We had six trees that required removing, with stumps to be ground. Several of these trees were…read morevery tall/large, with one looming over the top of our house. Frankly, I was nervous about the prospect of damage to my newly shingled roof - so I needed a very reliable and safe removal service.
I tend to "over-research" things ("Fail to plan, plan to fail" - John Wooden, UCLA). So I got five (5) estimates. I selected Mountain to Sea Tree Service because of four factors:
1. Safety
2. Fair Price
3. Excellent Reviews
4. Safety
Yeah - I counted safety twice. I worry (about the roof, folks working at our place being safe, etc). After spending a lot of time researching (Insured? Yes. Bonded? Yes. Excellent rep and ratings, both by customers and BBB? Yes), I met Andrew Stillman, owner of Mountain to Sea, and we walked my property. Unlike one tree service owner who does a lot of work in our area, Andrew did not "leave his truck running, race around in a rush fast-talking price before he even saw the trees". Andrew explained everything, his approach and experience, and any concerns I had evaporated. Although I rank price below safety, he was also the most competitive with price by far, and that I believe is because the other services planned to use a Crane (adding cost) over several days. Andrew learned the business with the large trees on the West coast and handled it the old fashioned way, no expensive crane sitting at my place for days.
I was stunned with the precision with which each branch and limb was cut and lowered, even the most precarious ones hanging far above our roof. Andrew climbed, cut, and his team carefully and gently lowered each limb in a manner that was downright surgical and gentle.
Cleanup? I've had a lot of experience with companies at our properties (three house roofs reshingled, two barn roofs, trees removed, etc), and Andrew's crew goes above and beyond, cleaning as they work. My place actually looked "better and cleaner" when they were finished. Andrew and his crew are very polite, friendly, and personable.
We highly recommend Mountain to Sea Tree Service. They are safe, bonded and insured, very very skilled, and their prices are fair and competitive.