Hiring Davey Tree Service for pruning, tree removal, or storm cleanup should start with the work your property actually needs—not with the company name alone. The local team’s availability, the person assessing the tree, and the details of the proposed job all matter. Ask for a written scope, confirm the qualifications of the arborist involved, and understand how the crew will protect people and property. Then compare the estimate with another qualified contractor’s proposal if the job is substantial or the recommended work is unclear. These checks can help you decide whether Davey is a suitable choice for your particular tree-care project.
Start by defining the job
Before requesting an estimate, identify the problem you want addressed. Is a branch dead or hanging over a driveway? Has a storm split a trunk? Are you considering removal because a tree is declining, interfering with planned work, or creating a specific hazard? A clear description helps the estimator focus on the condition and outcome rather than offering a broad, open-ended service.
Take photographs from a safe distance and note the tree’s location, nearby structures, fences, gardens, and overhead wires. Don’t climb the tree or approach unstable limbs to get a better view. If the tree is near a power line, tell the company when arranging an assessment; utility coordination may be necessary before work can begin.
Confirm that the local Davey team handles the service you need. Ask whether the estimate can cover related work, too, such as debris removal or stump grinding. Those items may be separate from pruning or tree removal, so don’t assume they are included.
How to evaluate a Davey Tree Service proposal
A useful proposal explains what will happen to each tree and what the crew will leave behind. If it recommends removal, ask why pruning or monitoring would not address the concern. If it recommends pruning, ask what the work is intended to accomplish and which parts of the tree will be affected.
| Job type | What the scope should clarify | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Pruning | Which tree and limbs are included, the purpose of the cuts, and how brush or wood will be handled | Is the goal to remove dead or damaged limbs, improve clearance, or address another specific concern? |
| Tree removal | Which tree will be removed, how the crew will access it, and what happens to the trunk, branches, and stump | Does the quoted work include stump grinding, or is that a separate service? |
| Storm cleanup | Which damaged or fallen material is included, what can be safely handled, and how debris will be cleared | Will the crew assess the remaining tree for additional damage before recommending further work? |
| Stump grinding | Which stump is included and how the resulting material or surface will be left | What should I expect at the site after grinding, and is filling or restoring the area included? |
These details make it easier to compare Davey Tree Service with another contractor. Two estimates can use the same service label but describe different amounts of work. Compare the trees, tasks, cleanup, and exclusions—not just the total at the bottom.
Ask who will assess and supervise the work
Find out who inspected the tree and who will direct the crew. If the work involves a significant pruning decision, a declining tree, or a removal recommendation, ask whether an ISA Certified Arborist is involved and what role that person will have. You can verify an individual’s ISA credential through the International Society of Arboriculture’s credential tools. A credential is useful information, but it doesn’t replace a clear explanation of the tree’s condition and the proposed work.
Ask the assessor to explain the reasoning in plain language. For example, request the specific defect or conflict that makes removal necessary, or the particular limbs that need pruning. If the answer is only that the tree is “too big” or “looks bad,” ask for more detail. A second assessment can be worthwhile when the recommendation is expensive, irreversible, or difficult to understand.
Be cautious about proposals for indiscriminate heavy cutting or topping. Ask what pruning method is planned and how it supports the tree’s health, structure, or clearance needs. If the explanation remains vague, pause before approving the work and seek another qualified opinion.
Check safety, insurance, and property protection
Tree work can involve chainsaws, falling limbs, climbing, heavy equipment, and restricted work zones. Ask how the crew will control access to the area, protect nearby structures, and handle limbs that cannot be dropped freely. The plan should make sense for your yard: a tight space beside a house, a shared fence, or a garden bed may call for different access and rigging arrangements than an open lawn.
Request current proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage, and confirm that the documents apply to the business entity named on the estimate. If you have concerns about coverage, contact the insurer listed on the certificate to verify it. Also ask whether the proposed work requires any arrangements with a utility provider or permission from a property owner, homeowners’ association, or local authority. Requirements vary by location and job.
Before work starts, clarify where vehicles or equipment may enter, what needs to be moved, and how damage concerns will be handled. Point out irrigation lines, outdoor lighting, fragile paving, and other features that may not be obvious. Ask what cleanup is included and whether any wood will remain on site. Get the answers in writing rather than relying on an informal conversation.
Read the estimate before comparing the price
Tree-care costs depend on the work and the site. Tree size and condition, access, proximity to buildings or wires, equipment needs, debris handling, and stump work can all affect a proposal. Without the same scope, price comparisons can be misleading. A lower estimate may exclude removal of wood or grinding the stump; a higher one may include those tasks or describe a more involved work plan.
Check that the written estimate identifies the trees, lists the work to be performed, and states what is excluded. Look for details on debris removal, wood left for the owner, stump treatment, site cleanup, and any conditions that could change the scope. Ask how the company will handle additional work discovered after the crew arrives and whether your approval is required before the price or tasks change.
Get proposals in writing and compare them line by line. If two qualified providers recommend different approaches, ask each to explain the difference. The goal is not to choose the smallest number automatically; it is to understand what you are paying for and whether the work is appropriate.
Use this checklist before approving the job
- The estimate identifies each tree and describes the specific work.
- The arborist’s assessment explains the reason for pruning, removal, or other treatment.
- You know who will supervise the crew and what relevant credentials that person holds.
- The company has provided current insurance documentation for the named contracting business.
- Cleanup, wood handling, stump work, exclusions, and possible extra charges are clear.
- The plan accounts for nearby buildings, fences, utilities, access points, and other property features.
- You know who to contact if the scope changes or a concern arises during the job.
If any item is unresolved, ask for clarification before scheduling. A professional estimate should give you enough information to make an informed decision, even if you ultimately choose a different provider.
Take extra care with storm cleanup
After a storm, distinguish between immediate hazards and work that can wait for an assessment. Stay away from hanging limbs, split trunks, and trees under tension; don’t try to cut or pull damaged branches yourself. Treat downed power lines as energized, keep people clear, and contact the utility or emergency services as appropriate. Tell Davey Tree Service about any wires or unstable sections when you request help.
Ask the estimator to separate urgent hazard removal from optional follow-up work. A crew may need to address an immediate danger first, while a full assessment of the remaining tree or cleanup of additional debris can be considered separately. Confirm what the quoted emergency work covers, how the site will be left, and whether further work requires a new written estimate. Avoid approving broad additional work under pressure if the scope and price have not been explained.
Warning signs to take seriously
- The representative pressures you to approve immediate, extensive work without explaining the tree’s condition.
- The estimate uses vague phrases such as “trim trees” or “clean up yard” without identifying the work and limits.
- The company cannot provide insurance documentation or explain who is responsible for the job.
- Cleanup, stump removal, or wood disposal is assumed but not stated in writing.
- The proposed method raises safety concerns, or questions about the work are dismissed rather than answered.
One unclear answer does not necessarily settle the decision, but repeated evasiveness is a reason to pause. You can request a revised estimate, seek another assessment, or decline the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Davey Tree Service provide the same services at every location?
Don’t assume that every local team offers the same services or has the same scheduling availability. Ask the local representative whether they can complete your specific job, including any related stump or debris work, and have the agreed scope written into the estimate.
Should I get a second estimate before hiring Davey?
A second written estimate can help when a project is costly, the recommended work is extensive, or you are unsure why removal is necessary. Compare the proposed methods and included tasks as well as the price. Different recommendations are a reason to ask questions, not proof by themselves that either contractor is wrong.
What should a tree-removal estimate include?
It should identify the tree, explain the removal scope, and state how the trunk, branches, and debris will be handled. Check separately for stump grinding, site cleanup, and any exclusions. Ask how nearby structures, access limits, and utilities are accounted for in the plan.
How can I tell whether a pruning recommendation is reasonable?
Ask what problem the pruning addresses and which limbs or parts of the canopy are included. The assessor should be able to explain the objective without relying on a vague instruction to cut the tree back heavily. If you still do not understand the recommendation, get another qualified assessment before approving substantial pruning.
What should I do if a storm-damaged tree is near a power line?
Keep people away from the tree and any downed wires, which should be treated as energized. Contact the utility or emergency services as appropriate, then tell the tree-care company about the hazard. Don’t attempt to move branches or begin cleanup yourself.
Make the decision from the written scope
Davey Tree Service may be a good fit when the local team can explain the tree’s condition, propose appropriate work, document safe practices, and provide a clear written estimate. Before approving the job, make sure the scope matches your property’s needs and that you understand what is included and excluded. If the recommendation or terms remain unclear, pause and compare another qualified assessment.