when I get estimates for tree trimers,besides the price,what are some things I should look for?Any suggestions

Answer 1

Sensible is right, make sure they have insurance, public liability etc make sure you view their certificate of currency. get plenty of quotes, you'll be amazed at the difference. don't choose the cheapest quote, there are quite a few cowboys out there. best of luck

Answer 2

Unless you are dealing with the well-established landscape maintenance companies in your area, "tree men" can sometimes be unreliable and do a poor job, by failing to clean up, allowing/not repairing damage to structures near the work site, not having insurance -the list goes on. Prices? All over the place.

Let's clear up one thing from the start -the "insured and bonded" part, usually found painted on the truck and occasionally on the business card. Means nothing, unless you have evidence of the insurance. That means liability coverage in case they hurt people or damage property and worker's compensation for injuries to their employees. And even WITH the insurance, YOU can still be held liable for employee injury. Example: worker set up a ladder in the driveway, your kid backs the car out and knocks down the ladder and employee. Workers comp pays employee medical expense and time off, then sues YOU (this is an "action over" claim). SO -make sure your insurance is in order as well. Saying you have insurance -and actually having it- are two entirely different things. Ask for a "Certificate of Insurance." Ths is a form prepared by the insurance company or agency which is made out to YOU, shows the coverage, the carrier and other insurance details, and says the coverage is in force as of the date on the certificate and that you will be notified if the coverage is canceled. If "Mr. Tree" has never heard of such a thing or offers you something OTHER than the Certificate of Insurance, that's the END of the conversation. There may be some new and good operators who, in fact, have never yet been asked for a certificate. Tell 'em their agent can get it for them and that they'll need to supply it BEFORE work commences. I insured these fellows for years. Trust me, there were quite a few who would run in to BUY insurance when a customers asked for evidene of insurance. Then, when the job was finished, they'd run in to CANCEL the coverage and accept the "binder charge" of $50 (back in "the day.") The coverage was not cheap and you can imagine why.

Bonding. This simply means the tree service secured a bond, as required by the State, in order to be licensed. In case they do such terrible work or misrepresent themselves, the state and you might go after them. The bond may pay their fines and penalties -but do nothing for you. (Example: a tree in a designated historic area is cut without a permit). The bond doesn't mean the service is any good. It simply means the owner paid for a bond to get the license.

Now as to estimates. If you simply want to have some big bad limbs cut away from the roof area of your house, it is fine to tell them that's what you want. But if you are attempting some artistic effect as well, such as raising the canopy of an old oak or thinning out some crowded species, you'd do well to seek advice in terms of possible long-term damage to the trees. In other words, there may be situations where Mr. Tree really does have some good advice, so listen to it. Then compare what Mr. Tree says to what "Branch Tree Service" says.

Other than recommendations from others, what's a good source of tree trimmers? Try the big commercial services you see every now and then trimming branches away from the power lines. Pull over, find the crew chief, and ask if he/she or anyone in the crew does any "side work." Chances are, someone DOES. If the job is fairly small, you may have your tree guy there that evening. Note: this individual won't have insurance or a bond, so if the job seems risky, you may want to reconsider the idea. Another source is power equipment dealers -the places that sell/service chain saws and the like. Go in and ask who does good work for a good price.

Finally, take a good look at those trees. If you bought a pole saw, could you or a neighbor do the job, or most of it, yourself? Give it some thought.

Good luck.

Answer 3

So many interesting answers and great information--including from an arborist--and many great suggestions about protection and liability--but no one mentioned the first thing that came to my mind and what I suggest at the ag center where I volunteer.

Contact a certified arborist! They are trained to know what different species of trees need as far as pruning, trimming and branch removal. You should be aware of the nature of your trees and how they grow in the environment so that you can understand your aborist and be able to give proper instruction to whomever does your work--if it isn't the arborist's company. Tree trimmers can tell you anything and you won't know the difference if you haven't gotten educated about your trees--believe me, if they go to far--you've lost your tree--and dollars won't replace a 20 year old tree!

Not only that, if they cut off a branch past the branch collar, it opens the tree up to pests and rot--and they're long gone. So, if you have decent sized trees and don't want to lose them, get good advice out front--it's worth the $$ in the long run--price shouldn't be the only factor in your decision, longevity after the work is done should have equal importance.

If you think it's a job that you can handle, go to your local ag center and research your trees and what is suggested. You can go online and get excellent instructions as well from your state or local ag website.

Please be careful!

Answer 4

Ask for referrences. That is always helpful but one thing that you need to make sure is that you are absolutely clear on what trees and how you want them trimmed. Some tree trimmers think that you will like whatever they do. That isn't always the case. If you can be there watching that is even better. That way you can give your suggestions and if they start to trim off too much than you can put a halt to it right then. Also you can make sure that they trim the right ones. This is important if you have something in mind. A friend of mine hired a tree trimmer and let him be on his own. Once it was done and my friend returned home she noticed he had trimmed the wrong tree and took too much off. Now they have to live with it. Be selective and know who you are hiring! Good Luck! :)

Answer 5

yes, watch out for "cowboys" as someone here mentioned. talk in detail with them first about the work to be done, while standing and pointing at the trees, then make sure they know not to take more than1/3 of any tree (ask "what percentage do you see removing?"), and that they are familiar enough with the species to know how and what time of year to cut that particular type of tree. look it up online or in a tree book first, so you know if their answer is b.s. or not. remember, if they do a hack job, you're going to have to look at it everyday for years, and you might even eventually decide to just take the tree out in order to end your misery. it's happened.

Answer 6

Are you being quoted for the finished job including clean-up, haul away, licensing & bonding?
What are terms of payment? Never pay up front for this work.
Hours of work? Overtime? Your restroom? ..and how long to complete job?
Take before & after photos and ask them what percent they will take down.
EVERYTHING IN WRITING!!!
Please be fair. Check references...but let them tell you what major cuts you might expect and why. This is is a business and science where disagreements are bound to abound. Communicate in writing and verbally with both parties at the site.

Answer 7

Most important is make sure they have insurance in case something goes wrong. Check with your township they might require a licence.They also can give you reputable tree surgeon's that they have dealt with or know.

Answer 8

Make sure they are insured and bonded. If they are not insured, any damages caused will be your responsibility. If one of their employees gets hurt, you could also be held accountable for it. Make sure they have the correct equipment to handle the job.