Make the right choice when choosing a Tree Care Company

With hundreds of tree care companies listed in the Yellow Pages and the internet, how do you know who to contact let along making the right choice in contracting services?

Professionalism and knowledge:

• One way to provide your trees with the best care is to hire a Certified Arborist. Arborists are certified by the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture). Certified Arborists must meet several requirements in order to obtain certification. These include adequate experience, passing a rigorous test of arboricultural knowledge, agreeing to a code of ethics and maintaining certification trough continuing education. If a tree company advertises that a certified arborist manages or is employed by the company, the arborist certification number must be included in the advertisement. Beware of companies that do not display these numbers which can be checked on the internet for credibility.
• Before getting an estimate, it is a good idea to know what to look for and what to avoid when hiring a tree service company. Check with the Better Business Bureau to obtain a rating on companies and find out if there are any complaints. Educate yourself - The I.S.A. (International Society of Arborists) and T.C.I.A. (Tree Care Industry Association) websites are a great place to learn more about proper tree care practices.
  
• Company employees require a great deal of technical knowledge to provide appropriate care. You usually need to rely on the professional recommendations given by a tree care company. This is why it is very important to check the credentials of a business claiming to be a tree care company. Don’t just hire someone with a chain saw, truck and chipper. Industry Standards- Ask how the job will be done and if they will perform the work according to ANSI A300 standards. If they mention “topping a tree” or “using climbing spikes to prune a tree” the company does not follow industry standards.
  
• “Topping” is drastically cutting back the major limbs of a tree to reduce its size.
  
• Communication is an essential part of any service. From the initial consultation and meeting, you should be able to take away a clear understanding of the company, its capabilities, and a time line of the entire process from the point of contracting to completion of work.

Don’t be afraid to ask:

No amount of training and following the best known safety practices will prevent all injuries. Tree workers employed by companies are still sometimes injured on the job. It may seem callous, but you should protect yourself from being held responsible if a worker is injured on your property.

• Certificate of insurance – Always ask for a copy of the Certificate of Insurance whenever you hire a contractor. Additionally, you can request that the company’s insurance carrier send you a copy. Make sure you receive proof of liability and worker’s compensation coverage. Homeowners have been held responsible for tree workers that are injured on their property. In these cases, the company may have appeared “professional” but did not have adequate or didn’t have any insurance at all. Do your due diligence homework.
  
• PAHIC (Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor) number (ours is PA019343). The recently passed Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, effective July 1st 2009, states that every contractor performing service for a residential customer must be registered and have a PAHIC number. Any estimate or advertisement must also have the number listed.
  
• Getting references from previous customers is also important. Seek recommendations from other customers in the neighborhood. If possible, try to meet the company representative in person. Pay attention to your instincts when speaking with someone on the phone or meeting them in person. You’re usually correct.
  
• The person looking at your trees should be dressed professionally, have knowledge of industry standards, have a copy of their current insurance certificate, and be prompt and courteous.
  
• You should always be provided with a written estimate, IN DETAIL, work specifications so you know exactly how the work will be performed. Avoid estimates with vague specifications such as “Prune Tree – Cost $400). This doesn’t tell you how the work will be performed. There are several proper ways to prune a tree. Another company’s bid might be higher because they plan to do more work, and it is to be done by better trained employees. You would likely ask for more information. The I.S.A. (International Society of Arborists) and T.C.I.A. (Tree Care Industry Association) websites are a great place to learn more about proper tree care practices.
  

Contact us to request a consultation or estimate.