isn't reliable. You want to save money, but you don't want to sacrifice quality and safety to save money.

When looking at the quotes, make sure you're comparing the same services. Asking for a detailed quote with a breakdown of the costs is the easiest way to do this. Some companies may give you a quote for different included services.

The written quote also protects you if the company tries to charge you more in the end. If they don't want to give you a quote, they may be planning to charge you more than you want after the job's done.

6. Look Into Safety and Tree Care

Whether you just need your trees pruned or you're having a tree removed, the job can be dangerous. A company that ignores safety precautions could cause major damage to property or end up hurting someone.

Ask about the qualifications of the people who'll do the work. They should have extensive experience in tree work, specifically the type of work you're having done.

You also want a company that pays attention to the health of the trees, especially if you're just having the trees trimmed. 

Ask what the company does to protect the rest of your landscaping and your property in general. The job sometimes requires heavy equipment, which can damage your lawn or other landscaping.

7. Ask Other Questions

As you interact with the tree company, you may come up with more questions to ask. If anything seems off or you need more clarification about any of their processes, don't be afraid to ask. It's always better to get the answers before you agree to anything or let the company start work.

An example of another question to ask is how long the company has been in business. If they're a brand new company with employees who have little experience, be wary of the work they'll do.

You'll also want to know when they can get to your project and how long it'll take. If the company is booked for weeks or months, it's a good sign that they're a good company. But it also forces you to wait longer to get the work done.

Find a Tree Service

Choosing a tree service is an important decision to ensure the job is done safely while protecting your trees. Do thorough research on potential tree companies to find the right option for you.

If you need a reliable tree service, check out our work and schedule an appointment.