The Dangers of Working with an Unlicensed and Uninsured Tree Service

When your tree needs help and it’s time to hire a professional tree care company, you may look exclusively at the price. However, one of the most important things you can consider is the company’s insurance and licenses. Learn more about the importance of licensing and insurance for a tree service and how working with someone who isn’t insured can cost you.

Key Takeaways:

• Homeowners who hire unlicensed, uninsured tree services may be personally liable for worker injuries and property damage during the job.
• Reputable tree services employ modern techniques and specialized equipment to protect trees and property, while unlicensed operators often use outdated and harmful methods, such as spiked pruning.
• Licensed companies with Certified Arborists provide expert knowledge and tree care recommendations, improving long-term outcomes for your landscape investment.
• Warning signs of unlicensed tree services include unusually low estimates, reluctance to provide written quotes, inability to show proof of insurance, and absence from the contractor license database.

A reputable tree care company will follow all proper safety procedures when climbing trees to limit accidents.

The Danger of Working with an Unlicensed and Uninsured Tree Service

The danger of working with a tree service without the proper licenses and insurance is greater than most homeowners realize. While they may think they’re getting a good deal, they are actually putting their trees, home, and finances in danger. Here are three key differences in working with a reputable tree service:

You May Be Liable for Accidents and Damage

Tree work is dangerous. In fact, it is one of the most hazardous industries in our country. Accidents happen on job sites all the time, even with professional companies following all safety protocols.

Because of this, tree care companies must carry liability and workers’ compensation insurance to protect themselves in the event of any accidents. This insurance also protects you, as you may be liable for an injured employee’s medical bills if the company doesn’t have workers’ compensation.

Additionally, if a tree crashes into your house in an accident, you may have to pay for the damage if the company lacks insurance.

The Quality of Service May Not Be Up to Par

You wouldn’t trust the first doctor you saw to handle your surgery, so why would you trust just anyone to handle your tree care? Trees are an investment on your property, and a disreputable company will likely use outdated techniques and not have access to the type of equipment that makes tree care safer and easier.

Disreputable Companies May Use Outdated Techniques

Tree care isn’t guesswork – it’s science. As our understanding of tree biology evolves, so do the best practices for keeping them healthy and safe. While a professional tree service will always stay abreast of new developments published by the International Society of Arboriculture and other industry resources, disreputable companies likely won’t.

A company that is a licensed contractor and employs an ISA Certified Arborist commits to following all the best practices for tree care. An unlicensed contractor may:

• Kill your trees
• Leave trees looking ugly
• Cause collateral damage to your property

“We still see companies in the Truckee-Tahoe area using climbing spikes for routine pruning, and it drives me crazy. Spikes are meant for removals – not for trees you want to keep. Every step punches holes in the bark, leaving the tree vulnerable to pests and disease. Any reputable tree service knows better. If a crew shows up planning to prune with spikes, that’s your cue to stop the job.” – Eli Herlitz, Tree Climber at Arbor Solutions

Reputable Companies Have Access to High-Tech Equipment

Tree removal involves more than a couple of chainsaws and a pickup truck these days. Modern companies have access to equipment that makes jobs safer and more efficient, including tree removal cranes and advanced rigging equipment.

Many fly-by-night contractors don’t have access to this equipment, making the jobs more dangerous and putting workers and your property at risk.

Lack of Expertise and Useful Recommendations

When you hire a licensed company with an ISA Certifed Arborist, you’re not just paying for tree removal or pruning – you’re gaining access to real expertise. Arborists can help you decide whether a tree should be removed, what to do to protect it before winter, and how to keep your property safe and healthy long-term.

On the other hand, companies without the right training or credentials often can’t – or won’t – offer meaningful guidance. Many aren’t thinking about what’s best for your trees. They’re focused on what gets them paid fastest. That might mean recommending removal when pruning would help or ignoring obvious signs of trouble because they don’t know what to look for.

How to Determine if a Company Doesn’t Have a License or Insurance

Some of the common signs that someone offering tree work lacks proper qualifications include:

• Not Providing a Written Estimate: A reputable company will always provide a comprehensive estimate outlining the job’s scope and cost. If a contractor won’t offer this to you, you may want to reconsider hiring them.
• They Won’t Provide Proof of Insurance: The first time you work with a tree service, ask to see their certificate of insurance. If someone won’t show it to you, they may not have insurance.
• You Can’t Find Their Contractor License: You can check if a company has a Contractor License from the California Department of Consumer Affairs website.
• Their Price is Well Below Average: Sometimes, a deal is too good to be true. Be wary of any estimate way below other companies’, as they may be trying to cut corners by not having insurance or licensing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Working with a Reputable Tree Service

We’ve answered some common questions about picking the right tree service to help you make the right decision when you need assistance with your trees.

Does it cost more to hire a company with licenses and insurance?

Yes, in general, it costs more to hire a company with insurance and licensing than a contractor without it. However, hiring the cheapest option may cost more money in the long run. They could kill your tree, necessitating an expensive removal. Or there may be an accident, and you will be on the hook to pay for the damages.

What insurance and licenses should a tree service have?

A tree service should have liability and workers’ compensation insurance. The company should also have a Contractor’s License from the California Contractors State License Board.

What are other important considerations for tree services besides insurance and licensing?

Some other elements to look for and consider when choosing a tree service include:

• Do they have an ISA Certified Arborist on staff?
• Does the company have a membership with the TCIA?
• What are the company’s safety procedures?
• Are there positive reviews for the company online?

Trust Arbor Solutions for Licensed, Insured Tree Care in Truckee-Tahoe

Not every tree company is qualified to be on your property – and hiring the wrong one can cost you. If they’re not licensed or insured, you could be the one stuck with the bill if something goes wrong. And if they’re not trained properly, your trees won’t get the care they actually need.

At Arbor Solutions, we don’t cut corners. Our team includes ISA Certified Arborists, and we follow all local regulations because doing things the right way matters – to you and to us. Whether it’s pruning, removals, or helping you figure out what your trees really need, we’ve got you covered.

Call us today at 530-580-8383 or request an estimate online.