How Tree Removal Companies Determine the Cost of Tree Removal
It’s easy to take our trees for granted. They add beauty to our property and they give us much needed shade during the hot weather here in the Tri-Cities. We rely on trees to clean the air we breathe and filter the water we drink.
Even though we may think of trees as fixtures in our yard that will live forever, they are vulnerable to diseases and decay and other things that could shorten their lifespan. Signs that your tree is unhealthy might include wilting branches, broken branches, abnormal leaf color, holes in leaves, etc. If the tree is sick enough, you will have to remove it. The first question that comes to mind is: how much will I pay for a tree removal estimate? What is a fair and reasonable price?
You can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $2,000 for a tree removal estimate. The national average for taking a tree off your property ranges from $600 to $800.
But what factors need to be considered when figuring out how much a tree removal estimate will be? Is it just the size and condition of the tree?
7 Factors That Affect the Cost of a Tree Removal Estimate
Here are seven aspects that should be considered when a tree services company prepares a tree removal estimate for you.
The Size of the Tree Removal
As you might guess, the size of the tree is a major factor for determining the price of its removal. If your tree is 30 feet or lower, it is considered a small tree. Examples include fruit trees. Your price range for removal of this size a tree could be $150 to $500.
A medium-sized tree, like a maple or elm, is 30 feet to 60 feet tall and could come with a price tag of $600 to $1,000 to remove it.
Large trees, like a mature oak, will be 60 feet to 80 feet high. They may cost anywhere from $800 to $1,700 to haul away.
Any tree that is taller than 80 feet will have a tree removal estimate of around $1,500 to $3,000.
The Size of the Trunk’s Diameter
The dimensions of your tree’s trunk will likely influence the tree removal cost.
In most cases, a trunk’s diameter is proportional to the height of the tree. But there are instances when a small tree can have an exceptionally thick trunk. This would take longer to bring down and haul away than a trunk that is more proportional to its height. That comes with a steeper price tag.
A tall tree with a narrow trunk is likely to cost less to remove than a tree with the same height with a thick trunk.
The Tree’s Health
If you have a diseased tree in your yard, it could pose both a health and safety hazard to other trees, as well as your property and bystanders. A tree in this condition would probably be less expensive to remove because it is easier to cut down.
However, a tree removal estimate may be higher if a diseased tree is positioned in a certain way that makes it dangerous to take down and could cause damage when it falls.
If you need to have an unhealthy tree removed that is standing and still somewhat stable, you may pay the same price that you would for a healthy tree. Many sick or even dead trees will usually be less expensive to remove because they have a weaker structure than healthy trees. This makes it easier for tree service technicians to remove the tree.
Accessibility of the Tree Removal
Your tree’s accessibility could impact the cost of the tree removal by 25 percent to 50 percent, according to HomeAdvisor. If your tree is harder for tree care professionals to reach, it will increase your tree removal estimate. For example, if it is a big tree that is growing in a small, confined space between a fence and a structure, like a home, then it is bound to cost more to remove.
Removing a tree that is difficult to access requires a lot of preparation and specialized removal strategies to safely remove it from your property.
Conversely, if your tree is standing in an open yard and has no obstacles around it, then it will be much cheaper to cut down and haul away.
The Type of Tree Species
A tree’s species could significantly affect the cost of your tree removal project. That is because the species of a tree is closely related to height and volume when it comes to a tree removal estimate. For example, pine trees and maple trees grow very tall, as high as 100 feet or more. They may cost around $2,000 or more to remove.
Also, there are certain trees that grow with a complex branch system. This results in a more complicated tree removal. That raises the cost to remove it.
Then there are tall, thin trees, such as aspens, that aren’t able to support the weight of a person. This calls for extra equipment to be used to reach the top of a tree in a safe manner. A thick and dense tree – pine trees are an example – will take longer to remove because of their large size.
A tree that needs to be removed from your property may be a protected species. Permission is needed to remove it. That potentially increases the cost.
Whether it is an Emergency Tree Removal or Not
When a tree in your yard leans dangerously, or a tree has fallen onto your car or home, you will need to remove that tree as soon as possible. The urgency of this situation increases the tree removal estimate.
A job like this comes with a special set of risks for a tree care technician. They must exercise great caution so they don’t cause more damage. These extra safety measures and more time to do the job mean a higher price to get this tree off your property.
Location of the Tree
The specific location of your tree is bound to affect the tree removal estimate. For example, if the tree is near power lines, your house, or other structures, it makes removal of the tree more hazardous. This requires more planning to safely remove the tree, and that raises the price of the tree removal.
If you live in a rural or remote location, you could be charged extra for the travel distance.
Leave a Tree Removal to the Professionals
Even though it’s a choice of last resort, tree removals are eventually necessary for many residential communities. This rather dangerous action requires significant planning and a lot of thought to ensure it is done correctly.
That is why it is best left to a professional tree care services company to ensure a tree removal happens according to specific safety guidelines and to prevent injuries, and damage to nearby structures.
Boyd’s Tree Service is Local Expert for Tree Removal
Tree removal is among the most complex and dangerous tasks to carry out. This should be done by a certified and trained expert. Boyd’s Tree Service will remove your trees in a safe manner while being careful not to disturb the surrounding property.
Look to Boyd’s Tree Service to give you a fair and reasonable appraisal when it comes to figuring out how to take care of your tree situation.
Boyd’s Tree Service is a fully insured and bonded tree removal contractor with many years of experience with tree care and tree removal.
If you need Tree Removal in the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas and you would like more information about our tree services, or to schedule an appointment, we invite you to call Boyd’s Tree Service at (509) 585-4194.
