1- What is Typically Included with Basic Tree Removal Services?
There are many different service levels when removing a tree, but a few essential costs are usually included. The tree will need to be chopped down. Typically, the contractor will also have to rope down sections of the tree by scaling the tree and splitting it into smaller pieces. It may also be discarded for no extra charge.
2- Hire a licensed tree removal company
Make sure you vet the company you are hiring. A license and proof of insurance are crucial when you want someone to cut any trees down in your yard. A license means they should know what they are doing, and you won’t be on the hook for it if something goes wrong. Licenses are especially necessary if a tree in your yard is close to your house, neighbors’ house, a fence, or any other structure.
3 – How to Find a Tree Removal Service
Start by asking your neighbors if they have had trees removed, who they used, and if they liked them. If you cannot ask a neighbor (or they were not happy with their removal service), we can match you with a licensed tree removal service near you!
4 – To Stump or not to Stump
Do you want the leftover stumps and roots in the ground to be ground down or not? Having a stump ground means they bring a machine to grind the stump and the visible roots down to wood chips; it will essentially look like a small pile of mulch in your yard when all is said and done. If you choose not to have it done, they will likely cut the tree down as close to the ground as possible, leaving the flat stump and roots in place. When the stumps are ground, it lets grass, or other plants, if you choose, grow in the tree’s area. Stump removal is usually an extra expense, but it is so much easier left to the professionals with the proper equipment.
5 – Tree Removal Costs
Depending on your trees’ size, how close they are to your house, and if they are in the front or backyard, all play into the cost of the removal. If a tree is large, close to your house, and in the backyard, it will likely be more expensive to have it removed. In Kansas City, one of our clients removed five trees, stump ground 4 of those trees, and trimmed down other remaining trees. Their cost was about $3,000.
6 – There may be Additional Services for Extra fees
Stump Removal – As we said above, stump removal is rarely included in the price of removing a tree. Various machinery is needed and can be done by a sub-contractor so that additional service can be an add-on.
Limb Chipping – Instead of spending more to have the tree limbs disregarded, you may elect to have them chipped. Tree services usually have a chipper readily available; this shouldn’t be too costly. If the chipper is not included, you may have to pay around $70 more.
Tree Trunk Removal – The tree removal company should cut the tree trunk into smaller pieces, which will make it easier for you to transfer them elsewhere. If you’d like the company to haul them for you, you will most likely have to pay more. The amount you’ll pay may vary, but it is usually around $50 and $100 more.
Travel Costs – Customers in remote areas will probably have to pay travel costs when the tree removal company has to travel a reasonably long distance (this may or may not include drive time).
Log Splitting – Do you have a fireplace? If so, log splitting is an excellent extra service. If the tree removal service offers it, they will bring a log splitting machine (there is no fixed price for this service), but it is usually about $50 extra.
7 – Marking all Trees to be Removed
Removal companies will mark trees the day before they are to be removed. Marking trees is especially important if you will not be home while the trees are being removed. Still, even if you are there, you will likely not want to be outside the whole time, nor should the pros let you get too close, so it’s best to mark the trees to avoid confusion or an “Oops, we thought you wanted that one cut down too.”
8 – Have a Family Plan!
Tree removal can be loud between the chainsaws and actual noise of the limbs and trunk falling to the ground. If you have young children or pets, it might be best to have them out of the house/off the property entirely while the work is being done.
If you need trees removed from your yard, please contact us to be connected with a licensed tree removal service.