Checklist for Requesting a Bid

• Require a certificate of insurance to be mailed/faxed directly to you from their insurance agent. It should include property liability and worker’s compensation insurance.
• Require contractor to abide by ANSI Z133.1 Safety Standards.
• Notify contractor of presence of any underground structures such as irrigation, septic tanks, wells, energized conductors, etc…
• Discuss level of acceptable damage, if any, to turf and landscaping, including other trees.
• Explain that your driveways, walkways, and turf should not be discolored or damaged by leaking oil or hydraulic fluid from contractor’s equipment.
• Discuss length of time it will take to complete job.
• Discuss hourly rate for additional work.
• Discuss removal of wood, brush, chips and yard rakings.
• Require a thorough cleanup or negotiate a reduced price.
• Require payment to be contingent upon your final inspection of the job. Explain that you will be looking for damage to the roof, gutters, nearby trees, hardscaping, driveways, walkways, fencing, etc..
• Obtain and keep contract detailing the work to be done.
• It is important to clearly and unambiguously mark or otherwise designate trees to be pruned or removed.