Questions to Ask a Lincoln Tree Crew Before You Hire

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Most homeowners ask three things: how much, how soon, and whether the stump is included.

Those are fair questions. They are not the only ones that protect you.

The questions below take a few minutes to ask, and the answers will tell you a lot before anyone brings equipment onto your property.

1. Are you on the City of Lincoln licensed-arborist list?

Lincoln requires a city arborist certificate for tree work done for hire, and the city publishes the current list.

You can check a crew against it in a few minutes. This is one of the strongest local verification tools you have, and many homeowners never use it.

2. Can you email proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation?

Do not settle for "yes, we are insured."

Ask for the certificate in writing before work starts. Tree removal is dangerous work, and if an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, the risk can come back to you.

3. Will a certified arborist be involved in the quote and the work?

Ask who is assessing the tree, who is making the plan, and whether that knowledge carries through to the crew doing the work.

Some companies send one person to sell the job and another crew to complete it. That is not automatically a problem, but you should know how the plan gets handed off.

4. Is stump grinding included, and to what depth?

"Included" can mean different things.

Ask whether the stump is ground to grade or to a set depth below grade. If you want to plant grass, repair the area, or put something new there, depth matters.

5. Is haul-away included, or will logs and chips stay?

Crews handle debris differently.

Ask what happens to brush, chips, large logs, stump grindings, and final cleanup. Disposal is one of the places where quotes quietly differ, so get the answer in writing.

6. What is your timing protocol for pests?

A dead pine has a spring deadline. An ash should come with a clear treat-or-remove conversation.

A crew that works Lincoln trees year-round should understand the local pest calendar. They do not need to make the decision for you, but they should know what questions to ask.

7. How will you protect my lawn on wet ground?

Lincoln's clay soils can hold water. Heavy equipment can leave ruts quickly when the yard is soft.

Ask whether the crew uses track mats, plywood, or other ground protection, and whether timing changes if the ground is too wet.

8. Is this a fixed price or hourly?

A fixed, itemized price is easier to understand and compare.

If any part of the job can convert to hourly crew time after work starts, ask when that would happen and whether it can be priced more clearly up front.

A good crew will not be surprised by these questions. The reaction itself tells you a lot.