A tree came down, or a big limb cracked. Do not rush into the yard. Make it safe first. Then document it. Then get a provider to look at it. This checklist covers roughly the first 48 hours.
Step 1: Make it safe
- Stay back from the tree and anything it touches.
- Treat any wire on or near the tree as live. Keep people and pets away.
- Report downed lines to the utility and to emergency services.
- If the tree is on the house and the structure seems unsafe, get everyone out.
- Do not cut limbs that are bent or under tension. They can snap back with force.
- Do not run a chainsaw on a tree that rests on something else.
If a person is hurt, that is an emergency for emergency services, not for a tree provider.
Step 2: Photograph everything
Take photos and video before anything moves. Show the whole tree, the break point, the roots, and the damage to the roof, fence, car, or siding. Add wide shots for scale. Note the date and time.
These help with your insurer. They also help providers quote the job.
Step 3: Limit further damage
- Move cars out of the danger zone.
- If a damaged line is spraying water and the shutoff is safe to reach, turn it off.
- Cover a roof opening only if you can do it safely from the ground or a stable spot. Otherwise wait for a professional.
- Keep receipts for anything you buy to prevent more damage.
Ask your insurer what steps it expects you to take.
Step 4: Contact your insurer
Read your policy. Report the damage. Ask what it covers for tree removal and for repairs. Do not assume. Coverage depends on your policy and on what the tree hit.
Step 5: Request quotes
Use the Preparedengagement Tree Service request form. Give the size of the tree, where it lies, what it touches, how a truck could reach it, and whether wires are involved. Attach your photos if the form allows.
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Typical emergency ranges from this site's service page:
- Large limb removal: $200 – $900
- Small tree down in yard: $300 – $1,000
- Large tree down in yard: $1,000 – $3,000
- Tree on a house or garage: $2,000 – $10,000
- Storm or after-hours surcharge: $100 – $1,000
- Debris haul-away and cleanup: $100 – $600
These are not quotes. Storms raise demand, and prices vary by provider.
Step 6: Vet the provider
After a storm, strangers knock on doors. Be careful. Before you agree to anything:
- Ask for proof of liability coverage.
- Ask for the scope in writing: what is cut, what is hauled, what is left.
- Ask whether cleanup and haul-away are in the price.
- Do not pay the full amount up front.
Day two: look again
With daylight and a calmer head, check for more hazards.
- Look for other cracked or hanging limbs.
- Check for leaning trees nearby.
- Look for lifted soil or exposed roots.
- Check the basement for new water or cracks if roots were pulled up near the foundation.
- Decide on the stump. Grinding is usually a separate job.
Keep every photo, receipt, and quote in one folder.
Mistakes to avoid
- Climbing on a damaged tree or roof
- Cutting a tree that touches a wire
- Signing before you read the scope
- Throwing away damaged items before photos
- Guessing what your policy pays instead of asking your insurer
Who does the work
Preparedengagement Tree Service is a referral site. It does not send crews. Independent providers serving the Louisville area do the work, and availability depends on the provider and the storm. If you can safely wait, send the request form early and keep your photos ready.
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