Do you ever find yourself looking through multiple websites of tree trimming companies, not knowing how to separate the trustworthy ones from the rest? Asking the right questions during the initial appraisal of your trees can help prevent you from hiring a company that won’t provide adequate service to your trees.
Choosing the right tree trimming company can feel overwhelming, but asking the right questions upfront can save you from hiring someone who cuts corners. To make the process easier, we’ve put together a list of key questions to ask before making a decision. A reputable company won’t just answer these questions – they’ll welcome them, giving you confidence that your trees are in expert hands.
Key Takeaways:
- To protect yourself from liability, always verify a tree service company’s insurance (both liability and workers’ compensation) and PA Home Improvement Contractor License before hiring them.
- Working with a company with an ISA Certified Arborist on staff ensures expert tree care and proper crew training.
- Look for tree care companies with extensive local experience in Montgomery and Bucks counties since they’ll understand the specific needs of trees in our area.
- A reputable tree service company should follow ANSI A300 standards for pruning and never engage in harmful practices like tree topping.
- Choose a company that provides detailed written quotes, clear payment terms, and is willing to share references and examples of similar pruning jobs they’ve completed.
7 Questions to Ask a Tree Trimming Company Before You Hire Them
Not all tree trimming companies are created equal, and hiring the wrong one can do more harm than good. Proper pruning keeps your trees healthy, but a bad job can leave them damaged or at risk. Before you hire, take a few minutes to ask the right questions – doing so can save you time, money, and headaches down the road.
1. Can I see your insurance and licenses?
Tree pruning is one of the more dangerous services of an already dangerous industry. To protect themselves and their customers, any reputable company will have proper insurance coverage. The two main types of insurance you’ll want to see from a company are liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
What’s the danger of hiring a company without insurance? Well, if a tree trimming service doesn’t have proper insurance, you may be liable to pay for any accidents or injuries that occur on your property. To make matters worse, your homeowner’s insurance may not cover the accident.
All tree care companies in Pennsylvania should have a PA Home Improvement Contractor License. Ask the company to provide you with their license number so you can confirm they have the license from the Attorney General’s office.
2. Do you have an ISA Certified Arborist on staff?
ISA Certified Arborists are experts in tree care, and you can trust them to handle any tree pruning. Becoming a Certified Arborist takes years of dedication, expansive knowledge of trees, and how best to care for them.
If a company employs an ISA Certified Arborist, you can rest assured that you’re getting quality tree care. Arborists bring their expertise to every job they take on, help train other staff members, and guide the company’s approach to tree care.
3. How long have you worked in Bucks and Montgomery counties?
Our country has a diverse ecosystem with many different types of trees and concerns for them depending on where you live. What works for trees in another part of the country may not apply to the trees of Montgomery and Bucks counties.
Before hiring a tree trimming service to prune your trees, ask them how much local experience they have working in our area. If they are relatively new to the area, it may be worth finding another company to work with.
4. Do you follow the proper industry standards for pruning?
Trimming a tree isn’t just about cutting branches – it’s a science. Proper pruning is done with care to support the tree’s health and growth. To help standardize the tree pruning process, the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) created the ANSI A300 standards. These standards are written guidelines that explain the proper way to trim trees. These standards are written guidelines that explain the proper way to trim trees.
If a company follows the ANSI A300 standards, you know you’re getting quality tree trimming that won’t harm your trees.
PRO TIP: A company that follows ANSI A300 standards will not perform discredited practices like tree topping.
5. What type of equipment will you use for trimming?
The type of equipment a company uses for tree trimming will depend on the size of the tree and the amount of pruning they need to do. Some equipment they may use includes:
- Loppers
- Orchard ladders
- Pole saws
- Chainsaws
- Bucket trucks
Ask what kind of equipment they plan to use for the job. If they are hesitant to answer or you think they might not have the right tools for the job, consider another option.
6. How detailed are your quotes, and what are the payment terms?
One of the easiest ways to distinguish a disreputable tree trimming company from one you can trust is to look at their quotes. A reputable company will have detailed quotes that explain exactly what kind of work the team plans to do, the price of the job, and how they handle payments.
If a company gives you a vague quote or relies on a verbal agreement, that’s a red flag. A reputable tree service should provide a detailed quote outlining the full scope of work so you know exactly what to expect before the job begins.
7. Do you have any references for similar trimming jobs?
If a company has the proper experience and has been in the area for a while, they likely have a few testimonials or pictures from previous projects. Ask to see these to get an idea of how the company completes its jobs and what its customers have thought about the service.
You can also look at online reviews before contacting the company to learn more about their tree trimming service.
PRO TIP: Want to learn more about tree trimming in Bucks and Montgomery counties? Check out our previous articles covering different aspects of the service:
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Trimming
Tree trimming is essential for maintaining healthy, beautiful trees, yet many homeowners overlook it or aren’t sure what it really involves. To clear up the confusion, we’ve put together answers to the most common questions we get from homeowners in Bucks and Montgomery counties.
How often should you have an arborist trim your mature trees?
In general, we recommend having a tree trimming company prune your mature trees every 3-5 years. The frequency and timing will depend on the species of the tree, its age, and any previous problems you’ve had with it. Younger trees benefit from more regular pruning, such as every year or two.
What affects the price of my tree trimming job?
The price of tree trimming will depend on several factors, including:
- Size of the tree
- How much the company will prune
- The number of trees
- The equipment needed
- Size of the team
What is the best time of year to prune my trees?
The best time to trim most trees is in the winter when the trees are dormant. Dormant pruning causes less stress to your trees and should be a part of your winter tree care plans each year. Spring flowering trees are an exception to this rule, and we recommend pruning them after they bloom.
Will I need a permit to trim my trees?
The need for a permit will depend on where you live. Some municipalities in Montgomery and Bucks counties will require a permit to trim your trees. Call your town’s office before doing any tree work to ensure you abide by the law.
Trust Clause Tree Care for Your Tree Trimming Needs
When hiring a tree care company, you deserve honesty and clear answers. A reputable company should be open about their process, experience, and how they’ll care for your trees. If they dodge your questions or seem unsure, it’s a sign to look elsewhere.
At Clauser Tree Care, we believe in honesty and clear communication. We’re happy to walk you through our process, answer any questions, and explain exactly how we’ll care for your trees. Want to see the difference for yourself? Call us today at 215-542-8291 or request a quote online.
About Clauser Tree Care
From who you talk to on the phone in our office, to our courteous and experienced work crews who provide your service, all of the hard-working team members at Clauser Tree Care strive for complete client satisfaction. Our job is simply not done until you are pleased with the experience that you have had working with our company. Founded more than 25 years ago on the principles of honest work and arboricultural best practices, we strive for a higher standard of care for a greener future.
