Every tree-care company in Ontario will tell you they are "fully insured" and "certified." The certifications mean very different things and are worth understanding before you hand someone a key to your gate.
ISA Certified Arborist
Issued by the International Society of Arboriculture. Earned by passing a written exam covering tree biology, identification, soil science, diagnosis, pruning standards (ANSI A300), climbing safety, and risk assessment. Must be renewed every three years with continuing-education credits.
What to ask: "Will an ISA Certified Arborist be on site during my job, or just on staff?" Some companies have one certified arborist who never leaves the office.
WSIB clearance (Workplace Safety & Insurance Board)
Ontario's workers' compensation system. If a tree-care worker is injured on your property and the company is not WSIB compliant, you can be held financially liable as the property owner. This is the single most important certificate to verify.
What to ask: "Can you email me a current WSIB Clearance Certificate before the crew arrives?" A legitimate company can issue this in under 24 hours.
$5M general liability insurance
Covers damage to your property (and adjacent properties) caused by the crew or their equipment. The standard floor in our industry is $2M; we carry $5M because tree work involves equipment moving large mass at altitude over things you don't want crushed.
What to ask: "Can you provide a Certificate of Insurance naming me as additional insured?" Some companies will, some won't.
TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification)
An advanced ISA credential specifically for assessing tree risk. Required for any written tree-risk report intended to hold up in court, insurance, or municipal forestry contexts. Not every job needs it, but it matters for institutional and commercial work.
The combination of ISA + WSIB + $5M is the floor we'd advise asking any tree-care company in Waterloo Region to clear. Anything less is a risk transfer to you as the property owner.
What we provide on request
- Current WSIB Clearance Certificate (typically same-day).
- Certificate of Insurance ($5M general liability) naming you as additional insured if required.
- ISA credential numbers for the arborists on your job.
- TRAQ-qualified written assessments for institutional and commercial clients.
If you'd like documentation in advance of a quote, just ask — (226) 263-2319 or completestump@gmail.com.