Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Tree Service
Do You Know Who Is Cutting Your Trees?
Are you staring at a dead branch hanging precariously over your roof? Perhaps a massive oak in your yard blocks too much sunlight, or a recent storm left your property in shambles. You need a professional, but searching for — and hiring — a tree service requires caution. Tree work ranks among the most dangerous professions in the world. A mistake does not just mean a bad haircut for your maple tree; it can lead to crushed roofs, downed power lines, or severe injuries.
Homeowners often default to price as the deciding factor. While budget matters, hiring based solely on the lowest bid often leads to disaster. You need to vet potential contractors thoroughly to ensure they operate safely, legally, and ethically.
We compiled this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process. Use these questions to separate professional arborists from amateurs with chainsaws.
Quick Summary: The Must-Ask Checklist
If you are in a rush, scan this list. These are the non-negotiable items you must verify before any work begins on your property:
* Proof of Insurance: specifically General Liability and Workers’ Compensation (WCB/WSIB).
* Credentials: ISA Certified Arborist status or provincial equivalents.
* Detailed Written Estimates: never settle for a verbal quote or a handshake deal.
* Safety Protocols: use of helmets, PPE, and proper rigging gear.
* Equipment Methods: ensure they do not use climbing spikes on trees you want to keep.
* Cleanup Policy: clear agreement on debris removal and stump grinding.
* References: recent contactable clients with similar projects.
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1. Can You Provide Up-to-Date Certificates of Insurance?
This is the single most important question you will ask. Do not proceed without a satisfactory answer.
Tree work involves heavy timber falling from height, often near expensive structures like your home, garage, or vehicle. If a contractor drops a limb through your roof and lacks liability insurance, you (or your home insurance policy) will pay for the repairs.
Furthermore, you must ask about Workers’ Compensation (WSIB in Ontario, WorkSafeBC in BC, WCB in Alberta, etc.). If a worker falls from a tree on your property and the company lacks this coverage, you could be held liable for their medical bills and lost wages. You essentially become their employer in the eyes of the law.
The Right Answer: The company should email you a certificate of insurance directly from their provider. Check that the policy is active and covers tree services specifically (not just landscaping or snow removal).
2. Are Your Crew Members ISA Certified Arborists?
Anyone can buy a chainsaw and a truck, but that does not make them an arborist. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) sets the global standard for tree care. An ISA Certified Arborist has passed rigorous exams covering tree biology, safety, diagnosis, and pruning techniques.
Improper pruning cuts can doom a healthy tree to a slow death by rot or disease. You are paying for expertise, not just labour. While not every person on the crew needs to be certified, the person leading the job or supervising the work absolutely should be.
The Right Answer: “Yes, our lead foreman is ISA certified, and we follow ANSI A300 pruning standards.”
3. Will You Provide a Detailed Written Estimate?
Never accept a price written on the back of a napkin or a vague verbal figure. You need a detailed contract that specifies exactly what the crew will do.
Look for these specifics in the estimate:
* Scope of Work: Which specific trees? Are they pruning or removing?
* Method: Will they climb, use a bucket truck, or use a crane?
* Cleanup: Does the price include hauling away the wood, chipping the brush, and raking the yard?
* Stump Grinding: Is this included or an extra charge?
* Tax: Is GST/HST included in the total?
This document protects both parties. If they promise to remove a stump but fail to write it down, you have little recourse when they leave a jagged stump in your lawn.
4. How Will You Access the Tree and What Equipment Will You Use?
This question serves two purposes. First, it tells you about the potential damage to your lawn. If they plan to drive a 20-ton bucket truck into your backyard, you need to know about the ruts it might leave or the underground sprinkler heads it might crush.
Second, it reveals their technical approach. This brings us to a vital sub-question: “Will you use climbing spikes?”
The Rule on Spikes:
Professional arborists use climbing spikes (gaffs) only when removing a tree. If they are pruning a tree to keep it alive, they should never use spikes. Every step they take with spikes creates a deep wound in the cambium layer. These wounds grant entry to bacteria, fungi, and insects. If a contractor puts spikes on to prune your prized oak, send them away immediately.
The Right Answer: “We use ropes and harnesses for pruning to protect the tree bark. We only use spikes for total removals.”
5. What Is Your Plan for Safety and Property Protection?
Tree removal is a game of physics and gravity. Professionals control the fall of every piece of wood. They do not just cut and pray. Ask them how they plan to protect your deck, fence, patio stones, and flower beds.
For large limbs overhanging a house, they should describe “rigging.” This involves using ropes, pulleys, and friction devices to lower heavy wood slowly to the ground rather than letting it freefall.
Safety Gear Check:
When the crew arrives, look at them. Are they wearing helmets? Do they have ear and eye protection? Are they wearing chainsaw protection pants (chaps)? A crew that ignores personal safety will likely ignore the safety of your property.
6. How Long Will the Job Take?
While weather dictates much of the schedule in Canada, a professional should give you a realistic timeline. This helps you plan your day. Loud chainsaws and wood chippers will disrupt your peace (and your neighbours’ peace).
If they say “we will get to it sometime next week,” be wary. A professional company schedules jobs precisely. They should also tell you whether you need to be home during the work or if they can operate while you are at work.
7. Can You Provide Local References?
A reputable company hides nothing. Ask for a list of recent clients in your area. When you call these references, ask specifically about:
* Punctuality: Did they show up when promised?
* Price: Did the final bill match the estimate?
* Cleanup: Did they leave the yard messy?
* Damages: Did anything get broken, and if so, how did they handle it?
Online reviews on Google or specialized directories also provide insight, but speaking to a human offers a clearer picture.
8. What Happens to the Debris?
A large tree produces a shocking amount of waste. A single mature maple can fill multiple dump trucks with wood and chips.
You need clarity on disposal. Some companies leave the wood for you to use as firewood. If you want this, ask them to cut it into manageable lengths (usually 16-18 inches). If you do not want the wood, ensure the contract states they will remove it.
The Stump Question:
Tree removal usually means cutting the tree flush to the ground. It does not automatically include stump grinding. Grinding requires a separate machine and usually costs extra. Clarify this upfront to avoid staring at an ugly stump for the next decade.
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Environmental and Safety Benefits of Hiring Pros
Beyond protecting your wallet, hiring the right tree service benefits your local ecosystem and long-term safety.
Disease Prevention
Amateur pruners often make “flush cuts” or leave “stubs.” Both mistakes prevent the tree from healing properly. This leads to rot that travels down the trunk, turning a stable tree into a hollow hazard. Certified arborists understand “Target Pruning,” which cuts at the branch collar to allow the tree to seal the wound naturally.
Soil Compaction Mitigation
Professionals use mats to distribute the weight of heavy machinery. This prevents soil compaction, which can suffocate the roots of the remaining trees on your property.
Wildlife Awareness
In Canada, migratory bird acts protect nesting sites. A trained arborist checks for active nests before firing up the chainsaw. They know the laws and the seasons to avoid disturbing wildlife.
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Practical Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
Once you hire a professional, you can help the process run smoothly. Follow these tips for a better experience:
1. Clear the Zone: Before the crew arrives, move patio furniture, potted plants, cars, and toys away from the work zone. This saves them time and protects your belongings.
2. Notify Neighbours: If the tree sits near a property line, tell your neighbour about the work. Chainsaws are loud. A heads-up maintains good relations.
3. Secure Pets: Keep dogs and cats inside. Tree crews cannot focus on dangerous rigging if a dog is nipping at their heels.
4. Winter Works: Consider booking pruning during the dormant season (late winter). Without leaves, the structure of the tree is visible, and the frozen ground reduces lawn damage from equipment. Plus, many companies offer better rates in the off-season.
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Don’t Gamble with Your Property
Your trees add immense value to your property, curb appeal, and quality of life. They provide shade, wind protection, and beauty. However, when neglected or mishandled, they become significant liabilities.
Asking these questions helps you filter out the storm chasers and under-qualified labourers. You deserve a contractor who respects your property, carries the right insurance, and possesses the botanical knowledge to do the job right.
Ready to find a qualified professional?
Skip the guesswork and connect with verified local experts who meet these standards. Browse our directory today to find a reliable [Tree Service Contractor Near You](#).
