I had an arborist come look at a maple in my backyard because it's forked and looks like it's splitting. It was while I was at work, so he texted me and said it needs to be removed and they would send me a quote. I just got it and they want $6930 to cut it down and dispose of the brush, and an additional $4620 to dispose of the logs. Obviously I'm looking for another estimate, but I'm kind of panicking because I really can't afford that.
There's not good access for any equipment in the yard and it's over hanging two or three other properties.
Any advice would be appreciated. Or just tell me to suck it up and have a garage sale. It's a bummer because it's an awesome tree. I just bought the house last year.
by MrE134
10 Comments
What region of the world are you in? And can you get a truck close-ish at all?
2.5k job at most. I would cut it down and haul it up a flight of stairs for that
Your question cannot be answered well without knowing your region and based off pictures. Getting other bids is the one and only way to know if it’s reasonable or not. Having said all that $11,550 seems like “ I don’t want to” or “I don’t know how” price. Get more bids and go from there. Good luck!
Region is Pacific NW US. Portland, Oregon.
I can legitimately fly to where you are and get it done for cheaper than that, and I’m a looooong way away
I’m an arborist and Portland and this is a reasonable quote for a climb job with wood haul.
Your best bet is to get a few quotes but you should be looking at small but qualified company not necessarily one of the big guys like general tree. You’ll be paying a rate they charge to keep all their large equipment up and running when all you really need is a couple good climbers with a chipper and chip truck. You could always keep the wood and try to sell it or offer for free online. Looks like a Norway maple so not exactly the most sought after fire wood but you never know.
Just go buy a $100 electric saw and cut it one limb at a time and have a little camp fire. It looks like you have plenty of space. And time. That thing isn’t going to tip over in a day. Work it down to the ground. Piece by piece it will get lighter and less likely to break. You can also enjoy it longer that way, as it puts out new growth.
Quotes are usually based on time required for the job + for travel + disposal costs.
That quote is high.
Part of the tree looks to be over a neighbor driveway, and letting down and reinstalling fences isn’t unusual (we do it weekly or so for big removals here). Your salesman should have asked. Knock on the neighbors door this weekend and let them know you have a failing tree you want to remove while it still stands and see how they feel about a day of gentle access.
If you’re not too far out in the countryside that should get you a $3-4k quote for the whole project. It’s not a very technical removal, it’s the access (not pictured) and the grouch salesperson that ran the price up.
I would fly out there myself from Wisconsin and would get the tree safety on the ground for $3000.
They’re trying to rob you with a chainsaw.