How to Choose a Tree Care Company: Questions to Ask Before Work Begins

Tree trimming and removal can improve your property’s safety and appearance but tree work also involves risk. Before hiring a crew, take time to understand who will do the work, what it will cost and how your property will be protected. Excel Tree Care is a fully licensed and insured, family-owned company serving North Metro Atlanta. Here are key questions to ask any tree care company before work begins.

Are you licensed, and do you have a Certified Arborist?

Ask what credentials the company and the people overseeing your project hold. A Certified Arborist has demonstrated professional knowledge of tree care, which can be especially helpful when deciding whether a tree should be pruned, treated, or removed. Ask who will assess the tree and supervise the work, and whether the proposed approach is appropriate for the tree and your property.

Do you carry insurance?

Tree work can involve heavy equipment, falling limbs, and work near homes, fences, and utility lines. Ask the company to confirm that it carries appropriate liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Request current documentation, and make sure you understand what the coverage applies to. This simple check can help protect you from unexpected costs if an accident or property damage occurs.

Will you provide a written estimate?

Before approving work, request a written estimate that clearly describes the job. It should identify which trees or branches are included, the planned work, the price, and any services that cost extra. If removal is involved, clarify whether stump grinding is included or quoted separately. A written estimate gives both you and the company a shared understanding of the project and helps avoid surprises.

Don’t hesitate to ask how the crew arrived at its recommendation. If you’re comparing estimates, make sure you’re comparing the same scope of work and not just the bottom-line price.

What does cleanup include?

Tree work can leave behind branches, leaves, logs, and wood chips. Ask what the crew will remove and what, if anything, will remain on your property. Confirm whether the estimate includes hauling debris, cutting logs to a requested length, or raking and clearing the work area. If you have landscaping, a lawn, or garden beds you’re especially concerned about, point them out before the job begins.

How will you protect the work site?

Ask how the company will manage safety around your home, vehicles, people, and property. A professional crew should explain how it will control access to the work area, handle equipment, and protect nearby landscaping. Tell the company about access constraints, overhead lines, fragile features, or other concerns before work starts. Confirm who will be on site and how the team will communicate if conditions change.