Trees add beauty to your home and landscape, provide cooling shade on summer days, and boost property value. However, they can become a danger to people and vehicles when neglected.
It’s important to choose an arborist who has the right experience, insurance, track record and equipment to do a quality job. Here are 5 things to consider when choosing an arborist for your next project.
1. Experience
Arborists work in an exciting field that allows them to use their creativity and skill. They often work with high-level equipment and are able to take on different projects on a regular basis. This can make it easy for them to get a lot of repeat business, which helps them to maintain their income.
It is important to find an arborist with a good track record of quality work. Look for references from past clients and check out their reviews online on sites like Yelp and Google My Business. It is also a good idea to obtain estimates from multiple companies before selecting one. Be wary of companies that offer extremely low quotes, as they may have hidden fees or lack professional credentials and insurance.
Trustworthy arborists will rarely recommend excessive pruning practices that can damage trees or cause hazards for home occupants. Also, avoid any arborist that uses spikes or spurs to climb trees. These devices can leave wounds on the trees that will lead to infection and other problems. Instead, look for an arborist that is trained to use a variety of climbing techniques that can be safely used on your trees.
2. Reputation
Tree removalists are responsible for a number of different tasks that require them to be at great heights. It’s important to ensure their safety while working on your trees by checking their credentials and insurance coverage. The best way to do this is to ask for references and check their Google My Business or Yelp profiles for client reviews.
Look for a company with a track record of quality work. A good track record will showcase their efforts to help clients like you save and maintain their trees. It also shares details about their successes and failures in helping their clients’ trees grow to their full potential.
Reputable arborists are licensed, insured, and maintain specialized, expensive equipment. They should be willing to provide local references that you can visit and if possible, talk with the former clients. Also, be wary of exceptionally low estimates, as they may indicate hidden fees or portray an arborist lacking professional credentials and insurance. Lastly, be sure to read the fine print of any estimate you receive to ensure you understand their work and expectations for property access, safeguarding, and cleanup.
3. Insurance
When hiring an arborist for work on your property, it’s crucial to ensure that they have proper insurance coverage. Cutting and pruning trees can be a dangerous process, so if something goes wrong, you want to know that they’re covered.
Look for an arborist with workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. Typically, this type of insurance covers injuries to employees and damages to property caused by the work they perform. In addition, it covers accidents involving vehicles owned by the company.
Quality arborists will be more than happy to provide a copy of their insurance coverage for you to review. If they’re hesitant or unable to do so, it’s best to look elsewhere.
In addition to insurance, you should also ask an arborist about their practices. Ask if they use climbing spikes, for example, or if they offer “topping” as a service (both of which are harmful to trees). Make sure to get in-person quotes from multiple companies before making a decision. This will help you find the right fit for your home and budget.
4. Equipment
Arborists work with a variety of tools and equipment, including chainsaws, pole saws, pruners, rigging equipment, and climbing gear. They also use specialized machines like stump grinders to remove tree stumps and reduce the risk of regrowth. If you’re considering hiring an arborist, ask about their equipment and if they provide a certificate of insurance and work contract.
Get estimates from several arborists to compare prices and services. Be wary of a contractor who offers an unusually low rate, as this may indicate hidden fees or a lack of reputable credentials or insurance. A quality arborist will provide you with a detailed estimate that includes the specific equipment to be used and a timeframe for completion.
5. Pricing
When it comes to pruning and removing trees, professional arborists are not cheap. But their expertise, tools and safety measures will save you a lot of time and money in the long run by avoiding costly repairs or lawsuits.
It is best to get several estimates before making your final decision. Tree removal montmorency is licensed, bonded and insured and maintains specialized, expensive equipment. Be wary of exceptionally low estimates, as these may contain hidden fees or portray an arborist lacking professional credentials or insurance.
Ask for a list of references and contact them to verify their satisfaction with the company’s services. You should also ask for a copy of the arborist’s insurance certificate. It is fairly easy for anyone to create a website and pose as a tree care company, so it’s important that you do your homework.
Pruning and removing trees can be dangerous work, so you want to make sure that the arborists you hire are properly insured. You should be able to find out about an arborist’s insurance coverage by asking them directly or looking for online reviews on Google, Yelp and Facebook.