People are often surprised that two trees of the same height get very different quotes. Height is only one part of it. What really decides the price is how much risk and how much labor sit between the tree and the truck.
Size, and specifically weight
A 60 foot pine and a 60 foot oak are not the same job. Hardwoods like oak and maple carry far more weight in the trunk and limbs, which means more cuts, more rigging and more material to haul out. Trunk diameter tells us more than height does.
What is underneath it
An open field tree can sometimes be felled in one piece. That is the cheapest kind of removal. A tree leaning over a garage, a fence, a pool or a neighbor’s roof has to come apart in pieces, with each piece lowered on ropes. The same tree can take three times as long when there is something breakable under it.
Access
We need to get equipment to the tree and debris away from it. A front yard on a wide street is straightforward. A back yard behind a narrow gate, on soft ground, or up a slope means carrying everything by hand or bringing in smaller machines. Rural properties around Armada, Romeo and Richmond usually have room to work. Older neighborhoods in St. Clair Shores or Mount Clemens often do not.
Power lines
Anything close to a service drop or primary line changes the plan. Some work has to be coordinated with the utility, and everything near a line is slower and more carefully rigged.
Equipment
Most removals are done by climbing or from a bucket truck. Large trees in tight spots may need a crane, which lifts sections straight out over the house instead of lowering them through the canopy. A crane costs more per hour and is often cheaper overall, because it turns a two day job into a one day job and reduces the risk to the building.
Cleanup and what happens to the wood
How much cleanup you want changes the number. Options usually run from hauling everything away, to chipping brush and leaving logs cut to firewood length, to leaving the wood where it lands. Tell whoever is quoting which one you want, or you are comparing quotes that include different work.
The stump
Stump grinding is usually quoted separately, because not everyone wants it done. If you do want it, ask for it in the same visit. It is cheaper than bringing a grinder back out later. See stump grinding for what that involves.
Timing
Scheduled work during normal hours is the base case. Emergency work at night, in a storm, or with a tree already on a structure costs more, because it is more dangerous and it displaces other jobs.
How to compare quotes fairly
Ask every company the same three questions: is the stump included, is the wood hauled away, and are they licensed and insured for the work. A quote that leaves out the stump and the haul away will always look cheaper until the day the work is done.
Common Questions
Why do quotes for the same tree vary so much?
Usually because they cover different work. One may include the stump, hauling the wood away and cleanup while another leaves logs on site. Ask each company the same questions and the numbers usually make sense.
Is it cheaper to remove several trees at once?
Generally yes. Most of the cost of a visit is getting the crew and equipment to your property and setting up. Doing three trees in one visit costs less than three separate visits.
Do you need to be home for the estimate?
Not always. If the trees are accessible we can often look at them and follow up with you. For anything in a fenced back yard it helps if someone is there.
Get a Free Estimate
Every property is different, which is why we look at the tree before we give you a number. Tip Top Timber Co. is based in Armada and works throughout Macomb County, St. Clair County and the surrounding area. Call (586) 651-5488 or send us a message for a free estimate. If a tree is already down, our 24 hour line is (586) 651-4552.
