A CUT ABOVE TREE & STUMP REMVL

This company, also known as "One Cut Above" (and other similar names) is owned by an individual named Dean Mortise. In my opinion you should stay clear of this individual and any of his companies. I recommend NOT doing business with him in any capacity. I am a handicapped individual who, under better circumstances, would have removed my own tree, but that possibility no longer exists. On Sept 6, 2013, he took an obscene amount of money for a deposit (50%) and said he would remove a large tree in a couple of weeks, but no later than Nov. 1st 2013. I called repeatedly and always got the same response, that he should be there within the week. After so many tries to get him to remove the tree, I finally asked for my deposit back. He agreed and said he'd get the check right out. Well that never happened. I asked repeatedly and finally out of clear frustration, I contacted an attorney who sent a letter asking Dean Mortise to return the deposit he had received from me. He told the attorney's that it was not possible because he was in the process of filing BANKRUPTCY and that I was listed as a creditor. There is no record or indication that he was, in fact, filing bankruptcy and I was never contacted by his attorney or representatives. I feel that this is just a ploy and his effort to scam me out of my deposit of $800. As I said in the beginning, I would no longer have anything to do with DEAN MORTISE and I recommend your doing the same.

He said it would only take 4 hrs. But it took him 4 days. They had a different team each day. not a lot of equipment. They got the job done though. No clean up of the wood chips, nor did they put my lawn furniture back. But they did get the tree out. Overall they did basically what was asked. I never saw Mr. Mortise after he came with the contract, even though he said he'd be back. He never did. Ironically, I was able to get them two referrals out of it too!

Mr. Mortise responded quickly to my request for an estimate to remove 2 trees. His price seemed fair & competitive so we agreed & he wrote up his "contract". The date of the contract was 8-6-12; the contract states 1/3 down payment but he penned in 1/2 so he was given $700 of the original amount of $1417. Right after he left, my husband & I both called him to let him know that we only wanted one tree taken down for which he had quoted $850. Before he left, he said that he would be back by the end of the next week at the latest to remove the tree. He has yet to show up or return any of our money. We have called him on several occasions; the latest of which was 10/2/12. He PROMISED that he would have the work done by the end of the week "one way or the other" whatever that was supposed to mean & again, it was not done nor did he call to say that he wouldn't be coming. His contract also stated that the work was "to be completed by 8-31-12 (weather permitting)". As everyone in this whole area knows, we had a stellar summer & therefore, he is not able to use weather for an excuse. My next step is to contact the local Better Business Bureau & then off to Small Claims Court. DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE!!!!

They did a bad bad job. He didn't show up or call when he was supposed to. I told him what I thought. He got even with me for that. They cut a big branch down and left it in my lilac bush. They were supposed to cut a big branch down and cut it in to pieces for my neighbor and they never did that. I called and called and asked when they were going to come and finish. I never got a response.

I would never let Dean Mortise set foot on my property ever again, I would not let any of my friends even consider using his service. If you are considering using his service I recommend that you check his level of liability insurance, and his coverage for workers. For my case, he had multiple uninsured workers on my property (though a couple of them were on the policy). Check his bankruptcy history. If you check him out and somehow still wish to use his service, DO NOT pay him until the job is completed to your satisfaction. My experience with him shows that he will take the money and run if he gets the chance.