Things to know
Price by access and complexity, not by a flat per-tree rate. A tree overhanging a garden shed, close to power lines, or only reachable through a narrow side passage takes far longer and carries more risk than an equivalent tree standing in open ground. A flat rate either underprices the hard job or overprices the easy one. Customers comparing quotes for "the same tree" often don't realise access is the real variable.
Check for a Tree Preservation Order or conservation area status before quoting a firm price, not after. Work on a protected tree without council consent can mean a fine landing on the customer. A job you thought was confirmed can suddenly need weeks of approval time. Flag this explicitly if the property is in a likely area, so a delay doesn't look like you dragging your feet.
State your certification and insurance on the quote itself. NPTC or LANTRA chainsaw qualifications and public liability cover are what a cautious customer is specifically checking for before letting someone climb a tree above their house. Naming them upfront is a stronger trust signal than mentioning it only if asked.
Timber and wood chip removal is a real cost, not an afterthought. Decide whether you're leaving logs for the customer, often welcomed for firewood, or removing everything, and price a skip or tip run separately if it's the latter. This is also where a job can quietly grow: a bigger tree than expected means more waste to shift, and a broken-out line makes that visible instead of eating into your labour margin.
Typical tree surgeon line items and UK prices
Indicative ranges, excluding VAT. Rates vary by region (London and the South East run higher) and by job size.
| Item | Unit | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Crown reduction, medium tree | per tree | £300–£900 |
| Fell small tree (under 10m), sectional | per tree | £300–£800 |
| Fell large tree (over 15m), sectional | per tree | £1,000–£3,000 |
| Stump grinding | per stump | £80–£300 |
| Hedge reduction (large conifer hedge) | per 10m | £150–£400 |
| Waste removal + chipping | per job | £100–£400 |
| TPO / conservation area application handling | per application | £50–£150 |
| Day rate, 3-person team | per day | £600–£1,000 |
Common tree surgeon jobs and how to price them
- Crown reductions and thinning
- Per tree, specified as a percentage or distance in line with BS 3998, not "trim back a bit".
- Sectional felling
- Per tree, with access, rigging and road or pavement closures listed.
- Stump grinding
- Per stump by diameter, with grindings left or removed.
- Hedge reductions
- Per length, noting nesting-season constraints.
Regulations and certificates to reference
- Tree Preservation Orders — work on a protected tree needs written consent from the local planning authority unless an exemption applies. Check the council register before quoting and note the result.
- Conservation areas (Section 211 notice) — six weeks’ notice to the council is required before most work on trees in a conservation area with a trunk diameter over 75mm at 1.5m height.
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 / bat protection — nesting birds and roosting bats are protected; surveys or seasonal timing may be needed.
- BS 3998:2010 and chainsaw certification — specify work to BS 3998 and hold NPTC/LANTRA chainsaw and climbing tickets. Membership of the Arboricultural Association’s Approved Contractor scheme is a strong trust signal.
Payment terms tree surgeons commonly use
- Domestic: payment on completion, with no deposit for most single-day jobs.
- Consent-dependent work: quote valid until consent is granted, then 30 days.
- Commercial and council work: 30 days.
Read more: Invoice payment terms explained · Payment methods to offer clients
VAT and CIS for tree surgeons
VAT
Tree surgery is standard-rated at 20% once registered.
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
Domestic tree work for homeowners is outside CIS.
Felling trees to clear a site for building — for example for a developer before a housing estate — is within CIS. Tree work in the ordinary course of forestry or estate management is excluded.
General guidance, not tax advice — check your position with HMRC or an accountant.
Read more: Do I need to charge VAT on my invoices? · What must an invoice include? (UK legal requirements)
What this template includes
- Priced by access and height, not a flat per-tree rate
- Tree Preservation Order (TPO) check noted separately
- Timber and wood chip removal itemised
- Insurance and certification reference included
- PDF download or shareable tracked link
Full guide
How to Start a Tree Surgery Business as a Sole Trader
Frequently asked questions
Only if it has a Tree Preservation Order or is in a conservation area. A TPO needs consent; a conservation area tree needs six weeks’ notice. Tree surgeons usually check the council register as part of the quote.
Access, nearby buildings or cables, rigging needs and how much timber must be removed all change the time involved. A tree over a conservatory costs more than the same tree in an open lawn.
Not usually. It is a separate machine and visit, priced per stump by diameter. State on the quote whether the stump is left at ground level or ground out.
BS 3998:2010 is the UK standard for tree work. Quoting work to BS 3998 tells the customer the cuts will not harm the tree’s long-term health.
Access and height matter more than the tree itself — a tree next to power lines or reachable only through a narrow passage takes far longer than one in open ground, so pricing reflects access and complexity, not a flat per-tree rate.
A Tree Preservation Order means council consent is needed before work starts. Checking this before quoting a firm price avoids a job stalling for weeks of approval after you've already committed to a date.
State on the quote whether logs and chip are left for the customer or removed — removal is a real cost worth pricing separately, especially on bigger jobs.
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