How we fit in: Chattanooga Tree & Stump is a referral service. When you request a quote, we pass it to one independent local crew. You should still ask that crew every question on this page. A good one will be glad you did.
1. Insurance comes first
If an uninsured worker falls, or an uninsured crew drops a limb on your neighbor's car, the bill can end up with you. Ask for two things:
- General liability, which covers damage to your house, your neighbor's property and anything else the crew hits.
- Workers' compensation, which covers the crew if someone is hurt on your property.
Ask the company to have its insurance agent email you a certificate of insurance. A certificate that comes straight from the agent is much harder to fake than a photo on a phone.
2. Licensing and credentials
- Tennessee: the Attorney General's office has warned that contractors doing storm repair work, including tree trimmers, are typically required to have a contractor's license, and the state contractor board licenses larger jobs. You can check a license on the state's online lookup.
- Georgia: check that the company has a local business license and, again, real insurance.
- ISA Certified Arborist: a strong sign for pruning, diagnosis and tree preservation. You can search for one by ZIP code on the ISA's TreesAreGood website.
3. Get it in writing
A good written quote spells out:
- Exactly which trees and branches are being removed or pruned
- Whether stump grinding is included, and how deep
- What happens to the wood, chips and brush. See what happens to the wood.
- How the crew will protect the roof, fence, lawn and driveway
- Who handles a permit if the tree is near the street. See Chattanooga tree permits.
- The total price and when it's due
Get more than one quote on a big job. Prices vary a lot with access, equipment and how busy the crew is. Our tree removal cost guide shows typical ranges.
4. Red flags
- Door-to-door offers after a storm, especially from out-of-state trucks. Storm chasers follow bad weather and are often gone before problems show up.
- Pressure to decide right now, or a "today only" price.
- Cash only, or most of the money up front.
- "Topping" a tree, meaning cutting the whole top off to shorten it. It weakens the tree and leads to more breakage. Reputable arborists don't recommend it.
- Climbing spikes on a tree that's being kept. Spikes wound the trunk. They're fine for a removal but shouldn't be used for pruning a tree you're keeping.
- "We'll take care of your insurance." Never sign over your insurance benefits to a crew you haven't vetted.
- No address, no reviews, no paperwork.
5. After a big storm
The Tennessee Attorney General issued a consumer alert about tree trimming and removal scams after the ice storms early in 2026. The advice holds after any storm: slow down, verify insurance, and don't let urgency make the decision for you. If the tree isn't on the house or blocking the only way out, it's worth waiting a day to get a crew you trust.
If you run into a scam, report it to the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs or, in Georgia, the Governor's Office of Consumer Protection.
Questions to ask on the phone
- Can your insurance agent email me your liability and workers' comp certificates?
- How long have you been working in the Chattanooga area?
- Who will be on site, and who is in charge of the job?
- What equipment will you use, and how will you protect my yard?
- Is cleanup included? What about the stump and the wood?
- When is payment due?
Common questions
What insurance should a tree service have?
General liability insurance, to cover damage to your property, and workers' compensation, to cover the crew if someone gets hurt. Ask for certificates sent directly from the insurance agent, not a photo of an old card.
Does a tree service need a license in Tennessee?
It depends on the job. Tennessee's Attorney General has said contractors doing storm repair work, including tree trimmers, are typically required to have a contractor's license, and larger jobs fall under the state contractor board. You can check any Tennessee license on the state's license lookup.
Should I pay a deposit for tree removal?
A reputable, established company may ask for a small deposit on a large job, but you should never pay most or all of the price before the work is done. Be wary of anyone who wants cash up front, especially after a storm.
What is an ISA Certified Arborist?
An arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture has passed an exam and keeps up continuing education. It's a good sign for pruning and tree health work. Many skilled removal crews don't have one on staff, so insurance and references matter just as much.