Tree work is high-risk. Climbing, heavy equipment, other people's property — and in Palmdale, Lancaster, and the surrounding Los Angeles County area, hiring the wrong company can leave you holding the bill. We've seen homeowners stuck with the damage after an unlicensed, uninsured crew disappeared. Here is exactly how to verify a tree company before you hire one.
How to Verify a Tree Company Is Licensed and Insured
1. Ask for These Documents
A legitimate tree service should be able to hand you:
- Certificate of Insurance (COI)
- General liability insurance
- Workers' compensation insurance
- California contractor license number
- Surety bond (if applicable)
2. Verify the Insurance (Don't Just Take the Paperwork)
A COI can be forged or outdated. Call the insurance provider listed on the certificate and confirm:
- The policy is active
- The coverage matches the company name
- The policy hasn't expired or been canceled
3. Verify the License
Check the contractor license with the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Confirm:
- The license is active
- The name matches the business
- There are no major violations
Red Flags to Watch For
Walk away from companies that:
- Refuse to show insurance or a license
- Ask for cash-only payment
- Offer extremely low prices
- Ask you to pull the permits
- Stay vague about the scope of work
These are the common tells of an uninsured or unqualified crew.
Why Some Tree Companies Are Cheaper
In most cases, the low price comes from what's missing:
- No insurance coverage
- No workers' compensation
- No licensing
- Hidden charges added after the work starts
What looks like savings often turns into risk the homeowner carries.
Insurance Explained Simply
- General liability insurance covers property damage
- Workers' compensation insurance covers injured workers
A professional tree company should carry both, at all times.
How UFO Tree Trimming Handles It
It would be strange to write all of that and then ask you to take our word for it. So here are our own numbers — go check them the way we just told you to check anyone's:
- CSLB license #1091603 — classification C-61/D49 (Tree Service), current and active, expires 05/31/2028. Look it up directly.
- Contractor's bond: $25,000 — Merchants Bonding Company, bond #101774888.
- Workers' compensation: State Compensation Insurance Fund, policy #9401503.
- Liability: we carry up to $2 million in coverage. Certificate of insurance on request, before we start.
That whole list takes about a minute to verify on the CSLB site. If a company won't give you the equivalent — or gives you a number that comes back expired, suspended, or registered to a different name — you've learned what you needed to know, and it cost you a minute.
What Most Homeowners Miss
Two assumptions do most of the damage: that every tree company is licensed and insured (not always true), and that the lowest price is the best deal. In tree work, cutting corners usually increases risk, not savings.
FAQ
How do I check if a tree company is licensed in California?
Search the license number on the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) website.
How do I verify tree service insurance?
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance, then call the insurance company directly to confirm it is active.
What insurance should a tree company have?
General liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance — both.
What happens if a tree company is not insured?
If damage or injury occurs, the homeowner may be held financially responsible.
Why are some tree companies much cheaper?
They often skip insurance, workers' compensation, or licensing — or add hidden charges later.
Final Advice Before Hiring a Tree Company
If you remember one thing:
If the price is too good to be true, it usually is.
Always verify insurance, confirm licensing, and hire companies that are transparent from the start.
