Choosing the right tree care company
Looking to get a bid to have tree work done? It should be easy enough to contact the first ones that come up on your Google search, right? Well, truth be told, there is more to it.
There are a lot of companies offering tree services. Large and small. Some with clever names, cool logos, and some with promises of the cheapest price. Some are startups, some have been in business for decades. With so many options for choosing a tree care company, how do you choose a company that will safely and efficiently perform the tree care services that you need? Look for professionalism.
The Cambridge English Dictionary defines Professionalism as “the combinations of all the qualities that are connected to trained and skilled people.” Why is this important? Simple. Tree Care is one of the most dangerous occupations there is, consistently ranking in the top 5 in fatalities and injuries in the US annually. Most of these accidents happen to companies and tree care workers that are less skilled and inexperienced. Using a professional tree care company comes with the peace of mind that the work will be done properly, efficiently, and safely.
Professionalism starts with the first interaction the customer has with a company. Prompt and courteous initial contact, either through a phone call or an email exchange. Professionalism continues with the Consulting Arborist’s site evaluation through their interaction with the customer and thorough the proposal processes. Professionalism culminates with the actual tree care crew and the services they provide.
What to look for in a professional Tree Care Company
Accreditation
The two most common are the International Society of Arborist (ISA) Certified Arborists and the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). These accreditations and certifications indicate that the staff has extensive experience and passed rigorous exams on tree care knowledge and practices.
Insurance
Ask for a copy of their Certificate of Liability Insurance. This is critical if something unexpected happens on the job site. Not all tree care companies have CLI because tree care liability insurance is very expensive.
References
Ask for references or look for online reviews. References are an excellent way to find out your neighbors' experience with the company.
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
When the crew shows up, are they wearing Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)? This includes: helmet, eye protection, chainsaw pants/chaps for cutting crew members, etc.
These are some suggestions in helping you choose the right tree care company. If you are only interested in the lowest bid, you could be increasing the chance of getting substandard service. Remember, having a chainsaw and a pickup truck does not automatically make you a professional arborist.
At Shadywood Tree Experts, we work on our professionalism every single day. With daily training, weekly safety meetings, and numerous educational seminars, our staff of ISA Certified Arborists, Certified Tree Workers, and apprentices strive to maintain and improve our professionalism. This benefits our staff, customers, and the trees and plants we care for.