Tree trimming and pruning is a combination of science and art. It is a great way to boost your home’s curb appeal and maintain your property value.
Make sure the company you choose follows industry standards. Look for certifications and ask if they have insurance. This protects you in case something goes wrong while the job is being done.
Ask for References
Any good tree service will be happy to provide you with a list of references from local customers who were satisfied with their work. You can call these clients to ask questions about the company’s skills, reliability and price structure. Also, you can request information about how the company handles waste removal and cleanup after a job is done.
Inexperienced or unscrupulous tree services may cut a tree incorrectly and leave you with long-term issues, unsightly limbs, safety hazards, and even decreased property value. In addition, they may use a tree trimmer or other equipment that can spread tree diseases between jobs. You can avoid these problems by asking for a company’s references and finding out more about their experience and insurance coverage.
Tree trimming and pruning services help maintain the health of trees, improve property aesthetics, and reduce property damage caused by storms or hurricanes. A visually unkempt and untrimmed tree can block sunlight from reaching grass, flowers, shrubs, and other plants on your property. A professional and experienced tree service will know how to prune or trim a tree so that it exposes more of your landscape while maintaining the overall appearance of the tree.
Moreover, a professional tree service will know how to trim around a property’s power lines and other energized infrastructure. It’s important to remember that these power lines are your personal connection to the power grid and any debris can cause a dangerous outage. This is why it’s always a good idea to hire a company that has been in business for a long time and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
A reputable tree trimming company will also have workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. You can check this by calling the company or looking at their website. They should also have a license to practice in your state and ISA certifications for their staff. You should also find out if they have a service drop line, which is the line from the utility pole to your home, and ensure that they keep it clear of branches and brush.
Look for Industry Organizations
It’s a good idea to get quotes from several different tree service companies before making a decision. This practice is standard and expected from any company you hire for services inside or outside your home, and it gives you a good sense of what the right price range should be for the type of work you need.
While you’re looking at companies, keep an eye out for ones with accreditations from recognized industry organizations. These accreditations can give you a sense of the quality and expertise of a particular company’s staff. For example, the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) are excellent resources for finding reputable tree service companies.
Trees that aren’t regularly trimmed can become unhealthy over time. They can also cause damage to your property or hurt people and animals. A reputable tree trimming service can help prevent this by removing dead or damaged branches, and by preventing branches from rubbing against each other or crossing over roofs and gutters.
Another benefit of routine tree trimming is that it improves your trees’ overall health and appearance. For example, a professional tree trimmer can remove unruly branches that drain energy from healthy limbs, and they can increase flower, leaf, and fruit production. Plus, a well-groomed tree is more attractive to both visitors and potential home buyers.
When hiring a Tree Trimming Service, be sure to ask for references and referrals from friends and neighbors. This is an excellent way to find a reputable company and avoid the risk of getting scammed by unscrupulous contractors. Moreover, you can trust the opinions of your close friends and family members more than those of strangers on the internet.
A well-groomed yard is not only a source of pride, it can add up to 14% to your home’s value. In addition to boosting your home’s curb appeal, regular tree maintenance can protect your property from damage by storms and high winds. It can also reduce the risk of losing branches that fall on your house or car. In some cases, it can even prevent trees from growing into power lines.
Ask for an Estimate
A professional tree trimming service will have a variety of tools and equipment at their disposal. This equipment can be very expensive and requires specialized training to operate. You want to ensure the company has the right insurance policies to cover any damages caused on your property. This includes liability and worker’s compensation. Ask to see copies of these policy certificates.
Get a detailed estimate in writing before you begin the project. This will help you understand the scope of the job and will minimize any surprise charges once the project is complete. Also, you can compare and contrast different estimates to find the best value.
Lastly, make sure the tree trimming service is insured and licensed. This is a crucial aspect of any business, especially one that uses heavy equipment in the yard and is dealing with power lines. Make sure they have proper coverage to protect yourself and their employees in the event of any damage or injury.
Ask the company about their safety protocols and what kind of equipment they use for the job. This will give you an idea of how much they value the safety of their workers and their clients. You should never hire a tree service that doesn’t put the safety of their employees and customers first.
Another important question to ask is whether they will follow industry standards during the pruning process. If the tree service mentions techniques like “tree topping,” “lion’s-tailing” or using climbing spikes, they are not following the recommended standards of the arborist industry and could injure or kill your trees.
If you’re thinking of hiring a tree service for a larger project, it’s a good idea to obtain multiple estimates for price comparison. Beware of companies that demand payment up front before any services are rendered. These types of companies are usually trying to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners and should be avoided.
When choosing a tree trimming service, look for local references, certifications and an up-to-date website. This will help you to avoid hiring a subpar service that will cost you more in the long run.
Don’t Pay Upfront
Trees are one of the most important elements of your landscape and help add to curb appeal, but they can also be a safety hazard if not properly maintained. When you hire quality tree services, they can prolong the life of your trees and protect your home from damage caused by falling branches. In contrast, hiring cheap tree service companies can cost you more money in the long run. In many cases, cheaper service providers are inexperienced and do not follow proper pruning guidelines. This can lead to unsightly limbs, health issues, and safety hazards.
You should never pay a full deposit or upfront payment to a tree service company before they complete the work on your property. There are plenty of horror stories out there about homeowners who paid up front to a tree trimming company, only to find they never returned to finish the job. It is always best to make payments in installments and ensure you are only paying for the work that has been completed.
It is also important to ask tree service companies for a free estimate before any work begins. This will give you a clear idea of how much the work is going to cost, and it can help you compare quotes from different companies. A reputable company will be happy to provide an estimate and answer any questions you may have.
In addition to a free quote, you should always get your estimates in writing. This will help you avoid any confusion and disputes down the road. Additionally, it will allow you to make sure the company includes all aspects of the job such as flush cutting, grinding stumps, hauling logs and chipping limbs.
It is also a good idea to ask for references from previous customers. This will give you a better idea of how the company performs and whether or not they are worth hiring. In addition, you can look at online reviews and customer feedback to see what other people have said about the company. Be wary of any company that only provides a phone number and does not have references or a website.