Finding and choosing a tree surgeon can be difficult but it’s very important to get your choice right first time. This is because if you employ an unqualified or inexperienced tree worker, this could lead to injury to you, damage to your property and further damage to your trees.
Before you employ a tree surgeon, you should visit some of their recently completed jobs. If possible, ask if you can speak to the owners about the work to find out if they were happy with the service they received. Get written quotes from several different tree surgeons to find a realistic price for the work you need to be carried out. Remember that the lowest quote may not always be the best one, as it may be a reflection on the tree surgeon’s lack of qualifications or expertise in this area. Any professional tree surgeon will be happy to give you a quotation without any obligation for you to go ahead and employ them.
When you think you’ve decided on your preferred tree surgeon, ask them whether their quotation includes the disposal of any waste and the condition in which they will leave the site when the job is finished. You may be able to get the quote reduced if you ask to keep any logs or wood chippings, for example if you have an open fire, so it pays to ask about this. If you need to have a tree felled, check whether the quotation includes the removal of the stump.
Lastly, check whether the tree surgeon has experience of exactly the type of work you’re employing them to do. Ask to see evidence of their qualifications if you’re unsure. Check they have adequate insurance for the kind of work they carry out too, so make sure they carry out a risk assessment and report back to you on it before they begin any work.