503.625.4595

The Ultimate Guide To Hiring a Tree Service in Portland Oregon

tree service Portland Oregon

When you hire a professional tree service in Portland, Oregon, you’re paying for peace of mind. You know that their expertise will get the job done — and done right. Professional tree services also make it more convenient to handle the responsibilities that come with having a tree on your property. Some jobs are best left to the professionals. The same is true for tree care. Some tree care jobs are simply too big and too dangerous to be done on your own. Indeed, when it comes to tree care, a good rule of thumb to follow is that if you can’t have both feet on the ground, call a professional. Working at height requires proper training, as well as proper equipment. There are also a lot more things that can go wrong, from cut electrical wires to broken fences, not to mention the increased risk of personal injury. Here are the most common reasons why homeowners hire a professional tree service in Portland, Oregon:

But how do you actually go about hiring the best tree service for the job?

There Are Three Steps To Hiring a Tree Service

Step 1: Do Your Research

Make sure to do your research before you hire a tree service in Portland, Oregon. Look into what kind of insurance they have, as well as their licenses and certifications. What do their reviews say? How do they compare to any other tree services you’re considering? Ask plenty of questions. Later in this article, we will outline a list of questions that you should ask every tree service before hiring them.

Step 2: Ask For Estimates

You should be able to get free estimates from each tree company you’re considering. For best results, aim to get written estimates from at least three different tree services in Portland, Oregon. That way, you can compare prices. Once you get your estimates, look at how each company structures its quote. Do they charge you by the piece, or by the hour, or do they offer a flat rate? How does their estimate compare to the average rate for that service? To give you an example: Tree removal typically costs between $100 and $1,800 dollars, depending on the height of the tree. So if you are hiring a company for tree removal, ask yourself if their estimate seems reasonable compared to the average. Keep in mind that making your choice based on who is the cheapest may not be the best idea in the long run. Another thing that might factor into your decision is how long the project will take. The estimates should outline how long it will take them to get the job done. For example, one company might say it will take them three days, while another might say it will only take a few hours.

Step 3: Decide Which Tree Service Is Right for You

Hire the tree service that you are most comfortable with. Aim for a balance of quality, experience, and price point.

The Questions You Should Before Hiring

The following is a list of important questions you should make sure to ask any tree service in Portland, Oregon that you are considering hiring.

How Long Have You Been in Business?

If you’re hiring a tree service for their convenience and expertise, then it doesn’t make sense to hire an inexperienced company. Their inexperience may make them more likely to cause damage to your tree and property. It might also mean that they’re more likely to cause an injury. For simplicity’s sake, it’s best to hire someone with more experience.

What Techniques Do You Use?

You should also ask about their practices. For example, do they advertise tree topping? This refers to the practice of removing live sections from the top of the tree. This is a poor practice that can harm the health of your trees.

How Do You Plan To Minimize Potential Damage to My Yard?

A good tree service will know the answer to this question right away. Protecting the area around your tree is one of a tree service’s greatest responsibilities. As such, they should know exactly what precautions they plan on taking when working in your yard. At the very least, they should be using plywood to protect your lawn from their heavy equipment.

What Is Your Policy in the Event That You Damage Something?

As the homeowner, are you comfortable with this policy? You may also want to take photos of the area before they start work. That way, you have records to refer to in case of any damage.

What Equipment Will You Be Using?

This is probably one of the most important questions you’re going to ask. As such, it has a few subcategories:

Do They Follow OSHA’s Worker Safety Regulations?

A reputable tree company will protect its workers according to the guidelines set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). While on your property, their personnel should be using proper protective gear. This includes:

  • Earplugs
  • Glasses
  • Gloves
  • Hard hats
  • Vests

Will They Be Driving Massive Power Equipment Over Your Lawn?

Driving heavy equipment can cause damage to your lawn and flowerbeds. If they will be driving heavy equipment over your lawn, make sure they know where your sprinkler heads are. This can help prevent damage.

Do They Use Spikes To Climb Trees While Pruning?

These spikes can cause unhealthy wounds in your trees. Unless they’re removing the tree, do not allow the tree company to use spikes when climbing your trees.

Do You Have Insurance?

Without insurance, you may be liable for any damages to property or injuries that their workers sustain while working on your property. That’s why insurance is a big deal. Make sure that the company you hire has both General Liability and Workers’ Compensation insurance. Make sure that this fact is clearly stated in your contract. Demand that they provide an up-to-date certificate of insurance.

What Credentials and Licenses Do You Have?

What Credentials and Licenses Do You Have?

If they will be working near any electrical conductors, then they will also need to be Approved Line-Clearance Arborists.