Keeping your property looking trim and ensuring that you, your home, and passersby are safe from falling branches is a matter for a professional tree service. While there are some yard-maintenance tasks you can do yourself, trained and certified tree specialists should do anything involving distressed trees or tree pruning above shoulder level. Here are five questions to ask before hiring a tree service company that will help you select a company that can do the job safely and well.
Are You Licensed and Insured?
If a tree service company cannot immediately provide proof that they are both licensed and insured, move on. Professional tree service companies know that clients need this information and will be ready to supply it quickly.
A professional tree service should provide you with a certificate of insurance showing they have liability and worker’s compensation insurance. This protects you should any workers get hurt or your property get damaged during the job.
Do Certified Arborists Supervise Your Work?
Some tree service companies do not have certified arborists on their staff. Ask them pointedly if a certified arborist supervises their work, and obtain proof of certification.
Also, check to see if the certified member is part of a professional association of tree care specialists, such as the American Association of Consulting Arborists.
How Long Have You Been in Business?
Just because a business is new doesn’t mean it isn’t qualified. However, you should investigate how much experience a contractor has in handling common issues in your area.
Do they provide preventative tree pruning and disease management? Or do they specialize in emergency tree service only? Any business you hire should be able to provide the full range of tree care services to keep your property beautiful and safe from damage.
Do You Provide Free Quotes?
There shouldn’t be a problem obtaining a free quote from a tree service. Professionals can estimate the cost of the tree care you need based on the size of your trees, their species, and your location. When you get a quote, ask how long the service will honor the quote, so you have time to shop around and decide who to hire.
Are Your Workers Your Own Employees?
When you hire a tree service, you may assume that the workers they will send to your property are their employees. But some companies actually subcontract the work or use temporary laborers. A professional service with certified arborists on staff maintains a team of trained employees who gain experience and skill through consistent experience and mentoring.
Finally, trust your instincts. When you feel the answers to these five questions to ask before hiring a tree service company are incomplete or sketchy, look elsewhere. At Arborcraft, we pride ourselves on our experience, responsive customer service, and professional arborist qualifications to bring you the finest tree care service in the Phoenix, AZ, area. Contact us today for more information!
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