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

> How tree surgeons can price felling, crown reductions and stump grinding from their costs, and what to adjust for height, access, risk and waste.

Source: https://roughfigure.com/blog/how-to-price-tree-surgery-work (updated 2026-07-24)

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](https://roughfigure.com/tools/pricing-calculator) helps with the sums, and [how to price a job](https://roughfigure.com/blog/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](https://roughfigure.com/blog/how-to-give-a-ballpark-price) explains how wide to make it.

An [instant estimator for tree surgeons](https://roughfigure.com/trades/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](https://roughfigure.com/blog/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?](https://roughfigure.com/blog/should-you-charge-for-quotes)