About Us

Thank you for requesting the services of Independent Tree Service, hereafter referred to as ITS. We appreciate the opportunity to be of service. Because clear and timely communication is important for serving our clients well, we want to begin by stating certain mutual understandings about our services, what is needed from you, and our charges. Please read this document in its entirety: Acceptance of any work by Independent Tree Service is considered acknowledgment and acceptance of these terms without compromise.

Estimates: Independent Tree Service conducts work only with a written estimate in place. We do not give verbal estimates nor do we work on a “fixed bid” basis. Our typical estimate requires nearly 4 hrs. minimum from start to finish and almost always requires a site visit & follow up to obtain accurate details about your project and how to best serve you. This estimate will take all of the relevant facts about your project into consideration to ensure the utmost satisfaction no matter how large or small the tasks at hand. Because our time and the successful planning & execution of your project are of extremely high importance and value to us, we have implemented a nominal $25./hr (minimum) estimate fee which includes travel, meeting and office time. The estimate fee is due within 15 business days of the first site inspection and will be deducted as a courtesy from the total estimate figures upon signing of contract. Our estimates are valid for 10 business days unless otherwise specifically noted.
 

Insurance: Being at the forefront of our industry centered in the Flathead Valley, we recognize not only the significance of doing a job well, but also all of the variables that are inclusive in a Full Package company such as ours. This is the very reason why we have spared no expense and have not cut ANY corners in the insurance and safety departments. Independent Tree Service is equipped with INDUSTRY SPECIFIC INSURANCE and workman’s compensation coverage on our employees which covers the precise risks associated with AMERICAS MOST HAZARDOUS INDUSTRY. Proper and Complete Insurance: A necessary component that the majority of smaller and thus cheaper competitors are simply lacking. “We have insurance” does not guarantee the existence of, or especially, the specific type of insurance required. Always request a certificate AND verify its specific coverage by calling the agent when requesting comparison quotes from other companies. 
Fees: Tree removal fees (especially in commercial, residential or populated settings) are generally itemized using our tree removal formula & are not typically billed hourly unless otherwise specifically noted. We reserve the right to bill hourly if we deem it the most appropriate means for tracking our labor, travel and equipment usage. Due to the various skills, job titles and equipment we use to complete our work, we do not have a set “blanket” or “umbrella” non emergency hourly rate, nor do we ever operate on a “fixed bid” system. Our fees vary, are subject to change, and depend mainly on the equipment, labor type, crew size, tasks at hand, materials needed, disposal required, subcontractor fees, travel/hauling fees, hours worked on & off site to complete your project, etc.. Additional work requested or performed to complete your project which is not noted on the original estimate will be billed at our regular full hourly & service rates as we deem appropriate. Estimate discounts do not carry over to additional work requested. Please request prices and discuss budget requirements prior to work if needed. If you have a strict expense cap please allow us to design an estimate around your wants, needs and financial limitations. By allowing Independent Tree Service to perform work of any nature on your property, including any work requests made without a signed estimate, you understand that all work agreements are subject to these Terms of Service without compromise. Independent Tree Service will not perform additional work beyond the original estimate description unless directly requested to do so by property representative or owner and adequately compensated to do so.

Retainer & Billing: As the customer or property representative, we ask that you remit a retainer in the amount of 50% of the total estimate to secure scheduling of your project. A fee equal to 50% of the estimate total will be assessed for any cancellations made by the party requesting service and is due immediately. The balance of the charges, plus any additional fees incurred from additional work required or requested is due immediately upon completion. If payment is not made within 2 business days (unless other arrangements are documented in writing), interest will accrue on your outstanding balance at a rate of 12% compounded annually and accruing daily. We do not regularly accept Credit/Debit cards or checks that draw from credit card accounts.  A 3% processing fee will be added to all credit card transactions run thru Pay Pal. Payment is due immediately upon completion of work unless other arrangements are made in writing. Payments must be received by due dates specified or will be referred immediately to collections without compromise. If any collection efforts are made to collect our fees and other charges, these fees will be added to the collections amount and if further legal action is required the court shall award: attorney and professional fees, costs for collecting your outstanding balance, interest, any and all damages that result due to non-payment or late payment including fees and costs incurred for mediation and for any appeals. 

Acknowledgment & Waiver: You acknowledge the use of and assume the risk posed by heavy trucks and equipment throughout your property on and off of usual driving surfaces to complete certain tasks, the damages resulting therefrom, including any and all dents or marks in and on turf, asphalt, concrete etc; marks, holes, stains, spots, fluids, breakage of any kind to include plumbing, drainage, irrigation, concrete, asphalt, ruts and various other types of damage inherent to the nature of work, and waive the right to any damages resulting therefrom. All portions of trees listed for complete removal become the property of Independent Tree Service upon signing. Changes made mid project shall be documented and billed accordingly. Stump Grinding or Stump Excavation is not included in any tree removal operation unless specifically described and estimated. “To Ground Level” shall be interpreted as: cut horizontally flush as close to the ground as possible as deemed by ITS; where rocks, man-made materials, foreign objects etc. do not interfere. Estimates are minimum anticipated charges & may increase due to unforeseen variables such as inclement weather, ground conditions, undisclosed information, rot, damage, insect infestation, change of work strategy, etc. You further authorize ITS to implement the use of subcontractors where they deem necessary. It is the sole responsibility of the customer or property representative to hire professionals to remove & reinstall utility wires as deemed necessary by ITS. You understand and acknowledge that photos and videos taken of your project may be used for advertising or other such purposes such as but not limited to employee training and quality control. Any and all communications to include email, text, voicemails; video and audio recordings may also be made and used for quality assurance, accuracy and collections purposes. You accept and acknowledge that these recordings may be made at any time and without further notification beginning at the time of first correspondence. If your projects scheduling date is missed for any reason, it will be placed in the next available opening. Although we aim to be as flexible as possible, our most common days & times for site work are Monday - Thursday, 7am-5pm. We are typically "Closed" Friday - Sunday to allow our crews time to rest and to prepare for upcoming projects.

Emergency Services:  ITS reserves the right to determine what is considered "Emergency Service". This may include storm damage, extreme temperatures/conditions, anything outside of regular business hours or our regular working season. A minimum base rate of $495./hr. per service vehicle, which does not include subcontractor fees, will be applied from the time we leave our yard in route to your job, and billed until the time we return to our yard. You authorize Independent Tree Service to implement the use of subcontractors where they deem necessary without further notice. Independent Tree Service bills in full hourly increments for this service and additional services which relate to the completion of your project both on and off site. Hauling, disposal, material, equipment & labor fees etc. (see “Fees”) also apply for all emergency service calls. Please request an estimate prior to signing if you have any questions regarding our rates, fees or billing policies in general.  In the event of large scale and damaging weather events, your project may be handled in stages and scheduled in order of priority at our discretion. We do not regularly work directly with insurance companies on behalf of our customers, nor do we attempt to interpret policies or assume limitations & coverages. It is the customers sole responsibility to pay our invoices directly and immediately, then work with their homeowners insurance companies to be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses. If we arrive to your site for an emergency call situation, and are then requested to provide an estimate and schedule the work for a later date, our hourly emergency service fee will still apply to cover our accrued fees to that point and will be added to the final invoice.

Hold Harmless and Indemnification:  You shall make Independent Tree Service, LLC aware by marking & presenting maps, surveys or other documentation for any underground hazards such as but not limited to: sprinkler systems, newly excavated areas, sink holes, gas lines, water lines, septic tanks & drainage fields. By requesting work be done in any area within 200’ of a septic field, irrigation system or any other underground hazard, you agree to hold ITS & its subcontractors harmless in the event of any breakage & agree to pay for any damages sustained to these and other related items to include damage to company equipment & injury to personnel. It is the customer’s responsibility to mark the trees intended for removal with orange surveyors tape or an “X” painted in white on the trunk. If the trees to be pruned or removed are located close to the property boundary, it is the customer’s responsibility to assure that the trees are in fact theirs & further agree to hold ITS harmless & indemnify it for all damages.

Property Owner/Representative agree uphold these terms of service and to defend ITS in the event of & including all damage, claims, attorney & mediation fees incurred resulting from customer’s failure to properly identify, inform, misinform, omit; for inaccurate information or failure to uphold their responsibilities under these Terms of Service. Customers agree to provide unobstructed access to work site, including the removal of any vehicles, and completely vacate an area no less than 200’ in radius from the work site to help ensure their safety. The work site is any area to include vehicles or buildings within 200’ from any company vehicle, piece of equipment or employees. Anyone who breeches this safe zone waives the right to any damage to property or person to include the loss of life, medical bills, disability & damages. It is the customer’s responsibility to keep their family, guests, livestock, pets and vehicles out of the designated 200’ work site safe zone. In the event of any action, claim, arbitration, or proceeding in connection with the performance, breach or interpretation of this Agreement, ITS shall be entitled to recover all costs & expenses, including all attorney’s & professional fees incurred in connection with any such action to include the costs incurred for mediation, appeals, any & all damages sustained. Homeowner/representative is further responsible for checking, following & enforcing local ordinances, covenants, permitting etc. and must provide ITS with the related documentation if any regulations must be followed. Property representative /customer is responsible for having property lines surveyed/marked and must do so upon request of ITS to ensure accuracy. It is the customers responsibility to apply for lake shore permits whenever trees are to be removed near an applicable body of water.

If you have any questions about our services, procedures, fees or billing arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact us. Your signature on the estimate or acceptance of any work by Independent Tree Service indicates you are an authorized representative for the indicated property & have read, understood and accept the above terms and estimate. ITS reserves the right to alter, modify or amend any and all portions of these Terms of Service at any time.