Tree Removal Scam Dupes Resident in Fairfax: Police

FAIRFAX, VA — A resident in the 10500 block of Cedar Avenue apparently learned a painful lesson last weekend after paying to have tree removal work, according to Fairfax Police.

Shortly before 1:30 p.m. Saturday, the man reported he had prepaid for the job that wasn't completed and that it had become impossible to reach the contractor.

The operative word here is "prepaid." That, according to the Better Business Bureau, is a decided no-no. Some tips:

• Take time to shop around and get estimates. For large projects, ask the tree service how many projects like yours they have completed in the last year. Ask them if they are BBB Accredited and verify their Rating with the BBB.
• Check for current insurance papers. Make sure each tree service you are considering has current liability insurance and workers compensation insurance.
• Require a written contract agreement with anyone you hire. Be sure their name, address, license number and phone number is included in contract. Read and understand the contract in its entirety
• Never pay in advance. Once you have picked a tree service you feel comfortable with, never pay for a tree removal or tree trimming project of any kind until you are 100% satisfied with the work.

Beware of a tree service that . . .

• Has no printed materials, letterhead, bid forms, etc.
• Offers an unusually low price...at first.
• Only accepts cash payments, and/or asks for payment up front.
• Pressures you for an immediate decision.
• Offers you a discount to find other customers.
• Tells you they have been doing work for several of your neighbors... (but really can’t seem to name any of them).

And there's this, from houselogic.com:

"Your contractor explains that because he has to order materials and rent earth-moving equipment to get the job started, he needs, say, 30 percent to 50 percent of the project price up front. Once you’ve forked over the dough, one of two things happens: He disappears on you, or he starts doing slapdash work knowing that you can’t really fire him because he’s sitting on thousands of your dollars."

Advice: Never prepay more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the job total, whichever is less.

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