4 Things To Check For When Getting Bids To Remove Trees From Your Property
If you have a few unsafe trees that you need to have removed from your property before winter hits, a tree professional is the safest way to get rid of those trees. Here are a few things you need to look for when comparing bids from tree removal companies in your area.
#1 Proof Of Insurance
The first thing you need to ask for when you get a bid from a tree company is proof of liability insurance. If one of the tree company's employees were to get injured, for example, by falling out of a tree or by a falling branch, their liability and worker's compensation insurance would cover the employee's medical care and lost wages.
If you hire a tree cutting service that does not carry their own insurance, you are putting yourself at great financial risk. If one of their employees were to get hurt on the job, they could file a claim against your homeowner's insurance and they could file a personal injury claim against you.
You should never let someone do work on your home that doesn't have the proper insurance. Doing so puts yourself at a great financial risk.
#2 Contractor's License
Second, be sure to ask to see a copy of their contractor's license or other appropriate state license. Any tree cutting company you hire should have an appropriate license from the state you live in.
A county business license is not the same as a state-issued license. A state issued license shows you that the tree cutting company has gone through the proper channels to operate their business. A state-issued license also shows you that the tree cutting company meets the qualifications to operate in your state and is not trying to cut any corners.
#3 Credentials
Third, see if the tree cutting company has any credentials. Many tree cutting companies have credentials they have obtained for tree cutting techniques and care. Ask and see what types of credentials the company has. These may be credentials the employees have obtained through college or from national tree-care organizations.
#4 Time-Frame
Fourth, just become someone has a great bid doesn't mean that they will be able to do the job for you in the time frame you need it done. Find out not only how long the job will take but when the company can get the job done. A company that can't do the job for a month may not work even if they have a great bid if you have a dangerous tree on your property. However, if you are just doing some routine maintenance, you may be more than able to wait a month for them to do the work.
#5 Equipment Used
Fifth, ask about what type of equipment they plan on using to cut down the trees. Some businesses use lots of equipment, whereas others send tree cutters up into trees to gradually cut down the trees. Make sure that the tree company will be able to bring the equipment onto your property without harming your other landscaping. You don't want to do damage to your property just to take down a few trees.
#6 Payment Options
Finally, be sure to inquire about your payment options. Depending on the size of the job, you may be required to pay for the entire job upon completion, or you may be able to break up a big job into a couple of payments. Make sure that the payment options work for your budget.
Never hire a tree professional that that doesn't have insurance. Insurance protects you if anyone gets hurts when removing the trees from your property. Next, make sure they are license contractors in your state, have credential from national organizations, and can get the job done in a timely manner with equipment that will not harm your property.
For more information and tips, contact different local tree removal companies, such as R. L. Elliott Enterprises, Inc.