So far in 2015, the BBB has taken more than 50 complaints about tree trimming companies. The bureau has given 24 of the more than 500 tree companies in the Miami Valley “F” ratings — the worst rating possible. And all but three of those tree companies are operated out of Springfield and Clark County, according to the BBB website.
“You really need to do your homework when you’re hiring one of these companies,” said Shawn Wilson, operations director with the city of Springfield Service Department.
Springfield requires tree service companies obtain a license with the Service Department before doing any work inside the city, Wilson said.
By ensuring tree trimmers are insured, bonded and have passed a basic test, it makes it more likely they’ll operate safely and legitimately in the city, he added.
“Just because you’re on that list doesn’t make you a good tree company, but it shows that you’re definitely putting forth an effort,” Wilson said.
The BBB and Wilson suggest anyone looking to have tree work done should take steps to protect themselves. That includes getting multiple quotes for a job from different companies, getting references, checking if the company is registered with the city and looking at their BBB ratings and reviews.
Larry Nickles, of Springfield, filed a complaint with the BBB after he paid a Springfield company $300 to fell two trees, remove the trunks and spray for ants but did not get all the work done.
“They did a great job of taking down the trees but they were supposed to come back and take away the stumps and I haven’t seen them since,” Nickles said.
The homeowner paid the business up front, before all of the work was done with the good faith that they would come back to finish the job.
Nickles tried more than 30 times since June to contact the business owner to get the work completed, but eventually paid another tree company to remove the stumps, he said.
Aaron Huffman owns Huffman Tree Company, LLC, in South Vienna and said he helps at least 30 customers a year who have been slighted by other businesses.
“Sometimes it’s a customer who’s hired a company to take a tree down and when the service is done, that company tries to tell the person it’s an extra charge to do the clean-up work,” he said.
Other scams include not properly removing stumps from the ground, he added, and often the shady tree services target the older population.
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