Tree care services are essential to tree health. They are critical to keeping disease and pest infestations at bay and also help to prevent injuries and property damage from falling trees or branches.
Unfortunately, not every tree care service provider near you can be a perfect fit. In order to find a good tree care service, you need to not only conduct an active search of service providers in your area but also vet and rank these services.
Generally, tree care service costs vary depending on the size of the tree that is being cared for and the type of care that is needed. Other factors like the type of tree, its location, its proximity to nearby structures, and local labor rates also play a role in determining tree care service cost.
Here is what tree care services typically cost.
| 30 ft and shorter | $450 - $1,500 |
|---|---|
| 30 ft to 60 ft | $1,500 - $2,900 |
| 60 ft and taller | $2,900 - $4,500 |
| National Average Cost | $1,120 |
| Average Labor Cost | $120 per hour |
Choosing a good Tree care service near me
The following tips will come in handy in helping you to choose a good tree care service near you.
1. Start by going through reviews and interviewing references
When vetting tree care service providers near you, the best place to start is to check their reviews online.
Most search engines offer the option for people who have used services to leave reviews, and so by searching for the contractor in question, you should be able to read user-generated reviews. This will give you a sense of what to expect when dealing with the tree care service.
However, since online reviews can be faked, it is not enough to hinge your decision solely on what they say. interviewing the references provided by the contractors will give you a better and more reliable feel of what it is like to work with the contractors. And when doing so, make sure to ask about what they didn’t like as far as the quality of work and the professionalism of the company’s representatives.
2. Check for relevant insurance and licensing
Any tree care service contractor worth their salt will ensure that they are not only licensed but also appropriately insured. This is because it is a sign of their commitment to their job. It also signifies genuine care for their potential clients.
With a licensed and insured contractor, you are assured of both financial and legal protection. This will also give you peace of mind. It will also boost your confidence in the contractors.
3. Always insist on an in-person site visit before hiring
Once you have narrowed your list to three tree care services, it is advisable to conduct an in-person interview. Scheduling a site visit with these contractors will give you a better idea of how they work, their attention to detail, and overall professionalism.
As a rule, never hire a tree care service provider before at least meeting their representative personally.
4. Compare the detailed estimates
Opting for a tree care service just because it offers the cheapest quote is always inadvisable. But this does not always mean that you are guaranteed to get the best service from the contractor that charges the most for their services.
When it comes to comparing the quotes from tree care services, it is important to make sure that you are comparing apples to apples. Look at the breakdown of the costs. Is there a difference in the number of services offered? Are there any extra costs for debris cleanup? And are they charging for quotes or site visits?
Furthermore, you should compare the different quotes with the aim of getting an idea of what the fair cost of the services should be. Any provider that is too cheap or too expensive should thus be crossed out from your list. This is because when it comes to tree care, what you really want is quality services at an affordable price.
Questions to ask Tree Care service
The following is a list of questions that you can ask the tree care service contractor.
- What is your timeline for the completion of the tree care tasks?
- Are you insured and licensed?
- Which techniques are you going to use to take care of the trees?
- Can you please provide a list of recent references and is it okay if I call them?
- What are the tree arborist qualifications of the people who are going to be working on the project?
- Are you open to a scheduled payment plan?
Hiring Tree Care service in my area
If you are planning on hiring a tree care service in your area, you should follow the following steps.
1. Start with friends, family, and neighbors
Word of mouth still stands as one of the best ways to get good tree care service providers in your area. Ask for their recommendations, and then create a list of recommended experts.
2. Perform a Google search
Google contains reviews of tree care services and so performing a search of the recommended services will give you more details on what people think about them. You will also get details like addresses and website details that can help you to evaluate the contractors.
With a Google search, you can also expand your list of potential hires by simply typing “tree care services near me”.
3. Visit local review websites and social media accounts
Review websites like Yelp and Better Business Bureau will come in handy in helping you to gauge the reputation of the tree care experts on your list. Visiting the social media accounts of the services on your list will also help. All of this information will help you to rank the service providers.
4. Schedule an in-person visit for detailed quotes and verification of documents
Whittle down your list to about 3 good tree care services and then schedule a site visit. During the visit, make sure to seek clarification on their work processes and timing. You can also ask for copies of documents verifying that they are licensed and insured.
5. Put everything in writing and sign the contract
Zero in on one contractor who meets your needs and then asks them for a detailed contract. Include everything that has been agreed upon on the contract, and then sign it.
FAQ's
Tree maintenance costs between $59 and $1,100 per year, with the average cost being $416.
How much it will actually cost you to maintain your tree will depend on the tree species, its age, and its current health status. Where you are located, the climate in your area, and the general risks of disease and pest infestations will also determine how much it will cost you.
Yes, homeowners insurance usually pays for tree removal. In fact, it usually pays for even any accidental damage or loss that occurs as a result of tree removal.
However, given that the terms and conditions vary depending on the company and policy that one chooses, it is always a good idea to confirm with your insurance provider whether yours offers the same protection.
Arborists typically don’t charge by the hour. They tend to charge on a project basis, with the cost of arborist services ranging between $75 and $4500.
This amount varies widely depending on the tree care activity, the cost of the equipment needed, the risks of the job, the location of the tree, and the number of trees that have to be worked on.
However, in the rare cases where arborists charge on an hourly basis, their rates tend to range between $51 per hour and $200 per hour. The actual rate will depend on the arborist’s qualifications, where they are located, and the nature of the work that has to be done.
Generally, the terms pruning and trimming are usually used to mean the same thing. Most people use them to refer to the process of cutting off a tree’s limbs. And so, for most people, there is no difference between the two terms.
However, technically, there is a difference.
With pruning, you are removing loose, dead, pest-infested, or diseased branches from a tree. It is usually strategic with the aim of stemming the spread of diseases or pests, improving a tree’s health, or avoiding dangerous situations.
On the other hand, trimming is a term that is typically used to refer to the process of simply cutting foliage or branches in order to keep them from overgrowing. Essentially, it is a cosmetic tree care activity that is designed to improve a tree’s aesthetic appeal.
If you need help taking care of your trees, then you should visit GoTreeQuotes.com. It offers a free service that quickly matches you with the top-voted local tree care experts in your area.Using the website, you can get 3 estimates fast by real certified experts in your area in just 2 minutes. Here is how it works.
- You scroll to the top of the page and enter your Zip code.
- Answer questions about your tree care needs
- Your details will be forwarded to three local experts.
- You will then receive a price estimate for the job and some friendly advice.
