Upcoming Tree Services FAQs

We are looking forward to your upcoming tree service. We hope you are as excited as we are. Before we arrive, there are a few things that you need to be aware of so that this process can run smoothly. Below are some common questions that our customers ask when their scheduled date approaches. Please read through this information and see if it is applicable to your specific job. Of course, if you still have questions please feel free to give us a call at 503.645.2242.

Is there anything I need to do to prep my property before the tree crew arrives?

Yes. All services performed on site require a clean and clear work space and access to the area.

• All outdoor furniture, lawn ornaments, tools and/or equipment, children/pet toys, etc. need to be removed from under any trees on the work order.
• If the crew is going to be working in the backyard, please make sure all gates are unlocked and the path to the front yard is unobstructed.
• If you have pets, please bring them inside before the crew arrives and make sure they remain inside for the duration of the time. Also, please clean up any pet waste.
• If possible, please mow your lawn. This will allow the crew to better clean up the site. Short grass is easier to rake and blow off than tall grass.

Do I need to be home when work is being done?

No. Our crews are provided clear instructions on the scope of work for your project. At times, the consultant who met with you initially will meet with the crew onsite to discuss any particulars about the job or the site. It is NOT necessary for you to be home while work is being performed, but are welcome to be if that’s what you prefer.

For safety reasons, crews cannot begin or perform work if the general public is in the work area. If you would like to watch, please do so from inside your home or chose a space away from the work area as well as any pathway to trucks, chippers, and other equipment.

What should I do with my car?

To prevent work delays, rescheduling of work and potential damage to vehicles, please make sure that all vehicles are moved away from the areas we will be working. If you are home and do not plan on leaving, parking cars in the garage is preferred. If that is not an option, the next best thing is somewhere in the street, but not directly in front of your home. Giving the crew as much space as possible for trucks, chippers, and debris staging allows for them to work efficiently and minimizes unforeseen issues.

This applies to all work performed on your property including tree work, stump grinding, wood hauling and plant healthcare.

When will the crew arrive? Can I get a specific time for arrival?

Our  crews leave the shop at 7 am each morning. If your project is a large job where we will be onsite for an entire day our goal is to arrive at your address within an hour of leaving the shop. However, we cannot predict traffic or other unforeseeable delays, so we apologize that we are not able to give you an exact time of arrival on the day of service.

If your project is a smaller job, it will be one of any number of jobs the crew will be doing that day. It is not possible for us to determine exactly how much time each project will take to complete nor the time it will take to travel from one job to the next, so arrival times can only be generalized (i.e. “We will be there in the morning.” or “We will be there in the afternoon.”).  At times, the crew may inform the consulting arborist that they are “on their way” to the next job, particularly if they need to go over details of the job onsite. The consulting arborist can then inform you of a more specific arrival time, but this is not our standard practice and is something you should speak to your consultant about.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule the work to be done?

We understand that things in life change. Canceling or requesting to reschedule work is par of our business. However, in order for us to be able to keep our crews workload filled, requests to cancel or reschedule work must be made 72 business hours (3 days) prior to scheduled work date. Request after that time can still be honored, but will be subject to a fee equal to 25% of proposed billing.

We will give you a schedule reminder call 24-48 hours before work is scheduled. Cancellations or postponements are not allowed during this time.

Changes to the scope of work also need to be made 72 business hours prior to scheduled work date. To avoid problems, confusion and customer service issues, changes to scope of work on the day of service are not allowed. Please contact your consultant if you wish to have additional work done in the future.

My job includes stump grinding. Will that damage my underground sprinkler system?

When stump grinding is being done where there is potential for underground utilities to be nearby (usually only in the front half of the property), NW Tree Specialist will arrange for utilities to be located prior to grinding. If utility lines do end up being within the area of grinding, we may not be able to grind at the depth initially planned. If this is the case, we will notify you of the changes.

When it comes to underground sprinkler systems, these are not identified during a public utility location. NW Tree Specialists is not responsible for underground sprinkler/irrigation lines that may be damaged during stump grinding.

On a side note, please be aware that all debris from stump grinding remains on site unless otherwise stated. Grindings can be removed from site for additional costs.