Typical prices at a glance
| Job | Typical published range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Tree removal | $250 – $1,700 | One tree, cut to a low stump and hauled away. Guides put the average near $650 to $800. |
| Tree trimming | $180 – $650 | One medium tree. Large trees are more often $800 to $1,000. |
| Stump grinding | $60 – $350 | One stump. Often priced at $2 to $3 per inch of diameter, with a minimum charge. |
Ranges are drawn from 2026 Bakersfield estimates published by This Old House, Today’s Homeowner and Homeyou. They’re a starting point, not a quote.
What moves the price
- Height and trunk size. The biggest factor. More wood means more climbing, more cutting and more hauling.
- Access. A front-yard tree a truck can back up to is cheap to work on. A backyard tree behind a narrow gate means everything is carried out by hand.
- What’s underneath. Open lawn allows fast work. A roof, pool, block wall or patio cover means every piece is roped down.
- Power lines. Work near lines needs coordination with PG&E and slows the job.
- Condition. Dead and decayed trees can be too brittle to climb safely, so the crew may need a lift or crane.
- Type of tree. Palms are heavy and expensive to dispose of. Multi-trunk trees take longer than single-trunk ones.
- Number of trees. The per-tree price often drops when several are done in one visit.
- Stump and haul-away. Check whether each is included or listed separately.
- Urgency. Emergency and after-hours work costs more than scheduled work.
What a written quote should include
- Which trees, and exactly what will be done to each
- How low the stump will be cut, and whether grinding is included
- Cleanup and haul-away of all wood and brush
- How the lawn, sprinklers, fences and roof will be protected
- The total price and when payment is due
- The company’s contractor license number and proof of insurance
Ways to keep the cost down
- Plan ahead. A scheduled job costs less than an emergency call after a limb comes down.
- Bundle the work. Have several trees, or trimming plus a removal, done in one visit.
- Make access easy. Unlock gates, move vehicles and clear patio furniture before the crew arrives.
- Ask about keeping the wood or chips. If you can use them, ask whether leaving them on site changes the price.
- Consider trimming. If the tree is healthy and the problem is clearance, pruning may solve it for much less than removal.
Red flags
- No license number. California requires a contractor license for tree jobs of $1,000 or more, and licensed contractors have to show the number on their advertising and paperwork. Verify it at cslb.ca.gov.
- A big payment up front. On a home improvement contract, the down payment is capped at 10% of the price or $1,000, whichever is less.
- Door-to-door offers after a storm, especially with a price that’s only good today.
- Cash only, nothing in writing.
- An offer to top the tree. See why topping is a bad deal.
Common questions
Why are quotes for the same tree so different?
Companies differ in equipment, crew size, insurance costs and how busy they are. Some quotes also leave out haul-away or the stump. Compare what’s included, line by line, before comparing the totals.
Is the cheapest quote a bad idea?
Not automatically. It is if the low price comes from skipping the license, insurance or workers’ compensation. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, or a limb goes through your roof, the saving disappears quickly.
Do I have to be home for the estimate?
Often not, as long as the crew can reach the tree. Being there helps: you can point out sprinkler lines, explain what you want kept, and ask questions.