Tree removal is a big job with real risk. Trees can fall on homes, fences, and power lines. Electricitythousands Tree Service is a referral service. We connect homeowners in Lakewood with independent local providers. The providers do the work. We do not.
This page works like a checklist. First, check if the tree is urgent. Next, learn what to ask a provider. Then compare estimates and decide at your own pace. You will also find typical U.S. price ranges, permit tips, and walk-away signs. There is also a short list for getting your yard ready and what to check once the job is done. Nothing here is a sales push. The choice stays with you.
Start Here: Is the Tree Urgent?
First, sort your situation. Some trees need action soon. Others can wait while you compare.
Treat as urgent:
- A tree or large limb is on a home, car, or fence.
- A trunk is leaning after wind or soggy ground.
- A tree is touching or near power lines.
- Large cracks or split trunks are visible.
If a line is down, stay far back and contact your utility. Then look for a provider.
Emergency Tree Removal: What to Do First
If a tree has fallen or is about to, follow these steps.
1. Keep everyone away from the tree and any wires. 2. Do not cut it yourself. 3. Take photos from a safe spot. 4. Request a callback to check provider availability. 5. Ask if the provider handles storm tree clearance.
Many providers can respond quickly to dangerous situations. Availability varies, so ask.
Why Homeowners Remove Trees
The reasons are usually simple:
- The tree is dead, dying, or hollow.
- Roots are lifting paths or pressing on a crawl space foundation.
- Branches hang over the roof and drop moisture and moss.
- A windstorm left the tree damaged.
- The yard needs space for an addition or new townhome fencing.
The long wet season here keeps soil soft. Soft soil can loosen roots on big trees. That is one reason a leaning tree deserves a quick look.
How a Tree Falling Service Works
Here is the usual order of a job.
1. Assessment. The provider looks at the tree, the lot, and what is nearby. 2. Plan. They choose a method: straight drop, sectional cutting, or rigging. 3. Setup. They protect the area and place equipment. 4. Takedown. Crew members cut and lower the tree in pieces or in one fall. 5. Cleanup. Branches are chipped. Wood is hauled or left, as agreed.
On tight lots near older craftsman homes, sectional work is common. It keeps pieces away from roofs and fences.
Questions to Ask Every Provider
Use this list with each provider you talk to. Check the answer against what a good one sounds like.
Are you insured?
A good answer: yes, and they offer proof on request. Ask for the paperwork before work starts.
Who does the cutting?
A good answer: names the crew type and says whether subcontractors are used.
What method will you use?
A good answer: explains why the method suits your yard. Vague answers are a warning.
Is cleanup included?
A good answer: lists what is hauled, chipped, or left behind.
Walk-Away Signs
Some behavior should end the conversation.
- Pressure to sign right now.
- A price with no written details.
- Large payment demanded up front.
- No proof of insurance.
- Offers to "top" the tree, which cuts it badly and harms its health.
- Unmarked equipment or no business name.
Walking away costs you nothing. Another provider is easy to find.
What Affects the Price
Several things change the quote:
- Tree height and trunk width.
- Distance from the house and wires.
- Whether a crane or bucket truck is needed.
- Wood and debris hauling.
- Storm or urgent conditions.
- Stump grinding, if you want it added.
Prices vary by job. Always get a written quote.
Comparing Estimates Calmly
Get two or three quotes if the tree is not urgent. Then line them up.
1. Same scope? Check cleanup, hauling, and stump work. 2. Same method? 3. Insurance proof shown? 4. Payment terms clear?
A smaller number is not always the right fit. A gap often means different work is included. Ask why.
Permits and Local Rules
Some cities protect certain trees, large trees, or trees near streams and slopes. Rules differ by city and county. Rental homes and HOA neighborhoods may add steps.
First, check your city's tree rules. Next, ask the provider if they know them. Then confirm who handles any permit paperwork.
Getting Ready for Removal Day
- Move cars out of the drop zone and driveway.
- Clear patio items, toys, and planters.
- Mark sprinkler heads and buried lines.
- Tell neighbors about noise.
- Keep pets inside.
- Confirm start time and access to the yard.
In wet weather, ask how the provider protects lawns and soft ground.
After the Tree Comes Down
Walk the site with the provider. Check these items.
- No leftover limbs on the roof or gutters.
- Fences and plants as agreed.
- Wood and chips handled as promised.
- Ruts or damage noted in writing.
Some policies may cover sudden damage, so check your policy. Providers can often help document damage for a claim.
Moving From Checklist to Decision
You now have the questions, the red flags, and a way to compare. Ask, compare, decide. There is no obligation to hire anyone.
Request an Estimate
Prefer to write it out? Use the form to describe the tree and its location. A provider in our network can follow up.
What's Included
Full Tree Takedown
A provider cuts the tree down safely, whether in one fall or in controlled sections near buildings.
Storm Clearance
Help with trees and limbs brought down by wind, including those blocking drives or resting on structures.
Brush and Debris
Branches can be chipped and hauled away. Confirm cleanup details in your written quote.
Hazard Assessment
A provider looks at leaning, split, or dead trees and explains the safest way to take them out.
Typical Tree Removal Price Ranges
These are typical U.S. ranges only. Real prices depend on tree size, access, and conditions at your home. Always ask for a written quote before work begins.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small tree (under 30 ft) | $150 – $500 | Easy access keeps the price lower |
| Medium tree (30–60 ft) | $400 – $1,200 | Depends on trunk width and location |
| Large tree (over 60 ft) | $1,000 – $2,500+ | May need rigging or a crane |
| Storm-damaged tree | $500 – $3,000+ | Risk and urgency raise the price |
| Tree near power lines or roof | $800 – $3,000+ | Extra care and equipment needed |
| Stump grinding add-on | $100 – $600 | Priced by stump size |
How It Works
Check the Urgency
Decide if the tree is a hazard now or can wait for quotes.
Contact a Provider Today
Request a callback or send the form to reach providers in our network.
Compare Written Quotes
Line up scope, method, insurance proof, and payment terms side by side.
Choose and Schedule
Pick the provider that fits, confirm the date in writing, and prepare the yard.
Why Call Electricitythousands Tree Service
Clear Steps
Each section follows first, next, then, so you always know what to do.
Real Questions
Scripts you can read to any provider, plus what a solid answer sounds like.
No Pressure
Compare quotes at your pace. You owe nothing for asking.
Local Providers
Independent providers in our network who know the area's wet, windy weather.
Other Services
Need tree removal in Lakewood?
Request a callback to ask about provider availability, or send a request for an estimate. No obligation, and you choose what happens next.
No obligationTree Removal FAQ
How much does tree removal cost?
Typical U.S. prices run from about $150 for a small tree to $2,500 or more for a large or difficult one. Access, height, and hazards change the total. Get a written quote before agreeing to any work.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
It depends on your city, the tree's size, and its location. Some places protect certain trees or sloped lots. Check local rules first, and ask the provider whether they handle any paperwork.
Does homeowners insurance cover tree removal?
Some policies may cover sudden damage, such as a tree falling on a house. Routine removal is often not covered. Check your policy, and ask the provider about documenting damage for a claim.
Request a callback
Request a callback to ask about provider availability, or send a request for an estimate. No obligation, and you choose what happens next.
No obligation