12 Questions to Ask a Tree Removal Company (With Good vs. Bad Answers)
Before hiring a tree removal company, ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly from their insurer, an ISA Certified Arborist’s credentials, a written quote specifying stump grinding and cleanup, and their plan for protecting your lawn and roof. The wrong answers to these 12 questions predict damaged property, surprise charges, or liability landing on you. Here’s each question, why it matters, and what good and bad answers sound like.
Insurance & Credentials (Ask These First)
1. Can your insurance agent send me a certificate of insurance directly?
Why it matters: Tree work is one of the most dangerous trades tracked by the federal government — OSHA maintains a dedicated tree care hazard page for good reason. If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, the claim can land on your homeowner’s policy. And a COI handed to you by the salesperson can be forged or expired; one sent directly from the agent or carrier can’t.
- ✅ Good answer: “Sure — what’s your email? Our agent sends those out same-day. You’ll see $2M liability and active workers’ comp.”
- ❌ Bad answer: “I’ve got a copy in the truck.” / “We’re covered, don’t worry about it.”
2. Do you have an ISA Certified Arborist on staff — and what’s their certification number?
Why it matters: Most states don’t license tree work, so the International Society of Arboriculture credential is the main proof of real expertise. Verify the number free at the ISA arborist lookup. Companies accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association have passed a company-wide safety and ethics audit — even better. More on credentials in how to find a tree service near you.
- ✅ Good: “Yes, our crew lead is ISA certified — number is on the estimate. We’re also TCIA accredited.”
- ❌ Bad: “We’ve been doing trees for 20 years, we don’t need a piece of paper.”
3. How long have you operated locally, and can I have a physical address?
Why it matters: A company with a local yard and equipment has something to lose; a phone number and a magnetic door sign doesn’t. This single question filters most storm-chaser-style crews.
Scope & Pricing
4. Can I get a written quote that specifies trees, scope, and cleanup?
Why it matters: Verbal tree quotes are where surprise charges live. The written scope should identify each tree, removal vs. trim, hauling, stump, and cleanup level — then you can compare bids properly against typical tree removal costs.
5. Is stump grinding included in this price?
Why it matters: It’s frequently a separate $100–$400 charge, discovered only when the crew leaves a knee-high stump — see stump grinding cost.
- ✅ Good: “Grinding to 8 inches below grade is line 3 on the quote; we can skip it and save you $250.”
- ❌ Bad: “We can talk about the stump after.”
6. Do you haul all debris, and what does the yard look like when you leave?
Why it matters: “Removal” without hauling leaves you a log pile and brush mountain. Confirm wood and chips are hauled, left as firewood, or chipped on site — your choice, priced explicitly.
7. What could change the final price, and how much deposit do you need?
Why it matters: Legitimate variables exist (hidden rot, access problems) but should be named in advance. Large cash deposits are the classic tree-scam move — for most tree jobs the right deposit is small or zero, since there are no materials to order. See how much a contractor deposit should be and the FTC’s contractor-hiring guidance.
- ❌ Bad: “Half up front, cash, and we start today.”
Tree-Specific Questions (These Reveal the Pros)
8. Will you use climbing spikes on any trees we’re keeping?
Why it matters: This is the single best question for separating professionals from hacks. Spikes (gaffs) punch wounds through the bark into living tissue — fine on a tree being removed, damaging on any tree being trimmed and kept. Industry standards call for spikeless climbing (rope and harness) on trees that stay.
- ✅ Good: “Spikes only on removals. Trims are done on rope, spikeless.”
- ❌ Bad: “Spikes are how you climb a tree.” — walk away from this answer for trim work.
9. How will you protect my lawn, driveway, and irrigation from equipment?
Why it matters: Chippers, bucket trucks, and log loaders weigh tons. Pros lay plywood or mats over turf, know where your septic and irrigation lines are, and stage heavy trucks on the street or driveway with protection.
- ✅ Good: “We’ll mat the route across the lawn and walk the property with you first to flag sprinkler heads.”
- ❌ Bad: “Grass grows back.”
10. The tree overhangs my roof — what’s your exact plan?
Why it matters: Trees over structures can’t just be felled. The answer should involve rigging (lowering pieces on ropes), a crane lift, or a bucket truck — described specifically. A vague answer here is how roofs, fences, and AC units get crushed. For big trees, this is also where crane vs. climb affects the price.
- ✅ Good: “We’ll set a crane in the driveway, take it down in four picks, and swing each piece away from the house.”
- ❌ Bad: “We’ll figure it out when we get up there.”
11. Who handles the power lines near the tree?
Why it matters: No regular tree crew should be working within 10 feet of energized lines. Utility-line clearance requires specially qualified line-clearance crews, usually coordinated through your utility — which may de-energize or drop the line for free. Contact with live lines is a leading killer in this trade, per OSHA.
- ✅ Good: “We’ll have the utility out to drop the service line first; that’s a standard call.”
- ❌ Bad: “We work around lines all the time, it’s fine.”
Safety & Accountability
12. Will the crew on my property be your employees, and who supervises?
Why it matters: Day-labor crews under your “insured” contractor may not be covered by that workers’ comp policy. Confirm the people climbing are employees, the foreman’s name, and that someone on site holds the certifications you were sold.
Red Flags That End the Conversation
- No physical address or unmarked out-of-state trucks
- Cash-only deals or big upfront deposits
- “We’ll just top it” — topping (lopping the entire crown back to stubs) is condemned by the ISA; it creates weakly attached regrowth and decay, and turns one bill into a recurring hazard
- No written quote, no COI, pressure to sign today
- Door-knocked after a storm — see the full storm-chaser playbook
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most important question to ask a tree removal company? Ask for a certificate of insurance — liability and workers’ comp — sent directly from their insurance agent to you. Tree work’s injury rates make this the question that protects your house and finances most.
Why does it matter if a tree service uses climbing spikes? Spikes wound living trees and invite decay. They’re acceptable on removals only; any trimming on trees you’re keeping should be done spikeless on rope. A company that spikes trims either doesn’t know or doesn’t care.
Should I let a tree company work near power lines? No — only utility-qualified line-clearance crews should work within 10 feet of energized lines. Call your utility first; they’ll often drop or de-energize the line at no charge.
Is “topping” a tree ever okay? No. Topping is rejected by ISA standards — it triggers weak, fast regrowth and decay, making the tree more dangerous within a few years. A company that proposes topping is a company to skip.
How much deposit should a tree removal company get? Little to none for most jobs — there are no materials to pre-order. Payment on completion (or a small scheduling deposit by card, never cash) is the norm among legitimate companies.
Last updated: June 2026. For informational purposes only. Sources: OSHA Tree Care Safety, International Society of Arboriculture (TreesAreGood), ISA Find an Arborist, Tree Care Industry Association, FTC: Hiring a Contractor.