What should I do if a tree company asks me to sign a liability waiver?

Some waivers are narrow and easy to explain. For example, a company may ask you to accept that it cannot see a buried sprinkler line, so damage to a hidden line is your risk. You can manage that by marking the lines and telling the crew where they run.

Other waivers are too broad. A line saying the company is not responsible for any damage to your property, whatever the cause, shifts the risk of careless work onto you. That is a reason to stop and ask questions.

Ask for the waiver in writing before the day of the job. Read it slowly. Ask what each sentence means in plain words, and ask your own insurance agent how your policy treats the job.

If you are not comfortable, do not sign. Tell the company you would rather go ahead on the original terms. A company that will not work without a broad waiver is a warning sign. For a large job, a local lawyer can review the paper.