It seems lately we have been experiencing more violent windstorms then ever and with them much more property damage from trees falling. There are not many people that are experienced enough to know whether a tree is rotted or decayed and if it warrants being cut down or not.

Carmen Santora, Executive Director of the BCB says, “because of the danger and fear of what falling trees can do to life and property, another scam is starting to develop. It starts with a concerned call from a homeowner to a tree and landscape company”. Most times after a storm the homeowner is worried and only calls one contractor for a price to trim or cut down dangerous trees. They are at a disadvantage and can be taken advantage of very easily, especially the senior citizen.

The way the scam works is the homeowner is told the trees in question are rotted, decayed and very dangerous and must be cut down immediately before they fall and causes damage or injury to themselves or their neighbors.

Prices charged by the scam artists are usually higher than normal and payment is asked for up front preferably by cash or by credit card that is processed immediately. Most times there is no contract and many times nothing is given in writing explaining what will be done and what will not be done.

The scammer will tell the customer that they are a NYS Certified Arborist when all they are is a member of an arborist association. Consumers should be warned that when in danger they are the most vulnerable and should make sure they are dealing only with long established reputable tree service companies. If they have questions about trees they can also call a Tree Pathologist.

Some times the small fly by night tree contractors are not insured or if they are only have liability insurance to cover landscaping and not tree cutting which is much more expensive. If an accident occurs while their doing tree work and they don’t carry liability insurance for tree work the home owner could be liable for injury or damages to neighbors and their property and usually a homeowners policy will not cover the incident.

Helpful tips when in need of tree work

Never be high pressured into signing a contract or work order only because the threat of danger may be imminent.
Unless the tree has already fallen and caused damage to property always get three estimates for the work.
Never pay by cash and only make checks payable to a company name not to a personal individual. If asked to do so that should be a warning that the contractor is operating deceptively.
If a contractor says they are a NYS Certified Arborist check to see that they are and not just a member of an arborist association.
Make sure everything that is to be done is specified in writing, especially as to who will remove the tree limbs, stumps and debris.
Ask to see a copy of the contractor’s liability insurance certificate and check if they are insured as a tree contractor not just a landscaper. If in doubt call the insurance company if necessary to verify it, as tree removal insurance is much more costly then landscaping insurance.
If it is not an emergency situation check the contractor out with the Better Contractors Bureau at 338-3600.

Carmen Santora is the Executive Director for the Better Contractors Bureau. The BCB is a non-profit consumer protection agency established in 1974 to be of assistance to the homeowner. Its goals are to “protect & inform” the consumer, eliminate unscrupulous contractors, and upgrade the image of the home improvement industry.�

-The Fixie Chick