When choosing an arborist, do you feel like you are in a foreign land? You’re not the only one…
If you do not hire the right person to work with your tree, it can take years for them to grow. As with any contractor, it is important to do thorough research before hiring an arborist. This includes looking at everything from their experience, insurance, track records, equipment, and final cost. Let’s first understand who and what they do before we get into the details of choosing an arborist.
What’s an Arborist?
An arborist is simply a tree specialist. An arborist is a person who has received formal and on-the-job training in tree care and maintenance. This means that they are experts in tree physiology.
Why hire an arborist?
Trees in good health are an asset to your property. However, they can also pose a danger to property and people. Professional arborists north shore auckland are knowledgeable about trees’ needs and have the training and equipment to give proper care.
An arborist can provide various services, including tree pruning, stump removal, planting, transplanting and hedge trimming. Although climbing trees was a favourite childhood activity, it is best to leave the care of sick trees and maintain healthy trees to professionals.
How do you choose the best arborist for your job?
Know what services you need before you begin looking for the right person to do the job. Are there any trees in your yard that are dangerously dead or diseased? Do you have any doubts about whether the trees on your property are healthy or dead? Are you looking for general maintenance and maintenance services? These are some things to consider once you have identified the need and are ready to call a specialist.
Are you sure the arborist that you are hiring is qualified?
The New Zealand Arboricultural Association is a sign of arborists’ commitment to quality and a willingness to keep up-to-date with research on trees and tree care. The NZARB membership indicates a company’s extensive tree care and maintenance knowledge.
Ask about their experiences.
Arborists can offer many services, with extensive experience in many different jobs. It is also worth asking about their equipment. Do they have the right equipment to do specific jobs like stump removal or tall tree removal in tight areas?
Request valid references.
You should choose a company or individual that has a track record of success and follows good practices. Before you hire an arborist, get in touch with past clients to ask for references. You can also find reviews online for arborists that you are interested in on their social media pages and Google.
Request quotes from multiple arborists.
You can get more than one. While cost is important, the lowest bid may not be the best. Make sure you understand the contractor’s plans and that he has the correct equipment.
Ask arborists questions about their equipment.
You must ensure that they have the proper equipment. What kind of sustainability practices are they using? Be wary of arborists who recommend excessive tree pruning. An arborist knowledgeable about trees will recommend services tailored to each tree’s specific needs. You should ensure that the arborist you hire isn’t going to use spikes or spurs for climbing trees. This could lead to permanent damage.
For insurance, check.
Reputable arborists have insurance and are licensed. Avoid extremely low estimates as they may conceal hidden costs or indicate that the arborist does not have professional credentials.
After you have made your decision, get confirmation of the job details. This includes a quote and what is included in the job.
