Why Is Tree Work So Expensive?

There are so many different parts of tree work that have a wide range of costs.  However, one of the most expensive tree service is also one of the most common.  That is tree removal. Not everyone understands immediately why removing a tree can cost so much. To the casual observer, it would see that whole process could to as simple as “cut it down.”  But to those that work at a licensed and qualified tree company, the removal of a tree is is much more involved than making one cut with a chain saw.

Complexity – A tree that needs to be removed usually needs to be cut down section by section. The tree service professional has to keep in mind that the primary goal is safety.  We need to avoid dropping a whole tree onto property or into traffic that might be in the way. This requires an understanding of how a tree holds itself up, how it might fall if taken down in one fell swoop, and/or  how a tree cut into pieces will respond to the application of a chain saw. We in the industry hear reports of accidents involving untrained workers, or even homeowners, attempting to cut down a tree without the knowledge of how it will respond to being cut. Social media is full of videos of how not to cut down a tree.  Almost always, specialized equipment is needed.  Tree professionals use specialized equipment such as aerial lifts or cranes to safely take down a tree. Equipment such as this is very expensive to buy and expensive to maintain. When using this equipment regulations, safety and liability issues requires setting up traffic control using cones, people with flags, and the acquisition of permits in busy areas.

Difficult and dangerous – Arboriculture, tree removal in particular, is typically difficult dangerous work. Tree crews are regularly required to work on trees with compromised structures, damaged from storms, or suffering from simple neglect. Compromised trees can also be dead, which can create a particularly dangerous situation. When a tree has been dead for several years it becomes brittle and inflexible. If a tree worker tries to cut it down, it will often shatter, throwing broken branches onto your landscaping in an uncontrolled manner. At the very least, this could cause property damage, such as a broken window. It could even present the worst-case scenario where a tree breaks apart with an arborist worker actually on the tree. 

Insurance, Licensing – Due to the dangerous nature of tree work, qualified companies such as Ventura Tree Services carry liability insurance to specifically protect the homeowner’s property.  Qualified companies also have workers’ compensation insurance to help cover any injuries sustained by the company’s crew. In many municipalities tree companies are required to to hold additional licenses beyond a basic business licenses in order to operate. You will often find that companies offering to do tree work at a less expensive rate do not carry these insurance policies.  If you use unlicensed companies, you are certainly risking being stuck with damages several times the original job estimate, if anything goes wrong.

Trained and Certified Workers – You definitely don’t want to rely on insurance policies to make things right.  Before insurance becomes a issue, you want to choose a tree company where the crew holds all of the current and relevant industry credentials, have received the appropriate training  and have the the knowledge that only comes with experience. How can you tell whethe a company’s employees are trained and experienced?  You are entitled to ask to see their industry credentials. Many programs such as Certified Arborist, Certified Treecare Safety Professional and company Accreditation are all indicators of a professional business with the expertise to perform the required work without incident. Any accredited company will put some of its operating budget toward training and credentialing, which is an ongoing cost for any company.  Any homeowner should take the time to interview two or three tree care companies before deciding about tree removal.  You should ask to see a copy of the company’s current insurance certificate as well as copies of the crew’s licensing credentials. If anyone from a  company hesitates to provide these documents or insists they don’t need to “prove” themselves, you should run the other way. Remember that tree care performed properly will add value to your property that, when done correctly, will give you positive returns for decades.

Ventura Tree Services will meet or exceed all requirements indicated above in terms of licensing, insurance, experience and competency.