Of course, the cost of tree removal doesn’t depend on just the tree itself. Other complicating factors may increase the price. For example, if you live in a remote location, you may be charged a travel surcharge, since the contractor will need to drive heavy machinery out to your property. Additionally, people who live in locations with a higher cost of living will likely see higher costs when hiring tree removal contractors.
Not to mention, anything that makes removing trees more difficult will cost more. This includes sloped yards, rocky or muddy soil, an angled trunk, or weak branches. If it’s risky to access or fell the tree—for example, if the tree is near power lines or close to your house or other buildings—you might get charged an extra 50% for tree removal.
In these cases, special machinery like cranes must be used to keep the falling tree from hitting surrounding structures. For jobs that require a crane, expect to add at least $500 to the tree removal price.
Finally, many areas require you to purchase a permit to remove a tree taller than 10 feet. While the cost of a permit is relatively low—approximately between $60 and $150—failing to get one before beginning work could net you a more substantial fine later in the process.
With the exception of emergency tree removal, most homeowners are usually looking to remove trees as part of a larger landscaping project. In this case, you may want to look into some of the other services that tree removal companies provide. You may save money by hiring a company for a comprehensive project instead of breaking it up into multiple jobs.
In general, the cost of tree removal includes removing and disposing of the trunk and large branches. However, you’ll typically be left with a lot of additional debris, and you might not want to dispose of it yourself. After all, hauling away debris can be expensive and time-consuming if it’s not something you’re equipped to do. Some professional tree removal services will offer different methods of debris disposal for an additional price.
Unfortunately, the price of tree removal doesn’t always include removal of the tree’s stump. Some homeowners may like the look of the stump and want to include it in their landscaping, but most want it gone. Because of the stump’s remaining root system, which may not be obvious from above the ground, this is usually a job for a specialized professional.