It’s time...that tree has to go.
Whether it’s been a slow and steady decline, storm damage, or your tree just doesn’t fit into the plans for your property, tree removal is part of owning a home.
Be it ten feet or a hundred, removing large trees is hard work. The bigger the tree, the more substantial the project and risk potential. In fact, tree removal services are rated among the most dangerous professions in the world. It’s no surprise that many homeowners and even professionals are fatally injured each year.
Smart homeowners realize that saving a little money with DIY isn’t worth the risk. Plus, many of them have attempted this kind of work in the past and realized they grossly underestimated the task. This is why there is such a high demand for tree removal services.
Over the past few decades, we’ve seen dozens upon dozens of other tree services come and go. It’s no wonder that finding the right tree service can become a task filled with uncertainty. Most times cheap and easy is too good to be true, costing homeowners more than they bargained for.
Table of Contents
- Minimal Experience
- Insufficient Insurance
- Poor or Absent Online Reviews
- Lack of Memberships & Certifications
- No Obvious Commitments
To help you find a pro that can safely remove your trees, while delivering an excellent customer experience, we’ve put together this blog. Whether you’re considering Joshua Tree or any other service, we hope these standards help you to make a great decision.
5 Red Flags When Hiring a Tree Removal Service
Below is a list of red flags to watch for, and check your email inbox for a printable list of red-flag questions you can use as you talk to potential tree services.
Minimal Experience
It requires no more than a truck, a chainsaw, and a disregard for heights to start a tree service. While all companies are new at some point, it’s important that your tree service has had as many years as possible under their tree removal belts.
Ask how many years the company has been in business as well as team members that are working on your property.
It’s entirely possible that some of the ground crew members are in active training roles, but the crew leader and anyone climbing your trees or operating equipment (chainsaws, bucket trucks, chippers) have at least 10+ years of experience.
The more collective experience, the better.
Insufficient Liability Insurance
Since tree removal is such a dangerous profession, liability insurance is expensive. The likelihood of team members being hurt or property being damaged is high.
Your tree removal company should be able to show you proof of at least $1 million in liability and workers compensation coverage. Make sure the company name is visible on the certificate and if you suspect fraud, you can even contact their insurance carrier for verification.
If a tree service doesn’t have ample coverage and someone is injured (or worse killed), or property is damaged, it leaves you at risk as the property owner. This means if victims cannot sue the tree service, you are footing the bill!
Poor or Absent Online Reviews
Online review sites such as Google My Business, Facebook, HomeAdvisor, and others are excellent choices to start researching any potential service provider.
Look over the reviews in detail. Pay attention to not only the quantity of reviews and their overall score, but read the comments. Pick a tree removal service with at least a 4.5 star (out of 5) rating and a company with at least a few dozen reviews over various review sites.
Reading individual comments can help you determine if there are some red flags. Are customers frequently complaining about additional property damage or poor service?
Lack of Memberships & Certifications
Like we said, it doesn’t take much to get into the tree business. Likewise, it doesn’t take much to stay in it or do it well. While a company may provide ample insurance coverage and follow the bare minimum laws, they may not be the experts you’re hoping they are.
One way to clearly differentiate companies and their team members is to inquire about certifications and memberships. In order for tree services to become members, they must provide proof of basic requirements and adhere to a code of ethics.
In order for their team members to be certified, they need to have a minimum amount of experience in the industry, as well as pass rigorous written and/or field exams. To keep their certifications active, they have to attend training each year to keep up to date on important issues relating to safety and best practices.
Some of the certifications and memberships to look for are:
- Company
- Member of International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
- Member of TCIA (Tree Care Industry Association)
- Individuals
- ISA Certified Arborist
- TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP)
These memberships and certifications aren’t easy to get or keep, so if your prospective service provider has them (particularly with most of their team certified), it’s a good chance they’re a significant cut above their competition when it comes to safety, customer service, and effectiveness.
No Obvious Commitments
It may take a little digging, but you can make a more confident decision about your tree removal contractor if you analyze their attitude towards building a great reputation.
Tree service companies that stand behind their work and those you can trust often are very active while off their customer’s properties.
Is the tree service active in the community? Do they offer public educational outreach both on their blog and by participating in local events? Is it easy to spot their team on properties wearing hard hats, eye protection, and other protective gear? Do they not only belong to industry organizations but also participate in raising the bar of what it means to be a true professional?
These are all questions that reflect the heart of the organization and the people who work there. That kind of commitment should give a glimpse into how they could value you as a customer.
Hire a Tree Service You Can Be Confident In
We hope these red flags help you to easily separate a good choice from a bad one. We can proudly say that Joshua Tree can meet and exceed your expectations in these areas.
Experience
For over 25 years, Joshua Tree has been offering professional tree services for homeowners.
Insurance
Our company would be happy to provide you with proof of over $1 million of liability and workers compensation insurance coverage, to give you peace of mind that any rare mishaps are on us, not you.
Reviews
We’re proud to say that our clients are the best! Part of the reason is because of their enthusiasm about our company. Do a search online for our reviews and you’ll see dozens of ratings and responses from happy, local property owners.
Memberships & Certifications
As you can see on our website, our company is a member of both the ISA and the TCIA. We also have many team members with individual certifications from both industry associations, such as Certified Arborist and Certified Treecare Safety Professional.
Commitment
Our company regularly participates in community events and publishes regular content on our blog to educate the public. We’re also very active in industry associations, both in professional development as well as with service projects.
We also have a deep commitment to regulatory training our team to stay up on the latest best practices and safety regulations. Find our team at work in your neighborhood, and they’ll be sure to practice what they preach!
Trust Your Tree Removal to Joshua Tree Experts
Don’t underestimate the importance of finding the best tree removal service for your property. Do your research and ask the right questions.
If you’d like a free consultation and quote, please contact us. We’re here to answer your questions and get those trees out of your sight as efficiently and safely as possible!
With the right care for your trees, you’ll gain valuable peace of mind. If you’re interested in having your trees inspected and their health assured, contact us for a free consultation or give us a call at 833-JTE-TREE.
