Great Oaks Terms & Conditions of Service

Welcome to Great Oaks Tree Service! We are a family-owned and operated business dedicated to providing professional, safe, and reliable tree care services. We are honored to be your choice and are committed to ensuring a transparent and satisfactory experience.

These Terms & Conditions govern all services provided by Great Oaks Tree Service (“Company,” “we,” “us”) to you, the property owner or authorized agent (“Client,” “you”). Your acceptance of our written Project Quote (defined below) constitutes your full agreement to these terms. Please read them carefully.

1. Free Assessments and Written Project Quotes

No-Obligation Assessments: We provide complimentary on-site assessments to evaluate your tree care needs. This assessment is offered at no cost and with no obligation to proceed with our services.
Formal Quote: Following the assessment, we will provide a detailed written document (“Quote” or “Estimate”) outlining the specific scope of work, a breakdown of services to be performed, and the total fixed price for that work.
Scope of Work: A Quote represents the entire scope of work to be performed. Any services not explicitly listed in the Proposal are not included in the quoted price.
Quote Validity: All Quotes are valid for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of issue. After 30 days, we reserve the right to re-evaluate and re-price the proposed work due to changes in conditions or costs.

2. The Roles Within Our Company

Tree Service Consultant: As a cornerstone of our family-owned approach, every project is assigned a dedicated Tree Service Consultant. This individual is typcially the one who visits the property to conduct the initial assessment, prepares your Quote, and schedules the job to be performed once the Quote is approved. They are available to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding the details of the Quote, the scope of work, and concerns
Operations Foreman: Oversees the on-site crew to ensure all work is performed safely, efficiently, and in strict accordance with the agreed-upon Quote.

3. Scheduling and Cancellation

Scheduling: Upon your acceptance of the Proposal, we will schedule the work for the next available date that is mutually agreeable. Project timelines are subject to weather conditions.
Weather Delays: The safety of our crew and your property is paramount. We reserve the right to reschedule any project due to unsafe weather conditions (e.g., high winds, heavy rain, lightning, ice). We will communicate with you to reschedule for the next appropriate date.
Cancellation Policy: Should you need to cancel or reschedule your project, we require a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours’ notice. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice may be subject to a mobilization fee to cover our scheduling and preparation costs.

4. Payment Terms

Payment Due: Full payment is due upon the satisfactory completion of all work outlined in the Proposal. A team member will perform a final walk-through to ensure your satisfaction.
Accepted Methods: We accept payment by check, cash, and major credit cards.
Late Payments: Payments not received within fifteen (15) days of the invoice date will be considered delinquent and may be subject to a late fee of 1.5% per month or the maximum rate permitted by law.

5. Client Responsibilities

To ensure a safe and efficient project, you agree to the following:

Site Access: Provide clear and safe access to the work areas for our crew, trucks, and equipment.
Clear Work Zone: Remove all personal items from the work zone prior to our arrival. This includes, but is not limited to, patio furniture, grills, potted plants, decorations, vehicles, and children’s toys. While we take great care, we are not responsible for damage to items left within the designated work area.
Private Utilities: Inform your Tree Service Consultant of the location of any known private underground lines, such as sprinkler systems, invisible dog fences, landscape lighting, or septic fields. We are not responsible for damage to unmarked private utilities.
Secure Pets: For their safety and the safety of our crew, please ensure all pets are secured indoors or otherwise contained away from the work area for the duration of the project.

6. Scope of Work, Safety, and Cleanup

Professional Standards: All work will be performed in a professional and workmanlike manner in accordance with current safety standards.
Public Utilities: As required by law in Illinois, the Company will contact the appropriate municipal organization(s) before any stump grinding to have public utility lines marked.
Cleanup: Project cleanup includes the removal of all limbs, branches, and wood (logs) associated with the work described in the Proposal. The work area will be raked and blown clean.
Stump Grinding Debris: The stump grinding process creates a large volume of wood chips/mulch. Unless explicitly stated in the Proposal, these chips will be left on-site in the hole where the stump was located. Hauling away these materials is available as an additional service.

7. Insurance and Liability

Fully Insured: Great Oaks Tree Service is fully insured with a comprehensive General Liability policy. A certificate of insurance is available upon request.
Property Damage: While we do our best to minimize disruption to your landscape, please be aware that heavy equipment may cause minor indentations or ruts in soft turf. We will take reasonable precautions to minimize such impact, but minor lawn disturbances are not considered damage. We will, however, repair any significant or negligent damage caused by our team or equipment.

8. Changes and Unforeseen Conditions

Change Orders: Any work requested by the Client that falls outside the original, accepted Proposal will be considered a “Change Order.” All Change Orders will be documented in writing and must be approved and signed by you before the additional work is performed.
Unforeseen Conditions: Should we discover unforeseen conditions that pose a safety risk or significantly alter the scope of work (e.g., extensive decay, concrete or metal embedded in the tree, aggressive pests), we will immediately cease work, inform you of the issue, and discuss a revised plan and price.

9. Governing Law

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

By approving our Quote, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions of Service.