How to Quote Tree Removal in Australia
The same tree can be a $600 job or a $6,000 one, depending on what's underneath it and how you get it out. Here's how to quote tree removal so risk and access are priced, not absorbed.
Two trees the same height can be worlds apart on price. One drops cleanly into an open paddock; the other has to come down in pieces over a roof, next to power lines, with a crane craned in over the fence. Quote by height alone and you'll win the hard ones and lose money on them. This guide covers what a tree removal quote should include, what jobs cost by size in 2026, and how risk and access set the real price.
What a tree removal quote covers
A clear quote lists every stage of the job so the client sees exactly what they're paying for — and so nothing gets absorbed into a round number. Cover all of these:
- Tree assessment — species, height, condition and any hazards.
- Removal method — straight felling, sectional dismantling with ropes, or crane-assisted.
- Stump grinding — priced by diameter and depth, quoted as a standard option.
- Green waste disposal — chipping on site, carting to the tip, or leaving firewood.
- Site clean-up — raking, debris removal and leaving the yard tidy.
- Council permits — where the tree's size or species needs approval.
- Traffic management — if the tree sits near a road or shared access.
Put photos of the tree in the quote. They record the condition, show the access you were working with, and back up the price if the client compares it to a cheaper number.
Tree removal costs by size in 2026
Size is the starting point, but treat these as base ranges before access and risk push them up. A clean, open-access job sits at the low end; anything technical climbs from there:
| Tree size | Height | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Under 5m | $300–$800 |
| Medium | 5–10m | $800–$2,500 |
| Large | 10–20m | $2,500–$8,000 |
| Very large / hazardous | 20m+ | $5,000–$15,000+ |
Add the extras as their own lines: stump grinding runs $200–$600 per stump depending on diameter, and crane hire is $1,500–$5,000+ per day when access leaves you no other way to get the tree out.
Risk and access set the price
The two biggest cost drivers aren't on the price list — they're risk and access. A tree you can drop in one piece is quick; a tree you have to take down section by section, roping every limb down, is a different job entirely.
- Trees near power lines, buildings or fences need sectional dismantling — climbing and lowering pieces on ropes — which is slower and dearer than felling.
- Backyards with no machine access can force a crane, adding a full day's hire to the quote.
- Dead, split or storm-damaged trees carry extra risk and warrant a higher rate.
- Assess it all on site — never price a tree off a photo or a phone description.
Council permits and power lines
Approvals and overhead lines change what you can do and when. Sort them before you send a price, not after the client has said yes.
- Many councils require a permit to remove trees over a set size — often 3m tall or a trunk over 150mm — and some species are protected regardless of size.
- Include permit fees of $50–$500 as a line item, and note the typical processing time so the client knows the timeline.
- Check for power lines and contact the DNSP (your local network provider) if lines are within 2m of the work.
- Storm season is time-sensitive — give a clear timeline so urgent jobs don't stall on paperwork.
Common mistakes that eat your margin
- Pricing off the photo. Access and hazards don't show in a snap. Inspect the tree in person before you quote, every time.
- Treating stump grinding as an afterthought. Quote it as a standard option, not a surprise. Clients expect the stump gone, and it's $200–$600 you shouldn't wear.
- Missing the power lines. Lines within 2m change the method and the risk. Check for them and contact the DNSP before you commit to a price.
- Skipping the permit check. Quote a protected tree without approval and the job stops before it starts. Check size and species rules first.
- Forgetting disposal and clean-up. Chipping, tip fees and raking out the yard all take time. Price the whole job, not just dropping the tree.
Pro tips for a tree removal quote that wins
- Always inspect the tree in person and photograph it for the quote.
- Include stump grinding as a standard line item, not an add-on the client has to ask for.
- Offer to leave mulch on site as a free option — it cuts your tip fees and the client keeps the chip.
- Offer firewood where the timber suits it, reducing what you cart away.
- Factor in traffic management for anything near a road.
- Give a clear timeline, especially in storm season when the work is urgent.
ServiceYak keeps your size-based rates, stump grinding and crane hire in a reusable kit, so you can itemise a tree removal quote on site and send the PDF — photos and all — before you're back in the truck.
Frequently asked questions
How much does tree removal cost in Australia?
It scales with size: $300–$800 for a small tree under 5m, $800–$2,500 for a medium tree, $2,500–$8,000 for a large tree, and $5,000–$15,000+ for very large or hazardous trees over 20m. Access and risk push those higher.
Should I include stump grinding in the quote?
Quote it as a standard option. Grinding runs $200–$600 per stump depending on diameter, and most clients expect the stump gone — leaving it out invites a call-back and a haggle later.
Do I need a council permit to remove a tree?
Often, yes. Many councils require approval for trees over about 3m or with a trunk over 150mm, and some species are protected at any size. Check before you quote and include permit fees of $50–$500 as a line item.