Advantage Tree Service

First used Advantage Tree Service on recommendation of friend in 2000. Have had them out at least a dozen times since then for jobs of various scope. Have always been very pleased with their work. Didn’t matter if it was a major trimming (we have numerous oaks) or pressing problem from storm damage. They’ve always been timely, courteous, very professional and reasonable priced. Robert purchased the company recently & is just as conscientious and thorough as Matt was previously. They leave the area totally clean, offer good suggestions, and are careful to be aware of any safety hazards. Several of my neighbors have been so impressed they’ve used them as well. They’re busy and in demand, so you may have to be patient. But for the quality of work they do, it’s worth it. JPF

We had a tree fall on our house late yesterday and I called them around 8 pm. They came out right away, on a Saturday night, cut down the branches needed to keep weight off and prevent the damage from getting worse. Then they came back on a Sunday (today) and worked most of the day to remove the tree. They left the yard looking great, even swept the patio! They are really good guys. They have been doing tree work for us for almost 10 years and I have always been really happy with their work. Ask for Robert.

Needed a huge oak tree removed and called Matt to get a free estimate. Very nice on the phone & set a date to come look. He asked what the other quotes were, and I FOOLISHLY told him. He didn’t show when he said he would. When I called again, he claimed he had come the next morning & decided to do the job for a few hundred less than what the others had quoted. Couldn’t believe my good luck. (SHOULDN’T have). Set a date for his crew to begin work. Didn’t show. Called him & was informed that the cherry-​picker could get stuck below certain temperatures. Seemed plausible. Said they would remove tree next day. Didn’t show. Called him. Said they were late on another job. Finally, I drove by (he said he preferred for safety’s sake that my kids and I NOT be there) & saw someone up in the tree. Came back hours later and there were huge limbs blocking my sidewalk but tree still there. Called him. Matt claimed that once the guys got up in the tree, they realized it was a much bigger job. He got us to agree to a higher bid and then PROMISED the tree would be removed the next day. Well, i’ts after 1:00 now, and they haven’t shown, and he isn’t answering texts or his phone. Our neighbor said the crew that showed up was angry about not being paid much, and they were not equipped (capable?) of handling the job. They hadn’t even brought gloves. So, a week of my time has been wasted, I’ve got an angry husband, there are limbs in my yard that will have to be sawed up by SOMEONE, and we still have a dead tree threatening to fall on us. Some people are as good as their word; some people are not.

Update: He did call me back, but because I’ve had to harass him more than once, they still lose some points.
I called up Matt on Wednesday (10/​29/​2008) to ask for someone to come and give me a quote for tree trimming. He said he’d probably be able to get to it that Friday and give me a call back.
I called him back the following Wednesday (11/​05/​2008) and he had not done it. His response was that he must have «spaced it» but that he’d be able to take a look first thing the next morning and call me back.
It’s Friday (11/​07/​2008). No call, no answer.
Unfortunately, this has been a chronic problem of a lot of local Austin professional services (including plumbers and electricians).
Anyway, I can’t give 0 or negative stars, so 1 star will have to do.