From The Tree Surgery Experts – Canopy Tree Services
Tree removal can be a misleadingly complex business. And choosing the right company for your tree removal project can similarly be an area where it can be all too easy to make a misstep and end up with potentially devastating consequences.
So here we provide a complete guide to tree removal services to ensure that you are fully informed as to what you can expect from a tree surgery company’s tree removal service and moreover how you can be sure of a good outcome, at a reasonable price.
Tree removal… A short introduction
Your tree removal project may appear to be considerably simpler than it may actually be, particularly when the tree in question is within even a mildly urban area.
To this end the complexity of tree removal may be best appreciated from the top view of the tree, from where the dismantling begins and from where the tree limbs have to be transported down to the ground in an efficient, but safe manner.
From this point of view the removal of a tree can be seen for the often complex process that it is, demanding the skills of qualified experts, as well as an often significant amounts of time, equipment and manpower.
Tree Preservation Orders – Governmental legislation that could end up costing your thousands
Tree Preservation Orders (or TPOs, for short) are the way in which the local authority protect the trees within their area. Unfortunately however it may not be obvious as to whether your trees are subject to these orders, and as such it’s generally advisable that you consult with both tree surgery companies as well as the local authority to establish if your tree or trees are indeed protected.
If your tree is subject to an order then you will only be allowed to remove it if it’s dangerous, and can proved to be so. If you can’t then unfortunately you’re most likely going to be unable to go ahead with the removal.
What’s more it’s worth bearing in mind that removing a tree that has a TPO applied to it can have serious consequences. Most specifically this may result in a criminal conviction and a fine of up to £20,000, for both the tree owner and the tree surgery company in question. To this end any confirmation of there being no TPO may well be worth gaining in writing.
Six tops tips for choosing a tree surgery company for a tree removal
When considering the often complex nature of tree removal projects, as well as the potential for TPOs and their financial consequences, it’s clear that such projects demand the skills of a qualified expert. So here we outline six top tips for ensuring that you choose a professional tree surgery company who will undertake your project safely and efficiently, all at a reasonable price point.
1. First things first: The price of tree removal… Why cheapest is far from always the best
When gathering quotes for your tree removal you need to bear in mind that cheaper is most certainly not always better. Tree removals are very often far from simplistic processes that demand only man power, and the requirement for years’ worth of experience and training is essential when tackling the take down of even a medium sized tree.
So when gathering quotes do not opt automatically for the cheapest, particularly if the quote in question is notably lower than any others that you’ve gathered, as this is a sure fire sign of a company without experience.
2. The factors that affect the price of a tree removal service
Tree removal projects vary drastically in relation to costings and as such it’s impossible for us to provide even a general guideline of pricing here. What we can outline however is just what affects the quotations of a tree removal project, which are covered below:
– Size of the tree: The height of the tree will be one of the most influential factors upon the cost of a tree’s removal.
– Condition of the tree: If a tree is completely free from rot and is fully healthy then you may well find that the project costs more as compared to unhealthy trees that are dying and that are therefore relatively weak. Conversely however if the tree is so damaged that it is dangerous then the take down of the tree may be complicated further, and as such may cost more to dismantle.
– Dismounting of the tree: The diameter of the tree includes the cost of the trees removal as the larger, thicker of trunks take longer to work with as compared to trees that may be both thinner and taller.
– Location of the tree: Trees that are away from buildings and other structures will always be cheaper to remove than those that are close to houses and other obstacles.
One final point to note when considering quotations is that companies should never charge purely for the provision of a quotation, and if they do then you should turn to other companies instead.
3. A few sure-fire signs of a respected and trusted tree surgery company
When seeking tree surgery services you should ask whether the company in question comes with any accreditations. Accreditations and the belonging to various industry bodies very often denote a company’s reliability. For the realm of tree surgery this includes:
– Being an approved contractor by the Arboricultural Association;
– Being endorsed by the Government’s scheme of Trust Mark;
– Being a CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) approved contractor.
4. Moving past a quotation to research reputation
Following the gathering of quotes you must whittle down potential companies by researching each provider’s reputation. This may be as simple as taking to Google and tapping in the company’s name + ‘reviews’, but you may also want to head on over to each company’s website to read testimonials, check over project photos and check through social media profiles (which are being used increasingly by both happy and unhappy end customers alike).
5. Ensuring that the company in question is insured… Just in case the worst happens
Tree removal is a particularly tricky business and sometimes even the best, most experienced of companies and skilled of teams can have a mishap that results in damage to a property or, in the more serious of cases, to a person directly.
To this end every tree surgery company is required by law to have what is known as Limited Liability Insurance, which generally covers the company for accidents that may results in up to £2 million worth of damage. Although there are some companies that do provide for larger amounts of cover, £2 million is generally sufficient for the majority of private tree removal projects.
To confirm that the company in question does indeed hold the insurance that they purport to you should ask to see their insurance certificate directly.
6. Confirming all of the little details
Beyond the basics above you need to go into a little more detail so you know what to expect from a company’s services. Most specifically this includes the following pointers:
– Will the company in question be taking away any and all waste following the project’s completion?
– Will the project include the complete removal of the tree stump? Generally speaking most will quote for just the tree stump being ground down with equipment and left in situ. Removing the tree stump completely will demand additional equipment which has both cost and practical implications (the latter of which may include site access considerations).
– How long will the project take to complete? Tree removal can be difficult to judge as a novice and the duration of a reasonably sized take down project may stretch over a number of days, so be sure to confirm this so you can plan ahead for any practicalities as is necessary (such as site access and project payment).
– Has the company in question come as a recommendation from a friend or family member? Then be sure to still pay due diligence by following each of our pointers!
Tree removal projects: A few final words upon choosing the right tree surgery company
Choosing a tree surgery company for your tree removal project shouldn’t seem like a daunting process if you follow each of the pointers within this article. It is, however, an important process and one that may have serious financial implications if you choose incorrectly.
For more free advice on tree removal projects, TPOs or anything that falls in between you can speak with our friendly team of experts, who always provide guidance that is completely free from obligation, as well as quotes that are always free from charge.
At Canopy Tree Services we’ve been busy consistently building up a respectable reputation amongst our clients over the course of a decade. Today we are proud to be an Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor as well as boasting CHAS – Accreditation and Trustmark Endorsements; which are all solid signs that our clients can trust our advice, services and guidance.
Derby: 01332 875 869 | Nottingham: 0115 832 0247 | Loughborough: 01509 590 095
