This article focuses on a critical aspect of tree inspection: cost. Before an assessment is agreed on between the arborist and client, there needs to be a mutual understanding reached by both parties.
So, what exactly is the cost of tree inspection, and what’s the scope of coverage?
These details have been provided below. Also included are reasons for tree inspection, frequency of tree inspection, and cost factors affecting tree inspection.
Let’s proceed to discuss each of these points, shall we?
Arborist Inspection Cost
Tree inspections are among standard maintenance procedures performed at scheduled intervals. These help maintain tree health by identifying early signs of trouble.
Such early identification of problems allows for quick treatment. This inspection helps promote the general health of your trees.
Tree inspection costs vary by the method used.
To be more specific, these costs depend on whether a visual and verbal inspection is performed and if a more formal process (like issuing a checklist recommendation) is followed.
A more specific type of tree inspection involves issuing a tree inspection report. Each of these options attracts a particular cost. However, more detailed inspection procedures tend to attract the most worth.
Let’s provide a little more detail regarding these cost options.
Reasons for Tree Inspection
If you’ve not yet decided on calling for tree inspection, you might find the following details compelling enough to have your trees inspected. Of course, this will come at a cost whose details will be discussed shortly.
The following are reasons to have your trees inspected. They include determining watering needs, identifying structural damage, and enhancing safety.
Other reasons include early diagnosis of tree infections and establishing soil requirements.
Here, it’s evident that all three areas are looked at to help promote healthy growth and wellness. Let’s have a look at each of these points for further details.
i. Determining Watering Needs
Trees have varying water requirements. You’ll need to know such characteristics of your preferred tree species. This is one of the objectives inspection helps achieve.
An arborist assesses the tree and recommends a watering routine that fits the tree’s needs. This mainly applies to young trees.
ii. Identifying Structural Damage
Trees are affected by several conditions that may interrupt their normal development. These conditions include improper pruning, storms, and construction activities.
When left unattended, such conditions may worsen. An inspection helps identify the structural damage caused by these events or activities.
Based on the findings, appropriate remedies are administered. Sometimes, the outcomes of tree inspections may recommend removal. this is mostly the case when structural damage is deemed to be severe.
iii. Enhancing Safety
With trees within your yard, scheduled inspection is necessary as it helps identify any damage due to pest activity or disease. These could lead to rot and sudden snapping of tree limbs and branches that could cause injury or damage to property.
iv. Early Diagnosis of Tree Infections
When diseases and pests infest a tree, such a condition may go unnoticed until it worsens and becomes too late to deal with.
Inspections help with the early diagnosis of these conditions, which leads to effective treatment. Arborists know the early signs of the problem and will easily trace and identify such.
v. Establishing Soil Requirements
For the most part, a tree’s development and health are tied to soil quality. This is especially true for young trees. Through inspection, the best soil for your tree is recommended.
We may recommend other actions like enriching poor soil through manure application.
How Much Do Tree Inspections Cost?
Regular inspection is the key to discovering any ailments and problems a tree may have before it worsens.
Thankfully, a tree shows early signs of a problem, but a trained professional can only identify some of these signs.
With all the experience a professional arborist has, they are expected to charge a fee for their work.
Tree inspectors usually charge per hour, but the prices will vary by inspectors.
You can expect to pay between $50 to $500 for a tree inspection. And this depends on the level of the assessment being carried out and the quality of tools the arborist will use for review.
If you need the inspectors to determine whether the tree should be trimmed or cut down and obtain a removal permit, you will have to pay between $400 and $500.
That being said, below are some of the basic costs that come with tree inspection.
i. Visual and Verbal Tree Inspection Costs
When it comes to this type of inspection, it’s likely to be done free, or a small charge may be made.
When a fee is paid, it’s usually around $100, the highest you’re likely to pay. As the name suggests, visual and verbal inspection isn’t as detailed as the others.
No recommendations and reports are issued. At best, you may only get verbal offers.
While this may sound attractive to some people, it’s best to have a more comprehensive assessment of your tree, even if it will cost you more.
ii. Inspections Involving 1-Page Recommendations
This type of tree inspection tends to be more formal than the first. Here, a risk assessment is made in addition to recommendations issued in a form (1-page).
The cost for this process is around $100 to $250. However, if you want a more detailed inspection, you’ll need to pay more for a tree report.
iii. Full tree inspection report and risk assessment ($350 – $450)
An entire tree inspection report and risk assessment service will consume much time and attract a higher bill.
Once the tree has been inspected, the arborist will return to their office and prepare a detailed 10 to 20-page report containing their findings and recommended treatments.
The inspection report is an official document that can be presented to local authorities when a tree removal permit is sought.
iii. Tree Report for Single Trees
Tree reports are more comprehensive and include risk assessments.
If you only wish for this to be performed on a single tree, you’ll incur a starting fee of around $350. The average cost for this procedure is about $450.
The cost of an inspection for more giant trees is likely around $550.
iv. Tree Report for Multiple Trees
Arborists can perform tree inspections on multiple trees. Here, it’s apparent that you’re likely to pay more for the process. At the low end is a starting fee of $550.
On average, you may incur a cost of about $750, while a high of $1,200 may be charged depending on the number of trees to be inspected and how detailed the process is.
Factors Affecting Tree Inspection Costs
Multiple factors affect tree inspection, including the number of trees, how detailed the inspection process is, your location, and the company hired.
More trees translate to more inspection costs unless the client requests a limited inspection scope.
Regarding the thoroughness of the process, we’ve discussed varying options where costs add up with the increased or detailed inspection, where you live counts in determining prices.
Larger cities tend to have higher living rates which affect every service, including tree inspection. The reverse is true for smaller towns or cities.
The tree inspection company you hire will play a part in determining how much you should pay for the procedure.
Consider taking advantage of the industry’s competitiveness to compare tree inspection rates between companies.
Tree inspection costs have been covered in detail, influencing different aspects. There’s never a fixed amount on how much your job will cost.
You’ll have to wait for a quote from an arborist.