Arborists charge higher mainly due to the complexity, unpredictability and risky nature of tree service. Their overheads are also high because of the high insurance premiums they have to pay. All of these factors are then filtered to the final value of the quotes you will receive. Now imagine that the same tree is removed by a team of 3 men.
The cost of removing the same 30-foot tree would be about the same, but one tree service took 5 hours to complete the task, while the other took 8 hours. Things like the location of the tree on the property, obstacles and ease of access come together to determine the price. Take that exact same tree and place it in a backyard with poor access and it will take two or three times longer to remove it. Prices vary based on a variety of factors. For example, if a mature tree is large enough to cause damage to a nearby house or if there are hydraulic cables within the tree removal zone, costs can be significantly higher priced due to the hazards involved.
With that said, you'll want an accredited company or a certified arborist with the right commercial insurance to take care of you in the event of any accident. However, height is not the only dimension that matters. In general, trees that are taller also have thicker trunks. A tall tree with a narrow trunk may cost less than a tree of the same height with a thick trunk. If a short tree has a thick trunk that is particularly laborious to cut, a tree removal company may charge you an extra.
Similarly, if a tree has more than one trunk, the extraction is more complicated and expensive. This way, an arborist can see that an inspection can lead to a job and would be happy to do it for free. For example, if you need a tree removed, you will be charged separately for stump grinding. Legitimate businesses and certified arborists will be knowledgeable and up to date, which is another factor in additional costs. A certified arborist refers to a person who has received some formal training and can back it up with a certificate certifying their credentials to practice arboriculture. Inspecting trees or hiring an arborist to provide a budget for the task at hand is usually not charged, especially if done by telephone. Tree reporting and tree consulting are among the most popular services provided by arborists.
Not all arborists officially charge you for tree inspections, in most cases, if this is going to lead to some work, they will take a quick look at it and give their professional opinion. The arborists' reports are an official document prepared at the request of the city or as part of the development applications of construction companies. A free quote is usually provided when arborists have seen the work on-site to understand what needs to be done. If you are looking for a certified arborist or consulting arborist, I suggest you go directly to the ISA for a list of local certified tree specialists. The costs associated with hiring an arborist are subject to each market and may vary locally. When you hire an arborist for a service, they will give you a free quote over the phone if possible, and they will come to inspect the tree for free if necessary so that they can give you a quote.
I have then divided the tasks of an arborist into tree pruning, tree removal, arborist reports, and stump removal, and have provided prices for each task. Whether it's trimming trees, removing trees, or preparing an arborist's report, every tree is different, so every tree job is different. Tree arborists generally don't charge by the hour, nor do they have any other charges such as a call fee or maintenance fee or anything like that.
