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How to Hire the Best Tree Surgeon in Galway: A Homeowner’s Checklist Startet af JB Property Maintenance · 0 Svar
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Navigating the Cowboy Market
If you type "tree surgeon Galway" into Google, you will be met with dozens of results. From large companies to "a man with a van and a chainsaw," the options can be overwhelming. However, tree surgery is not like painting a wall or mowing a lawn. It is a high-risk activity that involves potential danger to life and property. Making the wrong choice can leave you with a damaged roof, a half-finished job, or even legal liability.
To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a checklist for hiring a professional arborist in the West of Ireland.
1. Proof of Insurance (Public Liability)
This is non-negotiable. Tree work involves dropping heavy timber, often near houses, cars, and fences. Accidents can happen even to the best. You must ask to see proof of Public Liability Insurance. This covers you if the tree surgeon accidentally drops a branch through your conservatory roof.
Note: J.B. Property Maintenance is fully insured, giving our clients total peace of mind.
2. Qualifications and Training
Owning a chainsaw does not make someone a tree surgeon. Professional arborists undergo rigorous training (often NPTC or Lantra awards) to learn how to climb safely, how to use rigging ropes, and how to cut timber under tension. Ask about the team's qualifications. Are they trained in aerial rescue? Do they know the biological needs of the tree?
Our Experience: With over 25 years in the industry, our team combines formal training with decades of hands-on experience in Galway, Mayo, and Clare.
3. The Right Equipment
A professional job requires professional tools. A gardener with a handsaw cannot handle a dangerous tree removal safely. Look for companies that own wood chippers (to process the waste), stump grinders (to finish the job properly), and modern climbing gear.
Waste Disposal: Ask what happens to the waste. A reputable company will chip the branches and remove the wood, often recycling it into mulch or biomass. At J.B. Property Maintenance, we practice eco-friendly disposal, ensuring we leave your garden tidier than we found it.
4. Local Reputation and References
In closely-knit communities like Galway, reputation is everything. A reliable tree surgeon will have a track record of happy customers. Look for testimonials or ask for references. Have they done work in your neighborhood? A local company is accountable; they rely on word-of-mouth and cannot afford to do a bad job.
5. A Written Quote
Avoid anyone who gives you a vague price or asks for cash upfront before the job is done. A professional will visit your property, inspect the tree, discuss your options (e.g., "Do you really need to fell it, or would a reduction save the tree?"), and provide a clear, free quote.
Transparency: The quote should detail exactly what is included. Does it include waste removal? Stump grinding? VAT?
6. Safety Standards
Watch how they work or how they talk about the work. Do they mention safety? Do they wear helmets and protective trousers? A lack of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is the biggest red flag. If they don't care about their own safety, they certainly won't care about your property's safety.
Why "Cheap" Can be Expensive
We understand the temptation to go with the cheapest quote. However, the "cheap" option often cuts corners on insurance, safety, and waste disposal. If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you could be liable. If they fly-tip your garden waste down a country lane, you could be fined.
Conclusion Hiring a tree surgeon is a relationship of trust. You are inviting a team onto your property to perform dangerous work. By following this checklist, you can filter out the cowboys and find a professional partner like J.B. Property Maintenance. We check every box: experienced, insured, equipped, and locally trusted. Don't gamble with your trees; call the experts who have been serving the Connaught region for a quarter of a century.
If you type "tree surgeon Galway" into Google, you will be met with dozens of results. From large companies to "a man with a van and a chainsaw," the options can be overwhelming. However, tree surgery is not like painting a wall or mowing a lawn. It is a high-risk activity that involves potential danger to life and property. Making the wrong choice can leave you with a damaged roof, a half-finished job, or even legal liability.
To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a checklist for hiring a professional arborist in the West of Ireland.
1. Proof of Insurance (Public Liability)
This is non-negotiable. Tree work involves dropping heavy timber, often near houses, cars, and fences. Accidents can happen even to the best. You must ask to see proof of Public Liability Insurance. This covers you if the tree surgeon accidentally drops a branch through your conservatory roof.
Note: J.B. Property Maintenance is fully insured, giving our clients total peace of mind.
2. Qualifications and Training
Owning a chainsaw does not make someone a tree surgeon. Professional arborists undergo rigorous training (often NPTC or Lantra awards) to learn how to climb safely, how to use rigging ropes, and how to cut timber under tension. Ask about the team's qualifications. Are they trained in aerial rescue? Do they know the biological needs of the tree?
Our Experience: With over 25 years in the industry, our team combines formal training with decades of hands-on experience in Galway, Mayo, and Clare.
3. The Right Equipment
A professional job requires professional tools. A gardener with a handsaw cannot handle a dangerous tree removal safely. Look for companies that own wood chippers (to process the waste), stump grinders (to finish the job properly), and modern climbing gear.
Waste Disposal: Ask what happens to the waste. A reputable company will chip the branches and remove the wood, often recycling it into mulch or biomass. At J.B. Property Maintenance, we practice eco-friendly disposal, ensuring we leave your garden tidier than we found it.
4. Local Reputation and References
In closely-knit communities like Galway, reputation is everything. A reliable tree surgeon will have a track record of happy customers. Look for testimonials or ask for references. Have they done work in your neighborhood? A local company is accountable; they rely on word-of-mouth and cannot afford to do a bad job.
5. A Written Quote
Avoid anyone who gives you a vague price or asks for cash upfront before the job is done. A professional will visit your property, inspect the tree, discuss your options (e.g., "Do you really need to fell it, or would a reduction save the tree?"), and provide a clear, free quote.
Transparency: The quote should detail exactly what is included. Does it include waste removal? Stump grinding? VAT?
6. Safety Standards
Watch how they work or how they talk about the work. Do they mention safety? Do they wear helmets and protective trousers? A lack of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is the biggest red flag. If they don't care about their own safety, they certainly won't care about your property's safety.
Why "Cheap" Can be Expensive
We understand the temptation to go with the cheapest quote. However, the "cheap" option often cuts corners on insurance, safety, and waste disposal. If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you could be liable. If they fly-tip your garden waste down a country lane, you could be fined.
Conclusion Hiring a tree surgeon is a relationship of trust. You are inviting a team onto your property to perform dangerous work. By following this checklist, you can filter out the cowboys and find a professional partner like J.B. Property Maintenance. We check every box: experienced, insured, equipped, and locally trusted. Don't gamble with your trees; call the experts who have been serving the Connaught region for a quarter of a century.
