Storm season for tree companies

Before the season, service your saws, chipper and trucks, stock fuel and parts, and agree who works which shifts. Plan how calls will be answered and texted back, set your storm pricing in writing and make a list of past customers to check on. Our storm season guide and response checklist walk through it.

Have a plan before it happens. Use an automatic text reply for missed calls that asks for the address, photos and how urgent it is. Sort calls by danger first: trees on houses, cars or blocking roads. Give honest time windows. Our storm phone playbook explains a simple triage.

No, unless you are trained and qualified for line-clearance work. Tell customers to stay away and call the utility, and call 911 if anyone is in danger. Work near energized lines has strict federal safety rules. Short explanation, not legal advice.

Storm jobs are often riskier and slower, with tangled, loaded wood and odd hours, so pricing can reflect that. Be open about how you price, give a written estimate before you start and avoid anything that looks like taking advantage. Some states have price rules during declared emergencies. Short explanation, not legal advice.

Only if you can actually deliver it. It is better to be honest, for example: we answer around the clock and send a crew at first light, than to promise a crew at 2 a.m. and not show. An answering service, AI receptionist or text-back can cover calls while you sleep.

Take clear before, during and after photos, write a detailed invoice that lists the work, and give the homeowner copies. Do not promise what their insurance will pay, since that is between them and their insurer. Our job photo checklist lists the shots to take.

It depends on your crews, your gear and how long each job takes. Overbooking leads to angry customers and tired, unsafe crews. Our storm capacity planner helps you estimate how many jobs you can do per day, so you can give honest time windows.

Follow up with every storm lead you could not serve and every customer you helped. Many will need cleanup, stump grinding, pruning or a check on other damaged trees. Ask happy customers for reviews. Our after-the-storm guide explains how to turn the rush into steady work.

Slow down. Storm-damaged trees are under tension and can move in ways crews do not expect. Plan each cut, keep a clear drop zone, watch for hidden hazards and power lines, rotate tasks to fight fatigue and stop work in bad weather. See our job site safety guide.

Yes, on the phone side. Our system texts back every missed call within 30 seconds, an AI receptionist can take details, and the lead inbox keeps every storm lead in one list for follow-up. We are a new agency, with first case studies in December 2026. A free audit checks how your phone holds up.