Tree Service Irvine CA is great for keeping our yards cool, boosting curb appeal, and providing privacy. However, they also pose some risks and need proper care.
Homeowners should look for a residential tree service familiar with various property types and situations. For example, they should know how to work around power lines and other structures. They should also carry liability insurance and worker’s compensation.
Professional tree service companies, or arborists, are trained in the horticulture of trees and woody plants like shrubs and vines. They know how to properly plant, water, fertilize, trim, and prune trees to keep them looking healthy. They also understand the common problems and threats that affect specific tree species, including root rot, leaf rust, and Asian beetle infestations. This background knowledge gives them an edge over homeowners who may need to become more familiar with the nuances of home tree care, and they can create tailored residential tree service plans that deliver immediate and long-term results.
While it is tempting to save money by hiring an unqualified person to do the job of a qualified professional, this can backfire in the form of property damage and liability issues. Hiring a licensed and insured tree service company can prevent this from happening. Inquire about the level of licensing and insurance a company offers, and check online reviews and references before deciding.
A well-established residential tree service can provide recommendations for related professionals and vendors, such as landscape contractors, landscaping designers, and garden and landscape supplies. They can also work closely with your landscape designer or architect to create a cohesive landscape design that complements the beauty of your trees and other natural features.
A residential tree service can assist with many needs, including pruning, trimming, land clearing, and stump grinding. They can help identify problems such as improper planting and location and offer solutions to correct them. They can also remove damaged or dying trees and perform stump grinding to reclaim new growth space or reduce trip-and-fall hazards. They can also conduct tree planting to enhance the appearance of a property and increase its value. In addition, they can help with tree removal and debris cleanup services to reduce the risk of storm damage and wind and hail damage.
Tree care is a dangerous job, whether you’re pruning branches or removing whole trees. It can be risky for the tree service professionals themselves, and it’s also difficult for those on the ground. The potential hazards include being hit by falling limbs or even entire trees, electrocution, and injuries from chainsaws or other equipment. For these reasons, residential tree services must take safety seriously and use the proper equipment to avoid these dangers.
It’s also vital for the tree service professional to conduct a thorough pre-work hazard assessment before starting any work. That should include an analysis of the project to determine the appropriate safety gear and strategies. For example, the team should consider how to best work around vehicular traffic and pedestrians if a tree is located near a sidewalk or street. That can be done by deploying protective barriers or careful rigging techniques.
As part of the pre-work hazard assessment, the team should also look for any signs of poison oak or ivy growing on or near the tree. That is especially important for a residential tree service because these plants can cause a serious allergic reaction in anyone who touches them.
If the hazard assessment finds any problems, the team should notify the client immediately so they can make arrangements to resolve the issue before work begins. The team should also follow ANSI standards for working around power lines, which requires workers to assume that all cables are energized and avoid contact until they’re verified as being de-energized.
Finally, the team should develop a strategy to minimize damage to nearby buildings and structures during the removal or trimming. That can be accomplished using protective barriers, careful rigging techniques, and other precautions. It’s also important that the company carry liability insurance to cover any property damage or injury caused by their work. It would be best to ask for references or testimonials from previous clients to understand the company’s commitment to safety. That will help you choose a reputable and reliable residential tree service.
Insurance is a must for any business, but it’s even more important for tree service companies. Many different policies are available, and the best way to choose which ones are right for your company is to work with a professional insurance agency. The agency can help you determine which types of coverage you need to protect your assets, and they’ll also match you with an affordable policy.
Some types of insurance that a tree service should have include general liability, workers’ compensation, commercial auto, and business interruption insurance. Public liability covers bodily injuries that occur during a job and property damage caused by the business. A tree service needs this type of insurance because trees are often located close to homes, and any accident that occurs could cause significant damage.
Most states require tree services to carry worker’s compensation insurance for employees who are injured on the job. This insurance pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and other related expenses in the event of an injury. It’s important for a homeowner to always ask about this type of insurance, and they should request a copy of the policy from the tree service. That information should be sent directly from the insurance company to the homeowner, and the procedure should list both parties as insured.
Another type of insurance that a tree service should have is professional liability insurance, which is sometimes known as errors and omissions insurance. This policy protects the tree service against claims that it gave bad advice or recommended unnecessary services that resulted in a loss. It is a good idea for tree services to have this type of insurance because it can be costly to defend against these claims.
Lastly, most small business insurance policies include commercial auto, which covers vehicles owned and operated by the tree service company. That is important because the tree service might need to use their car for work-related reasons, such as hauling tools or driving to and from a job site. It’s also possible that a tree service might need to rent or borrow a vehicle from a third party for certain projects, and this is why it’s important to have commercial auto insurance.
Trees are a vital part of any home landscape. They keep spaces cool and add privacy, but also need proper care to thrive. When choosing a residential tree service, look at its reputation in the community. That s means asking for recommendations from friends and neighbors, checking online reviews, and finding out whether or not they’re accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Doing this research is worth spending time on because it will help avoid scams.
