Hiring a certified arborist is a great way to ensure that your trees are properly cared for and maintained. A certified arborist is someone who has received formal training and has a certificate that verifies their credentials in the practice of arboriculture. Most arborists prefer to charge for their services based on the job rather than by the hour, as different companies have different overhead costs and number of employees. Although it is possible to prune and remove smaller trees on your own, it is highly recommended to hire a professional arborist for larger trees.
Before allowing an arborist onto your property, make sure to ask for proof of certification. It is also wise to get quotes from multiple arborists and consider each of their proposals, as well as how long it would take them to complete the job. If you need more than one service, the arborist will provide you with a detailed quote for the project. The cost of tree pruning and removal can vary depending on the situation, but arborist reporting charges are usually fixed between different arborists.
When you hire an arborist for a service, they will usually provide you with a free quote over the phone if possible, and they may come to inspect the tree for free in order to give you an accurate quote. In the winter season, when there is less tree maintenance work available, local arborists may be more willing to charge less for their services. It is important to remember that professional arborists need liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and equipment insurance in order to operate safely and legally - all of which require money. Additionally, many arborists are more than happy to share their wealth of knowledge about trees with their clients.
