Whilst it would be wonderful to give you a definitive answer, the truth of the matter is that the cost of tree surgery can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. These include the size and condition of the tree, the location of the tree, the type of tree and the amount of work that needs to be done.
In this article, we look at the top 4 cost influencing factors in carrying out tree surgery work.
Tree size and species
When it comes to the cost of tree surgery, one of the main factors that will influence the price is the species and size of the tree. Larger, more mature trees will generally require more work and, as such, will be more expensive to have surgery performed on them.
In contrast, smaller trees are often less expensive as they will require less time, labour and equipment to carry out the work. The type of tree can also affect the cost as some species are more challenging to work on than others.
The tree’s location
Another important factor that will influence the cost of tree surgery is the location of the tree. If a tree is located in a difficult-to-reach or hard-to-access area, this will often add to the cost as extra time and equipment may be required to carry out the work. Similarly, if the tree is located close to major highways or train lines, the additional measures required to safely complete the tree work will increase the cost of doing so
Conversely, if a tree is located in an easily accessible location away from any hazards or buildings, this can often bring the cost down as less time will be needed to carry out the work.
Health & safety considerations
When having tree surgery work carried out, it is important to consider the health and safety of the tree surgeon, local buildings and the surrounding area.
Some of the things that should be taken into account include whether or not there is a safe working area, whether or not there is easy access to water and power, and whether or not there are hazards such as high voltage cables in the vicinity.
Additional safety considerations may require specific licences, traffic management arrangements or even specialist equipment (covered in more detail below) in order to complete the work.
The need for specialist machinery
In order to carry out tree surgery safely and efficiently, it is often necessary to use specialist machinery in addition to our standard equipment such as chainsaws, chippers and other power tools. For example, if a tree is too dangerous to climb, it may be necessary to use a mobile elevated working platform (MEWP) or crane with telescopic cutting equipment.
The need for highly specialist machinery can quickly increase the cost of tree surgery as it is expensive to hire this equipment.
Beware of the quote that looks too good to be true
Tree surgery remains one of the few trades still frequently assessed purely on price, despite the need for highly trained, competent professionals, the cost of specialist & dangerous equipment and the risk of injury, property damage or even death.
It is vital that you check that your tree surgeon has the appropriate qualifications and experience before allowing them to carry out work on your property.
When getting quotes for tree surgery, be sure to get at least three from different companies. Make sure that you compare like-for-like quotes, and don’t be tempted by the cheapest option as this could mean that corners are being cut. Ask each company for a breakdown of their quote so that you can be sure that everything is included, such as VAT, insurance, disposal of waste, specialist equipment hire, traffic management, work permits and licences and so on.
Beware of the quote that looks too good to be true – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Speak to a company you can trust
If you need advice or a quote for tree works on your property, contact the HRG team today. We will arrange an appointment with an experienced surveyor who will attend your site in order to ensure that you are given a fair, accurate and reliable quote for the work that needs to be completed.
