Did you know you can give your home’s value a 7% boost with better curb appeal? But if you have an overgrown yard with dead or decaying trees, you’ll need to take action.
Don’t let just anyone cut down a tree, though. Make sure you hire qualified professionals. Read on to discover nine tips for hiring affordable tree cutting services!
1. Look at Experience
When you’re investing in maintaining your landscape, you want experienced people at the helm. In other words, give your business to a company that’s been around for years or decades. You’ll be able to trust they’re operating an efficient, successful business when they can point to years of experience.
Yes, you could save money and help your budget with a cheaper service. But you might pay the price in the form of faulty work.
Worse yet, an inexperienced company could cause damage to your home during the removal of dangerous trees. Don’t take chances. Go with a company that has established itself in the local market.
2. Check Credentials
Caring for trees shouldn’t be left to just anyone. You want a certified arborist handling the work, and they need to be licensed and insured to do business.
A certified arborist will have in-depth industry knowledge and a commitment to proper safety practices. This is particularly important when trying to take down larger trees.
Ask a potential company to explain their credentialing. They should be able to tell you their arborist certification level. And it’s fair to ask what types of continuing education opportunities they pursue to stay current on the latest industry changes.
3. Consider the Equipment
It might be tempting to think you can do tree cutting yourself. But you don’t want to deal with injuries or chronic pain from doing the job poorly. That’s why it pays to hire reputable tree cutting services with the right equipment.
Take time to ask a potential service what equipment they use. For example, do they use harnesses, pole saws, and rigging plates? They should be able to explain what they use and why.
Asking about equipment is a way to ensure the company knows the tools of the trade. It’s also a way to see how well the company values safety.
4. Get Several Quotes
When it comes to tree maintenance, prices can vary widely. Consequently, it’s in your best interest to talk with a few different tree cutting services.
You’ll want to see which one offers the best price for their offerings. Compare the final price quotes, but also look at details like the timeline and additional services included. These factors could sway you toward a slightly higher quote if you’re on a tight timeline.
And, of course, check to see if companies offer free estimates. They should if they’re hoping to earn your business. Stay away from companies that make you pay for simply looking at your request.
5. Know the Services Offered
While you might need to remove a few dangerous trees right now, your needs could change down the road. You may need stump grinding or want help planting trees, for instance. Or you could want an emergency tree removal with short notice.
It’s important to know the range of services offered by a particular company. Ideally, you should go with a company offering an array of services. It’s much easier to reach out to the same company again if you’re pleased with their work.
6. Read Reviews
Caring for your trees takes skill and commitment. Trying to vet a company to handle this task takes a little bit of research. One of the best ways to confirm a company is the best choice is to look at reviews.
Look on search engines to find less biased reviews. Watch for recurring complaints that could be red flags. And if a company doesn’t have any reviews, they might not be established enough to merit consideration.
You can ask for referrals, too. A reputable company should be more than happy to refer you to some recent customers. If they aren’t, steer clear of them!
7. Ask for a Written Contract
It’s always smart to get everything in writing. You don’t want to be surprised by unexpected extra costs. Having a written contract before moving forward with work is critical.
For example, a particular company might not remove debris unless you pay extra. The same could be true for stump grinding. Similarly, you may pay extra for tree removal if the tree is in a location that’s difficult to access.
Ask the company to walk you through the contract before signing it. If they’re unwilling to answer questions or verify charges, look elsewhere.
8. Be Clear About Timing
How soon can the work get started? When you’re about to hire a company, ask this question before signing on the dotted line. If you’re expecting a leaning tree to be removed in a week, you don’t want to be surprised to find the company is booked out for two months.
And how long will the job take? Bigger jobs could stretch over several days. However, for your scheduling purposes, it’s helpful to have a clear-cut timeline.
9. Look into Deals
Finally, it never hurts to ask about deals or discounts. Most people are thinking about tree health in the spring and summer. But business may start to dwindle for companies as the weather gets colder.
You could score a better deal when it’s not peak season for tree removal companies. They might be looking to drum up more business, which can help your bottom line. You might also be able to get a discount for bundling a few services together.
Hire Affordable Tree Cutting Services
Finding affordable tree cutting services involves researching companies and getting estimates. Go with a company that has a demonstrated track record of success, and ask companies about their experience, equipment, and costs included in their services.
At P’n’D Tree and Logging Service, we’ve been offering tree maintenance to Washington residents since 1977. With services ranging from stump grinding to emergency tree removal, we have you covered. Contact us today to learn more!