Step by step guide to engaging a professional tree service at your property.
Tree work can be a dangerous activity if undertaken by the wrong people and sometimes a bad provider can put themselves, your trees, your property and you at risk. Below we have drafted some do and do nots when engaging a contractor to work on your trees or property.
Job Proposals and Quotes: It is always recommended that you acquire at least 2 quotes from a suitably qualified, experienced and insured tree lopping/tree care provider. A good provider generally has links to relevant insurance policies and qualifications available on their website – if they do not it is advised that you ask for a copy of this information with your quote or before engaging a service. Always make sure information written in the quote is clear and correctly defined to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding through this process. Consistency is the key when gaining more than one quote, some services may offer additional options or professional advice when undertaking a quote so make sure the bidding is fair amongst the competition. If there is any variation it is good to contact the other provider and have any adjustments matched.
How much does it cost to undertake tree work; Tree work can be complex and requires a great deal of knowledge, equipment and experience to undertake safely. Professional contractors can have a substantial amount of overheads in place to offer a good service including multiple Insurance policies, expensive equipment, advertising, wages, professional associations, training and more. Tree work can sometimes seem expensive but when you factor in these elements required to offer an expert service the prices are often justified. Generally a professional 2-3 man tree crew with a climbing Arborist and truck/woodchipper can be between $400-$700+GST per hour depending on the scope and difficulty of works proposed. Some providers can also factor travel time into this hourly pricing structure. Additional charges can apply when dumping of large logs or palm chip/logs has to be undertaken as part of the work scope. If a cherry picker/elevated work platform or a crane is required this is also factored as an additional hourly rate on top of the tree crew rate- Generally 4 hours minimum at $250-$900+GST per hour depending on height/size of the machine. Stump grinding can also be an additional charge at a rate of $160.00 - $350.00+GST per hour depending on size/access to stump. All these rates can be bundled into a fixed price for the job or if you trust the tree care provider and the work quality delivered you can opt for a hourly rate charge.
Height and Insurance issues; If the tree workers are required to be above 4 meters in height the company should have a specific Public Liability policy that is 10 Million dollars or above, if it is below this value most likely they are not insured to work above 4 meters and the policy is incorrect. Unfortunately some tree businesses opt for a cheaper policy to save money and run the risk of breaking policy guidelines. Make sure your contractor has the correct insurance policies in place for the work proposed to avoid putting you and your property at risk.
DOOR KNOCKING TREE WORKERS BEWARE; these renegade contractors are often not insured, have limited experience or qualification and can take huge risks with your trees and property. Always make sure you see any required documentation before engaging a door to door salesman and obtain a clearly written and defined quote to avoid being put in a bad situation. Any professional tree business quote should have a registered company name, ABN, business address and business contact details.
TREE LOPPING/LOPPER? Unfortunately the tree industry in Australia is generally defined as tree lopping or tree lopper. Most web searches for people seeking tree services are for tree loppers or lopping although the practice of tree lopping goes against the principles of our Australian Standard for pruning Amenity Trees (AS 4373-2007). Tree lopping is the practice of reducing the height of a tree which sometimes can be very detrimental to a trees health and overall structure. If you are considering a height reduction it is always advised to discuss this with a suitably qualified Arborist before making a final decision.
Qualifications are very important; would you engage your Lawn mowing guy to fix your home electrical work? Tree lopping or as correctly known Arboriculture is now a recognized trade qualification in Australia, anybody can buy a chainsaw and cut a tree but are they trained and experienced to do so? Some older reputable tree workers may not have a written qualification but have extensive experience in the industry dating back to before a trade certificate was around. Engaging a non-qualified or unexperienced contractor can put you, your trees and property at risk. A person undertaking tree cutting, climbing, tree removal work should have a minimum Certificate 3 in Arboriculture or be enrolled as an apprentice Arborist. Any worker using a chainsaw on your property should have a relevant chainsaw ticket and anybody giving advice regarding tree health and structural condition should have a level 5 (AQF5) Diploma in Arboriculture with professional indemnity insurance. Trees are complex living organisms and require a specialist to assess and undertake work on them; incorrect pruning and damage to a tree can cause ongoing maintenance issues and create a long term risk for you and your property.
Personal Protective Clothing and OH&S; does your provider have the correct Occupational Health and Safety systems and equipment in place to undertake tree work? Our industry has strict regulations on correct PPE and OH&S procedures. A tree contractor should have a fully OH&S compliant safe work method statement system which involves undertaking a prestart evaluation on the risk of works being performed. A good provider will fully understand and happily explain their OH&S systems and run you through there process when undertaking a quote or before commencing any works. All staff should be wearing appropriate hard hats, high visibility clothing and safety equipment including chainsaw protective pants when operating a saw. If working on the road at the front of your property the contractor should have correct traffic guidance systems in place this generally includes the use of Traffic cones, signs and buffers to ensure workers, pedestrians and motorists are safe.
Tree climbing for pruning or removal work; a tree climber should be trained, experienced and qualified before undertaking the high risk work activity of climbing. A tree climber should move through a tree with precision and grace utilising excellent communication skills with the team on the ground. The tree climber’s equipment should be in good condition including their ropes, harness and rigging gear.
BEWARE OF LADDERS OR TREE CUTTERS WHO ONLY USE LADDERSLadders should ONLY be used for the occasional access to a tree in conjunction with supplementary ropes/life line fail safe points. You only have to watch one you tube video on tree cutting mistakes to know ladders are NOT a safe option for tree work by the unexperienced tree cutter. Always ask your contractor how they will be undertaking work above the ground to ensure they are a professional service.
Tree protection orders and tree ownership; it is always advised to know your rights and responsibilities when it comes to tree ownership and maintenance. Do you have any Local laws in place that protect vegetation on your property? Are the trees on your property and do you have permission to prune them as desired? A professional tree contractor will be educated on relevant local laws and neighbourhood acts to help guide you through the processes and applications required. Generally a good operator will not take any risks in removing protected vegetation on your property without council approval as there are harsh penalties imposed for tree owners and contractors. Some useful links are below regarding relevant local laws and QCAT tree dispute resolution.
Brisbane City Council, Natural Assets Local Laws 2003Redland City Council, Local Laws 6 and Tree protection overlays Logan City Council, Tree Protection LawsMoreton Bay Regional Council, Tree ProtectionCity of Goldcoast, Tree Protection LawsIpswich City Council, Tree Protection Law 49Sunshine Coast Council, Tree Protection LawsQCAT neighbourhood disputes regarding trees
Accepted a Quote, What to expect now; Once you have been through the quoting process and selected a suitably qualified or experienced Arborist to undertake the works on your property.
Do you need to be home?If you have a clearly defined scope of works and the communication is good with the contractor generally you do not need to be home. If you have pets which may be spooked by loud chainsaws and chippers roaring it may be a good idea to stay home or relocate them for the day. If you are very particular with what you want done and your property it is advised to stay home and ensure you get the finished result you desire. If you cannot be home it is advised to have somebody attend the property when the job is almost complete to ensure that it has been finished as specified. A good Arborist will text a photo of the completed job upon finishing the works if you cannot be home to ensure you are satisfied before leaving the site.
What to do in preparation of workers arriving?It is a good idea to move all relocatable fine items away from the trees being worked on and the path the crew will be removing the cut debris. This will avoid any unforeseen damage occurring during the tree pruning or removal process. The contractor should communicate this during the proposal process and assess the site in preparation. If you live in a busy street or area it is advised to have a space available for the contractor’s truck and chipper to park on the road frontage (Truck and chippers can be very large sometimes requiring you whole frontage), once again this should be communicated with your selected contractor during the scheduling of the works. Do you have a pool or pond near the trees being worked on? It is a good idea to cover up these water bodies with a tarp to avoid sawdust, leaves and bar oil splatter contaminating the area. Generally a good contractor will discuss this with you from the quote process but sometimes can be missed. A good provider will remove the bulk of debris accumulated in the water as part of the works but the pool can still be partially impacted. Do you have dogs or cats? It is a good idea to remove their waste before having the tree crew work in your property to avoid possible contact with the workers. Do the crew need access to power? Unless specified they do tree contractors do not need power to undertake tree works. The use of petrol powered hand tools is preferred by most Arborists. Do the staff need any facilities provided? Generally most productive tree crews are very self-sufficient and utilize there breaks to attend offsite facilities if required. Most staff will have all the things they need to get through a day of hard work, but it always pays to offer a tradesman a cold drink or cup of tea if you are around.
What to expect with completion the job?The works should be completed as specified within the quote unless a variation has been discussed and agreed to. Unless specified not too - all the cut debris should be removed and areas raked, blown down and left clean and tidy. A good provider will leave the areas affected by the tree removal as clean as possible but please be advised they do not carry vacuum cleaners. The work area for processing the tree debris (Generally roadside) should also be left clean and tidy. Payment is generally due upon completion of the works and conditions should be specified within your contract. The best way to show your appreciation for a good job done is a prompt payment to the contractor. What happen if you are not happy? The best thing to do is to call as soon as possible and discuss the issues; most contractors will attempt to resolve issues quickly within reason to avoid any delay in payment. It is always good to follow up any issues with an email trail to the business. Damage to your property? this is always our worst fear when it comes to tree work and generally what contractors are employed to avoid but sometimes accidents do happen. A good operator will inform you immediately of an incident and arrange necessary repairs as required; often the contractor will arrange the repairs themselves instead of using their insurance cover to avoid a rise in premiums. Always ensure any repairs undertaken are completed by a suitable qualified tradesman for the specified job. If the damage is significant we would always recommend going through your/their insurance company.
We hope this helps you with engaging a qualified Tree Service and if you have any additional questions please feel free to contact us directly – Jarad, Level 5 Arborist, Managing Director of Sustainable Tree Care Pty. Ltd.
How much does it cost to undertake tree work; Tree work can be complex and requires a great deal of knowledge, equipment and experience to undertake safely. Professional contractors can have a substantial amount of overheads in place to offer a good service including multiple Insurance policies, expensive equipment, advertising, wages, professional associations, training and more. Tree work can sometimes seem expensive but when you factor in these elements required to offer an expert service the prices are often justified. Generally a professional 2-3 man tree crew with a climbing Arborist and truck/woodchipper can be between $400-$700+GST per hour depending on the scope and difficulty of works proposed. Some providers can also factor travel time into this hourly pricing structure. Additional charges can apply when dumping of large logs or palm chip/logs has to be undertaken as part of the work scope. If a cherry picker/elevated work platform or a crane is required this is also factored as an additional hourly rate on top of the tree crew rate- Generally 4 hours minimum at $250-$900+GST per hour depending on height/size of the machine. Stump grinding can also be an additional charge at a rate of $160.00 - $350.00+GST per hour depending on size/access to stump. All these rates can be bundled into a fixed price for the job or if you trust the tree care provider and the work quality delivered you can opt for a hourly rate charge.
Height and Insurance issues; If the tree workers are required to be above 4 meters in height the company should have a specific Public Liability policy that is 10 Million dollars or above, if it is below this value most likely they are not insured to work above 4 meters and the policy is incorrect. Unfortunately some tree businesses opt for a cheaper policy to save money and run the risk of breaking policy guidelines. Make sure your contractor has the correct insurance policies in place for the work proposed to avoid putting you and your property at risk.
DOOR KNOCKING TREE WORKERS BEWARE; these renegade contractors are often not insured, have limited experience or qualification and can take huge risks with your trees and property. Always make sure you see any required documentation before engaging a door to door salesman and obtain a clearly written and defined quote to avoid being put in a bad situation. Any professional tree business quote should have a registered company name, ABN, business address and business contact details.
TREE LOPPING/LOPPER? Unfortunately the tree industry in Australia is generally defined as tree lopping or tree lopper. Most web searches for people seeking tree services are for tree loppers or lopping although the practice of tree lopping goes against the principles of our Australian Standard for pruning Amenity Trees (AS 4373-2007). Tree lopping is the practice of reducing the height of a tree which sometimes can be very detrimental to a trees health and overall structure. If you are considering a height reduction it is always advised to discuss this with a suitably qualified Arborist before making a final decision.
Qualifications are very important; would you engage your Lawn mowing guy to fix your home electrical work? Tree lopping or as correctly known Arboriculture is now a recognized trade qualification in Australia, anybody can buy a chainsaw and cut a tree but are they trained and experienced to do so? Some older reputable tree workers may not have a written qualification but have extensive experience in the industry dating back to before a trade certificate was around. Engaging a non-qualified or unexperienced contractor can put you, your trees and property at risk. A person undertaking tree cutting, climbing, tree removal work should have a minimum Certificate 3 in Arboriculture or be enrolled as an apprentice Arborist. Any worker using a chainsaw on your property should have a relevant chainsaw ticket and anybody giving advice regarding tree health and structural condition should have a level 5 (AQF5) Diploma in Arboriculture with professional indemnity insurance. Trees are complex living organisms and require a specialist to assess and undertake work on them; incorrect pruning and damage to a tree can cause ongoing maintenance issues and create a long term risk for you and your property.
Personal Protective Clothing and OH&S; does your provider have the correct Occupational Health and Safety systems and equipment in place to undertake tree work? Our industry has strict regulations on correct PPE and OH&S procedures. A tree contractor should have a fully OH&S compliant safe work method statement system which involves undertaking a prestart evaluation on the risk of works being performed. A good provider will fully understand and happily explain their OH&S systems and run you through there process when undertaking a quote or before commencing any works. All staff should be wearing appropriate hard hats, high visibility clothing and safety equipment including chainsaw protective pants when operating a saw. If working on the road at the front of your property the contractor should have correct traffic guidance systems in place this generally includes the use of Traffic cones, signs and buffers to ensure workers, pedestrians and motorists are safe.
Tree climbing for pruning or removal work; a tree climber should be trained, experienced and qualified before undertaking the high risk work activity of climbing. A tree climber should move through a tree with precision and grace utilising excellent communication skills with the team on the ground. The tree climber’s equipment should be in good condition including their ropes, harness and rigging gear.
BEWARE OF LADDERS OR TREE CUTTERS WHO ONLY USE LADDERSLadders should ONLY be used for the occasional access to a tree in conjunction with supplementary ropes/life line fail safe points. You only have to watch one you tube video on tree cutting mistakes to know ladders are NOT a safe option for tree work by the unexperienced tree cutter. Always ask your contractor how they will be undertaking work above the ground to ensure they are a professional service.
Tree protection orders and tree ownership; it is always advised to know your rights and responsibilities when it comes to tree ownership and maintenance. Do you have any Local laws in place that protect vegetation on your property? Are the trees on your property and do you have permission to prune them as desired? A professional tree contractor will be educated on relevant local laws and neighbourhood acts to help guide you through the processes and applications required. Generally a good operator will not take any risks in removing protected vegetation on your property without council approval as there are harsh penalties imposed for tree owners and contractors. Some useful links are below regarding relevant local laws and QCAT tree dispute resolution.
Brisbane City Council, Natural Assets Local Laws 2003Redland City Council, Local Laws 6 and Tree protection overlays Logan City Council, Tree Protection LawsMoreton Bay Regional Council, Tree ProtectionCity of Goldcoast, Tree Protection LawsIpswich City Council, Tree Protection Law 49Sunshine Coast Council, Tree Protection LawsQCAT neighbourhood disputes regarding trees
Accepted a Quote, What to expect now; Once you have been through the quoting process and selected a suitably qualified or experienced Arborist to undertake the works on your property.
Do you need to be home?If you have a clearly defined scope of works and the communication is good with the contractor generally you do not need to be home. If you have pets which may be spooked by loud chainsaws and chippers roaring it may be a good idea to stay home or relocate them for the day. If you are very particular with what you want done and your property it is advised to stay home and ensure you get the finished result you desire. If you cannot be home it is advised to have somebody attend the property when the job is almost complete to ensure that it has been finished as specified. A good Arborist will text a photo of the completed job upon finishing the works if you cannot be home to ensure you are satisfied before leaving the site.
What to do in preparation of workers arriving?It is a good idea to move all relocatable fine items away from the trees being worked on and the path the crew will be removing the cut debris. This will avoid any unforeseen damage occurring during the tree pruning or removal process. The contractor should communicate this during the proposal process and assess the site in preparation. If you live in a busy street or area it is advised to have a space available for the contractor’s truck and chipper to park on the road frontage (Truck and chippers can be very large sometimes requiring you whole frontage), once again this should be communicated with your selected contractor during the scheduling of the works. Do you have a pool or pond near the trees being worked on? It is a good idea to cover up these water bodies with a tarp to avoid sawdust, leaves and bar oil splatter contaminating the area. Generally a good contractor will discuss this with you from the quote process but sometimes can be missed. A good provider will remove the bulk of debris accumulated in the water as part of the works but the pool can still be partially impacted. Do you have dogs or cats? It is a good idea to remove their waste before having the tree crew work in your property to avoid possible contact with the workers. Do the crew need access to power? Unless specified they do tree contractors do not need power to undertake tree works. The use of petrol powered hand tools is preferred by most Arborists. Do the staff need any facilities provided? Generally most productive tree crews are very self-sufficient and utilize there breaks to attend offsite facilities if required. Most staff will have all the things they need to get through a day of hard work, but it always pays to offer a tradesman a cold drink or cup of tea if you are around.
What to expect with completion the job?The works should be completed as specified within the quote unless a variation has been discussed and agreed to. Unless specified not too - all the cut debris should be removed and areas raked, blown down and left clean and tidy. A good provider will leave the areas affected by the tree removal as clean as possible but please be advised they do not carry vacuum cleaners. The work area for processing the tree debris (Generally roadside) should also be left clean and tidy. Payment is generally due upon completion of the works and conditions should be specified within your contract. The best way to show your appreciation for a good job done is a prompt payment to the contractor. What happen if you are not happy? The best thing to do is to call as soon as possible and discuss the issues; most contractors will attempt to resolve issues quickly within reason to avoid any delay in payment. It is always good to follow up any issues with an email trail to the business. Damage to your property? this is always our worst fear when it comes to tree work and generally what contractors are employed to avoid but sometimes accidents do happen. A good operator will inform you immediately of an incident and arrange necessary repairs as required; often the contractor will arrange the repairs themselves instead of using their insurance cover to avoid a rise in premiums. Always ensure any repairs undertaken are completed by a suitable qualified tradesman for the specified job. If the damage is significant we would always recommend going through your/their insurance company.
We hope this helps you with engaging a qualified Tree Service and if you have any additional questions please feel free to contact us directly – Jarad, Level 5 Arborist, Managing Director of Sustainable Tree Care Pty. Ltd.