How much do consultants ask for to look at trees?

BBBTree

BBBTree

Location
CA
I have a customer that is looking for an unbiased consultant to look at a tree, and give some options for it as they are doing some construction around it. It's one tree in the back yard. Just wondering what the going rate is that the tree buzz guys know of or charge clients.

I already gave them my advise on the tree, but they figure I'm biased since I'd be doing the tree work.
 
Are they looking for a consultant or an opinion?

Opinions range from free upwards. Consultants charge from perhaps $25/hr for tree cutters dabbling, to some knowledge indemand consultants at $100+/hr plus expenses.

You have just run into one of the great problems, how can you be unbiased in consulting if you are also being paid to do work?

A consultant (by definition) is selling knowledge, experience, expertise etc., not labour, and as such has an entirely different fee schedule than a person who normally sells labour.
 
It all depends on your market. I charge $125/hr and I'm sure I could charge more.

It's very easy to be unbiased in consulting even when you're being paid to do the work. Give them the right information, give them your price, then walk away. If they want you to do it, great. If not, you already got paid to be there...it's up to them.

love
nick
 
You should also remember as a consultant you need to take notes on what you have done and said, and followup with the client via a letter. This should all be billed or else you are a salesman trying to get labour hours for your business.
 
I disagree. I charge extra for the letter. As a consultant, they are paying to meet with me to get my professional opinions and expertise. I leave it up to them to take notes and remember.

It can take another hour to recap what was talked about in a 1-2 hour consultation. They have to pay for that time.

love
nick
 
They want the opinion of the consultant. It's only one tree, so their is only one hour needed. Not sure if that is something anyone would do for $125 unless they are close by.
 
I charge by the hour plus time, travel and materials for consulting, but build in at least a short report on every tree. That way there's no "he said/she said" situations later. I really want the client to sign off on what my report isn't, almost as much as what it is. Up until the report is delivered to the client, and all their questions have been answered, I'm being paid strictly for an objective professional opinion.

I'll give them the specs for whatever work needs done to achieve any viable options noted in the report, and let them know what, if any, of those tasks I'd like the opportunity to bid on, should they decide they'd like to do the work.
 
That's basically all it is. I also get the idea that they are hoping for a cheaper deal than $1,500 to remove and grind out stump and all roots.

They have a trench all around in the back yard that I assume they are establishing a wall in. The trench stops up against the tree. The tree has to come out in order to continue the trench. They've already cut out a significant amount of roots. I recommended removing the tree because the thing more than likely will die.

The thing about the tree is that it's 40 ft high and about 25" dbh with about 5 leaders four of which are over hanging 3 fences, a garage, ornamental trees, a car port, and a house. None of these things are on the HO's own side of the fence. I told them that if they let it keep growing, the cost to remove it from over those things will increase significantly since the tree will quadruple in size. The response was in regards to how it's not an issue since it's not over their own property. What!
 
Make sure you are covered by the appropriate insurances for consulting. You may want to add Errors and Ommisions to your policy.
 
That's basically all it is. I also get the idea that they are hoping for a cheaper deal than $1,500 to remove and grind out stump and all roots.

So what consulting (opinion) have you done? If you are giving them a price for removal (only) than I assume that you cannot prune, fertilize etc. the tree and keep it.


They have a trench all around in the back yard that I assume they are establishing a wall in.

A consultant would likely need grading plans etc. to give an intelligent appraisal of the tree and impacts of the work to be done. Don't assume things, it will get you into trouble eventually.


I recommended removing the tree because the thing more than likely will die.

I told them that if they let it keep growing, the cost to remove it from over those things will increase significantly since the tree will quadruple in size. The response was in regards to how it's not an issue since it's not over their own property.

What!

How will it quadruple in size? You have said the tree will "more than likely die"
 
It sounds like your client didn't like your recommendation. Do you do much preservation work, or are you a removal company? Why didn't you at least recommend setting up a tree protection zone to prevent damage while they make their final decision? What advice have you offered to prevent damage?

Here you go, provide your client with this link. You should not have contact with the Consulting Arborist until the client hires you to carry out the recommended work.

http://www.asca-consultants.org/find/directorySearch.cfm
 
Those are contradicting statements I made. That's not good.


I saw a 100' tall 70' wide 40" dbh Torrey Pine a few months ago that had it's roots tore up on one side of it for construction. Some of it's branches were completely dead, and the needles were very sparse through out the canopy as a result. It was going down.

The client that this thread is about hadn't quite removed as much of the roots as the big Pine I described. They had dug out a 3' deep, 3' wide trench immediately up to the tree with a 25" dbh. I may be mistaken, but that is border line sufficient damage for killing the tree in my book. They intended on tear up more. I don't think they can help tearing up any more roots.

They did say today that they are going to leave the tree, and they have changed the construction plans to allow the tree to remain. I doubt the remaining tree roots remain entirely untouched. I bet they cut off 40%-50% of the tree's roots.

I recommended giving the tree a fighting chance by fortifying the soil, fertilizing, and watering regularly. They didn't think much of that, and they said they may have me come back to trim it. I believe that trimming a significantly stressed tree is usually going to kill it, eh?
 
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