Large Tree Removal and How to Choose the Right Contractor

When you have a large tree in an urban or suburban space like Fairfax, VA that must be removed, it is extremely important to choose the tree service provider with care. The task of removing hazardous trees can be a disaster if it is not performed correctly. It is not hard to imagine what is at stake here. Your house can be damaged or destroyed, landscaping, utilities, driveway, cars, and people can be in harm's way. Also, there are unfortunately many outfits that advertise professional service but practice in an unprofessional manner. Stories of tree services taking money up front and not completing work or leaving after doing damage are all too common.

OK, you say. Of course it is important to get the right contractor. But how do we know who that is? With all of the options out there, how do we tell who are the pros and who to avoid? There are some easy steps to take that will narrow down your choices to a few qualified professionals. From there you can choose based on price and a more gut feeling of who is right.

First is insurance. A tree service firm should have available to you a certificate of insurance that includes:

1. General Liability. This is for any property damage that may occur. It should be specifically for tree removal (not general landscape services) and for at least $ 1 million.
2. Worker's Compensation. This is very important because, without it, the property owner could be held accountable for injuries suffered on the job.
3. Auto Insurance. All trucks and equipment used on the job must be covered by a commercial policy in case of any damage caused by those vehicles.
4. Umbrella. The better firms will have a policy that protects in the event that any of the other policies fall short.

This certificate must be sent to you directly from the insurance company, not the contractor. It will name you as a client on the certificate. It is not acceptable for the contractor to simply show you a copy of the certificate, as they are easily made, may have expired, and will not show you as a client unless printed by the insurance carrier. This is a simple thing for the contractor to provide, and can be done within a day with a phone call or email.

Next is certification or qualification. The two professional organizations to which reputable tree services belong are the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). The ISA certifies arborists and other tree care professionals and makes their credentials available to the public. If your tree removal contractor has these credentials, you can be reasonably assured that proper practices will be employed. The literature that they provide you with at your first meeting (business cards, brochures, and proposals) will list these credentials prominently.

In addition to having certification, a tree service professional should be able to convey to you the technique that will be employed to safely remove your tree. As you can imagine, it will take more than just a chainsaw and bravery to safely bring the tree down. A good crew will use rigging that will include arborist rope, pulleys, friction devices, block and tackle, and personal protective equipment. Ask your estimator to briefly describe the strategy for removal. If you get the impression that these rigging devices will not be used, or he or she does not seem to know about any of these devices, then do not proceed.

You should have the option to have all of the debris removed at the time of the takedown. If this is not available, then the tree service probably does not have the proper equipment to do the work. Of course, you may opt not to have it hauled away to save money on the project. But this should be your choice.

Finally, the proposed work should be clearly written on a proposal that will become your contract if you accept it. It should have all of the company's information on it, including credentials and business location. Payment for the work should be due at time of completion, not prior to commencing work.

Follow these guidelines and you will have a much shorter list of qualified firms to do your work.