Last updated on February 12th, 2022
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How much does it cost to have a tree cut down
Overgrown or rather congested trees can cause a few unwelcome issues around homes. Maybe they’ve grown too close to the house or neighbours are complaining about overhanging branches. Perhaps they’ve covered garden plants underneath or they’ve brought darkness into the garden. Whatever reason it might be, chopping the trees down is the ideal solution. A tree surgeon will do the job properly and leave the landscape in great shape.
Many will want to use the services of a tree surgeon but the question is, how much does a tree surgeon cost? Below we give a guide to tree surgeon costs and provide rough estimates for tree surgeon services but remember every job will be different and prices can vary widely.
Before you fell a tree it’s important to make sure it’s not protected because some trees are, you need to do your research and make sure that the plant you are planning on modifying is not protected by any law or institution.
Factors influencing the cost of tree surgeon
There are several factors that tree surgeons will consider before giving a quote. These include:
The height of the tree
Obviously, a larger tree attracts more money because it’s more work and in some cases requires more machinery. Large trees have many branches with complex growth and thus may require special equipment to bring them down. They also require extra manpower plus hours. The upper parts of the tree need to fall a long distance and that is risky in itself. Some heavier branches may need to be lowered down with the help of ropes and such procedures may increase the overall cost of felling a tree. In general, the higher the tree, the more work there’s to be done.
Number of trees
Another price factor that you must inform the tree surgeon about. You don’t want to surprise a tree surgeon upon arrival by telling them that you have five trees to be cut instead of one. Be clear from the word go so a tree surgeon can give you an accurate quote. In any case, more trees will hike the price.
Overhanging trees
Some trees overhang structures including roofs, greenhouses and fences, and these will need careful removal. The cost is likely to spike in this case. If trees are overhanging a road or public footpath and the road needs to be temporarily closed for operations to take place, you will need to get permission from local authorities, and that doesn’t come cheap.
Accessibility of location
Accessing the rear garden of any home is usually not easy. Terraced houses have very narrow access or sometimes no access at all. If you live in a home with poor access, you can expect to pay more because the tree remains will have to be removed anyway. Also, make sure to seek local tree surgeons because someone travelling from afar will include transportation costs in their quote.
Removing waste from your garden
You may save yourself a small fortune if you have a means of disposing of waste. Otherwise, you may have to pay to have the waste disposed of. That can be costly, especially if the parts are heavy and have to be carted to the front garden for loading onto a truck.
Something that may help reduce the cost is if you put an advert in the paper/online, (think gumtree) or if you know someone who has a log burner and may be willing to take the wood away for their own use. Some may even pay you to take the logs and if the tree surgeon only needs to fell the tree the price should be cheaper.
Stump grinding
Stump grinding removes the stump that is left because trees are usually felled just above ground level, this leaves an unsightly stump that can sometimes grow again and send out suckers. If you want it done, then you can expect a tree surgeon to charge for it. The depth of stump grinding depends on the type of tree. If you have felled the tree yourself you may be able to just get a tree surgeon you remove the stump for you.
What should you expect to pay?
The following tree surgeon costs should give you a rough idea of how much the service can set you back. Remember costs vary from job to job and certain parts of the UK are more expensive than others, but the prices below should you a rough idea of cost.
| Service | Fee |
| Tree survey | Free to £150 for a basic survey |
| Tree Felling | £200 – £400 (over £1000 for very large trees) |
| Disposal of tree debris | £50 – £150 |
| Stump removal & grinding | £50 to £300 |
| Hedge trimming | £40 per hour per person |
| Wood chipper hire | £50 – £300 per day |
| Garden clearance | £200 per person per day / £40 per hour |
How to choose a tree surgeon
Start by asking your friends and relatives whether they have recommendations they may be able to refer you to, perhaps someone they know or they’ve used in the past. Once you establish a contact, feel free to interview them so you know who you’re dealing with. Find out whether or not the contractor will clear your garden, grind down the stump or leave it untouched, and inquire about any other charges. Make sure to source at least three quotes for service and price comparisons. Also, check they have suitable insurance to do the job.
Your quote should at least include;
- Detailed information about the workload to be done, including how long it will take.
- Any preparation that you may need to do.
- The equipment that the professional will use.
- Whether or not debris disposal will be done.
- Whether or not the overall cost includes VAT.
- A risk assessment plan that ensures everybody’s safety is covered during the operation.
DIY vs Tree Surgeon
If you’d like to fell a tree on your own, including removing all debris, then be ready to purchase the necessary equipment, if you don’t already own them. Some of the tools you’ll need include a chainsaw and/or axe, safety glasses, gloves, short-sleeved shirts and special chainsaw trousers. You want to stay well-protected when dealing with flying debris. Sounds great but not everyone wants to climb 100ft high to prune a tree, either due to fear of heights or it’s a job they simply don’t fancy.
Tree surgeons, on the other hand, are happy to take on any job. As a matter of fact, it’s better to leave anything more than a small tree to the professionals because felling trees can be very dangerous, especially when chainsaws are concerned. Tree surgeons are able to fell trees by following appropriate procedures and will have taken chainsaw and tree felling courses. They can help transform your garden’s look within hours or a few days.
Main image from pixabay.com
