Got three estimates. $2k in difference.

Est #1 $4,000.

Est #2 $3,500.

Est #3 $2,200.

Estimate #1 was a guy driving around giving estimates to anyone who would talk to him.

Estimate #2 a neighbor that I had fixed his A/C and a couple other electrical problems for and charged him for $50, parts, and beer. Probably $400 worth of work.

Estimate #3 was recommended to me by a buddy and has done work both for him and his neighbor who owns lawnmower shop and services their equip. This price also includes topping the first 3' of a maple that doesn't look healthy and inspecting for rot, but removal if needed would be extra.

I can't believe the range in prices. The last one has stellar reviews online. 4.8-4.9 stars with nearly fifty reviews on HomeAdvisor alone. Signed the contract the second he gave me the price. Getting it down Friday if weather allows.

All three covered removal of all debris and stump grinding on a 4'+ round stump. The last one included the check on the Maple that looks like it's got some rot on top. No clue how tall it is but I'm sure it's at least 60'.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Skins2881,

Sounds like you are getting a pretty good deal.
That's why it's a good idea to get several estimates.

You did well! The service-provider pricing in Northern Virginia is typically high, higher, and down-right obscene. When I moved into to my house, I had about a dozen too close for comfort trees taken down, and stumps ground up.
I had a recommendation from my General Contractor, and still paid a high price in four figures! The first number being "only" being a 3!

Your estimate from contractor 1, was on the down-right obscene side of the scale, but people pay those prices - otherwise why would he waste his breath. Probably plays the sales game of - one sucker - out of every 20 pitches makes it worth while.

Unfortunately have too much experience with tree removal. Supply and demand drives prices. Other factors have to do with workers compensation and insurance issues.

The last time I got a referral from a neighbor who is also a pastor. I stipulated that there would be no heavy equipment, the stumps would be ground, sawdust removed and the holes filled with topsoil. He did a great job. The yard was fine and not trashed.

Someone going door to door giving "free estimates" for anything is always the most expensive. They are looking for people who have done no research and just jump at the offer. Also consider that a guy operating out of his pickup is likely using illegal day laborers he found in a 7-Eleven parking lot. Both these types of operators are just pulling numbers out of their head based on what they think you will pay. Real companies on the other hand have to build in the cost of equipment, insurance, and paying taxes.

Insurance is the biggest reason.

My guess is estimate 1 is a properly insured company, estimate 2 is the same but he's giving you a deal and estimate 3 is a guy who does it on the side.

I've gotten multiple quotes from various tree people in the few years we've been here. All the expensive ones are well insured companies and all the cheap ones weren't.

Tree service is the highest risk of contractor work right up there with roofers.

Any accidents that occur are going to be on your home owners policy if they don't have the proper insurance.

The first two may be hacks who cannot get steady work, so they have make all they can on any job they can get. The latter guy may have his shit squared away and always have work. In some trades that are limited in specialty, this can be the case.

By the looks of that tree, it location to buildings and possibly lack of easy access to it I would say 2,200 is a good price. Make sure they show you proof of insurance and bonding.

The 4,000 quote might be: there is no way in hell I would cut that tree down, but if you pay me my bid I will work around my attitude price.

quote:

Originally posted by Scurvy:
Insurance is the biggest reason.

My guess is estimate 1 is a properly insured company, estimate 2 is the same but he's giving you a deal and estimate 3 is a guy who does it on the side.

I've gotten multiple quotes from various tree people in the few years we've been here. All the expensive ones are well insured companies and all the cheap ones weren't.

Tree service is the highest risk of contractor work right up there with roofers.

Any accidents that occur are going to be on your home owners policy if they don't have the proper insurance.

The above may or may not be the case, but the salient point is INSURANCE!

I wouldn't let a tree-trimmer set foot on my property without proof of hefty liability coverage.

Man! That sounds high. I normally do my own, but when I was laid up, we needed an oak about like yours taken down. Two Hispanics that worked for a tree removal company took it down piece by piece on their day off for $400. Friends with fireplaces and a log splitter hauled off the cut to length firewood.
Look around, I bet there are a couple of guys out there that do that kind of work that would jump at the chance to make some extra cash.

quote:

Originally posted by Sportshooter:
Man! That sounds high. I normally do my own, but when I was laid up, we needed an oak about like yours taken down. Two Hispanics that worked for a tree removal company took it down piece by piece on their day off for $400. Friends with fireplaces and a log splitter hauled off the cut to length firewood.
Look around, I bet there are a couple of guys out there that do that kind of work that would jump at the chance to make some extra cash.

I'll stick to licensed companies. I don't hire people to do work on the side. I am a tradesman, people doing work on the side hurts me. It makes it harder for the company that I work for to get customers because they just figure they can go to Julio and Juan at 7-11 and get it for half price. We on the other hand have to pay for lability, workman's comp and licensing. Good luck finding Julio and Juan if something goes wrong, they will just move to different 7-11 and you'll never see them again.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by Scurvy:
Insurance is the biggest reason.

My guess is estimate 1 is a properly insured company, estimate 2 is the same but he's giving you a deal and estimate 3 is a guy who does it on the side.



I've gotten multiple quotes from various tree people in the few years we've been here. All the expensive ones are well insured companies and all the cheap ones weren't.

Tree service is the highest risk of contractor work right up there with roofers.

Any accidents that occur are going to be on your home owners policy if they don't have the proper insurance.

The above may or may not be the case, but the salient point is INSURANCE!

I wouldn't let a tree-trimmer set foot on my property without proof of hefty liability coverage.

#3 is the only one who provided me with a certificate of insurance and I verified his license was active online.

Go figure, cheapest one is most legit possibly.

quote:

Insurance is the biggest reason.

My guess is estimate 1 is a properly insured company, estimate 2 is the same but he's giving you a deal and estimate 3 is a guy who does it on the side.

I get this all the time from callers. So and so is quoting less.

I'm properly insured. They aren't. I have properly trained, experienced, and background checked employees. They don't. I have properly licensed trucks. They don't. I have all of the proper equipment. They don't.

But.....why are you charging more? Can you match their price?

I would not only check the insurance, but also check to make sure you're dealing with a properly licensed outfit. Check liability AND work comp policies.

Years ago when I got laid off, my buddy and I did that as a side job.

Gave an estimate to a Dr., Did not get the job. I gave him a low estimate because it would have been easy to remove even though he was in a neighbor hood.
A close friend of mine told me he did not give me the job because I was too low.

I was not insured or bonded, but when in several times and cleaned up the mess somebody else had started, screwed up and left in a hurry.

Good luck on your job. Hope you are satisfied when they are done.

Seems very high. The last tree I had taken down ran about $300. Granted it was not quite as big as the one pictured and it was about 6 years ago.

I've got a fairly large one I'm considering taking down as it rub against my fence, overhangs the house and shades a lot of my lawn causing it to die out. I'm getting estimates next week and I'll post back what they say. Also, I don't use "Chuck with a Truck Tree Removal" Only licensed professional tree companies.

I don't see the problem. Take ur saw, cut a notch in the front of that thing and let er rip tater chip.

I'll do it for free if I don't have to clean up, pay for damage or deal with the stump....

quote:

Seems very high. The last tree I had taken down ran about $300. Granted it was not quite as big as the one pictured and it was about 6 years ago.

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Wow. The going rate here is much higher. We are talking in the thousands for tall pine trees. Extra if there are buildings close by. Even in the late 70s I was paying a lot more than that. You got a really good deal. Post pics and the prices when you get your estimate.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
... workers compensation and insurance issue. ...

Yes, it's dangerous and litigious work. My cousin had a tree removed and one of their safety wires broke and whipped the top of one of the young workers skull in half. Instant dead guy in his lawn.

Now is the best time to get it done. In a few weeks when the weather gets warmer the prices will go up. Prices are even crazy high after a major storm as you do not have a choice and are stuck needing to get it cut down or removed. God Bless