Accreditation? TCIA

[Toddppm]

Anybody checked into this yet?
http://www.treecareindustry.org/content/accreditation/AccreditationQickBulletsBusiness.htm

 

[Treeman14]

Sounds like just another scam to get more money out of us.

 

[Dadatwins]

Think the idea of having a large group like TCIA on the side of tree companies is a great idea, but it does seem like they are focused only on the larger companies. Last check it was close to $400.00 annual membership. Not a big deal for large companies but harder for the 1-2 person operation. In some ways it seems like they are competing with ISA claiming accreditation, like certification is being recognized by more prospective customers. I think both are being recognized more and more, but until these groups can do something about the cost of insurance and stop harry the hack from underbiding my licensed and insured estimate, can't see paying that much to join another group. JMHO.

 

[fwf]

OK, let me say right up front that I am not an arborist -- I am in the forestry logging business. So when I need residential tree work done (almost yearly), I hire an arborist. But I have never used a web site (ISA, TCIA, etc.) to find one. I go by personal recommendations, the yellow pages to find one close by, and the professional demeanor of the individual when I get a quote for the job.

Perhaps like much of the general public, certification and accreditation mean nothing to me. Just as when I hire a painter -- I want references from happy customers -- it doesn't matter that he is a member of the International Society of Painters.

What are groups like ISA and TCIA doing to inform the public that certification and accreditation are a good thing? I've been in the tree business for 15 years, but until I joined ArborSite.com, I never new that ISA existed.

In the end, I would be surprised if any such group would be affective at attracting new customers.

 

[Toddppm]

In this area the ISA and a landscape assoc. I belong to do a decent job of getting their name out there which gets my name out there too. I get alot of calls from people who called their county first for advice and get directed to one of the websites and on to us.

I was just doing a search on the web to find out what pops up first in my area and ran across the TCIA accreditation thing. Looks like a name change from the NAA was all they really did , the main reason I never joined them is the policy of charging according to gross sales for the membership fee. Guess it's still the same and now more money for this? But........it seems like they might actually do some follow up on the companies to make sure they're not hacks and fly by night to get accredited????

 

[vharrison2]

That accreditation program is tough. If a company took the time to go through the program, they would learn alot, big or small. That being said, we have not gone forward with it because I believe it is time consuming.

 

[treeseer]

That accreditation program is tough. If a company took the time to go through the program, they would learn alot, big or small. That being said, we have not gone forward with it because I believe it is time consuming.

It is, but many companies are making that investment. re ISA, the work they put into making the word "arborist" and the trade known and improving pays off for me. I get a lot of calls from folks just looking for an arborist instead of a treecudder.


The amount invested in certification is trivial compared to overall biz expenses. For a big co., the investment into TCIA reg would be what, 1-2%?

 

[diltree]

What TCIA is doing is a great thing for our Industry. Come on whats $400; one small 30 min removal, or one fine pruneing Job, out of the year. I cant stand Competeing against companys that are complete hacks and know nothing about tree work. They make us look bad as an industry, and they bring down the market with low ball estimates. My family has been in this biz for 48 years and as my Dad proclaims "they come and go like the flowers of spring" But these hacks will always be out there, low balling repitable companys. Accrediation can only help those of us that are truelly proffesionals no matter how big or small the operation.

 

[timberbeast]

TCIA and ISA have done much to promote our industry.

However, does merely having a certificate or accredation mean a person is actually qualified and uses professional practices? In my experience, I'd have to say "no". I've seen some businesses that have all the paperwork and still continue to hack.

Also, I know of some great "Arborists" that have been self-taught, well-read, and use professional practices and international standards.

Although having a certificate and accredation may be helpful to one's business, keep in mind that all tree work performed has your signature.

Referral and repeat business, in my opinion, is clearly the way to go.