Tree Work Now Alerts Orlando Tree Service Customers to Be Wary of Post-Storm Price Gouging

Central Florida's recent rash of severe thunderstorms uncovered once again Orlando area tree services' tendency to overcharge when their Orlando tree removal services are in high demand. The following consumer tips can protect homeowners when the next storm strikes the Orlando area. End Quote

Orlando, FL (1888PressRelease) April 19, 2011 - A reputable Orlando tree service will not take advantage of business owners adn homeowners who find themselves in an emergency situation. Rather, tree removal contractors should seek to take care of their existing customers base (and beyond) at pricing as close as possible to their normal going rate. At times, they may have to increase their prices slightly to account for paying their tree trimming crews double time for work done at night or in the rain, both of which are extremely dangerous. Increased danger (and sometimes speed of delivery as well) translates into higher prices even when no storm is involved.

The best way to avoid the possibility of price gouging and property damage from fallen trees is to be proactive regarding preventative maintenance. Proper structural pruning increases the storm-readiness of your trees. Such assessments and the resulting tree work should be carried out by an ISA Certified Arborist and tree trimming crews he/she supervises. Even so, some storm damage is unavoidable. When you next find yourself in an emergency tree situation on your Orlando area property, the following tips from Florida's Attorney General can help you avoid price gouging:

1. Require home repair contractors to obtain all necessary government licenses and
permits, rather than leaving that burden on the consumer.
2. Make sure contractors have proper occupational licenses as required by state law.
3. Work only with reputable, established businesses. Avoid "contractors" who knock on your door offering to fix your roof or windows. Try to obtain more than one estimate for the repair work.
4. Before signing a contract, check the payment terms and other provisions carefully.
5. Don't pay a contractor in advance. So called tree service "contractors" will accept down payments but will not do the work at all.
6. Do not pay cash to home repair contractors or tree removal services.

Consumers may report price gouging by calling the Attorney General's Price Gouging Hotline tollfree at 1-866-9NO-SCAM or 1-866-966-7226.

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