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Originally Posted On: https://integritytreepros.com/9-questions-to-ask-before-hiring-a-tree-removal-company/

 

Are you in the market for a tree removal company? With over 181,000 tree trimming companies in the US, there are lots of choices for homeowners who need tree work done.

Asking the right questions can help you figure out which local tree removal company is best for you. Tree removal can be dangerous and can result in property damage. Researching thoroughly to find a reliable company could save you time and protect your home.

Keep reading to learn which questions to ask before hiring a tree removal company.

1. Are You Licensed and Insured?

Whenever you hire a contractor, you want a company that is licensed and insured to protect yourself and your property. Getting a license means the business is serious, legitimate, and operating within regulations.

Ask for a copy of the tree company’s insurance policies to ensure they have proper coverage. The most important coverage types to protect you are liability and worker’s compensation.

Liability coverage provides coverage if the tree removal company causes damage to your property while trimming or removing the trees. The employees who do the work are covered by worker’s compensation insurance if they get hurt. This takes the liability off of you and ensures that the tree trimmers are covered.

2. How Much Experience Do You Have?

Next, you want to know how much experience the company has. Lots of years in business shows that the company knows what they’re doing, both with tree removal and operating a business.

You can also ask about the specific experience the company has related to the issue you have. Say you have a live oak tree with dead branches or signs of disease. Hiring a company that often handles live oak trees and their specific issues can help you save your tree while correcting the problems.

3. Can I Get a Detailed Estimate?

A professional tree removal company will give you an estimate before you make your decision. The detailed estimate gives you an idea of what to expect.

It also helps you compare the different companies. Looking at the estimates helps you spot companies that charge a lot less than everyone else, which could mean they’re not as experienced.

It can also help you avoid overpaying. If you go with the first company, you could end up paying too much without other estimates for comparison.

Looking over the detailed estimate also helps you understand what’s included in the fee. It can help you avoid unexpected charges or extra fees that you didn’t plan to pay.

When you get the estimate, ask how long the company will honor the quote, especially if you don’t plan to hire a company immediately.

4. How Will You Do the Job?

Find out how each company will approach your project, especially if it’s complicated. If you have a tree with dead branches, ask each company what they recommend.

Asking about their approach helps you find out if the company is a good fit. If you want to try to save the tree but a company won’t even entertain the idea, you might want to keep looking.

It can also help you identify companies that don’t know what they’re doing. If most of the companies would take the same approach but one company would do something drastically different, it could be a red flag.

5. What Type of Equipment Will You Use?

Along with how the company will do the work, find out what type of equipment they use. Reliable companies will have professional-quality equipment to help them reach tall trees safely.

Ask about specific safety equipment the employees will use, including hard hats and harnesses. A company that takes employee safety seriously will likely be safer overall, which reduces the risk of issues.

6. How Will You Protect My Property?

Protecting your property is also a priority. Find out what precautions the company takes to cut down on damage to your property. This might include ruts in your yard from vehicles and damage to your home or landscaping from falling branches.

While the company’s liability insurance will pay for damages, it’s better to avoid damage completely. Accidents happen, but finding a careful company can reduce the chances of a problem.

7. How Long Will the Process Take?

Tree removal projects vary significantly depending on the complexity. If you have a large tree that’s coming down completely, it’ll take a lot longer than just trimming a few trees.

Ask each company how long the job will take to have a comparison. If someone gives you a much shorter timeline, it could indicate that they either don’t fully understand the job or they might cut corners.

It’s also important to find out how quickly the company can get to your project. Some companies might be booked out a long time. If there’s a storm that causes extensive damage to lots of properties, the wait could be even longer.

8. How Do You Clean Up?

Once the job is done, you want a company that cleans up the yard and restores it to its previous condition. The detailed estimate should show if tree disposal and cleanup is included in fee. Ask what will be left behind if anything so you know what to expect and know whether or not you’ll have to do any cleanup.

9. Do You Have References?

Finding out how the company did on previous jobs can help you decide if they’re qualified to do your work. Ask for references from past clients so you can call them and ask how well the company performed.

You can also look for reviews online about the company. Some tree removal companies include reviews on their websites. Review sites are also a good source of reviews and ratings that can help you assess the quality of the company.

Find the Best Tree Removal Company

Finding the best tree removal company starts with doing your research. Strategic questions can reveal how qualified the company is and how well it can fit your tree removal needs.

If you need trees trimmed or removed, contact us today to ask questions and schedule the service.