Free Tree Removal Cost Calculator (+ Guide)

What is a tree removal cost calculator?

A tree removal cost calculator adds up every cost of taking a tree down, from the tree service's quote to the stump, hauling and lawn repair.

It shows the total with a contingency, the cost per tree and what's left of your budget.

How it works

The cheapest of your quotes goes in the total, next to the costs it doesn't cover.

After a storm, watch for scams

The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers follow severe weather and offer quick repairs and cleanup.

• Hire only contractors who are licensed and insured, and check the license with your state or county
• Ask for proof of insurance and a written contract
• Never pay for repairs or debris removal in cash, since a credit card gives you some protection
• Pay in full only after the work is done and you're satisfied with it

If you suspect a scam, the FTC asks you to report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

What to budget for in tree removal

A tree service's quote may not cover everything, so list the rest beside it.

• Stump grinding: often priced apart from cutting the tree down
• Wood and debris hauling: some quotes leave the wood on site
• Crane or bucket truck: for a big tree close to the house
• Tree permit: some towns protect trees, so ask before it comes down

Put each on its own line, and the chart shows which one moves your total most.

How to compare contractors' quotes

The Federal Trade Commission gives this advice before you hire anyone.

• Hire only licensed and insured contractors, and check the license with your state or county
• Get several written estimates, each with the work, the materials, the completion date and the price
• Don't automatically pick the lowest bid, and ask why if the estimates differ a lot
• Get a written contract with the contractor's license number and the start and finish dates
• Never pay the full amount up front, and make the final payment only when the work is done

It also warns that a contractor who asks you to get the permits, or who only takes cash, may be running a scam.

How much contingency to add

A contingency is money set aside for what you find once the walls or the ground are open.

HUD requires one on its 203(k) renovation loans: 10% to 20% of the repair costs on a home 30 years or older, and at least 15% when the utilities don't work.

On a newer home, it's up to the lender, to a maximum of 20%.

A worked example

Here's the example the calculator loads: two trees with three quotes of $1,800, $2,400 and $1,500, plus stump grinding, a tree permit and lawn repair.

The cheapest of the three quotes is $1,500, $900 less than the dearest. Your other costs add $650, so the tree removal comes to $2,150 before the contingency.

A 10% contingency adds $215, for a total of $2,365. That's $1,182.50 per tree, and $635 left of a $3,000 budget.

Mistakes to avoid

These are the slips that come up most.

• Hiring the first person at the door after a storm
• Comparing a quote that leaves the stump and wood with one that takes them
• Paying in cash, or in full before the work is done

Who is the tree removal cost calculator for?

It's for anyone taking down a tree, a dead one or one that's in the way, and these tools help around it.

• Landscaping calculator – for what goes in its place
• Mulch calculator – for the ground left behind
• Fence cost calculator – if the tree took the fence with it

Know what each quote takes away before you compare prices, and the yard is clear when the crew leaves.