Is your tree surgeon quote fair? What Essex firms publish
Tree work is priced by the tree, not by the hour you can see. Height, access, what's underneath, and whether the wood leaves with the crew all move the price. That's why two quotes for the same oak can be hundreds of pounds apart.
What Essex tree surgeons publish (checked 24 October 2026)
These are the firms' own guide prices, not quotes. Both say every job is priced after a site visit.
| Firm (anonymised) | Small trees | Medium to large trees | Crown reduction | Stump grinding | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rayleigh tree surgery company (A) | Under 15ft: £75–£245 | 30–60ft: £245–£1,195 | Not published separately | Not published | "In general we charge" these bands; a site survey sets the price |
| Tree and landscaping firm based on the Essex/London border (B) | Small tree removal £200–£450 | Large or awkward removal £800–£2,000+ | £350–£900 | £100–£350 | Its 2026 guide prices say waste is removed and each job is quoted individually |
Prices taken from firms' own published rates, checked 24 October 2026. Firms are named only once they've agreed. Spotted an error? Email hello@fairquoteessex.co.uk.
Read the two together and a pattern shows. A small tree is usually a few hundred pounds. A big tree close to a house can run past £1,000, because it has to come down in sections on ropes rather than be felled in one go.
What changes the price
- Height and spread. Bigger trees need more climbing time, more rigging and more people on the ground.
- Access. Can a chipper get to the back garden, or does every branch go through the house or over a fence by hand?
- What's underneath. Sheds, greenhouses, conservatories, power or phone lines and neighbours' roofs mean slow, controlled lowering.
- Waste. Is chipping and removing the wood included, or will you be left with a log pile?
- The stump. Felling and stump grinding are often priced separately.
- VAT. Check whether the quote includes it.
Check this before any work: protected trees
From the government's guidance on tree preservation orders and trees in conservation areas:
- If a tree has a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), you normally need the council's consent before work, apart from limited exceptions. The council has 8 weeks to decide an application.
- For a tree in a conservation area that doesn't have a TPO, you normally have to give the council 6 weeks' notice (a "section 211 notice") before cutting down or pruning it, unless an exception applies.
- Doing the work without consent or notice can be a criminal offence.
- Exceptions include work on dead or dangerous trees, but you may still need to give notice (5 working days for dead trees in most cases). Ask your council before relying on an exception.
A good tree surgeon will check for a TPO or conservation area before quoting. Ask who will submit the application or notice, and whether that's in the price.
Questions to ask before you accept a tree quote
- Exactly what work is included: felling, reduction (by how much?), lifting, thinning?
- Is waste removal included? What happens to the logs and chippings?
- Is the stump ground out, and how deep?
- Have you checked for a TPO or conservation area, and who handles the council paperwork?
- Is VAT included?
- Do you have public liability insurance? Ask to see the certificate.
- How many people will be on site, and how long will it take?
- What will you do to protect lawns, fences and neighbouring property?
Be wary of doorstep offers to "take that tree down today, cash". Reputable firms visit, quote in writing, and check whether the tree is protected.
Are you an Essex tree surgeon?
If you publish clear prices and would like to be considered for the directory, or something here is wrong, email hello@fairquoteessex.co.uk. Listing is free, and nothing about your business goes live until you've checked it.
General information only. Prices change, so confirm them before you instruct anyone.
Sources: GOV.UK, tree preservation orders and trees in conservation areas · firms' own published price pages (checked 24 Oct 2026).