The local tree service industry serving Sunnyvale and surrounding areas has, unlike many other industries, about a half dozen clear leaders when it comes to competence, knowledge, and customer service. The slightest edge can lead to a sale and a longterm relationship.
Miabella earned my initial business and, after doing the job, my future business.
The recent high winds knocked over one of my huge birch trees right onto my neighbor's garage. Since I didn't know how much damage it had done, and was expecting more high winds, I wanted it taken care of as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it blew over on a Sunday afternoon, when most businesses were closed.
I put out a call for help on Yelp and, within the hour, got an email response from Miabella. The gentleman who responded asked me if Tuesday morning would work for someone to come out. I told him that I needed someone out on Monday because of the predicted high winds. He checked, and then got back to me and told me he would send someone out on Monday.
The project manager, Leonel, showed up on time and was respectful and listened carefully to my concerns. I asked him the probable cause of the tree falling over (besides the winds) and he showed me the evidence of dry rot and what appeared to him to be a fungus. I told him that fungus had taken out another tree in the grouping two years ago. He wanted to look at the remaining birch and recommended that I have that one removed as well as it was showing the same problems. I decided to take his advice and he gave me a quote for taking down the two trees, three stumps (one left from the third tree), remaining roots and cleaning the area. His bid was extremely competitive and I let him know that a couple other companies were coming to bid and that I would let him know ASAP.
One company came while we were talking and the man barely got out of his truck, took a look at Leonel with me, called over to me that he didn't do competitive bids and that I was wasting his time, got back into his truck, and left. A third man and gave a slightly higher bid and told me the second tree looked healthy enough to last another year or so, followed by a last company who was represented by a man who couldn't tell me anything until he talked with his boss (who didn't answer the phone). By that time, I had decided to go with Miabella and Leonel, not because of the slightly lower bid, but because of the trust that he had earned with me.
The team showed up early the next day, cheerfully and competently did the job (Leonel was there as well) and the problems were resolved. They removed the tree from my neighbor's garage which, fortunately, just slightly bent the rain gutter but didn't damage their roof.
The guy who was doing the stump/root removal knocked on the door to let us know he was done and to come out to see if we approved of the job. It was beautiful; very neat and tidy. Leonel, who had to leave briefly to check on another job, returned and made sure we were satisfied with the work.
It turns out that the second birch was in even worse condition than the one that blew over (see photos of the tree's interior). Both birches were soft inside and it was just a matter of time before they both died. So, my gut instinct in going with Leonel and Miabella proved right.
They did a great job, very quickly and at a great price. That's the way to keep at the front of the pack.
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