Correct Arboricultural terminology can tell you loads about a company from the start.

A company offering services for tree cutting or describing themselves as tree cutters, would not appear to be offering professionally trained services in my opinion. We never learned to use terminology like this at college or during any type of professional training, this is slang often and usually picked up by untrained and less professional trained individuals offering tree services. Without wishing to tar everybody with the same brush, a little caution may be considered sensible before approaching companies using terminology like described.

A customer should always look in depth at a company's set up and qualifications before instructing works just based on cost, otherwise, it might prove more costly than what seemed a bargain price!!

Simple checks may include for example

  • Ask for copies of their insurance, the company should have at least Public liability as a minimum. Public liability protects the client if something goes wrong during the work such as damage to a third parties property as a direct result of the works being undertaken.
  • Ask to see professional qualifications and training certificates. A good company will have staff employed that have completed professional training. As a minimum you may ask to see their NPTC certificates, ideally, staff undertaking tree working should have CS30>CS39 as a minimum.
  • Ask to see past jobs, most reputable companies have a work gallery on their website and is a good place to look. See our work gallery.  
  • As if the company have any specific trade certifications or Health and safety achievements
  • Seek guidance, here is a link to the leading organisation in the UK to do with arboriculture "The care & preservation  of trees" this leaflet helps a potential employer to choose the right arborist: http://www.trees.org.uk/aa/documents/aa_choosing_your_arborist_2011-lr.pdf
  • Ask for written quotation & not an estimate. A quotation is affixed price quotation for the work described whereas an estimate can grow financially if the service provider considers the job more difficult than originally estimated. ONLY EVER accept a written fixed price quote.   

I hope this article helps someone make sure they have the best chance of employing the right company for their tree work requirements.

Mark Hines ND Arb

Director DGS Trees