$1800 bucks- to cut down big tree

[mikey52]

Hi! Yep! I got 2 estimates on removing a huge cottenwood tree, half broken off, in my side yard. $1800 to cut down and haul off 80% of the tree. I'll clean up small limbs, and they will leave a 6 inch high stump. This tree is 4 feet in diameter, at waist high, and at ankle level about 6 feet. The stump will look like the top of a huge table. Does this price seem right, to any of you? I guess it's the going rate in southern Indiana. Mikey

 

[fat tom]

That's better than the price I got for a similar job,but they will grind the stump for me.
f.t.

 

[G-Mac]

The quote doesn't surprise me. Tree work can be expensive. Bucket trucks ain't cheap. Make sure whomever does the work has proof of insurance.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, that seems to be about the going rate around Denver, too--maybe even a little low compared to here.

By the way, dropping a tree is cheap. Doing it without damaging the house, power lines, etc., is where the cost comes in.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Bassamatic]

That ain't a bad price.

A 6 inch high stump, 6 foot in diameter would look stupid in my opinion. Have them cut it off at about 2 feet high and you would have an awesome outdoor table that could be used for all kinds of things.

Just saying.

 

[DCWilson]

I arranged for eight trees to be done earlier this year on different properties that I am responsible for maintaining, and the bill was close to $10,000. Three trees were removed, the others pruned way back. Three were overgrown eucalyptus that were 75-80 feet high. The other big one was a giant podocarpus with about five trunks and a branching diameter of around 50 feet. A mature Brazilian pepper was removed and teh stump ground well below grade so the area could be replanted.

A four-foot trunk denotes a big tree, and close to $2k to get rid of it seems about right. I encourage you to think about getting them to grind out the stump as well, or rent a stump grinder and do it yourself. As time goes by you will want to do something with that side yard, and the stump will massively hinder your ability to do anything sensible with the layout.

 

[mikey52]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess $1800 is in the ballpark for a tree this big. Someone said a big flat stump would look look stupid, and I agree, but, it is another $350 to have it ground out. It is at the edge of my 2 acre ranch, so it's not really in the way of anthing. I'll think up a story about aliens landing there, for the grandkids to ponder. Mikey

 

[Grog]

I bought my truck from a widow because her 71 year old (well to do) husband didn't want to pay to have a tree cut down. He was determined to do it himself and save the money.

 

[Andy Griffith]

He was determined to do it himself and save the money.

That only works when you're already a lumberjack.
If you aren't, let a professional do it.

 

[hiram2005]

I bought my truck from a widow because her 71 year old (well to do) husband didn't want to pay to have a tree cut down. He was determined to do it himself and save the money.

At least it didn't fall on the truck.

 

[peyton]

Spend the cash, the tree people have the equipment and knowledge plus make sure they show you their insurance for damage and personal injury.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I agree with all the above post. Maybe we should run for congress, we could get something done. Don

 

[frbeall]

I'm in the wrong profession. I think they should get rid of the stump for that kind of money, but I live in South Texas 7 miles North of Mexico.

 

[brucev]

Given the size of the tree you describe and the volume/weight of wood/debris that could be anticipated and figuring the crew hour cost involved, the price is very reasonable. Make absolutely sure that the company doing the work is fully insured or you may have to use your homeowners insurance to deal with any accidents. Make sure the company is correctly licensed. Require references detailing the last three-five jobs and contact the property owners to make sure of what sort of work was done. Take pictures of the jobsite before work begins, during the process of the job, and at the conclusion of the work. Do not render full payment unless and until you are completely satisfied that the contract has been completely satisfied. My father did this work from 1947-2007. Through H.S. and college I worked in the family business. You would not believe how people can mess up a job. It is always more expensive to have to hire a second company to fix what was messed up by another company. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

P.S. - The cost noted for the removal of the stump is fair.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I "saved" money by taking down two 35' river birches in my back yard. Those things are a LOT bigger on the ground than they are standing up. Took me two weekends to finish cutting them up and hauling it to the dump. Next time-I'm gonna pay da money

 

[Marshwheeling]

$1800 is a lot, but not out of line with what you would pay around here. That is hazardous work, and workers' comp insurance is in the top bracket, about $34 per $100 of wages.

 

[oldman45]

I had this tree in my back yard. It cost me $400 to get it down to the ground and hauled off.

The company was licensed, insured and bonded. Took them three hours and they cleaned up the mess. Since the tree was dead, they had to use a lift to raise a man up and work downward.

 

[bgrafsr]

We recently had a magnolia tree & a large maple tree taken down and the stump ground out on the maple tree for $1500.00.
The magnolia tree was cut off at ground level and not ground out due to landscaping by the tree.

We are also paying to have a HUGE tree taken down at our son's home and the stump ground out. This one requires a large crane to be used and a log truck to haul off the logs due to the trees size. Cost? $5,000.00, but to us it is well worth it.

The crane will be set up either in front of the house and go over the roof, or go into the side lot and work from there. They wanted to go up the driveway, but I just had a new concrete drive installed for him last year, and we don't want the weight of the crane going onto the driveway, and possibly damaging it.

 

[fat tom]

We are also paying

You're a good dad Bill!
f.t.

 

[doublesharp]

A 51" dia pin oak tree cost my neighbor $1500 to take down and that included grinding the stump. They were hungry for work and gave a low price to get the job.