Be sure to ask for a copy of their insurance, license, and bonds!

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fireview2788

fireview2788

Minister of Fire
Apr 20, 2011
972
SW Ohio
Over a week ago I had a tree company stop by and offer to take a leaning tree down for me. I have had a few companies come out and give me estimates that have ranged from $500 to $1500. The guy looked at it and offers to bring it down, leaving everything as I wanted, for $350. Of course that was a deal I couldn't refuse so I asked if they were licensed and insured. He replied "I wouldn't do this if I wasn't." I asked them for a copy of their paperwork and he said that the office was closed (day before Thanksgiving) and that they would fax me one. I told them I needed that before they did any work. I gave them the work fax number and they left.

So here I sit, almost two weeks later with a leaning tree and no proof of L/B/I. I told my wife I that I knew they wouldn't be back because they didn't have L/B/I. I followed my gut and what my "spidey sense" was telling me about these guys. Nothing might have happened if they dropped the tree but if they had been hurt my insurance would have gone through the roof and I would have been up the Mississippi without paddle.

Just wanted to share my experience in hopes of helping someone else!

f v
 
Have your own blank "Hold harmless" forms on hand. The shoe will be on the other foot when you ask them to sign one.
 
A friend of mine who owns a local business was having some trees cut down. They were cutting a leaner when it started to barber chair. One of the new guys working for said tree company ran behind the tree that was barber chairing because he had little experience. He died on the spot when his head was crushed between two trees. The company was not insured. Who's insurance do you think will pay for this?
 
Wow, that sucks. My in-laws had a guy get a limb dropped on his head and split him open pretty good. This company was L/B/I.

I forgot to add, check the BBB on the company too! I've found some great info that way.

f v
 
I was having some roofing done and the contractor stated he had full insurance. I asked for a copy, he told me that he had all of his insurance with a local company. I called the company and checked on the contractor, they said they would call me back. A few hours later I got a copy faxed to me from a different agency dated that day.
 
Pennsylvania has a nice online service with which you can go online (or call a toll free hotline) to check a company's insurance and other information. If your state doesn't have this, I recommend that you write to your representatives to get a similar law passed.

The law:
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/hic.aspx

The search page:
http://hicsearch.attorneygeneral.gov/

The search gives you a lot of information that's registered with the attorney general's office, including insurer's name, type of coverage, and amount of coverage. It lists any history of bankruptcy or legal trouble for that company.
 
Better to be up the Mississippi without a paddle than down. You can float down river.
Good catch & some good points to remember.
Cheapest bid is not always the best, multiple bids is a good idea on any project :)
References are good to ask for also.
 
Just a little follow-up! They stopped by again today and provided me with a copy of the their insurance which I took inside to make a copy. I checked the date and saw that it was written on 11/28, five days AFTER they came by the first time! I decided to call the insurance company to make sure everything was good. The lady came back and said that they were good to go. I laughed and was glad I followed my gut.

I went back out, verified the quote of $371 to drop the tree, and told them to have at it. The guy commented that it was leaning more than when they checked it the first time. I told him that I was sure that it was because of all the rain we had gotten over the past week. He commented that he was going to have to climb it. I didn't answer him because I didn't care how be brought it down as long as it was down.

I went back inside because I was busy setting up the Christmas tree before I had to go to work and figured they didn't need me watching. My youngest sat in the front window and watched for me. I checked on them a couple of time and watched as they walked around the tree and looked at it. I watched one guy walk (actually limp) out to the tree with ropes and then I went back to the Christmas tree.

A couple of minutes later I wondered why I wasn't hearing the chainsaw so I looked out.....they were GONE. My daughter said that they had gotten in their truck and left (she didn't mention it to me). My wife thought that maybe they had gone to lunch but I said that I didn't think so because they wouldn't have gotten the rope out if they were going to leave. I left for work at 2:00 and they hadn't returned (arrived at 11:30).

Oh well, I'm hoping for a good wind with the heavy rains we've had and the problem will be solved plus it will be free.

f v
 
You know, I could respect a man who had the ballzz to knock on the door and tell me that, after looking it over really well, "I've decided I just do not have the skills and expertise to bring this tree down safely." I'd shake his hand and wish him well.

But a guy who just slithers away without a word.... not so much.
 
Had a similar occurance.
Guy stopped me while I was mowing my yard and gave me a business card for a tree service that stated L/B/I.
I told him I had several limbs I'd like taken out of large trees. He quoted me $75 per limb.
I gave him the go-ahead to come back in the morning. That night I called the number on his business card and asked to bring a copy of his license and insurance.
He said no problem, but never showed up. I called the number the next day to ask if they were coming and noboddy answered or returned my call.

I'm sure liability insurance costs a pretty penny for those guys.
 
My thoughts exactly Kensters, exactly. It would have bothered me several years ago but eh, whatever.


fv
 
TreePointer said:
Pennsylvania has a nice online service with which you can go online (or call a toll free hotline) to check a company's insurance and other information. If your state doesn't have this, I recommend that you write to your representatives to get a similar law passed.

The law:
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/hic.aspx

The search page:
http://hicsearch.attorneygeneral.gov/

The search gives you a lot of information that's registered with the attorney general's office, including insurer's name, type of coverage, and amount of coverage. It lists any history of bankruptcy or legal trouble for that company.
Click to expand...

Washington State has a similar system. Very easy to look contractors up online and make sure everything is in order...
 
Kenster said:
You know, I could respect a man who had the ballzz to knock on the door and tell me that, after looking it over really well, "I've decided I just do not have the skills and expertise to bring this tree down safely." I'd shake his hand and wish him well.

But a guy who just slithers away without a word.... not so much.
Click to expand...

Yup, you said it. That's the problem today, Not only is our country bout bankrupt, but a large portion of the people in it are morally bankrupt as well. :shut: It's a shame.
 
I got a reply on one of my CL ads to take down trees if no obstructions/powerlines, etc. Guy had several large oaks but they were close to the house and power lines. There were a couple smaller standing dead trees that I stated I would take and suggested he contact a pro about the other trees and I would clean up after them. He was kinda ticked off that I wouldn't take them all and I reminded how how my CL ad read.

It has surprised me that nobody has ever asked for insurance info from me, I know I would!
 
It's 1300hrs and they aren't back from lunch. I wonder if they changed their minds %-P


f v
 
Lets see, two trips out to your place, one trip down to the insuance agent, plus the cost of the insurance policy, maybe even lunch at Arbys for two?,,,,,,,,, I think they may have already blown their profit margins. Better to quit before they get any further in the hole.
 
Yep!

f v
 
Quick update, I got another quote from another company.....$300 if they do it this week. A+ rating from BBB and L/B/I. Looks like if they come through I'll be cutting up some hickory this week.


f v
 
fireview2788 said:
Quick update, I got another quote from another company.....$300 if they do it this week. A+ rating from BBB and L/B/I. Looks like if they come through I'll be cutting up some hickory this week.


f v
Click to expand...

Sounds like a deal to me.
 
We have a tree on the ground! They did a great job and saved the pine right below this tree. This kid climbed up there and limbed out a tree leaning @ 60degrees (my wife was watching it and measuring it). I was really impressed and he got a little extra $ in his hand as he left. Now the fun for me begins!


f v
 
I love happy endings. Glad it worked out for you.
 
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