February 22nd, 2011 
charmy Question by bayouchipette: Hiring Oak Tree Pruning Cutting Service?
I got an estimate from a professional tree service of 00.00 to trim a large oak tree in our front yard. This price also includes the clean up and disposal of the cut limbs/branches. Is this a reasonable price? The tree is healthy, but the branches have gotten very long, branching out to the neighbors, our roof, etc. I do plan to get more estimates, just want your opinion. Thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by Brian
Without seeing your exact situation it’s hard to say, but 00 could very well be a reasonable price to pay for pruning a large oak and cleaning up the resulting mess. My suggestion would be to get at least two more estimates from certified and licensed arborists and see if they are similar. That should give you a better idea as to what you should be paying.
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Buying a service like this based on price alone is asking for trouble. Here is what I look for in a tree trimming business.
First of all, I want a certified arborist directing the trimming of the tree. Mature trees add a lot to the value of a piece of property, and an inexperienced tree trimmer can really butcher a tree. Make sure you ask to see some form of documentation such as a copy of the arborist’s college degree. Legitimate arborists will be only too glad to provide the information, and most do so without being asked. It tends to seperate them from all of the other “guys with a chainsaw and a pickup truck” type businesses.
Next, I want to see proof of Worker’s Compensation and General Liability insurance. Again, a legitimate tree trimming business will gladly provide this to you. Do not accept a copy provided by the tree trimming company rep or salesman, they are too easily falsified. This insurance is very expensive for tree trimmers (more on this later) and the ones that actually carry it will be glad to call their insurance companies and have them mail you a current Certificate of Insurance, thereby proving coverage. I can’t stress enough how important this insurance coverage is.
Tree trimming is one of the most dangerous professions in the USA. The frequency and severity of on the job injuries make Worker’s Compensation very expensive. If someone is injured on your job, and the company does not carry Worker’s Compensation Insurance, guess who is liable? The injured worker’s lawyer is sure to go after your assets and just defending yourself can cost a fortune.
Liability is another issue. Suppose that a tree trimmer cuts a limb overhanging your neighbors house, automobile, or child and the falling limb accidently causes property damage or personal injury. Again, if the tree trimmer is working without General Liability insurance, guess who is liable? That’s right, it’s you. Suppose they damage your property in a similar manner. Your homeowner’s insurance usually won’t cover damage of this type since it is caused by a commercial entity that is supposed to be covered by their own insurance. I’m sure you get the picture by now.
In addition to hiring the guys (labor) to do the job, you are also hiring their expensive specialized equipment as well as all of the other normal overhead involved in a business. Boom trucks have taken the place of ropes and climbers in many tree trimming operations. Chippers and chip debris trucks are expensive to buy and maintain. The list goes on and on.
All things considered, if the company that gave you the quote for $1,500.00 meets all of the above criteria, I think their price is not out of reason. I would expect to pay that much, or more, in my part of the country.
Good luck with your tree trimming project.
I think it sounds about right.