When opening the yellow pages to find a tree care professional (or any contractor for that matter), it can be very overwhelming to see just how many choices there are.  The following questions should come to mind.  How do I pick the right one?  What happens if I pick the wrong person for the job and I end up with poor work, damaged property, or a law suit?  The following tips may help you in making the right choice the first time.

Tip 1:  Ask Around
Asking other people about their experiences is one of the easiest ways to find out valuable information about a company.

Tip 2:  Get Several Estimates
Getting a sample of numbers to compare will help you make an informed decision.  HOWEVER do not fall into the trap of always picking the lowest price.  In cases of a job that may have many variables, or a high degree of difficulty, the old adage applies "You get what you pay for".  In order to get the best sampling of prices, be sure to be very specific and thorough in your specifications to a contractor when they arrive to estimate the job.

Tip 3:  Hire A Consultant
This step is not necessary for simple, routine jobs.  However, if you do not know where to begin with specifications, especially with difficult or complex jobs, consider hiring a consultant to help you get organized.  The consultation fees will be cheap compared to having a poorly planned, or poorly performed job corrected.

Tip 4:  Be Available
Sometimes we get calls to have a tree looked at and the potential customer says "I won't be home when you come to estimate the job.  The tree is in the backyard.  Just slip the price in my front door".  If you are choosing a contractor you have never done business with before, this is ALWAYS a bad idea.  If you have never done business with a company, how do you know what kind of person you will be dealing with?  Being available for a contractor is the perfect opportunity to "interview" that person.  Some of the most important information can be gained in 10 minutes of face to face time.

Was the representative ON TIME?
Were they PROFESSIONAL?
Did they PROVIDE INFORMATION?

Tip 5:  Check Credentials
Find out if the contractor has any certification for the type of work they will be performing.  Most every professional organization that grants certifications will issue a card as proof.  At the very least, find out how long the contractor has been doing business in their particular field.

Tip 6:  LIABILITY, LIABILITY, LIABILITY
Make sure the contractor can provide proof of insurance BEFORE you hire them.  Don't just take their word for it.

There is no guarantee that these tips will bring complete success, but they will help narrow your choices down to the more reputable contractors.