Chesterfield Tree Service

Some jobs are simply too dangerous to attempt on your own. This is especially true when it comes to tree services. Often, the expertise of a professional arborist is crucial in order to save money, time, and even trips to the emergency room. Unless you can keep both feet firmly on the ground - and sometimes even then - it’s best left to a professional. Yet hiring a tree service company can bring its own set of worries. Working with trees often requires intense training and protective gear, along with the knowledge to navigate risky situations like working around live wires and avoiding buildings when felling. In order to hire the right tree company for your needs, make sure you’re asking the right questions and understanding their answers. These questions will help you weed out the amateurs from the men and women who truly know what they’re doing.

“Can I have an up-to-date insurance certificate with a copy of the work contract?”

Perhaps the most important question to ask. Anyone working on your property should be fully insured - otherwise, you might be liable for accidents, property damage, and even bodily injury to the employees of the company you’ve hired. Keep the certificate on file during the work period, and make sure it from a legitimate insurance company.

“Do you have a list of references and credentials?”

Certain projects require certain credentials in order to be legitimate and legal. An arborist working near electrical lines must be Approved Line-Clearance Arborists. Certifications like the International Society of Arboriculture or a Certified Tree Care Safety Professional are not necessary, but indicate a commitment to excellence. Additionally, always read reviews online prior to booking a service. Having the company provide references - even Facebook or other social media - is always a good idea. A company without satisfied, happy customers is a huge red flag.

“Can I have a detailed estimate, in writing?”

A lot of companies claim to give “free estimates”, or will detail the job and pricing in person but charge something completely different when the bill comes due. Protect yourself by getting your detailed estimate in writing. It never hurts to get written estimates from multiple companies for the same job, either. A copy of the detailed estimate will also help you understand how long a project should take. Finishing an estimated 3-day project in 3 hours could be the sign of a scam.

“What equipment and approach will you use for this job?”

Prior to the start of any job, take photos of your lawn in order to ensure that any damage is properly compensated for - and for that matter, what is the damage policy of the company? Make sure you know prior to the start of the job what is included with the service. Will the company clean up debris? What happens with the leftover wood? Make sure to ask what sort of safety gear the employees will be utilizing. Even if a company is fully insured, if the workers show up without protective equipment, turn them away. No reputable company will allow dangerous work with heavy machinery without full protective gear like eye protection, helmets, chaps, and proper footwear - it’s an OSHA requirement! Protecting yourself and your property during the hiring process is an important part of choosing a tree service company. Most professional tree jobs are dangerous and require competent, experienced workers. Ask these important tree questions in order to gauge if a company is worth your time, effort, and hard-earned money.

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Source: Top 5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Tree Care Company (https://www.chesterfieldtreeservice.com/)

Chesterfield Tree Service

Friday, April 1, 2022