To make an informed decision when selecting a tree service contractor, it’s essential to get a minimum of two quotes. If you only call one arborist for an estimate, you would not realize if they’re overcharging you. By obtaining 2 or three competing quotes from different tree service providers, you can typically save money as well as work with the tree service company that you really feel most comfortable with. Considering that the work involved in removing or trimming trees can be unsafe, it’s suggested to make certain a tree removal service you’re considering has the proper insurance coverage as well as has at least four to five years of experience.
To avoid a fly-by-night, or one-man operation tree service company or those that have questionable qualifications, a little research on the web can help weed out unprofessional or unqualified tree service companies. Doing an Internet search for “tree service” and your city (tree service Gainesville VA) can often yield an immediate list of local tree contractors. The ones that have taken the time
to have a Web-presence are often more professional, organized, and detail oriented than those that have not. A tree care company or tree trimming contractor that has invested the money and time to create a presence on the Web is more likely to be established and well managed. You can also search for a tree contractor by name, followed by customer “reviews” to see what past clients have to say about their experience with the tree service provider.
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1. Request a Comprehensive Price Quote
Prior to any work beginning on your property, make sure you receive a written estimate from the company. This estimate should clearly describe in detail all the different elements of work on your trees that you have requested. Any reputable Tree Service Gainesville VA company should automatically provide you with a detailed quote prior to work beginning. This helps to protect both you and your contractor in case there is a problem with the services you receive or the final invoice. Be sure to read the entire estimate and ensure that all the services you requested are listed and that there is no work listed that you did not request.
2. Confirm Their Experience
When hiring an arborist to work on your trees, do not be reluctant about asking what their specific level experience they have. Just because they are a tree service company does not mean that they have ample experience in every type of service for every scenario as it relates to your trees. You may want to ask how many clients have they served and for how many years. For example, if you are having a tree removed – make sure that they have done that type of work before and that they have all the proper equipment to successfully complete the project.
3. Ask to See Contractors License and Insurance Coverage
Each state has their own requirements for tree care companies, but most either require the contractor to have an active contractors license registered with the state they are doing business in. Ask to see their contractors license before work begins. It is also important that you make sure the contractor carries his/her own liability insurance. You should ask to see a current copy of their COI (certificate of insurance. It is common for contractors to carry 1M coverage with a 2M umbrella. Keep in mind that if the contractor does not carry insurance, you may be responsible for any injuries or damage that occurs while he/she is providing services.
4. Ask for a Reference or Testimonials
You also want to check several of the company’s references. You can ask them to provide you with some references of clients who had similar work done. But do not just ask for references. Make sure you follow up and call them and ensure that the customers were happy with the services they received and did not have any problems or concerns. You can also take a look on-line sites like Yelp, Google, HomeAdvisor, etc. to see what customers are saying about the services they received by your potential Tree Service Gainesville VA Professional.
5. Safety – Injury Prevention
Imagine all the dangers that are present when doing these tree care projects. A person is climbing up an enormous tree with a rope and chainsaw in his hand. When they are cutting the tree down there is the risk of it falling on them or even the house. Sure they try to control the falling tree’s path with special ropes and methods but accidents can happen. This is about as risky a business you can get and their insurance rates reflect exactly how dangerous. Tree service Gainesville VA contractors pay extremely high insurance rates. You want a tree service company that has years of hands-on experience so that accidents are minimized.
6. Project Clean Up
Doing tree trimming, pruning and entire tree removal on your own may result in a nasty surprise assuming you can do it successfully – what to do with all that wood. Since large trees have huge trunks and roots, you may not be able to remove all of them, so you end up with a huge stump protruding from the ground. Hiring a tree service contractor that is trained at completely removing trees will ensure that the job is done correctly and professionally. Be assured every penny you pay them will be well worth it.
The good thing with most tree removal companies is they include clean up services as well, which means that no branches, trunks, and stump will be left around to mess up your landscape. You may even request that they cut up the tree into firewood or even mulch.
Once you have found a Tree Service Gainesville VA company you like most likely you will hang on to them and even recommend them to others. Also if you have friends living nearby.
ProArbor’s Preferred Residential Tree Care Services Include:
- Tree Trimming
- Routine Tree Maintenance
- Tree Pruning
- Tree Removal
- Hazardous Tree Takedowns and much more!
Now Alexandria, Arlington and Springfield, VA homeowners are able to get the same great tree care services that many of our Golf Courses and Government clients receive here in Northern VA area and the DC Metro region.