Whether you are looking to have your tree trimmed or removed from your property completely, one of your primary concerns is probably price. When it comes to tree trimming, keep in mind that regular maintenance will save you money in the long run and keep your trees beautiful year-round.

Before you consider bringing in the professionals to take care of your trees, it might be a good idea to get some ballpark estimates for how much the work might cost. Ultimately, you should get at least a few estimates or bids before you begin the work, but the following information can help you to avoid sticker shock.

Keep in mind that professional tree trimmers have certain costs involved with their work. They will have to pay a crew for the labor; including worker’s comp, insurance, and taxes. They will also have equipment costs â€" trucks, tools, and other machines as well as standard overhead costs associated with running a business.

If you are looking to get a budget figure in your head before soliciting bids for the work, consider these factors: How many trees are on your property? Do you need work done on more than one tree?

What kind of trees are on your property? Whether it’s a palm tree or an oak tree, the requirements for service and equipment needed are completely different.

Where are the trees located? Are they easy to access? Is there plenty of room? Are the branches hanging over your roof? Are they near power lines?

How big are the trees? What equipment might the work crew need to get to the top of the tree?

With all of this information, you should be able to put together a good guess as to the size of the job. Consider that total labor costs may run between $35 and $50 per hour. This means that a work crew may cost as much as $150 per hour depending on the size of the job. Hazardous conditions like power lines, biting insects, and dead trees may increase your costs. Additional costs for your job may include hauling, chipping, and/or stump grinding. These costs may increase your total by a few hundred dollars or more.

If you are looking to remove a tree, consider an average price of $8 - $12 per foot plus the additional costs mentioned above. With these ballpark figures in hand, as well as at least three estimates from local contractors, you should be well-prepared to avoid getting ripped off by price-gougers.