Describe each tree and its surroundings
Give each tree a label and record species if known, approximate height and trunk diameter, and its condition. Note structures, fences, driveways and utility lines within reach, and whether equipment can access the area.
Check whether local rules require a permit for the species, size or location before you schedule the work. Keep away from energized lines unless you are qualified and the utility is involved.
- Tree: label, size, condition and location.
- Hazards: structures, lines and access limits.
- Finish: stump, wood, chips and cleanup scope.
Copyable estimate template
Start with your legal or trade name, business contact details, customer name, job address, estimate number, issue date and validity period. Add the scope below, replacing the bracketed fields with your site measurements and supplier quotes. This is a written example you can copy into your own estimate, not a submitted quote or a promised software import.
For each charge, show quantity, unit, unit price and line total. Group fixed-price work separately from allowances and optional upgrades. Finish with the subtotal, applicable tax, total, payment terms, anticipated schedule, exclusions and how the customer can accept. Verify contract, tax, licensing and deposit requirements in your jurisdiction before using it.
| Line item | Quantity or specification | Scope to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Removal or pruning | [Tree label / method] | Felling, sectional removal or pruning scope |
| Access and equipment | [Crane / lift / climbing] | Ground protection and setup |
| Stump grinding | [Diameter / depth] | Included or optional; grindings handling |
| Debris handling | [Chip / haul / leave] | What leaves the site and what stays |
| Permits | [Required / not required] | Who obtains and pays for them |
| Cleanup | [Areas] | Raking, blowing and property protection |
Worked scope example: two trees, very different risk
Imagine one hypothetical tree in an open back yard and another leaning over the garage. Quote them separately: the second needs sectional removal and more careful rigging, and that shows on its own line.
List stump grinding as an option for each tree so the customer can choose. This example shows structure only; it does not set prices.
Calculate the selling price from your own costs
Build the job cost from loaded labor, materials and subcontractor quotes, equipment, disposal and an allocated share of overhead. Loaded labor includes the cost of employing the crew, not only the hourly wage. Allow time for setup, travel, collection of materials and cleanup. Avoid adding the same overhead or contingency twice.
If your cost includes overhead and your target margin on the selling price is 20%, divide cost by 0.80. A hypothetical $2,000 cost would sell for $2,500 before applicable tax, leaving $500 at that margin. A 20% markup would instead sell for $2,400 and produce a lower margin. These figures illustrate arithmetic, not local rates or a recommended profit target.
Check actual time and supplier costs against the estimate after the job. Keep separate benchmarks for easy-access work and labor-intensive conditions; a single unit price can hide very different production times. Use the job-cost and markup-versus-margin calculators linked below to check your assumptions.
Put safety and boundaries in writing
Follow applicable safety standards for tree care, and never assume clearance from power lines; contact the utility where required.
State what happens if hidden decay or a buried object is found and how changes are approved. Confirm property lines when a tree sits near a neighbor's yard.
From accepted estimate to scheduled job and invoice
Keep the inquiry, property details, estimate version and follow-up notes together. Agree the scope and payment terms before booking the work. When something changes, record the revised scope and price and obtain the customer's agreement before proceeding; do not quietly add work to the original total.
SimpliPilot brings CRM, branded estimates, invoices and scheduling together on every plan. Use those tools to organize the customer and job rather than treating this worksheet as a technical design or contract. Grow and Scale add time clock, time entries and team time tracking; those tools do not process payroll. Check the current pricing page for plan permissions and limits.
Tree removal estimate questions
Should stump grinding be included? Offer it as a separate line so the customer chooses, and state what happens to the grindings.
Do you need to mention permits? Yes. Say whether one is required and who is responsible for it.
References and further reading
These sources provide background. Check current local requirements and product instructions for your own work. Example figures in this guide are illustrative, not market rates.