Red flags and what a fair tree service quote includes

Free guide for San Diego. Most providers are honest; this helps you spot the few who are not, and compare quotes fairly.

Red flags

• Asks for more than 10% or $1,000 down (the legal cap on most home improvement contracts)
• License number missing, expired, or in a different name than the quote
• Cash only, or pressure to sign today for a “special price”
• Says no permit is needed for work that clearly needs one
• Door-to-door offer with “leftover materials from a job nearby”
• No written contract, or a contract without the 3-day cancel notice (5 days if you’re 65+)
• Offers to “top” a healthy tree
• Climbs with spikes on a tree that is only being pruned
• No proof of insurance for tall-tree or near-house work

A fair quote includes

• Contractor name, address, CSLB license number
• Itemized scope: materials (brand, grade, quantity) and labor
• Permit and inspection fees, and who handles them
• Demolition, haul-away and cleanup
• Start date and a realistic finish date
• Payment schedule tied to finished work
• Warranty terms in writing
• Change-order process: written and priced before extra work
• Which trees, which cuts, and how much is removed
• Stump grinding depth and cleanup
• Proof of liability and workers’ comp insurance

Check before you hire

• Check the license free on CSLB
• CSLB: home improvement contract rules (deposit, cancel rights)
• CSLB: Senior Scam Stopper

Report unlicensed work or a problem to CSLB at cslb.ca.gov. Report scams to the California Attorney General at oag.ca.gov.

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Not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the agency linked above.