Tree Removal Cost Calculator: DIY vs Hiring a Pro
Under 30 ft to over 80: DIY from $360 in saw and gear, a tree crew from $200.
- Tree height is the biggest cost driver for both DIY and pro — pick the closest tier first; it applies to both tabs.
- On the DIY tab, owning a chainsaw and safety gear cuts the cash cost by more than half. On the Hire a pro tab, stump grinding is the add-on most quotes leave out.
- Set your hourly value honestly: a medium tree is a full weekend for a first-timer.
Calculate cost
| Tools to buy or rent | $310 |
|---|---|
| Materials | $45 |
| Disposal | $225 |
| DIY cash cost | $580 |
| Your time (9 h × $25) | $225 |
| DIY all-in | $805 |
DIY saves about $195 after valuing your time ($420 in cash).
National estimates for planning. Doesn't include the risk-side costs described on the comparison page.
Typical results by job size
Defaults the calculator starts from: commonly owned tools excluded, typical pro price, no add-ons.
| Size | Verdict | DIY | Pro | Your hours | Typical savings | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small tree (under 30 ft) | Hire | $360–$710 | $200–$750 | 3–6 hours | pro is cheaper | — |
| Medium tree (30–60 ft) | Hire | $430–$880 | $600–$1,600 | 6–12 hours | $345 (35%) | $38/hour |
| Large tree (60–80 ft) | Hire | $500–$1,050 | $1,200–$2,800 | 10–20 hours | $1,025 (57%) | $68/hour |
| Very large tree (80 ft+) | Hire | $500–$1,050 | $2,000–$5,000 | 16–30 hours | $2,225 (74%) | $97/hour |
Break-even is what an hour of your time would have to be worth for DIY and hiring to cost the same. Above it, hiring is cheaper all-in. See how these are calculated.
How to read the result
Do it yourself shows two numbers. Cash cost is what leaves your wallet: tools you’d have to buy or rent, consumables, disposal and a permit if you tick it. All-in adds the value of your time at the rate you set.
Hire a pro starts from the low, typical or high price for that tree size, then lets you add what quotes commonly leave out: stump grinding, haul-away, log cutting, and a crane or bucket truck for trees that can’t be felled whole. Tick the ones that apply to your tree and compare the total to your DIY settings — the comparison line at the bottom updates for whichever tab you’re on.
What neither tab includes: the risk side. A chainsaw injury, a limb through a roof, or a tree on a power line isn’t a line item, but it’s the reason the full comparison recommends a pro for anything over about 20 ft.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this tree removal calculator?
It uses national typical prices for each tree-size tier and current retail prices for tools and rentals, so it's a planning estimate, not a quote. Local labor rates, access, and the tree's condition can move a real quote 30% or more in either direction — that's what the low / typical / high quote levels on the Hire a pro tab are for. Get three written estimates before deciding.
Why does the calculator value my time?
Because the cash comparison alone is misleading. A medium tree takes a first-timer 6–12 hours of physically demanding work. If your weekend time is worth $25/hour, that's $150–$300 that belongs in the comparison. Slide the value to whatever makes sense for you.
What do the quote levels mean?
Low is a straightforward tree in open ground, booked in the off-season. Typical is the national median for that size. High is a tree near a house or lines that has to come down in sections, difficult access, a dead or storm-damaged tree, or emergency timing. Most quotes land at typical; pick high if two or more of those apply.
Sources
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners (SOC 37-3013), Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics , U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2026-04
- How Much Does Tree Removal Cost? , HomeAdvisor, 2026-09
- Tree Removal Cost Guide , Angi, 2026-09
- Chainsaw and rental pricing , The Home Depot, 2026-09
- Tree Care Work: Hazards and Safety , OSHA, 2026-09
Figures last reviewed . See how we estimate.