How Much Does Tree Work Cost?
One of the most common questions when it comes to tree work is, “how much will it cost?”. And it makes sense, since there are plenty of stories and anecdotes about expensive tree jobs. I have personally done jobs for as little as $40 and as much as $20,000 and I can tell you there is one consistent trend when it comes to price: the more hours and equipment that are on the job, the higher the price will be. This can be related to tree size and location, but not always. Sometimes smaller trees that have limited access or are over structures can be more costly than a very large tree that is out in the open! I would like to break it down some and help quiet some of the fear some homeowners have when approaching an upcoming tree job.
So, you have a dead tree in your yard and you start to worry about it, but understandably, you don't want to break the bank getting it taken care of. The first step in the process should be to get at least three quotes from insured tree companies. You may be surprised to see that the estimate from each company is quite different, so be sure to get the particulars dialed in. Perhaps one company bids $500 but specifies that all debris is to be left on site, at the place where it falls. The next company bids $2000 and they plan on bringing a crane on-site and will remove all the tree debris, including the stump. And the third company puts their bid at $1200, and they don't say what or how they will take care of the tree.
Here we have uncovered one of the best ways to save on tree work: be specific about what you want done and be sure to explain this to each company you have bid on the job. Additionally, be sure to get in writing all the details for the work proposal such as: all debris to be removed from site, leave a high-stump, there will be no machines to be used across my lawn, no landscape bushes to be damaged in the tree work process, etc. If you skip this step and get multiple bids, you may later realize why one was so much less expensive-because they planned on dropping the entire tree on your prized flower bed, and are going to machine the tree out using your neighbors pristine lawn! Ouch!! Conversely, you can save money when you allow turf/ground damage, accept some collateral damage to nearby trees and shrubs, or have a friendly neighbor that will allow use of their driveway-be sure to mention these kinds of details as they can save a lot of time and money.
The next thing to consider is what services you can skimp on. Typically the more debris that is left on site, at or near the tree to be worked on, the lower the overall cost. But that is not always practical, so a few options like leaving the stump in place, large diameter trunk wood on-site, and not requesting detailed clean-ups can be other ways to reduce labor, time, and the final bill. By far the cheapest option should be to have a qualified arborist come in and simply get the tree material on the ground, and then the property owner takes it from there. Some companies will still bill at higher rates for “cut-and-leave” type services because at the end of the day, they still have to make payments on their equipment whether it gets used or not!
Companies such as Big Rapids Affordable Tree Care tries to fill this niche, as a qualified, insured arborist who can get your technical tree jobs done but without incurring all the costs associated with equipment-heavy companies. However, there will be times when it is not practical or economical to avoid equipment-heavy companies. Perhaps you have a number of trees you want removed and they are behind a home, with limited or no access for machinery due to grade changes, landscaping, or fencing and the debris must be removed. Now there is no way to avoid a higher price tag. This type of job with limited access tends to be more expensive. They often involve cranes, crews with 4 or more people, multiple trucks on-site to handle different debris, and secondary machines like stump grinders, and loaders.
Four keys to lower costs:
1. Leave debris on site - We hammered this note pretty hard, but be sure to remember there are some variations to this plan that can still save you money and not leave you with an enormous mess to deal with.
2. Do the work early - Don’t let those small trees that are too close grow indefinitely! This also applies to pruning schedules, by routinely having small pruning done it's often possible to avoid a lot of problems later on.
3. Avoid peak times in the spring, summer, and fall - While winter can add difficulties in scheduling, most tree companies have less work and are therefore more likely to give a better price.
4. Get multiple bids and be specific - Chances are that one company will underbid the job and save you money, just be sure that everyone is bidding on the same work, especially on heavy removal jobs and pruning. Don’t assume that the $200 and the $800 pruning was for the same thing, so be sure to ask questions.
Bonus! The 5th way to lower the overall cost of work is to combine multiple jobs at once. Typically, there is a mobilization fee associated with every job, so having a company come out twice is going to be more expensive than once with the same amount of work being done.
I hope this covers a few ways to save on your next tree job or at least be prepared when the consulting arborist arrives on your property. As a final note, beware of tree contractors that are unprofessional and cannot provide a certificate of insurance, as they may underbid jobs due to lack of experience or poorly designed plans to execute dangerous work.
