How to price tree surgery work (a guide for tree surgeons)

Knowing how to price tree surgery work is harder than most trades. No two trees are the same, risk varies a lot, and the cost of getting rid of the waste can change the job completely. But a consistent method makes quoting quicker, fairer and more profitable.

This guide is for tree surgeons pricing their own work. It covers a method, not market rates: what you charge depends on your costs, your area and your kit.

Start with your day rate

Most tree surgeons think in days or half days for a team. Work out what a day costs you:

• Labour: each team member’s wage plus employer costs, and what you pay yourself.
• Kit: chippers, stump grinders, climbing kit, chainsaws, MEWPs if you own them, with a share of servicing and replacement.
• Vehicles: van or truck finance, fuel, insurance.
• Overheads: insurance, training and tickets, phone, software, accountant, advertising.
• Profit: added on purpose, not left to chance.

Divide your yearly costs by the days you expect to work (allowing for weather and quiet spells) to get a realistic day rate. Our free pricing calculator helps with the sums, and how to price a job walks through the method.

Estimate the time for the job

Then estimate how much of that day rate the job needs. The things that change the time most:

• Type of work: felling, sectional dismantling, crown reduction, crown lift, pruning, hedge work or stump grinding.
• Size: height and spread of the tree, number of trees.
• Access: can the chipper and vehicles get close, or does everything go through the house?
• Targets: buildings, conservatories, roads, fences, greenhouses or power lines nearby that mean rigging and lowering rather than dropping.
• Ground conditions: slopes, soft lawns that need protecting, steps.

Add waste and extras

Waste can be a big part of the cost:

• Chip and timber disposal, or the value you get back from logs and chip.
• Tip fees for anything you can’t chip.
• Stump grinding and removing the grindings.
• Traffic management or permits for roadside work.

Decide whether you price these separately or include them. Either way, make it clear in the quote what’s included.

Adjust for risk

Higher-risk work needs more people, more time and more care. Many tree surgeons add a percentage for work near buildings or roads, and don’t price work near power lines without a site visit and the right arrangements with the network operator.

Give a range before you visit

Customers want a rough idea before booking a visit. Using the factors above, you can give a sensible range on the phone or online, like: “Felling a medium tree in an open garden, with the waste taken away, is usually somewhere between [your low figure] and [your high figure]. Height, access and anything nearby can move it up or down.” Our guide to giving a ballpark price explains how wide to make it.

An instant estimator for tree surgeons asks customers the questions above (type of work, height, how many, nearby buildings or power lines, access and waste) and shows a range, with photos attached to the lead.

Don’t forget protected trees

If the tree may be protected, such as by a tree preservation order in the UK, or a local tree bylaw or permit rule in many US, Canadian and Australian areas, allow time for the local authority’s process and include it in your quote. See tree preservation orders explained for the UK rules.

Questions

Should tree surgeons charge a day rate or a job price?

Most homeowners prefer a job price. Work it out from your day rate and estimated time, then quote a price for the whole job.

How do I price stump grinding?

Usually by stump size and access, often with a minimum charge. Say whether the grindings are taken away or left on site.

Should I charge for a quote visit?

Many tree surgeons give free quotes for domestic work and charge for detailed reports. See should you charge for quotes?