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Prices at a glanceWhat you pay forWhat drives the priceBy job typeWhat a quote includesSaving moneyOther costs
Want a price for your own tree? Try the cost calculator for a guide price, or send us photos and your postcode for a fixed written quote. Site visits are free, with no obligation.
Tree Surgery Prices at a Glance
| Job | Typical cost in Croydon |
|---|
| Light prune or deadwood removal, small tree | £200 – £300 |
| Crown lift, thin or reduction, medium tree (3 to 6m) | £250 – £500 |
| Crown reduction, large mature tree (over 9m) | £800 – £1,500+ |
| Remove a small tree, easy access (under 3m) | £250 – £450 |
| Remove a medium tree (3 to 6m) | £300 – £600 |
| Remove a medium large tree (6 to 9m) | £550 – £1,100 |
| Remove a large tree (over 9m), clear access | £1,000 – £3,000+ |
| Remove a large tree (over 9m), tight access or over a building | £1,100 – £3,900+ |
| Stump grinding, per stump | £120 to £700 |
| Hedge cutting or reduction | £120 – £450 for a typical garden hedge, from £1,600 for a long, tall one |
| Tree survey or health check, single tree | From £260 |
| Emergency call-out and make-safe | From £250, quoted at the call |
| Minimum call-out | £120 to £250, depending on the job |
Prices are guide figures. After we've seen the job, you get a fixed, itemised written quote. The quote states whether VAT applies.
What You're Actually Paying For
A tree job isn't priced by the tree. It's priced by the time, the people, the equipment and the risk.
| Part of the price | What it covers |
|---|
| Labour | A climber and groundworkers for as long as the job takes. Most jobs need a team, not one person |
| Equipment | Chainsaws, ropes and rigging, chipper, vehicle, and where needed a platform or crane |
| Waste | Chipping, loading and taking away branches and timber, and disposing of them legally |
| Insurance and compliance | Public liability cover, training, safety kit, and waste carrier registration |
| Planning and paperwork | Site visit, quote, checking TPOs and conservation areas, and preparing any notice or application |
| Travel, parking and set-up | Getting people and kit to site, and parking arrangements where needed |
Why Is There a Minimum Charge?
Even a small job needs a team, a vehicle and equipment on site, plus travel and set-up time. In London a minimum charge is common, and it applies even to a small job. Ours is £120 to £250, depending on the job. Combining jobs in one visit is the easiest way to get more for the minimum.
What Drives the Price
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|
| Tree size and height | Bigger trees need more people, time and equipment |
| Access | Tight gardens, no side access or trees over buildings mean sectional work or a platform |
| Condition | Dead, diseased or unstable trees can need extra safety measures |
| Location | Trees near buildings, cables or roads need more care |
| Waste | Taking away timber and branches adds to the job; leaving logs or chip with you can reduce it |
| Stump | Grinding is usually priced separately |
| Permissions | Protected trees may need a council application or notice first |
| Crane or platform | Needed for some large trees or sites with no safe drop zone, and priced on top |
| Number of jobs | Combining jobs in one visit is usually cheaper than booking separately |
| Urgency | Emergency work costs more |
Croydon-Specific Cost Factors
| Where | What affects the cost |
|---|
| Terraces in the north (Addiscombe, Thornton Heath, Norbury) | Tight gardens and no vehicle access mean more hand-work and sectional dismantling |
| Hillsides in the south (Purley, Kenley, Coulsdon, Sanderstead) | Slopes, steep drives and large mature trees take more time and rigging |
| Conservation areas and TPOs | Preparing a notice or application adds time, though the council doesn't charge a fee |
| Controlled parking | A bay suspension or dispensation may be needed. Croydon asks for notice and payment first. Check the council's current fees |
| Wooded areas | Nest and bat checks can delay work, and some jobs are best booked for winter |
Tree Removal, Pruning, Stumps and Hedges
Tree Removal
Tree removal is priced by size, access and what's around the tree. A small tree with clear access is a half-day job. A large tree in a tight garden or over a house needs more people, rigging and time. See tree removal.
Tree Pruning
Crown reduction is typically the most expensive form of pruning because it takes the most skill and time. We don't top trees. See tree pruning.
Stump Grinding
Stump grinding is priced mainly by diameter, with access as the main add-on. Several stumps in one visit usually cost less each. See stump grinding.
Hedge Cutting
Hedge cutting is priced by length, height, width and condition. Waste is a big part of the cost on conifer hedges. See hedge cutting.
Emergency Work and Surveys
Emergency work costs more, because it needs a team at short notice. Tree surveys are priced by purpose, the number of trees and the level of reporting. See emergency tree work and tree surveys.
What Should a Quote Include?
A good quote is in writing and itemised. Check it covers:
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|
| The work, tree by tree | So you know what's included and can compare |
| Waste removal | Logs, branches and chippings: removed, left, or priced separately? |
| Stump | Ground out, left, or priced separately? |
| Total price, and whether VAT is included | No surprises |
| Permissions | Who checks and applies for TPO or conservation area consent |
| Insurance details | Insurer and cover |
| Dates and duration | When, and how long |
| Payment terms | Deposit and balance |
Get at least two or three quotes for anything beyond a small job, and compare what's included, not just the price.
Red Flags
- Cold callers at your door offering to cut your tree today
- Cash only, with no written quote, receipt or insurance
- A price far below everyone else's. Check what it leaves out (waste, insurance, qualified staff), or whether the plan involves topping the tree
- No questions about protection. A good tree surgeon asks about TPOs and conservation areas before quoting
- Pressure to decide immediately
- Vague descriptions such as "tidy up the tree"
See how to choose a tree surgeon.
How to Save Money on Tree Work
| Tip | Why it helps |
|---|
| Combine jobs | Removing a tree, grinding the stump and cutting the hedge in one visit saves set-up and travel |
| Keep the logs and chip | A saving on waste removal, and free firewood and mulch |
| Be flexible on timing | Winter is often quieter, and better for most pruning |
| Share with neighbours | Several jobs on one street in one visit can reduce the price per job |
| Clear access | Move cars, bins and garden furniture, and unlock gates |
| Send photos | Helps us quote accurately and quickly |
| Prune before it's a problem | Regular small jobs cost less than a big restoration |
Don't try to save money by hiring someone uninsured or unqualified. If something goes wrong, you're the one who pays.
Other Costs to Know About
| Cost | What to know |
|---|
| TPO consent application or conservation area notice | The council states there is currently no application fee, but you may pay for preparation |
| Tree report | Needed for some applications, and for insurers and engineers |
| Parking suspension or dispensation | May be needed on controlled streets. Check Croydon Council's current fees |
| Crane or platform hire | Added to the quote for big or hard-to-reach trees |
| Replacement tree | If required by the council or wanted by you |
| Fines for breaking tree rules | Up to £20,000 for cutting down a protected tree, so checking first is the cheapest option. See our TPO guide |
Will insurance cover it? Home insurance may cover damage a tree has caused, and sometimes clearance, but not routine removal. Subsidence is commonly covered, subject to an excess. Take advice before removing a tree you suspect of affecting your building. See trees near buildings.
