So you need to have a tree removed from your yard. Maybe it’s too close to power lines, maybe the roots are busting up your sidewalk or driveway, or maybe it’s just getting in the way of a nice view. The tree could be leaning over and dangerously close to falling on your house, it could’ve been struck by lightning or maybe it’s fallen already.
Well whatever your situation is, that’s gonna cost money, and possibly even hundreds of dollars, so you want to make sure you know what all your options for payment are. In this article I’ll walk you through some of your options to save you as much money as possible.
Why would you need a tree removed
Since you’re reading this article you’ve probably already decided to remove a certain tree from your yard, but while you’re thinking about it you should probably check your yard to see if any other trees should go. The biggest thing to look out for is any trees close to your home that could possibly be in danger of falling down and damaging your property.
Trees that are rotting or hollow should be removed, and especially any tree that is already leaning or has cracks in the trunk. When in doubt, have an arborist come to your house for a quote, but be careful because they might try to convince you to remove trees that don’t need to be removed since that’s how they make their money. Make sure you have as much information as possible and evaluate all your payment options before making an expensive decision.
If you do have to pay for part or all of the tree removal, negotiate the tree removal for the best price. Although many companies have formulas to determine the prices they charge, there is usually some leeway built in to allow for negotiations.
Homeowner's Insurance pays
If your situation is a case of having a tree removed that has already fallen down, in many cases your homeowner’s insurance will actually pay for the removal. This depends on two things: the cause of the tree falling down and any damage it might’ve done to your home or property. Most home insurance providers will cover the cost of any tree removal if the cause of the fall was lightning, fire, an explosion, or some kind of vandalism.
Even if the fall did no damage to your home or property it should be covered by the insurance so make sure to check with them. If a tree falls due to a windstorm, rot, disease or just old age, it will only be covered by your insurance if it damages your home or possibly other structures on your property.
If you think there’s a chance that the tree removal could be covered by your homeowner’s insurance provider make sure to notify them as quickly as possible and an insurance adjuster will be assigned to help you sort through everything. This should be your first choice to cover the costs of tree removal if possible. Just make sure you know exactly what your insurance policy covers, because you may have to pay a deductible and there’s a chance that making a claim will raise your insurance price.
Neighbor pays
If a tree from your neighbor’s yard falls into your yard it may still be your responsibility to pay for it. This depends on the circumstance of the fall, if it’s due to an act of nature like lightning or strong wind then the responsibility will most likely fall to you. However, if the fall was due to an act of negligence by your neighbor, such as attempting to remove a tree without professional help or neglecting to take care of a tree that is rotting or diseased, your neighbor could be responsible.
This all depends on the laws where you live, but if your neighbor is liable to have the tree removed they can pay for it themselves or file a claim with their homeowner’s insurance. Either way should be fine for you. In the same way, if a tree from your yard falls and damages your neighbor’s property you may be responsible. So be aware when any trees in your yard might be a potential hazard. Have these trees removed in a safe way before they fall to keep from any possible accidents.
Neighborhood association pays
If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association there’s always the possibility of the HOA paying to have your tree removed. You’ll need to check with your neighborhood HOA to see what their rules are because different communities have different rules. For the most part, however, the HOA will pay to remove any tree that is in a neighborhood common area and is growing in a way that damages your driveway, patio, or other property.
Utility company pays
While it’s very rare for your city to remove a tree crowding power lines, your utility company may do so to keep from the potential hazard to them. Contact your electric company if you feel that your trees are growing too close to the power lines in your yard.
They will typically arrange a crew to come and cut away all branches that seem to be a potential danger. With a little negotiation you can often convince the company to remove the tree completely, which is a win-win for everybody! You can get rid of the tree without paying a penny, and the power company has one less liability and won’t have to worry about it again in the future.
Sell tree as lumber or firewood
Now if the situation just isn’t quite right and you can’t get anyone else to foot the bill for your tree removal, don’t worry because you still have options to make up for the cost. The best way to do this is to turn your problem into a solution and sell the tree as firewood. The amount of money you can make doing this ranges from $100-$400 for a 4x4x8 foot stack of firewood. This depends on your location and the opportunities around you, but can be a good way to cover the cost of your tree removal in many cases.
Conclusion
So there you have it! The cost of having a tree removed can be surprising and intimidating, but with a good look at all your options and some careful negotiation it’s likely that you won’t have to pay anything at all. Getting someone else to pay for your tree removal may just be possible.