Vegetation management is essential for promoting or limiting plant growth, preserving wildlife habitats, and clearing brush. Many projects for land improvement require the thinning or clearing of brush, trees, stumps, and overgrown vegetation, plus the preservation of others. Depending on your project’s needs, professional forestry services may be ideal.
Do you know how to hire the right service provider in Oklahoma? Review our guide below to learn the top questions to ask a forestry company before choosing who to work with.
The Importance of Forestry Management
Responsible forest management is how the United States maintains a thriving lumber industry. More than half of the forestland that produces industrial wood crops for the American timber industry is under private ownership by families, groups, and corporations.
These people and entities adhere to the best practices regarding the establishment, growth, health, and composition of forests. Services like forestry mulching and forest management plans help prepare land for other uses, improve forest aesthetics, promote healthy plant growth, and preserve wildlife habitats.
Questions To Ask Before Hiring a Contractor
If you have a project that requires specialized solutions, hiring an experienced contractor is the best way to get your desired outcome. However, not all contractors are equal in skills, services, or experience.
When searching for a qualified company to provide essential services, ask the following questions to narrow your search and ensure you hire the right contractor for the job.
What Types of Services Does Your Company Provide?
Contractors offer specific services that may or may not include forestry management plan development, forestry mulching, land clearing, or other forestry-related solutions. Even if a company appears to have services similar to what your project needs, always ask about the company’s experience with the kind of work your job requires. Align with a contractor who possesses the expertise to provide the necessary services to achieve your specific goals.
Are You Qualified for Forestry Management?
Forestry solutions require a certain level of training and experience, so partnering with licensed and certified foresters is ideal. During your research and consultations, you’ll want to gauge the company’s level of expertise.
How many years of industry experience does the team have? Does each crew member undergo continuous education? Does the company carry and maintain all required local and state licensing?
Inexperience can significantly affect the quality of work a contractor provides. Workers may lack training and fail to plan or execute tasks efficiently. Companies with years of relevant experience and required credentials are better suited for this kind of work.
What Safety Measures and Protocols Does Your Team Follow?
Safety is paramount when working with heavy machinery, chainsaws, and falling trees. Work site conditions may include hilly areas or rough terrain that’s difficult to navigate. Failing to take all essential safety precautions throughout the project will reduce the risk of preventable injuries.
It’s good for contractors to offer continuous training, including refresher courses, to their team. Emergency plans for addressing accidents and regular maintenance for vehicles and heavy equipment are also ideal.
Is Your Team Insured?
Insurance coverage is another credential to look for when hiring a contractor. Insurance for top-rated forestry services in Oklahoma often includes workers’ compensation, property damage coverage, vehicle protection, and liability.
Such policies cover medical expenses for job-related injuries, property damage, and incomplete services. Without them, you could be financially liable for problems that occur during your project.
Ask the contractor about the types of insurance they carry. You can also request to be included as an “additional insured party” for extra financial protection.
Does Your Company Subcontract the Services It Offers?
Sometimes, service providers hire staff to complete all work in-house, while others subcontract out portions of their work to non-employees. Learn about who will work on your project as well as their responsibilities. If the company uses subcontractors, ensure that they are well trained and treated fairly by the company.
Do You Provide Written Contracts?
Always get a contract in writing. Never agree to terms verbally without a written agreement to back everything up.
When all aspects of the contracted work aren’t in writing, it leaves you open to disputes, incomplete work, and misunderstandings. Written contracts are legally binding and should clearly outline the scope of the work and services the company will provide.
Looking for an Experienced Forestry Company? Turn to Our Esteemed Experts
Knowing how to hire a consulting forester is the best way to ensure you get the result you seek for your project. Forestry services include erosion control, weed control, and brush clearing, among other tasks. The services you need will dictate which contractor is more suitable to provide them.
Hannah Forestry and Excavation proudly provides top-rated forestry services in Oklahoma. Our company has decades of experience turning raw or overgrown land into neat, usable spaces for construction, development, and landscaping. Contact us online or call (405) 920-3332 to request a free quote in or around Goldsby, Oklahoma.
