Business Beat: Brad’s Tree Service, the rock ‘n’ roll arborist – Brendan Higgins

January 21, 2025/Brendan Higgins

by Brendan Higgins, contributing writer

We all want good customer service. In my recent experience customer service is rapidly becoming a lost art. Why this basic component of business is no longer a guarantee is a story for another time. For now, I have some good news to report.

I recently found myself in need of a firewood delivery. I looked for someone local and randomly called Brad’s Tree Service in Exeter. This would be my introduction to the owner, Brad Hone. From the moment he answered his phone I felt at ease. He was polite and friendly to converse with. He immediately set up a delivery for me. On the delivery day, Hone called to let me know he was on his way over. I had no idea what to expect having never dealt with this outfit before. Hone arrived at my house on time as scheduled. His assistant, Issac, jumped out of the truck to help back him in. As the truck backed into my yard I observed a pristine load of firewood in the truck. I mean it was as close to perfect as you could get.

A huge smile came across my face as the bed of the truck rose and the wood slid to the ground. It was a thing of beauty. At this point Issac approached me with a huge sack filled with kindling wood. I still hadn’t met Hone yet. As he got out of his truck I extended my hand and introduced myself. Hone looked me directly in the eyes (another lost art) and shook my hand with a good old fashioned firm handshake. This guy has energy around him that I can only describe as a non-threatening intenseness. The entire transaction was a breath of fresh air.

Since I had some branches hanging over my house I asked Hone for a price to take them down. His price came in considerably lower than three other quotes I already had. I asked Hone to put me on the schedule.

In less than a week he returned to my property. When he arrived for the tree work I had to leave for an appointment. I wanted to stay and observe but I knew my neighbor, Harry, would keep an eye on things in my absence. Harry texted me about an hour later
to express how impressed he was with Brad’s Tree Service. At this point Hone had already won me over so the progress report from Harry was no surprise. Hone also sent me photo updates of his team in action.

I called Hone a few days later. I wanted him to know how impressed I was with his work ethic and welcoming customer service. He had no idea I was a writer at this point. He invited me to come by and check out his operation. I jumped at the opportunity. What he didn’t know is how much I love cutting and splitting wood. All I can say is I find the whole process therapeutic.

When I arrived at the gate I noticed men working in the yard. They were feeding wood into a wood splitter. Then a massive pick-up truck pulled in next to me and out jumped Brad Hone. He welcomed me to his world and offered me a tour of his impressive complex.

Hone is 36 years old. He grew up on this magical property living with his father. He graduated from Exeter-West Greenwich High School in 2007. From there, he attended CCRI in Warwick. He explained, “I was working at a pizza place in Wickford, but I needed to make more money. I was taking a sales class and I needed to pick a product to sell for a project. I picked firewood. I was already doing it a little on the side. I was the only person in the class who actually sold the product from my project. I went with my buddy one weekend to a side job and cut down some trees. We didn’t have any equipment like you see here. We were climbing trees with a chainsaw. After that my buddy stopped showing up to work. I had to take down this giant oak tree in Warwick. I had to force myself up that tree. It was scary because, at the time, I really didn’t know what I was doing. I’ve been hanging upside down in the air before. It’s not that fun. Over time I learned. I watched YouTube videos. I watched different guys that were professionals. I picked up little things. I learned different techniques. I got better and better.”

Hone started working with Andrew Hammond. He recalled, “For a while it was just the two of us. We would hire guys. They would come and go.” While Hone explained some of the back story it was easy to see he and Hammond have been through a lot together. They have a strong trusting bond. They began to acquire equipment for the business. The business was originally called “A Team Tree Service”. Hone explained how the company name evolved. He said, “I was in Florida helping my grandmother cut down a palm tree. When I came back the name was changed to Brad’s Tree Service. The logo on our trucks and business cards have a palm tree displayed. When a customer sees it they want to have some of that sunlight in their yard.”

Hone is a fully licensed arborist. He completed the course at the Rhode Island Tree Council. He can tie any knot you can name. His company has state of the art equipment, but all his firewood is hand loaded. The wood delivered to a customer is all very close in size. He has all the bases covered. He has been in business since 2013. His attention to customer satisfaction is why he has many repeat customers.

Hone has a passion for customer reviews. He built up an impressive list of hundreds of positive testimonials on Google. He rarely has any negative feedback. If he does, he is highly motivated to fix whatever the issue is. Hone said, “The days of hard work and labor are not where it’s at anymore. We are skilled machine operators. We know how to get things done fast and safely. We work smart, not hard. That’s one of the reasons our prices are so competitive.”

In addition to his business, Hone is also an accomplished musician. He is a fierce drummer. He even played me a great solo. He’s also a singer and guitar player. He was quite serious talking about his company, but when the subject changed to music, I could see Hone’s true passion emerge. His living room looks like a recording studio – with one of the most impressive fireplaces I have ever seen. By day, Hone is a businessman, but on any given night you can find Hone and his girlfriend, Jacklyn, Moore (also a singer) and other friends making music. Hone is a former member of the band “A Mean Minute”. They played around the local bar and club scene. He also has another project called Brad’s Lounge Live, complete with lighting, fog machine and other effects that will be launching soon on YouTube. Hone lives with Jacklyn and their son, Issac. Hone also has a son, Tylan, and a daughter, Juniper.

Brad Hone lives by the theory that it’s not all about making money. What’s most important to him is doing what he said he is going to do. That speaks for itself. You can contact Hone directly at (401) 269-6084. He is looking forward to hearing from you.

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To read all stories by Brendan, here, go to: https://rinewstoday.com/brendan-higgins