Figuring out how to negotiate tree removal costs can be tricky.
In this article, you’ll learn five proven tactics to help you negotiate your tree removal project costs and substantially reduce your bill.
📚 Article Contents
Quick story
Recently, my wife and I had nine trees removed from our property.
I might have gone a little overboard getting seven quotes, but I’m glad I did.
The first quote we received was $14,560, and I was shocked that it was THAT expensive.
Thankfully, as we researched and contacted more companies that do tree removal in Massachusetts, we received more reasonable quotes.
They ranged from $7,800 up to the first quote of $14,560.
The variability in the quote prices made us a bit unsettled.
We had a bunch of questions:
- Will the companies with the more expensive quotes do a better job?
- Do the companies with less costly quotes have insurance?
- Will each company’s insurance cover damage if something happens to our driveway or house?
Having work done on your property can be daunting. That’s why we felt it was essential to go with a professional tree removal business with a proven track record and good insurance.
So, now that we understand the range in quotes for the project let’s get into how to negotiate tree removal costs.
Tree removal costs benchmarking
A tree removal cost guide is a helpful research document that can help you budget for the cost of removing a tree.
The guide considers the tree’s height, the diameter of the trunk, and the type of tree. It also factors in the cost of equipment and labor. The average price for removing a tree is between $200 and $1,000. However, the cost can vary depending on the size and type of tree. If you have a large tree that is interfering with power lines or your home, the cost to remove it may be higher.
1. Get multiple tree removal quotes
When it comes to tree removal, it’s essential to get multiple quotes. This way, you can be sure you’re getting the best possible price. Tree removal can be tricky to price, and you don’t want to end up overpaying.
There are a few things to keep in mind when getting tree removal quotes.
First, be sure to ask about the company’s experience. The last thing you want is an inexperienced company to damage your property.
Second, find out what type of equipment they use. You’ll want to ensure they have the right tools for the job. If you have big trees being removed, working with a company that owns and operates its crane can be helpful.
Finally, ask about their insurance. This is important in case something goes wrong during the tree removal process (in our project, the crane was carrying massive trunks over our house, which was nerve-wracking).
Getting multiple tree removal quotes is the best way to ensure you get the best possible price. Be sure to keep the above factors in mind when making your decision.
2. Book the tree removal in the “off-season”
Any tree removal company will tell you that the cheapest time of year for tree removal is in the off-season. The off-season, depending upon your location, is typically between November and February, and tree removal companies tend to be less busy these months.
Many homeowners wait until spring or summer to book tree removal services, often leading to long wait times and higher prices. It’s much harder to negotiate tree removal services when the companies are busy.
Booking in the off-season is one of the easiest ways to negotiate tree removal. In addition, tree removal companies are typically able to schedule appointments more quickly during the off-season.
3. Ask for a discount on the tree removal
Tree removal can be a considerable expense and is not always budgeted.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to have trees removed, don’t be afraid to ask for a discount. We did this, and multiple companies we were vetting gave us discounts between 10%-20%.
Be sure to get several tree removal quotes before deciding, as prices vary significantly from one company to the next. With a bit of negotiation, you should be able to lower the tree removal cost to a more affordable price.
4. Don’t grind the stumps
Related Article: How Much Does It Cost for Tree Stump Removal? (4 Variables That Affect Price)
Another way to negotiate tree removal pricing is to leave the tree stumps. If the tree stumps are in locations that wouldn’t disrupt your landscaping, you can save a significant amount of money by not removing them.
If the tree removal company uses a stump grinder, it will take longer to remove the tree, and they’ll charge you for the additional service. It’s also much easier for them to leave the stump in place and move on to their next job.
So, when negotiating your tree removal, communicate that you don’t want the stumps ground. It will save you a good amount of money!
5. Pay upfront
If you can pay upfront for the tree removal, you can use that as a lever in negotiation.
Tree removal companies often offer discounts for customers who pay upfront. In addition, paying upfront can help to ensure that the tree removal company will prioritize your project. Some tree removal companies require payment upfront to secure their services, and customers who choose not to pay may find themselves without tree removal on their scheduled appointment.
Ultimately, paying upfront is a great way to save money and ensure that tree removal services will be carried out as scheduled.
Conclusion & FAQs
Now that you have considered all of the costs associated with tree removal, it is time to negotiate with the tree removal company.
The first step is to get an estimate from a few different companies.
Once you have the estimates, you can begin to negotiate.
Remember, the tree removal company will want to make a profit, so be prepared to offer a fair price; otherwise, they will not want to take your job.
On the flip side, you should also be prepared to walk away if the tree removal company is unwilling to meet your needs.
Now that you know how to negotiate tree removal, you should be able to reach a fair agreement that meets both your needs and the needs of the tree removal company. Good luck, and let us know in the comments below how it went!
