Dos and Don"ts When Hiring a Tree Service Provider
When it comes to hiring a tree service provider, there are some things that you will need to do in order to protect yourself.
By practicing a little bit of safety and following some necessary do's and don'ts, you can help make sure that you hire a reputable and experienced company that will do the job properly and respectfully.
Always ask for insurance - A tree service provider is required by law to be insured.
Not only do they need to have workman's compensation insurance, but they also need to have liability insurance which protects you in case of an accident.
Always get multiple estimates - Never hire the first tree service provider you call.
Get estimates from multiple companies before making your final decision.
Always check their licenses - Before you hire any company, check their licenses to make sure that they are valid.
Also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have had any complaints or actions filed against them in the past.
Always inform the provider if there are any underground utilities including electrical, water, sewer, cable as well as irrigation.
As the homeowner, you should already know where the irrigation is, but to determine the location of the other utilities you will need to contact your local provider.
Never pay for an estimate - No tree service provider should be charging you for the actual estimate.
This is done as a free service with the hopes that you will choose them.
If they want to charge you for their estimate, then you will want to stay away from them.
Never hire someone without receiving an estimate - Some companies will try to get you for every single penny they can.
If you call a provider who insists that you do not need an estimate, then what they are telling you is that you should not hire them.
Never make an upfront payment - While there are some businesses where upfront payments are necessary, the tree service industry is not one of them.
If a company asks you for an upfront payment, then you should be very cautious of them.
Never let your kids or pets play near the workers - It only takes one branch falling from thirty feet or more to end the life of a child or pet.
For safety reasons, do not allow your children or pets to play near the workers as they prune or remove any trees from your yard.
By practicing a little bit of safety and following some necessary do's and don'ts, you can help make sure that you hire a reputable and experienced company that will do the job properly and respectfully.
Always ask for insurance - A tree service provider is required by law to be insured.
Not only do they need to have workman's compensation insurance, but they also need to have liability insurance which protects you in case of an accident.
Always get multiple estimates - Never hire the first tree service provider you call.
Get estimates from multiple companies before making your final decision.
Always check their licenses - Before you hire any company, check their licenses to make sure that they are valid.
Also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have had any complaints or actions filed against them in the past.
Always inform the provider if there are any underground utilities including electrical, water, sewer, cable as well as irrigation.
As the homeowner, you should already know where the irrigation is, but to determine the location of the other utilities you will need to contact your local provider.
Never pay for an estimate - No tree service provider should be charging you for the actual estimate.
This is done as a free service with the hopes that you will choose them.
If they want to charge you for their estimate, then you will want to stay away from them.
Never hire someone without receiving an estimate - Some companies will try to get you for every single penny they can.
If you call a provider who insists that you do not need an estimate, then what they are telling you is that you should not hire them.
Never make an upfront payment - While there are some businesses where upfront payments are necessary, the tree service industry is not one of them.
If a company asks you for an upfront payment, then you should be very cautious of them.
Never let your kids or pets play near the workers - It only takes one branch falling from thirty feet or more to end the life of a child or pet.
For safety reasons, do not allow your children or pets to play near the workers as they prune or remove any trees from your yard.
Source...