FAQS
ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR TREE CARE SERVICES IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Call us today at
571-244-3838
Got Questions? We Have Answers!
Before hiring a Northern Virginia tree service company, you probably have a lot of questions about estimates, invoices, permits, and doing the work. We often get asked the same questions by customers so we thought we'd share the most common questions, and the answers, with you.
Please call us at 571-244-3838 if there's anything else you'd like to know – we’re always happy to answer your questions!
Are you licensed and insured?
What if I have an emergency situation, such as a tree falling on my house?
In emergency situations, we are available 24/7 by phone at 571-244-3838.
Other emergency situations may include:
- Trees leaning or starting to uproot
- A tree fell on your house
- Nearby trees severely damaged by wind, hail or lightning
- Electrical wires grounded by a fallen tree
- Broken branches hanging above your house or car
If a tree has fallen on your home, vacate the premises and call us immediately! Fallen trees can result in dangerous electrical sparks or gas leaks and cause extensive damage inside the home.
Do you charge to provide an estimate?
We don't charge to visit your property and provide an estimate for tree work.
Our estimates are instantly delivered as a written proposal via email during our visit. You can also view and accept the proposal on our tablets during the tree consultation visit.
We're proud to be in the forefront of technology use in the tree care industry - it makes things easier for you, saves paper (we love trees!) and allows everything to get done more quickly.
Why can't you just give me an estimate over the phone?
Every job is different - one tree removal, pruning job or tree treatment is not like another.
It takes a trained tree care professional to diagnose the problem, assess the situation (including structures in the surrounding area, any dangers posed by the tree, proximity to electrical wires, access to the work area, etc.) and determine the best course of action. Without seeing the tree and what's around it, we can't possibly know what will be required to complete the work.
What does the process of working with Green Vista look like?
Once you get in touch with us we will set up a time to meet with one of our arborists.
It’s important that we meet with the decision maker or homeowner to guarantee that we’re all on the same page.
Once we meet, a detailed proposal is emailed out to you.
If you accept and you’d like to move forward with the proposal then we’ll put you into our scheduling queue and you can expect the work performed anywhere within 1-3 weeks.
How quickly can you get started?
Timing of tree work largely depends on your location and the specifics of the job. We try to schedule work for when our crews will be in your neighborhood - it's more efficient, allows us to get to jobs more quickly and therefore saves you money.
We're typically booked out for several weeks in advance so while we may be able to fit you into the schedule within a day or two, it could be up to 3 weeks before we're able to start work.
While we do our best to accommodate your schedule if you want to be home when we're working on your property, please understand that this can result in the job being rescheduled and/or pushed out further.
When are you coming to complete my tree care work?
Once you accept your proposal via our online system or call the arborist or office to accept verbally, your job is placed into our scheduling queue. It’s a very organized system and we will not forget about your project.
Jobs are scheduled in a geographically efficient manner and once we are ready to perform the work, you will be notified at least 1 business day before.
Again, you can expect your job to be completed within 1-3 weeks from the date of acceptance. However, during our busier seasons and after significant storm events it can take up to 4-6 weeks or more.
Will there be any damage to my property from tree removal or pruning?
We do our best to protect your lawn and plantings when doing tree work, including using alturna mats to protect the lawn. And of course, we're always careful to avoid damage to structures, such as your house!
However, tree removal and pruning usually means that large pieces of heavy wood are being lowered or dropped onto your lawn so minor lawn damage is inevitable. We'll patch up divots with dirt and grass seed but won't fix minor lawn damage beyond that. If it's something major, like large ruts or divots, we'll lay top soil and some grass seed but we are not responsible for fixing or repairing your lawn beyond that extent.
We use expensive alturna mats to protect your lawn from turf damage from heavy equipment, rather than boards or plywood like most other tree companies use. We even spend extra to buy white mats because the cheaper black mats burn up the grass!
Will there be any damage to my property from tree removal or pruning?
We do our best to protect your lawn and plantings when doing tree work, including using alturna mats to protect the lawn. And of course, we're always careful to avoid damage to structures, such as your house!
However, tree removal and pruning usually means that large pieces of heavy wood are being lowered or dropped onto your lawn so minor lawn damage is inevitable. We'll patch up divots with dirt and grass seed but won't fix minor lawn damage beyond that. If it's something major, like large ruts or divots, we'll lay top soil and some grass seed but we are not responsible for fixing or repairing your lawn beyond that extent.
We use expensive alturna mats to protect your lawn from turf damage from heavy equipment, rather than boards or plywood like most other tree companies use. We even spend extra to buy white mats because the cheaper black mats burn up the grass!
What payment methods do you accept?
We take all forms of payment.
If the client is home the day the job is performed, they can hand a check over to the crew foreman directly and they’ll receive a receipt once it’s processed in the office.
Otherwise, the office will email you an invoice with payment options and information. You may choose to mail a check or pay online for a small fee.
Is stump grinding included in a tree removal estimate?
No, stump grinding is not part of our tree removal estimates. However, we do give you the option to have your stump removed if desired - we include stump grinding as a separate line item on your tree removal proposal.
Do I need to be home for the estimate?
No - however, we prefer to meet whenever possible. That way both parties have clear expectations of the work to be done. Trimming, in particular, can be done many different ways, and if you have specific trimming needs we find it's helpful if you are on site.
Do I need to be home for the work being done?
No, it's not necessary. The estimator will have appraised the crew of the work being done, and they will have a copy of the detailed work order. The estimator may stop by or check in during the job to check on the progress.
Payment is required at the completion of a job, so if you are not home we will mail you a bill. If paying by credit card, a phone call will be necessary.
Is it okay to prune in winter?
Absolutely! In fact, pruning and trimming in winter have many benefits that we describe here, but, in short, it saves money, is better for the trees, and we usually have more availability.
Am I responsible for yard cleanup after a tree trimming or removal?
No, we take care of removing brush, debris, and wood from your property after a tree trimming or tree removal. Stump grindings are an additional charge. If you'd like us to leave the wood for you (to use as firewood, for example), please let us know and it will be reflected in your contract.
Why is it important for anyone doing tree work to be insured?
Be sure to read our blog about The Truth About Tree Care Insurance and Homeowner Risk. A tree care company should have liability insurance and workers compensation. "Logging" has long been one of the most dangerous professions, and any kind of tree work falls under that same category. The heights, equipment, and dangerous situations have led to many injuries and deaths. An arborist knows the risks and how to avoid them, but the tree care company should also carry the right level of insurance so that you and your property are covered in case of anything going wrong, and so that the tree workers are covered as well.
What does liability insurance cover?
Damage to any property, people, or buildings. You may view a copy of our insurance here. If a contractor shows you a certificate of insurance, it may be expired or not cover the job that you are having done (for instance, most landscapers have insurance that only covers work done up to ten feet off the ground, but not above).
For your peace of mind, you may want to contact the insurance broker. They can then add you to the policy to be covered for the work being done. The contact information for our broker is on the copy of insurance that is linked above.
What does worker's compensation cover?
Like any dangerous profession, tree care companies should have worker's compensation insurance for their employees. This insurance covers an employee if he or she becomes injured or disabled.
After I removed the mulch left over from the stump grinding I can still see pieces of stump left behind, what can I do?
This is fairly common on larger stumps, if this happens just contact the Green Vista office and let us know.
Can I trim branches that are over my property from my neighbor’s tree?
Legally, yes!
However, it’s best to have their permission in case we need to climb the tree and also so that we can prune it properly.
If you do not have permission to get onto your neighbor’s property we may still be able to trim any branches over your property using specialized man lifts we own.
Get a Free Tree Service Quote!
Use our simple online form to submit your information. Our office will get in touch with you as quickly as possible during normal business hours to schedule an arborist visit so we can inspect your tree(s) and prepare a complimentary tree service proposal.
