Posted on June 28, 2024 at 2:05 PM by Nicole Newsom
When hiring a tree service, ask for certificates of insurance, including proof of liability for personal and property damage and worker’s compensation. Contact the insurance company to make sure that the policy is current. In some circumstances, you can be held financially responsible if an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, or if the worker damages a neighbor’s property.
Full-service arborists are professionals skilled in planting, pruning, fertilizing, pest management, disease diagnosis, tree removal and stump grinding. Consulting arborists are experts who specialize in tree appraisals, diagnosing problems and recommending treatments but do no removals or pruning. Tree care work is among the most dangerous jobs and should only be performed by those trained and equipped to work safely. Poorly implemented tree work can be deadly to tree workers.
DO:
- Get multiple quotes
- Ask for references
- Get a contract in writing
- In Norcross, a tree permit is required and effective September 1, 2021, a fee of $125 will be charged per application for both residential and commercial
- You should not pay in full upfront; full payment is usually due when the work is done
CAUTION:
- Be careful of tree companies knocking on your door looking for work; they may tell you a tree needs to be removed unnecessarily.
- The low bid is not always the right choice; extremely low prices may mean inexperienced workers or companies without insurance.
- Carefully review the contract before signing to make sure you are getting the services you want.
Excerpted from Circular 1098, UGA Extension October 2016