Hiring a Tree Service

 

What to Look for When Hiring a Tree Service

Got a dead tree in your yard? Maybe some branches hanging over your roof that keep you up at night? Trees are great until they're not. And when you need help, you want someone who knows what they're doing.

But here's the thing: hiring the wrong tree service can turn into a nightmare. We're talking damaged property, injured workers on your lawn, or trees that look worse after the "professionals" leave. So let's talk about what really matters when you're picking someone to work on your trees.

Insurance Isn't Boring (It's Essential)

I know, I know. Insurance sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry. But trust me on this one.

Tree work is dangerous. Really dangerous. Guys are climbing 50 feet up with chainsaws. Heavy branches are falling. One wrong move and your car, your house, or worse—a person—could get hurt.

So here's what you need to check:

Liability insurance covers your stuff if something goes wrong. That tree they're cutting down crashes through your bedroom window? Their insurance should pay for it, not you.

Workers' comp protects you if someone gets hurt on your property. Without it, guess who might be paying their medical bills? Yep. You.

Don't just take their word for it either. Ask to see the actual insurance certificates. Then—and this is important—call the insurance company to make sure those certificates are real and current. Good companies will hand this over without blinking. Sketchy ones will make excuses.

If they hesitate? Walk away.

The Arborist Thing Actually Matters

A certified arborist is basically someone who went to tree school. Sounds funny, but it's legit.

These folks study tree biology, diseases, proper cutting techniques—all that stuff. They take tests. Get certified. It's like the difference between your buddy who "knows computers" and an actual IT professional.

You don't need everyone on the crew to be certified. But having at least one certified arborist on staff? That's huge. It means the company actually cares about doing things right, not just doing them fast.

The International Society of Arboriculture keeps a database where you can look people up. Takes two minutes. Worth it.

Check Their Track Record

How long have they been around? A company that's survived 15 years probably knows what they're doing. Fly-by-night operations come and go. Experience counts.

But don't stop there. What are people saying about them?

Hit up Google reviews. Check Yelp. Look at the Better Business Bureau. Yeah, every company gets some bad reviews—that's life. But look for patterns. Are they usually late? Do they leave a mess? Or do customers rave about them?

Ask the company for references too. Real ones, from real jobs they did recently. Then actually call those people. I know it feels awkward, but it's your property and your money. Most folks are happy to chat for five minutes about their experience.

Get Everything in Writing

Never—and I mean never—agree to work without a written estimate.

The estimate should spell out exactly what they're doing. Which trees? What branches? Are they grinding the stumps or just cutting them down? Who's cleaning up the mess?

It should also break down the costs. Not just one big number, but actual line items. This helps you compare prices between different companies. And if something seems way cheaper than everyone else? Red flag. They're either uninsured, inexperienced, or planning to cut corners.

Oh, and make sure the estimate covers permits. Some cities require permits for tree removal. You don't want to find out after the fact that you needed one.

Look at Their Gear

When they show up for the estimate, check out their equipment. Does it look professional? Well-maintained? Or does it look like they bought it at a garage sale?

Good tree companies have:

• Professional chainsaws and cutting tools
• Wood chippers
• Stump grinders
• Sometimes cranes or aerial lifts for big jobs

The equipment should look solid, not jury-rigged with duct tape and prayers.

Safety First (Seriously)

Watch how they operate. Do crew members wear helmets? Eye protection? The right gear for chainsaw work?

Do they rope off the work area? Put up warning signs? Take steps to protect your flower beds and lawn?

Safety isn't just about protecting their workers. It's about protecting your property and your family. A company that's sloppy about safety is probably sloppy about everything else.

Ask about their safety record. Have they had accidents? OSHA violations? A clean record shows they take this stuff seriously.

They Should Know Local Stuff

Trees in Florida aren't like trees in Colorado. Diseases that affect oaks in your town might be different from the next county over.

Good tree services know the local species. They understand what grows well, what diseases are going around, and when's the best time to prune different types of trees.

They should also know local laws. Can you remove that tree without a permit? Is it a protected species? What about HOA rules?

This local knowledge matters way more than you'd think.

Communication Tells You Everything

From your very first phone call, pay attention.

Do they call you back quickly? Answer your questions without making you feel dumb? Explain things clearly?

Or do they blow you off? Show up late? Talk over your head with technical jargon?

How they communicate before the job tells you exactly how they'll communicate during the job. And good communication makes everything smoother.

The Bottom Line

Look, hiring a tree service shouldn't be complicated. But it shouldn't be careless either.

Check their insurance. Make sure they know what they're doing. Read reviews. Get everything in writing. Watch for safety practices. And trust your gut—if something feels off, it probably is.

Your trees are part of your home. They provide shade, beauty, maybe even a treehouse for your kids. They deserve proper care from people who know what they're doing.

Take your time. Do your homework. Ask questions. The right company will welcome your thoroughness instead of being annoyed by it.

Because at the end of the day, good tree care isn't about finding the cheapest option. It's about finding people you can trust to do the job right, keep everyone safe, and leave your property better than they found it. To find the right company visit https://www.treeserviceorlando.net/

That's worth a little extra effort.