John North, BBB president and CEO, says, “There are some great tree service companies that will meet or exceed your expectations. But, unfortunately, the bad guys in this industry make it difficult for the good guys to do business. They shed a negative light on the entire industry. But, by doing your homework and selecting your contractor carefully, you can save yourself a lot of time, money and headaches.”
The Better Business Bureau names 27 area tree services with F ratings. The BBB assigns letter grades to local businesses ranging from A+ to F. The letter grade system represents your BBB’s degree of confidence businesses are operating in trustworthy manners and will make good faith efforts to resolve customer concerns.
Typically, businesses with F ratings have unanswered and/or unresolved complaints or patterns of complaints that reflect failure by the businesses to deal with the causes of customer problems. The BBB acknowledges it’s not as much about the number of complaints a company has, but how they handle complaints. (The list was accurate as of June 1, 2010.)
Today, the BBB shares a list of Miami Valley tree services that have earned F ratings, the organization’s lowest rating.
* A Plus Tree Services, 5693 Willowdale Rd., Springfield * Ackley’s Tree Service, 1359 Klobidenz St., Springfield * Adams & Son Tree Service, 10431 Chenoweth Rd., South Charleston * Bennett’s Tree Service, 3937 Folk Ream Rd., Springfield * Buckeye Gutter and Tree, 34 Rue Royale, Kettering * C & D Tree Service, 8509 E. SR 571, New Carlisle * Cardinal Tree Care Co., 320 N. Belmont Ave., Springfield * Charlie’s Tree Service, 5659 N. Dayton Lakeview Rd., New Carlisle * Dyer’s Tree Service, LLC, PO Box 115, Enon * Enterprise Tree Service, 1375 Ginghamsburg Fredrick Rd., Tipp City * J & K Trees & More, 1612 Broadway St., Springfield * Jim’s Tree Service, 609 Old Mill Rd., Springfield * K & R Tree Trimming & Removal, 324 Ludlow Ave., Springfield * L. A. Trees, 5500 Lower Valley Pk., Springfield * Lonnie’s Tree Service, 2515 Irwin Ave., Springfield * Mike Werner’s Tree Service, 6918 Athens St., Waynesville * Natels Tree Care, 225 S. Greenmount Ave., Springfield * Nationwide Tree Care, 651 S. Douglas Ave., Springfield * Premiere Tree Service, 4920 W. National Rd., Springfield * Red Oaks Tree & Mulch, 453 Red Coach Dr., Apt. 10, Springfield * Rife’s Tree Service, 150 W. Pleasant St., Springfield * Roberts Tree Care, 1210 Linden Ave., Springfield * Save A Lot Tree Service, 627 S. River St., Franklin * Tri-State Forestry, 917 Kenton St., Springfield * True Line Tree Service, 316 S. Greenmount Ave., Springfield * WANO Tree Service, 2731 Conestoga St., Springfield * West Wind Tree Care, 2112 Amarillo Ave., Springfield
When selecting a tree service, the BBB advises you:
* Get at least three written estimates detailing work specifications. * Don’t base your decision on the lowest estimate. Consider reputation, years of service and service provided. * Determine if companies employ certified arborists who’ve passed tests and have adequate training and knowledge specific to tree care. * Meet company representatives and make sure they’re dressed professionally, prompt and courteous and have knowledge of industry standards. * Confirm contractors have proper licensing and insurance coverage. * Find out if tree services are members of organizations, such as the National Arborist Association (NAA), American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) or accredited with the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). These organizations ensure companies adhere to industry standards and licensing and insurance requirements and evaluate overall business practices. * Request references and check them out. Visit finished jobs, if possible. * Find out if companies own stump removal equipment. Many companies rent it once they have multiple stumps to remove. * Check companies out with your BBB by visiting www.bbb.org or calling (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301. Your BBB can also provide you with a list of BBB Accredited Businesses in the industry
Selecting a tree service should be done carefully. Oftentimes, shady operators go door-to-door, claim to be working in the neighborhood and ask for cash upfront. They leave shortly after beginning work, never to be heard from again.
Some promise to come back and remove stumps, but fail to do so. Others have no printed materials, letterhead or bid forms, are unwilling to provide credentials or proper certifications and use scare tactics or pressure you to make an immediate decision.
Some companies frequently change company names and repaint vehicles when authorities catch on to their actions. Some may even claim to be BBB Accredited Businesses when they aren’t. Remember, just because a company claims it’s reputable or a BBB Accredited Business, doesn’t mean it is.
John North said, “I encourage you to do business with BBB Accredited Businesses. Accredited Businesses have to have a B rating or higher and respond to complaints filed against them. They strive to do business the right way and agree to adhere to standards of trust, so they can better differentiate themselves in a competitive marketplace.”