Whenever you hire a professional service to work in, on, or around your house, you are taking a risk.
You’ve likely heard stories of jobs done poorly or not done at all. You may even know someone who was swindled by a supposed professional tradesman.
Tree stump removal services fall into the category easily enough and can be hard for some homeowners to trust. But if you know what to look for, you can hire with confidence.
Here are a few things to look for the next time you’re shopping for these professional services.
Reviews and Reputation
Whether it’s on a site like Angie’s List or Home Advisor, a professional review collection site like Guild Quality, or just on Google, reviews are everywhere. Spend some time and read them.
Read the 5-star reviews and read the 1-star reviews. Read reviews from recent clients and clients close to you. These reviews can tell a story and the more you hire professional arborists from Orange County, the better.
There are other reputable sources, of course. The Better Business Bureau remains a reliable source for quality professionals. But your own social circle can help, as well. Ask for recommendations from people you trust and start there.
Don’t let your trees become a safety hazard or detract from the beauty of your property. Trust the experts at Fort Worth Arborist for all your tree care needs. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you maintain healthy and beautiful trees.
Certification
It is always wise to look for professional licenses and certifications. When a business has these, it shows a level of authority and legitimacy.
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) provides certifications for tree service companies. This certification denotes adherence to professional standards and means you know that a company does things the right way.
Insurance
Always check to see that a company is insured before hiring them. Stump removal can cause costly damage and if you work with an uninsured company, you might be left holding the bill.
Liability insurance can give you peace of mind, knowing that if something does go wrong, the problem can and will be solved.Â
The best way to get this information is to simply ask. All insured companies have a certificate of insurance ready to show any client.Â
Safety
During a quote, ask every business you talk to about their safety standards and practices. OSHA has a guide for companies in any industry, including tree and stump removal, that must be followed.
Companies should be able to communicate what those standards are and how they work to ensure they are being followed on their job sites. If they can’t give you that information, look elsewhere. Â
Price
Look up the average price in your area. If a company charges significantly more or less than that average ask them why. If they don’t have a good reason, you should avoid that company.
You should also get at least three estimates for the job. Compare these three prices and you’ll see if one of them is significantly higher or lower than the rest. This price triangulation is the best practice when hiring any professional service.
Not All Tree Stump Removal Services are Created Equal
There are bad eggs in every industry and the tree stump removal services industry is no exception. If you do your homework to make sure you are hiring responsible professionals for the job, you can avoid a potentially bad experience.
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