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How to Choose a Professional Tree Service |
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Tree
removal and pruning are highly specialized
skills that should be handled by an insured,
professional Arborist. Here are some
questions that you as a homeowner may use to
help determine the company best qualified
for your needs, whether large or small.
About the company itself:
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How
long has the company been serving the
community?
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What
type of equipment does the company use? A
large dump truck and a chipper are the
recognized tools of the trade. They show a
serious and higher level of commitment to
industry standards. A pick-up truck and
trailer does the opposite.
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What
safety precautions does the company
practice? i.e. hard hats, gloves, safety
glasses, traffic cones, etc.
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Is
the company a member of the Better Business
Bureau?
Level of skill or education:
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Does
the company have a vested interest in the
industry and the changing levels of
education? Do they have an ISA
Certification (International society of
Agriculture), a degree in Horticulture, or
related field?
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Ask
about tree health and general plant care,
and then compare their answers with your
local agriculture service, university, or by
visiting the International Society of
Arboriculture website at
http://www.isa-arbor.com/.
Insurance coverage:
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Does
the company carry worker’s compensation?
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Tree work is an inherently dangerous
job from the chainsaw ground hand to the
climbers in the tree. If the tree
service does not carry worker’s
compensation insurance to protect their
workers, an injured worker has little
recourse but to sue the home owner for
medical expenses and loss of earnings.
DO NOT BE FOOLED BY WORKERS COMPENSATION
WAIVERS. Workers compensation waivers do
not hold up in court.
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Does
the company carry general liability for
property damage?
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Verbal verification from the insurance
agent or insurance carrier over the
telephone is the only acceptable
means of verification. An insurance
certificate from the company itself is
not always reliable. Yellow page
directories do not check the validity of
their advertisements.
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General liability insurance is to
protect your property in the event that
damage should occur while tree work is
being carried out.
References:
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We
recommend that you rely on references from
your family, friends, or local realtor and
not from the tree service itself.
These simple questions will save you
time and money when choosing a
professional and qualified tree service.
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ATS
Associates |
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P.O. BOX 5171 - Kingwood,
TX 77325 |
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Office: 281-360-9192 or
281-359-TREE (8733) |
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E-mail:
info@kingwoodtreecare.com |
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