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Seven checksWho to hireQualificationsInsuranceTPOs and conservation areasFifteen questionsWritten quoteCheap quotesRed flagsWaste carrier
Everything in this guide is something you can ask us. Ask to see our insurance and qualifications before any work starts. Get a free quote or call 07881 305352.
Seven Checks Before You Hire
| # | Check | What good looks like |
|---|
| 1 | Qualifications | Certificates for chainsaw use and tree climbing and aerial rescue (NPTC/LANTRA or equivalent), which they can show you |
| 2 | Insurance | Public liability insurance that specifically covers tree work, with a current certificate, plus employers' liability if they have staff |
| 3 | Protection checks | They ask about TPOs and conservation areas before quoting, and tell you what permission you need |
| 4 | A written, itemised quote | The work tree by tree, what's included (waste, stump), the total, and whether VAT applies |
| 5 | Waste carrier registration | Registered to carry tree waste, with a number you can check |
| 6 | Right method | They work to recognised standards and don't "top" trees |
| 7 | Real local references | Recent jobs, genuine reviews, and willingness to let you speak to past customers |
If someone fails two or more, keep looking.
Who Should You Actually Hire?
| If you need... | Hire | Why |
|---|
| Trees pruned, removed or made safe | A tree surgeon (arborist) | They do the work, safely, with the right kit and insurance |
| An independent report on a tree's health, risk or effect on a building | An arboricultural consultant (or a tree surgeon with the right qualifications) | A report an insurer, engineer or council will accept. See tree surveys |
| A planning survey for an extension or new build (BS 5837) | A qualified arboricultural consultant | Councils generally expect a suitably qualified specialist |
| A structural opinion on cracks | A structural engineer | Only an engineer can say what's causing cracks. See trees near buildings |
| A hedge trimmed or borders kept tidy | A gardener or hedge-cutting specialist | Fine for low-level work. See hedge cutting |
| A big tree cut down | Not a general gardener or handyman | Chainsaw and work-at-height risks need specific training and insurance |
If one firm both advises and does the work, ask how they keep their advice objective, and remember you're free to take a report to other firms for quotes.
Check Qualifications
Tree work is one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK, so training matters, not just for the quality of the cut but for the safety of your property and neighbours.
| Qualification | What it shows |
|---|
| Chainsaw certificates (including felling) | The operator is trained to use a chainsaw safely |
| Tree climbing and aerial rescue | The climber can work at height and rescue a colleague |
| Professional tree inspection | They can assess trees for defects and risk |
| Level 2 or 3 diplomas in arboriculture or forestry | Broader training in tree care |
| Professional memberships | For example the Arboricultural Association, which has an approved contractor scheme |
How to check: ask to see the certificates and check the names match the people who'll be on site; check they're current; ask who will actually do the work, including any subcontractors.
Check Insurance, and What It Covers
Insurance is the single biggest protection you have. If a tree surgeon drops a branch on your conservatory or your neighbour's car, their insurance should pay, not you.
| Insurance | What it covers | What to check |
|---|
| Public liability | Damage to your property, your neighbours' property, or injury to people caused by the work | That it covers tree surgery specifically, including work at height and felling near buildings, and the amount of cover. We carry £5 million |
| Employers' liability | Injury to staff | Legally required if they employ people. It doesn't apply to a genuine sole trader working alone |
| Professional indemnity | Advice and reports | Relevant if they provide surveys or reports |
Ask for the certificate and check the name matches the business, the dates are current and the activities include tree work. Ask about subcontractors, and check for exclusions. A photo of a certificate isn't proof, so if in doubt, call the insurer. A cheap uninsured quote is rarely cheap, because you could be liable for damage to a neighbour's property.
They Should Ask About TPOs and Conservation Areas
This is the clearest test of a good tree surgeon in Croydon, because so many of our trees are protected. Before quoting, a good one will ask for your address, check whether the tree has a TPO or is in a conservation area, tell you what permission you need and who prepares it, and check for nesting birds and bats.
Cutting down a protected tree without permission can lead to a fine of up to £20,000, and the person who carries out the work can be prosecuted, not just the owner. If a tree surgeon offers to cut your tree without asking about any of this, that's a warning sign. See our TPO guide, conservation area guide and Do I need permission to fell a tree?
Fifteen Questions to Ask a Tree Surgeon
| # | Question | A good answer |
|---|
| 1 | Can I see your qualifications and insurance certificate? | "Yes", and they show them without fuss |
| 2 | Who will do the work, and are they your own staff? | Named people, with an honest answer about subcontractors |
| 3 | Is the tree protected? How do you check? | They check the council's records for your address and tell you |
| 4 | Who applies for any consent or notice, and is it in the price? | They explain, and are clear on cost and timing |
| 5 | Exactly what work will you do, tree by tree? | Specific wording, such as "crown reduce by up to 2m", not "tidy up" |
| 6 | Will you work to BS 3998 (the British Standard for tree work)? | Yes, or a clear explanation of their method |
| 7 | Do you ever top trees? | No |
| 8 | What happens to the waste, logs and chippings? | Clearly stated, and they're a registered waste carrier |
| 9 | Is stump grinding included? | Yes or no, and the price |
| 10 | How will you protect my house, garden and neighbours' property? | A real answer about rigging, ground protection and exclusion zones |
| 11 | How will you check for nesting birds and bats? | A specific process. See nesting season |
| 12 | Is the price fixed, and does it include VAT? | A written fixed price, with VAT stated |
| 13 | When will you start, and how long will it take? | Realistic dates and duration |
| 14 | What's your payment policy? | Payment on completion, or a small deposit for large jobs, and no large upfront cash demand |
| 15 | Can I speak to recent customers or see recent jobs? | Yes, ideally in my area |
What a Good Written Quote Looks Like
| It should include | Why it matters |
|---|
| Business name, address and contact details | So you can find them afterwards |
| The work, tree by tree | So you know what's included and can compare |
| Waste removal | Logs, branches and chippings: removed, left, or priced separately |
| Stump | Ground out, left, or priced separately |
| Total price and VAT | No surprises |
| Permissions | Who checks and applies for TPO or conservation area consent |
| Insurance details | Insurer and cover |
| Dates and duration | When, and how long |
| Payment terms | Deposit and balance |
Get at least two or three quotes for anything beyond a small job, and compare what's included, not just the price. See our cost guide.
| Quote A | Quote B | Quote C |
|---|
| Price | | | |
| VAT included? | | | |
| Waste removed? | | | |
| Stump included? | | | |
| Insurance and qualifications shown? | | | |
| Checked TPO and conservation area? | | | |
| Method described? | | | |
Is a Cheap Tree Surgeon Worth It?
A low price isn't automatically a bad sign, but a price far below everyone else's usually means something's missing.
| What a very low price might leave out | The risk to you |
|---|
| Insurance | If something goes wrong, you pay |
| Qualified staff | Higher risk of accidents and poor work |
| Waste removal | The mess left behind, or fly-tipping traced back to you |
| Checks for protected trees | A fine, which could be far more than the saving |
| Proper method | Topping or poor pruning that harms the tree |
| Wildlife checks | Possible offences |
Cheap isn't the same as good value. A fair price pays for a trained team, insurance, safe equipment, legal waste disposal and the paperwork.
Red Flags: Walk Away If You See These
- Cold callers at your door offering to cut your tree today, especially after a storm
- Cash only, with no written quote, receipt or insurance
- Won't show insurance or certificates, or makes excuses
- No questions about TPOs or conservation areas
- Offers to "top" the tree. It damages the tree, and isn't good practice
- Pressure to decide on the spot, or "price only valid today"
- A large upfront payment
- Vague descriptions, such as "tidy up the tree"
- No fixed address or phone number, only a mobile and a first name
- An unmarked waste vehicle, which may mean illegal dumping that can be traced back to you
If you've been approached at the door: you generally have a right to cancel contracts made in your home or away from the trader's premises within 14 days, and the trader must tell you so in writing. Don't agree to a same-day start to "get it done", and take advice before paying. Report doorstep traders to Trading Standards or through the Citizens Advice consumer service.
Check Waste Carrier Registration
Tree waste is controlled waste. A business carrying it commercially in England needs to be registered as a waste carrier, and you can check the register on GOV.UK. Fly-tipped garden waste can be traced back to the householder who hired the firm. Ask for the registration number and check it.
Reading Reviews and References
| What to look at | What to look for |
|---|
| Google reviews | A steady stream over time, with specific details, photos and the owner's replies |
| Local reviews | Jobs in or near Croydon, not just anywhere in the UK |
| Recent work | Photos of finished jobs, with before and after where possible |
| Word of mouth | Ask neighbours, a local community group or your insurer's approved contractors |
| References | Ask for a recent customer you can speak to, ideally with a similar job |
Be sceptical of firms with only five-star reviews posted in a short burst, reviews that read alike, or ones that don't describe any actual work.
Choosing a Tree Surgeon in Croydon: Local Questions
| Local question | Why it matters |
|---|
| Have you done conservation area notices and TPO applications in Croydon? | The rules and records are the council's, and local experience speeds things up |
| Do you know which council covers my address? | Near borough boundaries, such as Norbury and Upper Norwood and Crystal Palace, it depends on the exact address |
| Can you work in a narrow terraced garden with no vehicle access? | Common in Addiscombe, Thornton Heath and Norbury |
| Have you worked on steep, sloping gardens? | Common in Purley, Kenley, Coulsdon and Sanderstead |
| Do you check for bats and nesting birds in wooded areas? | Important near commons and woodland, such as Shirley and Selsdon |
| Can you work for a landlord, agent or freeholder? | Common in converted villas and rentals in South Croydon and Upper Norwood |
Special Situations
Emergency work. After a storm, people choose in a hurry, which is exactly when rogue traders appear. Even in an emergency, ask: Are you insured? Can I see your certificate? What's the price before you start? A good firm gives straight answers even at short notice. See emergency tree work.
Cracks or subsidence. Don't hire anyone to remove the tree before taking advice from your insurer and a structural engineer. See trees near buildings.
Ash dieback. Trees with ash dieback can be brittle and dangerous, so check experience and insurance carefully. See ash dieback.
Hedges and leylandii. A good hedge cutter tells you honestly if a conifer hedge can't be cut back hard without leaving bare brown wood, and checks for nests first. See hedge cutting.
