How to Choose an Arborist in Brisbane and the Gold Coast

Anyone can put a ute and a chainsaw together and call themselves a tree service. That makes choosing the right company a bit tricky, especially when the job is near your house, your fence or powerlines. Here's what to check before you say yes to a quote.

Ask About Qualifications

A qualified arborist has formal training in how trees grow, how they fail and how to work on them safely. In Australia, the usual benchmark is a Certificate III in Arboriculture. Ask who will actually be on site and what training they hold. A genuine arborist will be happy to tell you.

Look for Professional Memberships

It's also worth checking whether the company belongs to an industry body such as the Queensland Arboricultural Association (QAA). Membership often gives arborists access to industry updates, training and a network of other professionals, and it shows a business is invested in its trade. It doesn't replace qualifications or insurance, but it's a good extra sign that a company takes the work seriously.

Check Their Insurance

This is the big one. Tree work carries real risk, so any company you hire should have current public liability insurance. Ask for a copy of the certificate and check the cover amount and the expiry date. They should also have workers compensation in place for their crew. If something goes wrong and the company isn't insured, you could be left to deal with the damage yourself.

Don't Settle for a Vague Quote

If you get a number with no detail, ask for more. A clear quote tells you what's being done, whether the green waste is taken away and whether clean up is included. If everything's left out, you might be in for surprises later. Check for terms and conditions which might give you more details on what is included in your quote and what to expect.

Be Wary of the Cheapest Price

A quote that's far lower than the others usually means something has been left out. That could be insurance, the right equipment, a proper crew or the clean up. Our guide to tree removal costs explains what actually goes into the price.

Ask About Council Rules

Some trees need approval before they can be removed. A good arborist will know the local rules or at least point you in the right direction. If someone tells you it won't be a problem without checking, that's worth questioning.

Look at Their Reputation

Check Google reviews, look for photos of previous work and see if they have a local presence. Reviews that mention communication, tidiness and turning up on time are a good sign.

"Just Lop It Back" Isn't Always the Answer

If a company wants to hack your tree back without explaining why, ask some questions. Proper pruning works with the shape of the tree. Hard cutting can leave it weaker and less safe in the long run. We cover this in our post on pruning vs lopping.

A Few Red Flags

Cash only with no paperwork, no insurance certificate when you ask, verbal quotes and pressure to decide on the spot, a quote with no detail and unexpected door knockers after a storm are all worth being careful about.

Want a Clear Quote?

Sometimes a good set of photos showing access, surroundings, tree species and size is all we need. Other times we'll need to see the tree in person to give you an accurate price.

Got a tree you'd like looked at? Get in touch and we'll let you know exactly what we need to give you a clear, honest quote.