How Much Does a Tree Removal Service Cost?
When you need trees pruned or removed from your property, the cost depends greatly on several details. Ask yourself the following questions before calling a trained arborist for the job. If your answer is yes to any of them, the fees will go up.
1. Is the tree very tall?
Trimming or cutting down very tall trees can be costly. For example, the difference between trimming a 30-foot tree vs. a 60-foot tree can be anywhere from $300 -$10,000 per job.
2. Is the tree close to a building?
Working on trees close to buildings present risks to the structure, especially during removal. Any extra care required to protect a building will add some cost to the service.
3. Is the tree close to power lines?
This presents a safety risk to the arborist, as well as anyone near where the tree work is being done. You can count on higher costs when the trees you want to be removed are near power lines. Be sure and have permission from the local electric company for the work you want to be done as well. They might require that the power lines be shut down during the job.
4. Is there very little space for falling branches and trunk?
If the tree rests in a tight space with little room for branches and removed pieces of the trunk to fall safely, fees go up. Special techniques, and possibly additional equipment, will need to be utilized for the job. This adds more time and more labor to your bill.
5. Is the tree service an emergency?
Emergency work during non-business hours can be extremely expensive. Be sure you have all that information before you ask the tree service company to arrive on a Sunday.
6. Does the tree need to be hauled away?
If you’ve got a fireplace or wood burning stove, your trimmed or chopped tree will come in handy for those cold winter nights. If you don’t have to use the tree, you’ll need to pay an additional fee to have it removed from your property. This might double your overall costs.
Work with a tree service that will come out to your home beforehand to give you a free estimate. Ask what options you have to keep the fees down. Speak with several different companies to get the lowest estimate available.
