Certified Arborists
Professional arborists have a minimum of three years experience in some aspect of tree care and have passed an exam developed by an international panel of experts. The exam extensively covers every aspect of tree care and the individuals must have an acceptable level of knowledge in all areas of arboriculture.
Tips for Selecting Certified Arborists
Locate certified arborists through the phone
directory, Web, and recommendations made
by family members, neighbors, friends, and
work associates. Then, gauge selections based
on the following checklist:
- Certification -
Look for professional association memberships
with organizations like the American Society
of Consulting Arborists (ASCA), the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), and
the National Arborist Association (NAA). While
membership in any of these organizations is
good, only ISA has a certification program, so
look for the ISA certified arborist logo.
- Proof of Insurance -
Ask for proof of workers compensation and
personal and property damage insurance.
Verify that each policy is current by calling
insurance carriers. This helps protect
homeowners from being responsible for injuries
or property damages that result from the work.
- Permits -
Determine if they know about local, state, and/
or federal laws that require them to get permits
before work is performed.
- Customer References -
Call each reference and visit their sites to see
finished work.
- Quotes -
Get written estimates, even if it costs to have
an estimate completed. Ensure that estimates
include credentials, written scope of work to
be performed, and all costs. Compare quotes
on the basis of services to be performed and
costs for each service. (If a certified arborist
only performs consultations, ask for
recommendations for certified arborists who
actually perform tree maintenance or removal
and compare quotes with others.)
- Contracts -
Demand that work only start once a contract
is signed by both parties. Read contracts
carefully before signing. Verify that contracts
detail when work will be started and
completed, which party is responsible for
clean-up, the total price, and the arborist’s
hourly rate for additional work approved by
the customer.
List of Certified Arborists in Georgia
ISA Certified Arborists Training and Exam Review Classes
Starts January 9, 2007 – Statesboro, GA
|
