Hiring the wrong tree service can turn a routine job into an expensive headache: damaged property, surprise charges, or a company that vanishes when something goes wrong. The good news is that a handful of pointed questions will quickly separate the professionals from the part-timers. At Escamilla Tree Service, we're a family-owned company with 15+ years in metro Atlanta, and we'd rather you ask hard questions than get burned. Below are the exact questions to ask a tree service before you sign anything, along with why each one matters and what a good answer sounds like.
Credentials, Insurance, and Safety
The most expensive mistakes happen before a single branch is cut. These first questions protect your wallet and your home.
1. Are you licensed and fully insured?
Ask for proof of both general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. Liability protects your property if something is damaged; workers' comp protects you from being held responsible if a worker is injured on your land. Don't accept a verbal yes. A reputable company will hand you a current certificate of insurance without hesitation. If a company dodges this question, walk away.
2. Is there an ISA Certified Arborist on the crew?
An ISA Certified Arborist has passed a rigorous exam on tree biology, safe pruning, and disease management. That credential is the difference between someone who removes limbs and someone who understands how to keep your tree healthy. For pruning, diagnosis, or any tree you want to preserve, an arborist on site is non-negotiable.
3. What's your plan for trees near power lines?
Work near power lines is one of the most dangerous parts of this trade and is often regulated. A professional will explain their safety protocol and tell you when the utility company must be involved instead of attempting risky work themselves. Vague or casual answers here are a serious red flag.
Warning: Never let an uninsured or unqualified crew work near power lines on your property. If a worker is hurt or a line is damaged, you could be left holding the bill.
Pricing, Scope, and Cleanup
Cloudy pricing is where homeowners get nickel-and-dimed. Pin down the numbers and the scope in writing.
4. Can I see a written, itemized estimate?
A handshake price is not an estimate. Insist on a written, itemized estimate that lists each service, the equipment involved, and any conditions. Itemization lets you compare bids fairly and prevents "that wasn't included" surprises after the work is done. We provide free estimates so you can review everything before committing.
5. Is cleanup and haul-away included?
Removing a tree creates a surprising amount of debris. Ask plainly whether limbs, logs, and chips are hauled off or left in your yard, and whether stump grinding is part of the price. Get the answer in writing so you aren't stuck disposing of a pile of wood or paying an add-on fee.
Liability, Permits, and Accountability
When something unexpected happens, you want to know exactly who is responsible and that the work is legal.
6. Who is liable if there's property damage?
The answer should be simple: the company's liability insurance covers accidental damage to your fence, roof, or landscaping. This is exactly why Question 1 matters. Confirm that their policy is active and ask how a claim would be handled before work begins, not after.
7. Do you handle the permits?
Many metro Atlanta jurisdictions require permits to remove certain trees, especially protected or large specimens. A professional company knows the local rules and will either pull the permit or tell you exactly what's needed. A crew that shrugs at permits can leave you facing fines.
8. Can you provide local references?
Ask for recent customers in your area. An established company will gladly point you to real, verifiable work nearby. Combine references with what you can confirm independently, and you'll have a clear picture of how the company actually performs.
The Two Red-Flag Questions
These final questions reveal a company's standards faster than any sales pitch.
9. Will you top my tree?
The correct answer is no. "Topping" means cutting a tree down to stubs, and it's one of the most harmful practices in the industry. It causes weak regrowth, decay, and long-term hazards. If a company offers to top your tree as a routine fix, they're either uninformed or cutting corners. A qualified arborist will recommend proper crown reduction or pruning instead.
10. Do you subcontract the work?
You deserve to know whether the people in your yard are employees of the company you hired or an unknown subcontractor. Subcontracting isn't automatically bad, but it can muddy insurance coverage and accountability. Ask directly so you know who is responsible if a problem arises.
Printable quick-list: Print this and bring it to every bid.
- Are you licensed and fully insured (liability + workers' comp)?
- Is an ISA Certified Arborist on the crew?
- What's your plan for trees near power lines?
- Can I see a written, itemized estimate?
- Is cleanup and haul-away included?
- Who is liable if there's property damage?
- Do you handle the permits?
- Can you provide local references?
- Will you top my tree? (Answer should be no.)
- Do you subcontract the work?
Ready to Hire With Confidence?
Asking these questions takes a few minutes and can save you thousands. For a deeper walkthrough of the whole hiring process, see our guide on how to choose a tree service. When you're ready, our family-owned, fully insured team of ISA Certified Arborists is happy to answer every one of these questions face to face. Request a free estimate or call us at (404) 426-8613.