Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Estimates are always free. 

We typically schedule Paul to come out within 1 to 3 days of your call. If you won’t be home, mark the trees you want looked at with paint or string so we know which ones to price out. We’ll leave a card with the estimate at your door.

No. If you’re not home, we’ll leave the estimate at your door and follow up by phone if further discussion is needed.

Yes. Paul can come out, assess the tree, and give you an honest recommendation. If trimming can solve the problem, that’s what we’ll recommend. If removal is the safer option, we’ll explain why.

The written estimate accounts for the size and condition of the tree, how accessible it is for our equipment, what’s underneath or nearby, and what cleanup is included. If stump grinding is something you want, Paul can price that separately or include it in the same estimate.

After your job is complete, we’ll mail you an invoice. You can also pay at the time of service if you prefer. We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards.

It means we remove the tree but leave the brush and debris for you to handle. This option is usually about half the normal price because it takes less time and fewer crew members. We’ll sometimes list it as an option on your estimate, or you can request it specifically.

Not necessarily. Winter can actually be a good time to schedule work. The ground is often frozen, which reduces the chance of truck ruts in your yard, and our crews sometimes have more availability than during the busy spring and summer season. Pricing still depends on the tree itself, not the time of year.

No. Some homeowners prefer to meet the crew in the morning before heading to work. Others take the day off to be present. Some are comfortable letting us work without anyone home. We’ll work with whatever arrangement fits your schedule.

Call us. We handle emergency situations at our discretion and can assess whether your situation requires immediate attention. If you have a tree that becomes dangerous before your scheduled job, don’t wait.

If we’re trimming a tree and discover that the internal structure has been compromised in a way that wasn’t visible during the estimate, we’ll stop and contact you. We’ll explain what we found, advise on next steps, and discuss any change in price before proceeding. We won’t continue work without your knowledge if the scope changes.

Watch for no leaves during the growing season, bark falling off in sheets, mushrooms or fungal growth at the base, large dead branches throughout the canopy, visible cracks or splits in the trunk, and roots that are heaving or rotting. Any one of these is worth a professional look. Several together usually means removal is the safest option.

It depends on your town. Connecticut municipalities handle tree permits differently, and some have specific rules around tree size, location, or proximity to wetlands. Trees near wetlands or watercourses may require a permit from your local Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency. Trees between your property line and the road may involve your town’s tree warden. Check with your municipality before any removal work begins. The CT DEEP Urban and Community Forestry program is a helpful starting point.

Generally, each property owner is responsible for damage that occurs on their own property. If a neighbor’s tree falls on your house during a storm, your homeowner’s insurance typically covers the damage. If the tree was visibly dead or hazardous and you notified your neighbor in writing beforehand, liability can shift. Connecticut property owners are legally responsible for trees on their land that pose an unreasonable danger to others. Document everything and consult your insurance company if there’s any dispute.

Yes. We have the equipment and training to handle trees near structures, fences, pools, and utility lines. For work near power lines, we hold line-clearance certification and coordinate directly with United Illuminating and Eversource when needed. Never attempt to remove or trim a tree near power lines yourself.

We chip as much of the brush and smaller material as possible on-site. Larger logs that don’t fit through the chipper get removed by the crew using a dump truck or Paul’s log truck. On jobs where access allows, we use a mini skid to move heavier logs out of tight spots. Before the job starts, Paul will assess access for the equipment so there are no surprises on the day of the work.

Yes. Once the work is complete, we clean up the work area. Brush gets chipped, logs are removed, and the site is left in order.

Yes. We prefer to leave usable wood with you or anyone you’d like us to give it to. If you don’t need it, we cut it into 18-inch lengths and arrange to have it taken. Let us know your preference when we discuss the job.

Most residential removals take a few hours to a full day, depending on the size of the tree, how accessible it is, and how much cleanup is involved. We’ll give you a realistic timeframe when we provide your estimate.

It can. Removing a dead, diseased, or poorly placed tree improves curb appeal, reduces liability, and can make a property easier to sell. Buyers notice hazardous trees. That said, healthy mature trees generally add value, so removal decisions should always start with safety and condition, not aesthetics.

For most trees, late fall through early spring is the best window. During dormancy, there are no leaves to deal with, disease transmission risk is lower, and the tree’s structure is easier to evaluate. For oaks specifically, winter pruning reduces the risk of oak wilt. Spring-flowering trees like dogwoods do best when trimmed right after they bloom. That said, we work year-round, and safety hazards get addressed regardless of season.

Yes. Our experienced climbers handle jobs in tight spaces or on properties where equipment can’t reach.

Most mature trees benefit from professional attention every 3 to 5 years. Trees near your home, over driveways, or along utility lines may need more frequent work. Young trees often benefit from structural pruning earlier on to prevent bigger problems down the road.

Topping means cutting a tree’s main branches back to stubs, dramatically reducing the canopy. It’s a common request, but it’s bad for trees. Topping creates large wounds that invite disease and decay, produces weak regrowth that’s more likely to fail in storms, and typically causes more problems than it solves. We don’t top trees. If size or clearance is the concern, there are proper pruning methods that reduce height and spread without causing that kind of damage.

Not by default. Stumps are left approximately 6 inches above ground level unless stump grinding is specifically included in your estimate. We’ll price it as a separate line item so you can decide.

We typically grind 6 to 12 inches below ground level. That’s deep enough to cover with topsoil and replant grass.

We can leave them for you to use as mulch, or we can haul them away. Let us know your preference when we discuss the job.

The stump itself won’t grow back. Some tree species can send up shoots from remaining roots for a period after grinding. These can be cut back as they appear and will stop over time as the root system breaks down.

In most cases we can have someone there within an hour. We come out to assess the situation as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Yes. We’re available 24/7 for emergency calls.

Get everyone away from that part of the house and stay out until it’s been evaluated. If there are downed power lines involved, call your utility company immediately. Call 911 if anyone is in danger. Then call Precision Cutting Services. We’ll respond as quickly as possible, remove the tree safely, and document the damage to support your insurance claim. Take photos before any work begins if it’s safe to do so.

Keep everyone away from the damaged area and do not approach downed power lines under any circumstances. Contact United Illuminating or Eversource to report downed lines right away. If a tree has fallen on your roof, avoid entering that section of the house until it’s cleared. When in doubt, call 911 first.

It can wait until morning. Get your family safe, get the tree removed, and document everything with photos. Once you have that in order, contact your insurance company to start the claim.

Yes. We provide detailed invoices and can document the damage to support your claim. Many homeowner policies cover removal costs when a tree damages an insured structure. Start with your insurance company for questions about what your specific policy covers.

We can connect you with a company that handles tarping and temporary roof protection. Most insurance policies also have a preferred contractor for this type of work, so check with your provider when you call them.

No. We don’t require a deposit for residential work. We’ll invoice you after the job is done.

Our equipment has the Precision Cutting Services name on it.

Yes. Our crew is covered under workers’ compensation insurance. This matters because if a worker is injured on your property and the company carrying out the work isn’t properly covered, you could be held liable.

Yes, upon request.

Scammers do target Connecticut homeowners, especially after major storms when people want work done fast. Watch out for anyone who approaches you door to door unsolicited, contractors who won’t provide a written estimate or proof of insurance, and anyone pushing for cash payment with no documentation. Connecticut requires tree service contractors to be licensed. Ask to see a license and request an insurance certificate directly from the carrier before agreeing to any work. Both CT DEEP and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection have issued guidance to homeowners on this. Precision Cutting Services has operated in Connecticut for over 20 years. Every job gets a written estimate, and we carry full licensing and insurance.