Selecting a tree service company in Jacksonville, FL need not be difficult if you follow these suggestions when you do your research.  Regardless if you need a large tree removal or merely require a few trees to be trimming, using these tips when evaluating tree service businesses will help you avoid the potential pitfalls common in using unscrupulous companies.   
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The tree service industry has a number of professional organizations that will signify the level of commitment a tree service company has to their business.  Organizations such as the International Arborist Society and the Tree Care Industry Association provide certifications and continuing education.  Any professional tree service business will be a member of one or more of these organizations.  Ask during your estimate what memberships they hold.  
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Reputable tree service companies will always provide a written estimate.  The estimate should include the details of the work to be done and equipment to be used.  Unprofessional companies will often just provide a verbal estimate, and then inflate the price after the work has been done.  Don't fall victim to one of these companies - only use a tree service contractor that provide a written estimate.
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Professional tree service companies will be both licensed by the state as well as insured.  The insurance coverage they should provide evidence of include worker's compensation for their employees as well as liability coverage.  The worker's compensation provides you with the assurance that if an injury would occur in the performance of their work on your property that will be held harmless; otherwise if the company does not have worker's compensation, your homeowner's policy may be required to provide coverage.  The liability insurance is necessary should there be property damaged during the tree work.  Again, without this coverage, your homeowner's policy would need to cover the damage.  Always request copies of these two policies.  
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Always ask for first-hand, recent customer references.  Also make sure they are no older than 3 months, as old references may not be as valuable.  Also check online review sources, such as the BBB, Yelp, Google, and Facebook - these sources will give you a sense of their overall customer service.

Following these suggestions will help you weed through the various tree service companies in Jacksonville, FL the next time you need tree work done.  

While smaller tree care projects, such as pruning and small tree removals, are certainly within the abilities of the average property owner, large tree jobs should be left to the professionals.  Our motto is that if a homeowner can keep both feet on the ground then they should call a professional tree service company in Jacksonville, FL to service their trees.  However, even this prudent decision, is not without risks.  There are many under-insured, unlicensed, and even unscrupulous tree service companies in the Jacksonville FL area.  Therefore, in this blog, we offer tips and suggestions on what to consider when selecting a tree service in Jacksonville.

1. Are they licensed in the state of Florida and do they have insurance, both for their business (liability) and their workers (workers compensation)?  This question is the the most important aspect of your research into area tree service companies.  Without the proper licensing and insurance, you as the property owner, expose yourself to both financial and legal risks if an accident should happen.  Always ask those you are receiving tree service estimates from if they hold the proper licensing and insurances.
2. Do they have the necessary credentials and qualifications?  There are several tree care associations in the country that are signs a tree service company is properly credentialed and qualified.  These include the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)  and the International Society of Arborists (ISA).  Further the Better Business Bureau is always a good general source for information about a business's reputation.  
3. Do they provide a written estimate and detail all the work estimates?   Always get a firm written estimate that details the exact nature of work to be performed.  We have seen numerous situations where work is not documented only to expose the property owner to additional expenses when the work is performed.  Further, make sure the estimate details the exact use of equipment to be used.  You don't want to discover the day of the job that heavy equipment will be used potentially damaging your lawn and landscape.  
4. Did you obtain multiple estimates for the work, and did you compare and contrast these estimates?   Obtain several (at least 3) estimates is wise in that it will provide you with a variety of opinions, costs, and approaches.  However, all estimates will not be the same, so it is further prudent to assess each estimate in terms of the work scope involved.  A more expensive estimate actually might not be more expensive if it involves more work.  
5. Did you obtain references from multiple sources.   Obtain references from the tree service business themselves and make sure they are current (within 1-3 months).  Old references are not necessarily indicative of current business practices.  Additionally, check online reference sources, such as Google, Facebook, Yelp, etc.  These sources provide a variety of reference material and will help you make a better decision.  

Selecting a qualify, professional Jacksonville tree service to perform tree removal or tree trimming need not be difficult using these suggestions.   Just following these guidelines and you will be assured of hiring a top-notch tree care company.