Tree work is dangerous, expensive and hard to undo. A bad hire can damage your house, leave you liable for an injury or take your deposit and disappear. After Panhandle windstorms, out-of-area crews often show up in Amarillo, and not all of them are what they claim to be. These eight checks help you pick a good one.
1. Ask for proof of liability insurance
Ask for a certificate of insurance, and get it from the insurer or the agent, not just a photo from the crew. Liability insurance covers damage to your property if something goes wrong. Check that it is current and that the company name matches the one on the quote.
2. Ask about workers’ compensation
If a worker is hurt on your property and the company has no workers’ compensation, you could be pulled into the problem. Ask for proof of coverage. Companies that carry both are protecting you as well as themselves.
3. Look for qualified people
An ISA certified arborist has passed an exam and keeps up with continuing education. Not every good crew has one on every job, but for pruning decisions, assessments and valuable trees, it is worth asking whether one is involved. For risk assessment, ask about the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.
4. Get a written scope
A good quote lists exactly what will be done: which trees, which limbs, whether the stump is ground, whether brush and wood are hauled and whether cleanup is included. Verbal promises do not help you later. Compare quotes by scope, not just price. See the tree removal cost in Amarillo TX guide for what usually drives the numbers.
5. Get more than one quote
Two or three quotes with the same scope tell you whether a price is reasonable. Be careful of a quote that is far lower than the others, which may mean missing insurance or a plan to cut corners, and of a quote that is far higher, which may mean the company is not interested in the job.
6. Watch for storm chasers
After wind events, out-of-area crews often go door to door. Warning signs include pressure to decide on the spot, a demand for a large deposit or cash only, no local address or phone, an unmarked truck and no proof of insurance. Take your time, and use a company you can reach later.
7. Avoid topping and spikes
Topping, which means cutting a tree back to stubs, damages trees and is not good practice. Climbing a tree that is staying with spikes also wounds it. Both are signs of a crew that does not know modern tree care. Removal is different, since the tree is coming down anyway. See tree trimming in Amarillo TX for what proper pruning looks like.
8. Know what you are paying for
Ask what happens if the job takes longer than planned, whether the price is fixed or hourly and when payment is due. Do not pay the full amount before the work is done. A modest deposit is common for larger jobs, but a demand for the full amount up front is a warning.
Questions to ask on the phone
- Are you insured, and can you send a certificate of insurance?
- Do you carry workers’ compensation?
- Will an ISA certified arborist look at the tree?
- How will you protect my house, fence and lawn?
- Is cleanup, hauling and stump work included in the price?
- Can you give me local references?
Debris, hauling and the city brush sites
A tree service hauls its own debris, because the City of Amarillo’s free brush sites are for residents and commercial customers cannot use them. Make sure your quote says who hauls the brush and wood. See Amarillo brush sites and tree debris options.
City trees and utility lines
If the tree is on the city right-of-way, contact the city before hiring anyone. If it is near a power line, do not hire anyone to trim it, and call Xcel Energy. See trees near power lines in Amarillo TX.
After the work
Walk the property with the crew, check that everything in the scope is done and take photos. Keep the invoice and certificate of insurance. If you used insurance, send the invoice to your insurer. See does homeowners insurance cover tree removal in Amarillo TX.
Common questions about hiring a tree service
Is the cheapest quote always a bad sign?
Not always, but a price far below the others deserves questions. It may mean a smaller scope, missing insurance or cut corners. Compare what each quote includes, and ask the low bidder to explain.
Should I hire someone who knocks on my door after a storm?
Be careful. Some door-to-door crews are legitimate, but storm chasers are common after big wind events. Ask for proof of insurance, a written scope and a local address, and do not pay the full amount up front.
Do tree services need a license in Amarillo?
Requirements vary by city and state. Ask the City of Amarillo whether a license or registration applies to tree contractors, and verify anything a company claims, including insurance, before work starts.
Need help with a tree in Amarillo TX?
If you want a professional to look at a tree, request a free tree service quote in Amarillo TX. Describe the tree, where it stands and what worries you, and send photos if you can. You can also print the tree check checklist for Amarillo TX homeowners to walk your property first, or read the tree service FAQ for Amarillo TX.
