To get started as a technician, you need three things: a driver’s license, a car–either your own or one leased through the company–and a willingness to do physical work both outdoors and indoors. TreeTech provides a 28-foot ladder, starter tools, and materials. Let’s break down why a driver’s license is required, how to fairly compare owning your own car with leasing one, and what additional equipment you’ll need to purchase yourself.
Why You Can’t Work in This Profession Without a License
A technician’s job is all about the route. In the morning, you get a list of addresses, and then you’re behind the wheel all day: pull up, complete the installation, close the job, and head to the next one. Under a piecework model, your paycheck is the total number of points earned for completed jobs, and you can only close a job once you’ve arrived at the address. You can’t cover a route through the suburbs of Tennessee, Ohio, Georgia, or Illinois using public transportation: the addresses are scattered, and you have to carry your ladder and tools with you. That’s why a driver’s license isn’t just a formality in the requirements–it’s your number-one tool of the trade: no license, no route; no route, no orders; no orders, no pay.
No license yet: what to do
A driver’s license is a mandatory requirement, and there’s no way around it. But “don’t have one yet” doesn’t mean “the road is closed”:
- Start the application process in your state. Processing times vary by state and DMV workload–find out the specifics right away so you can plan based on actual dates, not guesswork.
- Let your recruiter know what stage you’re at. During business hours, you’ll get a response in less than 15 minutes–together, you can estimate a realistic start date instead of “sometime later.”
- Don’t put off the conversation until you have your license. If you’re a good fit based on the interview, you’ll receive a written offer within 48 hours–you’ll have the terms in hand ahead of time, and you can hit the road as soon as your license is in your pocket.
Your own car or a company lease
Both options work, and both come at a cost–just in different forms. The main practical criterion: the vehicle must be able to haul a 28-foot ladder, tools, and materials every day. Here’s a fair comparison without specific numbers, since the numbers depend on your vehicle, state, and contract:
| Criterion | Own car | Leasing through the company |
|---|---|---|
| Getting Started | You can hit the road right away if the car is suitable for the job | You can start even if you don’t have a suitable car |
| Expenses | No fixed payment, but repairs and wear and tear are on you | Predictable payments with no surprises |
| Maintenance | You have to find a service center yourself and lose workdays while the car is out of commission | Maintenance is organized according to a well-established system |
| Wear and Tear | Your route covers thousands of business miles a year, and your car takes the brunt of it | Wear and tear on a leased car isn’t your problem |
| Freedom | The car is yours: you decide how to use it outside of work | The terms of use are specified in the contract |
| 1099 taxes | Business miles are deducted at the standard IRS rate–70¢ per mile in 2025 (check the current rate) | What and how expenses are deducted depends on your contract–check with a tax professional |
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If you already have a reliable car that can haul a ladder and tools, using your own car gives you freedom and a deduction for business mileage. If you don’t have a car or it won’t hold up to the required mileage, leasing takes the hassle out of getting started. Ask the recruiter to show you the leasing terms before making an offer, and calculate both options based on your own numbers.
What the company provides
The entry barrier for equipment is lower than many expect, because TreeTech covers the following:
- Starting tools. A basic work kit is provided–you don’t need to buy a set before your first day.
- A 28-foot ladder. The largest and most essential piece of equipment for a technician–also provided by the company.
- Materials. You don’t have to buy or keep track of consumables for jobs–they’re provided by the company.
Add to this paid training: for the first ~10 days, you work as an assistant for $500 a week, with the tools provided in hand and working alongside an experienced technician. In other words, you hardly have to invest any money to get started–you invest your time and effort instead.
What to Buy Yourself
Technicians usually choose their own small “hand-held” tools: they quickly become an extension of your hand, so personal comfort is key here, not a list from a brochure. Typically, these include:
- gloves that are comfortable for you to work in;
- a headlamp–in basements and attics, you need to keep your hands free;
- a tool belt or bag so you don’t have to run back to the car for every little thing;
- your favorite screwdrivers, wire cutters, or a multitool–whatever your hand is used to.
We’re intentionally not listing prices here: the range is huge, and you should choose based on what feels right in your hand, not on the price tag. One practical tip–keep your receipts: for Form 1099, work-related purchases count as expenses; the details are explained in our guide “1099 vs. W-2.”
Conclusion: To get started, you’ll need a driver’s license and a car–either your own or one leased through the company. TreeTech provides a 28-foot ladder, starter tools, and materials; the ~10-day training is paid for; and a technician with their own route earns $1,400–2,100 per week. If, out of everything on the list, you only have a driver’s license so far–that’s enough to reach out to a recruiter today.