How to Find a Certified Arborist to Help Make Your Trees Flourish
Like all living things, your trees require time, care, and lots of hard work in order to thrive, or even survive. As such, many tree owners have a hard time keeping their trees healthy. They simply don’t have the time or expertise to get the job done.
Furthermore, because of these same reasons, hiring a professional arborist can be expensive. But it’s well worth the cost if it prevents your yard tree from becoming a dry, withered eyesore or an unsightly hole. A high-quality arborist keeps your tree green and gorgeous and your curb appeal (and resale value) high.
The bad news is, you don’t always get what you pay for. If you aren’t careful, you could hire a careless, sleazy arborist who does a cut-rate job to nickel-and-dime you for return service.
So how do you choose carefully and weed out the swindlers? Keep reading! Follow these steps to find a certified arborist who will do the job right.
Check Local Laws
Often, local laws require tree care companies or contractors to register with the state. Your neighborhood may also require a license to perform tree care within city limits.
Look up the local laws in your area regarding tree service. Make sure any arborist you’re considering carries the necessary licenses. But please note that a license doesn’t guarantee quality.
Check Their Credentials
Aside from legal requirements, what other credentials to they have? Do they have proof of any other impressive qualifications or just the bare legal minimum?
Any arborist who’s as good as they say they are should be able to back it up. Scan their office for and/or ask them about any rewards they’ve earned or memberships to organizations like the International Society of Arboriculture. These are a good indication of commitment to quality.
Although, rewards can be falsified or misleadingly irrelevant. But it’s easy enough to look up the authenticity of these accolades on your smartphone.
Check References and Reviews
Testimonies by previous customers are typically more trustworthy than credentials anyway. If the arborist looks good so far, the next thing you should do is ask for references.
If they can’t provide any references, that’s a bad sign. Most likely, they either have no experience or no customers who were satisfied with their service.
Another place to look is at online reviews. You’ll usually find customer reviews at sites like Yelp and Google.
It’s even better if the company allows reviews and feedback on their own website. This shows they’re confident in the quality of their work and have nothing to hide.
Beware Low Prices
It may be tempting to ignore everything we just said to get an outrageously good deal. Just remember that a deal is only as good as the service provided.
Poor service actually costs more since it will have to be redone correctly. It may even do more harm than good.
Use the tips above to choose quality over price. Also, beware of any arborist who demands payment up front.
Look For Signs of Genuine Care
Believe it or not, a quality tree care company actually cares for the trees. Think of them as a tree physician.
Any arborist who’s quick to suggest excessive pruning, tree topping, climbing trees with spikes/spurs, or other destructive methods is not acting in the tree’s best interest. You wouldn’t want someone like this operating on you, would you? Then you’d best keep them away from your trees as well.
Find a Certified Arborist Near You
Give your trees the care they deserve (without getting swindled). Use this guide to find a certified arborist in your area.
For related reading, check out What You Need to Know When Hiring a Licensed Tree Service.
Categorised in: Tree Removal