8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Oklahoma City Tree Removal Company

Hiring the wrong tree removal company can lead to unnecessary stress, costly mistakes, and even property damage. Knowing the right questions to ask can make all the difference in finding a reliable company that fits your needs. These questions will help you feel confident in your choice and ensure your property and trees are well taken care of.

Key Takeaways:

• When hiring a tree removal company in Oklahoma City, verify they have ISA Certified Arborists on staff, proper insurance coverage, and adequate professional equipment.
• Companies that have TCIA Accreditation always do what is best for trees and their customers.
• A reputable tree service should demonstrate its credibility through industry affiliations like an ISA membership, along with substantial local experience and expertise with Oklahoma City’s specific tree challenges.
• Before committing to a tree removal company, customers should inquire about its cleanup process, experience with similar removals, and any limitations on the types of trees they’ll remove to ensure they can handle the specific job requirements.

8 Questions to Ask a Tree Removal Company Before Hiring Them

There are plenty of tree service companies in the greater Oklahoma City area. Many of them will claim to be able to handle your tree removal needs, but not all of them actually can. And other companies will boast incredible deals that seem too good to be true, making it hard to know who you can trust.

Just like how you wouldn’t hire the first car mechanic you saw on the street, you shouldn’t jump straight into hiring the first tree care company you come across. The right company will do what’s best for you and your trees. To separate one company from another, we’ve provided eight questions to ask anytime you consider a company you’ve never worked with.

1. Do you have an ISA Certified Arborist on staff?

Reputable tree care companies employ ISA Certified Arborists. Certified Arborists are experts in tree care who undergo extensive training and have to keep up to date on developments in arboriculture.

When removing a tree, an arborist can guide a team on how to complete the job. They understand the complications you may see with Oklahoma City trees and their common problems. Additionally, an ISA Certified Arborist can suggest alternatives to tree removal if there is a way to save the tree.

2. Can I see your certificate of insurance?

Tree removal is incredibly dangerous. While modern equipment and training have helped improve safety, accidents still happen. These accidents can damage structures and injure workers.

Any tree removal company should have liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Not only will this protect the company in the event of an accident, it will also protect you from any liability and payments when an accident occurs.

A reputable tree removal company should be willing to show you their certificate of insurance (COI) that outlines their policy. If a company does not have a COI or is hesitant to show it, it may be time to find someone else to work with.

3. How long have you been in business? How much experience does your team have?

Learning about trees is something that takes years. Each species is different, and trees in different parts of the country face varied threats. In Oklahoma City, we have to deal with invasive trees, like Bradford pears, and insects, like the emerald ash borer.

When hiring a company, ask them about the history of the business and how much experience the team has. The more experience, the better, especially if it is local to the Oklahoma City area.

4. What equipment do you use to remove Oklahoma City trees?

Far too many companies have sprung up claiming they are tree removal experts. But when you ask them about what kind of equipment they have, they’ll tell you they only have a chainsaw and pickup truck. This isn’t enough equipment to safely remove trees in Oklahoma City.

Some of the equipment a reputable tree care company will have include:

• Tree removal crane
• Bucket truck
• Climbing equipment
• Personal protective equipment
• Woodchipper

5. Do you have TCIA accreditation and industry memberships?

Tree care is a well-connected industry. The two central bodies that help steer arboriculture and tree care are the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA).

Aside from certifying arborists, the ISA offers memberships for tree care companies. By joining, a company gains access to valuable resources and updates on new developments in tree care. It also shows the company’s dedication to following the best practices for tree care.

The TCIA accredits companies that follow ethical practices for caring for trees and running a business. A company with TCIA Accreditation is one you can trust to handle your tree removal.

6. Have you ever handled a tree removal like this one before?

No two tree removals are the same, but there are some similarities between them. Suppose you have a complicated tree removal, such as one where the tree is in poor condition or in a confined space. In this case, it is beneficial to see if the company has any experience with a similar removal.

7. What is the cleanup process like?

Nobody wants to look out at their yard after tree removal and see branches and leaves scattered everywhere. And if this happens to you, you likely don’t have the equipment to handle the debris yourself. This might be the scene if you hire the wrong tree care company.

Always ask a company about their cleanup process after removing the tree. They should be able to outline how they will remove the debris and leave your yard spotless before leaving.

8. Are there any trees you won’t remove?

Before you hire a tree care company, be sure to ask them if they have any types of trees or situations where they won’t remove a tree. Some companies won’t remove certain types of trees if they don’t have the proper equipment or training.

Worried About Choosing the Right Tree Removal Company? Arbor Masters Makes It Easy!

Asking the right questions when hiring a tree removal company can be the difference between a safe, efficient removal and a massive headache. Asking the right questions helps you uncover a company’s priorities and professionalism. If a company can’t provide clear answers or fails to instill confidence, it’s time to look elsewhere.

At Arbor Masters, we’re proud to offer expert tree removal services, no matter the size or complexity of the job. From small dead trees to large, hazardous ones, our team has the skills, experience, and equipment to handle it all safely and efficiently. Don’t leave your tree removal to chance – call us today at 405-495-8746 or request a quote online.