Had quote to cut trees £1800

We had our Willow Tree pruned right back{30 foot] last year it cost £150 including removal of debris !! Is your price devided by the number in your block of flats?

Our tree surgeon charges us about £80 per half day. His charges are good in this area - other local tree surgeons are more expensive, I know, by about 25%. It might be an idea to ask how long the work is likely to take, to give you an idea of whether that quote is fair.

Oh, and he chips all the debris, or cuts it into logs for us, too, in that time.

I know I'm in Canada but we had a huge spruce taken down last year with debris removal and it cost us $700 (350 pounds or there about). I'd say 1800 pounds sounds awfully steep even with pruning the other trees.

This involves a large amount of work, plus clearing all the debris. Does it include VAT, if so I would say this is a fair price.

I'm inclined to agree Doctorbob.
That 'is' an awful lot of work there and the removal of the debris is a cost in itself, so i'd say fair too.

I gather some of it is high tree work, which will involve harnesses and good machinery. This will be more than one man's work. Dumping the debris will be expensive.

Wow! Quick answers! The price is PLUS vat, is divided by 16 flats and includes removal of debris. My factor is a real rip-off merchant but problem is most people who occupy the flats are either sub-lets (who don't pay these factors bills) or younger couples who are quite happy to pay up! I'm getting to the more sensible age of mid 40's now and I'm not so scatter cash any more! Obviously I would like to see the work done so the cost of approx £70 isn't the end of the world. BTW its blowing a gale in sunny/windy/freezing/rainy Glasgow right now. Central heating on!

OOPs sorry Louise we posted at the same time.

:-)))

PennyP there is nothing to stop you getting a quote for the same work and see how the quotes compare then you will have abetter idea? If these are very big trees you would expect it to cost a lot but this does seem a bit high with the vat on top? I think vat goes back up to 17.5 at the end of the year? Can you ask for a copy of the bill for your own account purposes?
Also look at your agreement if it is split between 16 flats it may not be you who has to cover the short fall if some dont payup?

I,ve contacted a couple of tree surgeons fro additional quotes thanks.

you call it all debris are the logs not good as fire wood and have a value in themselves.just a thaught

WITH VAT AT 17.5 PERSENT .JUST OVER £132 EACH.

well id say its reasnable but not cheap as long as its done well.maybe you could try and see there last job mite help as they must be in your area.if there reputable they wont mind telling you

Cliffo vat is currently 15% thats why I mentioned it, as it goes back up in January 2010

Nosey potter tree fellers usually take the logs as part of the clearing up if you keep them they may charge more?

Horse Chestnut, Lime, Chestnut and Sycamore are all useless firewood. The Cherry takes a year to be dry enough to burn, the amount of fuel used in a chipper machine plus labour will give a tree surgeon little return.

I don't think this quote is unreasonable at all - if you have one tree done, it usually costs between £100 to £150 - even at the lower price, 20 trees x £100 comes out as £2,000, so I'd expect the quote to be £1500 to £1800.It might be possible to get it cheaper, but this quote is slightly on the higher side of average, I'd say (but I live in London)

I've just had one tree "heavily pruned", and paid £80+ VAT. To have it felled, I was quoted £100 + Vat. If you multiply that x 20, then I reckon you've been given a reasonable quote Liz. It's an awful lot of money though....:((

yes it looks as if I was chargeing them £2.79 to much, I have just slaped the back of my hand'

LOL!

I wouldn't worry about it Cliffo - its not even enough for a decent bag of chips;-)

make sure they have liability insurance. one local 'tree surgeon' doesnt carry insurance and relies on your own house one. he was the cheapest quote but we didnt go with him. I had two silver birch felled for £250 pounds but we kept and sorted the wood etc. this guy wanted an extra 150 + vat for that service, but his insurance covered him for up to a million pounds and he had RHS qualifications .

Yes, quite right, Sbg. Ours trained at Westonbirt Arboretum, and understands trees and their shape...

Some neighbours went for a group of cowboys who 'hacked' the trees, which have looked ugly ever since! Such a shame.

fair play like i said a reasnable price if the jobs done right realy

Update to the original question. I googled tree surgeons in Glasgow and a very nice guy came out this morning. Well......turns out that the first estimate is not for pruning the trees at all. In actual fact it is for "lifting the crown hieght up" which to an ordinary person like me means taking the branches up from the lowest level - not actually reducing the height at all! I am slightly irritated and astounded as to why the factor would go to all the bother of getting this work done and not reduce the height of the trees at the same time! I'm phoning him first thing tomorrow and I will let you know the outcome. Incidentally the tree surgeon who was out today quoted me £500 LESS than the 1st quote like for like.

a back pocket merchant,he wont like you.

Wow! I hope that factor can explain himself.....and can show three written quotations for this work you're all supposed to be paying for!

Which work, anyway? He seems to be telling you a lot of garbage! Is he on the level - or on the make????

I'm on his case. I've just sent him an email. Yes he is a back pocket merchant all factors are to some extent. His saving grace on this one is that he is actually asking for written authorisation before the work gets carried out.......which he ain't getting:o)

not all back pocket merchants are bad and not all above board professionals are good and you dont seam to have much rocourse if your not happy with a professionals job.it woould go to civil court and go nowear.thats why theres programs like rogue traders.like i said if there worth using and good at what they do they wouldnt mind you seeing some other jobs theyve done.they should have nothing to hide and be happy to tell you about other jobs.i know drawings not the same or sculpture but i make a point of showing my things ive done so they know what job there going to get.after all talk is very cheap

At least you're not on your own with this one, Penny! Have you talked to the others involved? There's more strength with more of you....

Good points, there, Noseypotter - it's all down to the individual person as well as any training they may have had.

yes but like you say i have a point . i go out of my way to show my art of not being big headed because i know its good quality and so people know what there getting

I've just popped a note thru' all of my neighbours doors advising the state of play. It's up to them to lift the phone and voice concerns so lets see.

in my trade I had a portfolieo with befor and after pictures and was able to surply addresses if need be with the owners consent' never advertised in my life, good workmanship sells it's self,and a decent radesman will not minde you chalanging him HO'sorry and her.

thats right cliffo