2. The SIZE of the tree to be removed. If it's greater than 18" diameter (across future stump) at knee height, it's a "large" job. Call one of the other 99 tree services.
3. INSURANCE. Protect yourself financially! Does bidder have Tree Service Liability insurance? (State Farm does NOT underwrite it. Look for the company names Scottsdale or Hartford.) Ask for a Certificate of Insurance. Don't hesitate to call the agent to verify that the policy is still in force! A second form of insurance, Emergency Medical or Workman's Comp, is also necessary. Cheaper now isn't always better later - not when one uninsured loss could wipe out everything you've worked to acquire. Hiring uninsured or underinsured contractors may result in significant liability for you, the property owner. Isn't peace of mind worth paying a little extra for?
4. Did you meet, or at least talk with, the OWNER of the tree service? (Did you even find out his name? See his picture? Get his home address? Is he a long-term South County resident?) What was your impression? Did you see the employees? Would you be comfortable having them on your property, around your children, pets and outdoor possessions, or letting them into your house? (I work alone most of the time.)
5. LOCALITY of the tree service itself: to find the ones closest to your home and zip code, go to www.yahoo.com or www.google.com. In the search field, type "tree service 631##", then hit Enter. This one step could save an hour over using the Yellow Pages phone book because you'd be overwhelmed with choices.
6. Parking and ability to turn around. Do you have a long winding driveway, live on a cul-de-sac, dead end or narrow street, have "No Parking" signs, a fire hydrant or street repairs going on in front of your house? If a large truck towing a chipper couldn't park there or couldn't turn around to get back out of your driveway or street, call Crestwood Tree Service.
7. Better Business Bureau. Phone: 314 645-3300; www.contactBBB.org. Check to see if there have been any complaints and, if so, how they were resolved. "Before you invest, investigate."
8. Your DRIVEWAY. Would you want a large truck full of chips and a large chipper, each weighing several TONS, on your asphalt or concrete driveway? I have a Ford E250 van, an F250 pickup truck, and a small 6 inch chipper that formerly belonged to Fenton Rental. These are NOT heavy enough to damage your driveway. One less thing to worry about when you hire Crestwood Tree Service.
9. The written ESTIMATE - is it specifically and clearly worded, or is it rather vague with room for interpretation, error and disagreement? Remember, it's a legal document you will be signing and it should be written with care and professionalism. I did this website myself using HTML. You can expect the same degree of care and detail on your estimate and in your tree work.
10. Green LASER POINTER allows us to identify and agree on each branch to include in the estimate, and at what point to cut it. No more pointing fingers and hoping we're looking at the same branch.
11. DISCOUNTS - Will the tree service offer you a DISCOUNT for keeping your own firewood logs or chips? (Say, "I saw it on your website." But please do this before signing the estimate.)
12. Chainsaw Owners: Want to SAVE MONEY? Let me get high limbs or entire trees safely down on the ground, then YOU do the rest. It's fun and satisfying to cut your own firewood. OR...You cut down the honeysuckle, branches or entire trees to your own satisfaction, then I come and chip them for you. (This is a popular option. For best price, drag everything onto grassy or paved areas so I can see what I'm bidding on.)
13. Another way to SAVE MONEY is to have your work done between November and early March. This is the slow season for most tree services, and you may get a better price then (IF it's a mild winter and the weather permits tree work).
14. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE - Did 2006 wind and/or ice storms leave you without power, phone or cable? From the pole to the house, it's YOUR responsibility to have branches cleared from the utility lines. The cost of 1 or 2 nights in a hotel might easily pay for this. It only takes 1 fallen branch to knock out your power, leaving you sweltering or freezing at night, and ruining all your frozen & refrigerated food. Call the only "small job guy" in the Yellow Book. (See page 1,036 in the 2008-2009 edition.)
15. TOPPING TREES - 8 reasons NOT to! Click www.arbor-design.com link below, then click on the acorn. (I will top only small trees planted directly under utility lines.)
16. NOTE: As a SMALL JOB SPECIALIST, Crestwood Tree Service has a van, a pickup truck, a 6 inch Vermeer chipper, and a 5'x 8' dump trailer, but currently does NOT have a bucket truck, crane, or stump grinder. (Lots of people ask.)
17. WEBSTER GROVES residents: Tree services must buy an annual license to work in your city. I include a copy of mine with your bid. Trees between the sidewalk and street are the city's responsibility. Knowing this may save you money. If you're selling your house, branch tips must be trimmed away from it, and deadwood must be removed to the city inspector's satisfaction before they'll issue you a move-out permit. Passing the first inspection can save you time, money and aggravation at closing time. Also, topping is illegal in Webster Groves.
18. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION - I never ask you for a dime until you're happy with my work. Many letters of reference available. Expect thorough cleanup. Don't pay the other guys in advance! Too often they'll stop before the work is finished! (Especially the ones who knock on your door and/or emphasize low prices.)
19. BUYING DECISION. Beware of any price that seems too low. (If they knocked on your door soliciting business, they may be out-of-towners staying in a motel. Look at the area code in the tree service's phone number - on their business cards and on their trucks.) Are they in at least one local phone book? Is their voice mail always full? How long have they been in business in St. Louis County? Do they voluntarily provide local letters of reference? Did you meet a real live person, or did they mail your estimate to you? Do all of their vehicles have company names proudly and boldly displayed on them? ASK for a CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE! Get a price that's in the ballpark with the rest of the bids, then consider items #1 - 18 above. Crestwood Tree Service is often NOT the lowest bidder, but still gets the work. The estimate is always free, so why not take advantage of it? Call (314) 566 - 9794. Thanks for reading this far!
© 2002 by Christopher McKenna
Want to trade website links?
Links of interest:
www.arbor-design.com - Cincinnati Tree Service - Cincinnati Ohio Tree Stump Removal & Trimming
A complete tree care company offering tree trimming and pruning, deadwood removal, building, house, driveway and street clearance.