How to choose the best tree lopping company in your local area
Tree lopping is a way to reduce the size of a tree while maintaining its aesthetic and functional properties. If conducted correctly, the result should be a healthy tree that can continue standing for years to come without causing damage to your property. However, should you choose to rely on the services of an unqualified person to do the tree lopping on your property, you will be in for a rough ride which will involve damaged trees and liabilities at your expense.
It is, therefore, necessary that you look for a tree lopping business that is reputable and available in your locality. Do not accept services from walk-ins who are in it for the thrill of making some quick cash. Remember that you should not compromise your safety for the sake of saving a few dollars in the end. Take some critical steps to ensure that you get the right tree lopping business for your needs.

Search
Conduct a study on the available tree lopping businesses in your locality. The closer the company is to your property, the fewer costs you will incur in the end. You can start off by asking around from the people close to you about any experience that they may have with tree lopping businesses. If they have dealt with companies or people with satisfactory services, take those contacts as they will come in handy at some point.
The internet is full of websites advertising their tree lopping services. Take a look at several of these sites and focus on the ones located near you. The good thing about such websites is that they will have customer reviews. The comments made by previous clients can help you gauge the quality of services that you are to expect from the businesses online. Make a short list of companies you are interested in and get to researching more about them.

You can also check your yellow pages for tree lopping services. People who have listed their businesses on the yellow pages elicit some form of permanency in the market, and this is a sign of reliability. If you should find that any of the businesses advertise that they offer tree topping as an extra service, do not contact them. Tree topping is a hazardous practice that negatively affects the health of trees, and if a tree lopper is willing to practice such an activity, there are high chances that they could end up damaging your trees.
Insurance
A tree lopping business should have a valid license cover. The cover should be inclusive of damages to your property and that of your neighbors as well as any injuries that could occur to the employees while they are on your property. If the insurance does not cover all three, do not hire the company. Make sure to contact the insurance provider to find out if the permit is valid as you will be liable for any losses should the cover be invalid – also checkout the South Australia regulations found here.

Local references
Ask the tree lopping businesses under consideration to provide you with contacts of some of their previous clients. Talking to their clients will help you understand the level of professionalism practiced. You can also get a good idea of the background of the companies. Do not deal with a business that is reluctant to share contacts of previous clients as you will be wandering into unknown territory.
Certifications
In Adelaide, the employees of the tree lopping business that you choose should have the necessary certifications. In some cases, you will find that the professionals in your area are not certified. If this happens to be the case, find out if they belong to any professional tree lopping organization. Belonging to such a group exhibits some form of professional commitment, and this will ensure that you get excellent services in the end.

Better business bureau
Although this organization is losing touch with time, it is still a good indicator of reliability and reputation. Conduct some research on whether the tree lopping business under consideration appears in this agency. If it is listed, find out what their score is and if there have been any complaints about their services. An organization that does not appear in the bureau is likely to be unreliable and unprofessional, and it is wise to keep away from it.
Reliability
Figure out how much time the tree lopping will take and how soon they can get started. Also, find out if they will take care of the mess that they will create as they work. You need a professional who can adhere to a deadline and clean up after they finish.

Pricing
Get a list of estimates from the different tree lopping businesses as you make your decision. Given the degree of work that needs to be carried out for tree lopping to be successful, you are likely to spend a lot of money on the process. With that in mind, be wary of any business that charges you a rate that you feel is too cheap. Sometimes you may end up paying very little for a service, and you end up regretting it after seeing the work that gets done for that price.
If the price seems unreasonably high, do not accept the contract as you will end up feeling cheated. Settle on a business that charges rates that are reasonable based on the work to be done and find out if they have any additional costs. Negotiate a flexible payment option and have the agreement in writing to avoid any conflicts in future.
The most important thing that you need to keep in mind when hiring a tree lopper is that you should never pay before the work ends. Some loppers will ask you for the money upfront and disappear without doing a thing. Use great caution when it comes to payment.
Having considered all the factors required in choosing an excellent tree lopping business, you can go ahead and hire the company that best suits you. Do not settle for an unqualified walk-in who promises to carry out tree lopping at a throw-away price. It will end up costing you more money in the future or even worse; injuring you. Remember, safety first!
