7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Tree Care Service in South Central Pennsylvania

Choosing a tree care company in South Central Pennsylvania can be a challenge, but there’s no reason to get stumped. 

Before you go out on a limb and select a company at random, it’s crucial that you do your homework to make sure they’re the right fit.

Let’s take a look at why it’s so critical to research potential tree care providers, what can happen if you don’t, and the top seven questions you should ask so that you can be confident that you’ve chosen a company that’s safe, professional, and reliable. 

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Why It’s Critical to Vet Your Tree Service Provider Carefully
Risks of Not Vetting Your Tree Care Service Provider
7 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Tree Care Company in South Central PA
Tree Care Rooted in Professionalism

Why It’s Critical to Vet Your Tree Service Provider Carefully

When it comes down to what you should look for in a tree service company, you will want to make sure you find a provider that emphasizes safety, is properly licensed and insured, and is International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified.

It’s also helpful to find a reliable tree care service provider that employs friendly and knowledgeable arborists, is easy to communicate with, and uses high-quality equipment.

Risks of Not Vetting Your Tree Care Service Provider

Choosing a tree care provider that doesn’t meet those specifications can result in serious consequences.

Injury 

Tree care companies that don’t follow safety protocols not only endanger their employees but also everyone nearby. 

In tree care, safety is a non-negotiable, so it’s important that you choose a tree care provider that supplies its arborists with proper personal protective equipment, provides them training resources in best practices, and encourages them to attain the necessary licensing and certifications to become an arborist.

Property Damage

Not only do tree care companies have to be wary of injury risk, but they also have to be careful not to damage nearby property, whether it’s yours or not.

Untrained or unskilled arborists can make mistakes that can lead to damage to your belongings – or your neighbor’s. 

Personal Liability

If your tree care provider lacks the correct insurance, you may end up personally responsible if an employee is injured on your property. You may also be held liable for property damage, such as to a neighbor’s fence or car, if an accident were to occur during the tree care work. 

Unhealthy or Unstable Trees

Done correctly, arboriculture requires deep-rooted and extensive knowledge about not only the trees themselves, but also about the various issues they can encounter, environmental factors, safety risks, and more.

Improper care can lead to unhealthy, dying, or dead trees, which can become unstable, and end up creating dangerous hazards on your property.  

7 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Tree Care Company in South Central PA

To help you find the right tree care company, let’s take a look at the top seven questions you should ask your arborist. 

1. Are You Fully Licensed and Insured in Pennsylvania?

First and foremost, you must make sure that your tree care provider is a legitimate business that has the proper liability and worker’s compensation insurance.

The first sign of a stand-up business is being licensed through the Pennsylvania Attorney General as a Home Improvement Contractor. While not a requirement in Pennsylvania, it shows a company is committed to following local and state regulations for their services.

Companies without proper insurance may not be able to properly take care of injury or property damage in the case of an accident, meaning that you, the customer, may then be liable.

Let’s take a quick look at general liability insurance versus workers’ comp. 

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance covers things like injury and property damage to third parties. So, for example, if a neighbor’s car was damaged as a result of tree care work on your property, this is where general liability insurance would kick in. 

Workers’ Compensation

On the other hand, workers’ comp covers a company’s employees. So, if an employee gets hurt on the job, the company takes on the responsibility to care for that employee’s medical expenses, which comes out of the workers comp’ fund. 

2. Are Your Arborists Certified and Your Business Accredited?

Tree care providers that employ qualified and certified arborists bring an extra level of professionalism to the table. 

For example, ISA certified arborists have been trained in all the proper techniques and follow specific rules and regulations, whether it’s OSHA standards, proper pruning techniques, or general tree care standards created by the industry over time. 

Another good gauge of a company’s professionalism and quality is whether or not it is accredited with the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA).

Providing advocacy, education, and standards development to the tree care industry, TCIA is a trade association with nearly 1,400 member tree care companies. 

While its accreditation program is voluntary, companies who undergo it generally hold themselves to a higher standard of professionalism. 

3. What Kind of Equipment Will You Use on My Property?

Using inadequate, damaged, or old tools and equipment can not only cause damage to the trees and/or lawn, but it can also present a safety hazard. 

Make sure the company you choose uses modern equipment that’s clean and in good working order.

4. How Will You Protect My Lawn, Driveway, and Structures?

Good tree care companies not only care for the trees, but they also care for the surrounding environment and infrastructure. 

If heavy equipment is required to remove trees or grind stumps, ask if the company will be using mats to help distribute the weight evenly. Will it postpone tree care work when heavy equipment is involved in cases where the ground is too soggy? Is there a game plan to avoid fragile areas and keep your driveway, lawn, and other structures intact?

5. Can You Provide References or Local Testimonials?

Often, the best way to tell if a tree care provider will do a good job is to ask your neighbors.

Do a little research online: check out testimonials on each company’s website, look at the company’s Google rating, and be sure to read reviews. 

Customers share both their good and bad experiences online, so if there is a red flag with a company, chances are it will show itself in this stage. 

6. What’s the Timeline, and How Do You Communicate During the Process?

Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few companies, ask what the timeline will look like for the job at hand. You may also want to learn a little about what the company’s process looks like, and how they plan to clean up and remove debris from your yard at the end of the job.

It’s also good to know how a company plans to communicate with you. A lot of good companies will meet you where you’re at with communication preferences, whether it’s via phone call, text, or through an online portal. 

7. Can You Tell Me About Your Experience?

You may also want to ask your potential tree care provider how long they’ve been caring for the trees in your region. 

After all, in tree care, experience can be the difference between guessing and knowing, and at the end of the day, seasoned arborists are what keep people and property safe and your trees healthy. 

Tree Care Rooted in Professionalism

If you’re looking for a tree care company that not only meets these standards but exceeds them, Good’s is a solid choice.

Trusted by your neighbors throughout South Central PA, we care for more than just your trees. As a fully licensed, insured, and TCIA-accredited tree care provider, we can help protect your property, people, and peace of mind.

At Good’s Tree Care and Lawn Care, we don’t leave anything to chance.

Our ISA certified arborists, high-quality equipment, proven safety practices, and clear communication make us a trusted choice for homeowners across Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, and beyond, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. 

If you have trees in need of care and don’t know where to start, fill out our form to request a consultation with one of our arborists and experience tree care you can trust.