Here, you can find a brief outline of the costs involved with hiring a tree surgeon in the UK. We list the factors involved in calculating tree surgeon costs. If you follow our guide, you may be able to save yourself some money and help decide who to hire for the job.
Tree Surgery Costs
Tree surgery costs vary throughout the UK, but on average, it can cost between £600-£900 a day for a team of 3 people, or £75-£110 per hour.
The cost will depend on a number of factors.
These include:
Number of trees
- The more trees there are to work on, the more expensive the job will be.
Tree size and condition
- The bigger the tree, the more expensive the job. If a tree is dead or damaged in the wind, it can complicate the job, making it more expensive.
Accessibility and location
- If all the waste has to be carried through a house, it will be more expensive. It’s time-consuming to protect the house well and chop the tree into small enough pieces so as not to damage any property.
Waste removal
- Sometimes tree surgeons can offload their waste for free, but often, they have to pay to dispose of it sustainably. These costs will be passed on to the consumer.
Geographical variations
- The costs will vary depending on where you are in the country due to wage differences, differing disposal costs, and differing overheads.
Tree Surgery Detailed Price Breakdown
Tree pruning: £300+
- The bigger the tree, the higher the cost. If there are lots of obstacles in the way, the cost is increased.
Tree felling: £300+
- The bigger the tree, the higher the cost. If there are lots of obstacles in the way, the cost is increased.
Stump grinding: £100+
- This is priced per the size of the stump. We measure the stump at ground level. If there are surface roots extending away from the stump, these factor in too.
Pollarding: £300+
- Similar to tree pruning, but sometimes quicker than pruning because there is less climbing around the tree.
Tree reports: £300+
- Risk assessment reports are calculated on the number of trees included in the report and the size of the tree
- Mortgage and insurance reports typically cost £360, including VAT
Planning applications
- We don’t charge for submitting planning applications if we have been instructed to do the tree work. Otherwise, we charge £144, including VAT
Parking
- We require visitor parking permits for each vehicle. If these cannot be provided, we will need to suspend a parking space. The cost of a parking suspension varies with each borough and can be found on local borough websites.
How to Save on Tree Surgeon Costs
- Choose a reputable company with good reviews. They might cost more in the short term but will cost you less down the line.
- Avoid companies who knock on your door offering quotes.
- Shop around. Get 3 quotes and choose the person you trust the most
- If you notice your tree looks unwell, deal with it sooner rather than later, before it becomes a bigger problem
- Sometimes pruning little and often can be cheaper than waiting 10 years to have the tree pruned
Why Is Tree Surgery So Expensive?
It takes a long time to properly train to be a tree surgeon. It’s a highly skilled job. Though lots of people will offer their services, the best tree surgeons cost more because it takes time to get to that skill level. The specialist equipment is very expensive, and the service requires top insurance to cover all risks.
What To Look For When Hiring A Tree Surgeon
- Plenty of good reviews
- Photos of the team on the website
- Fully insured with Public Liability, Employers Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance
- Sustainable service (recycling by-products, reducing waste)
- Fully qualified (NPTC, Lantra, First Aid at Work)
Get A Free Quote For Tree Surgery Services Today
If you’re based in North London and looking for a quality tree surgeon, we can help. At Forbes Tree Care, we’re a family run business, with a team of highly skilled tree surgeons. We provide reasonable prices for doing a great job. Get in touch with us today for your free no-obligation quote.
