What should a tree-service contract include?

Why the contract matters

Tree work is high-risk. A vague handshake deal can turn into extra charges, damage disputes, unfinished cleanup, or worse. A written contract helps you compare companies fairly and gives you something to point to if the crew tries to change the job after arrival.

TreelineLocal is a free matching service. We do not do tree work or give arboricultural, structural, electrical, or legal advice. Our job is to help you connect with licensed, insured tree companies so you can compare estimates and choose who to hire.

Before you sign anything:

• Hire a licensed and insured tree company.
• Verify the license yourself if your state or city requires one.
• Verify current general liability insurance and workers' compensation yourself.
• For an assessment, especially if the tree may be unsafe or should be preserved, prefer an ISA-certified arborist.
• Get the scope and price in writing before work starts.
• Do not pay the full amount up front.

If the tree is down, split, or leaning on or near a power line, treat it as a life-threatening emergency. Stay back. Keep children, pets, and neighbors away. Call the utility company and 911 first. Do not touch the tree, the line, or anything the line may be energizing. For storm situations, see storm damage tree safety.

What the contract should clearly say

At a minimum, the contract should describe exactly what will happen on your property. Short, plain language is fine. What matters is that the details are specific.

Include these items:

1. Company information
- Legal business name
- Phone number and address
- License number if applicable in your area
- Name of the person authorized to sign

2. Your job details
- Your name, service address, and best contact info
- Which tree or trees are included
- A simple description of location, like "front yard maple by driveway"

3. Exact scope of work
- Removal, trimming, pruning, stump grinding, cabling, debris haul-away, or emergency cleanup
- What parts of the tree will be cut
- Whether the whole tree is being removed or only certain limbs
- Whether the stump is included, and to what depth it will be ground
- Whether surface roots are included or extra

4. How debris will be handled
- Haul everything away
- Leave wood cut into firewood lengths
- Leave chips on site or remove them
- Rake and blow the yard when done, or not

5. Access and equipment
- Whether the crew will use a bucket truck, crane, climber, or lift
- Whether they need gate access or to move patio furniture, cars, or planters
- Whether plywood will be used to protect lawn or driveway when possible

6. Protection for nearby property
- Fences, roof, shed, driveway, pool, septic area, irrigation, landscape lights, and plant beds should be noted if they are near the work zone
- Any known limits of access or obstacles should be written down

7. Price and payment terms
- Total price or clear line items
- What could trigger an extra charge, if anything
- Deposit amount, if any
- When final payment is due
- Accepted payment methods

8. Start window and completion timing
- Estimated start date or date range
- Whether weather can delay the job
- What happens if the crew has to stop and return

9. Insurance statement
- Proof of general liability insurance
- Proof of workers' compensation
- Dates showing policies are current

10. Permit responsibility
- Who checks for permits or protected-tree rules
- Who pays permit fees if required

If you are pricing common work, it helps to compare the contract to typical ranges on tree-work costs. Typical US estimates are often around $400-$2,000+ for tree removal, $250-$1,200 for trimming or pruning, $100-$500 for stump grinding, and $500-$5,000+ for emergency or storm cleanup. Those are estimates, not quotes or guarantees. The real price depends on the size and species of the tree, its location and access, hazards, debris haul-away, and your area.

Important details people forget to put in writing

This is where homeowners often get burned. The company may say one thing during the visit, but if it is not in the contract, it is harder to enforce later.

Make sure these points are covered:

• Cleanup standard: Will they rake, blow, and remove small branches, sawdust, and logs?
• Stump details: Is stump grinding included? If yes, how wide and how deep? Will they refill the hole or leave grindings?
• Wood handling: Are logs and chips removed, stacked, or left behind?
• Lawn and driveway impact: Heavy equipment can rut lawns or crack surfaces. The contract should say what protection methods will be used when feasible and what pre-existing damage was already present.
• Irrigation and underground items: If you have sprinklers, invisible dog fence, drainage lines, or septic components near the work area, tell the company before signing and ask that the risk be acknowledged in writing.
• Neighbor property: If branches hang over a fence line, the plan should mention safe access and cleanup. Local rules can matter here.
• Traffic and parking: If the street is tight, ask where trucks and chipper equipment will park.
• Change orders: If the crew finds decay, storm damage, or access problems, any added work should be approved in writing before it is done.

Also ask whether the contract includes a simple statement that the company will follow local rules on protected, heritage, or street trees if those rules apply in your city. Permit requirements vary. That is general information, not legal advice, but it matters because cutting a protected tree without approval can cause fines or stop-work problems.

If you are not sure whether a tree looks dangerous, review signs of a hazardous tree and then ask for an on-site assessment from a qualified professional.

Payment terms that protect you

A fair contract should protect both sides. It should also make it hard for a bad actor to pressure you.

Use this simple checklist:

• Never pay the full amount up front.
• A reasonable deposit may be requested for a scheduled job, but the contract should state the amount clearly.
• Final payment should be due after the agreed work is completed.
• If the job is large, ask whether payment can be tied to milestones.
• Get receipts for any payment you make.
• Keep copies of the signed contract, insurance documents, and any change orders.

Be extra careful after storms. Watch out for door-knockers who show up uninvited, demand cash, claim they have "extra crews in the area," or try to scare you into signing on the spot. Some storm chasers ask for large deposits and disappear, or they start work and then demand more money before finishing. A legitimate company should be willing to put the scope, price, and insurance details in writing.

If you want help comparing companies before you sign, use get matched. Matching is free to homeowners. Participating tree companies pay a flat fee to be listed and contacted. You compare estimates, choose who to hire, and hold the final payment.

A simple way to review the contract before signing

Use this 5-step review before you say yes:

1. Read the scope line by line
Make sure every tree, branch, stump, and cleanup task you expect is listed.

2. Check insurance yourself
Ask for proof of general liability and workers' compensation. Verify they are current.

3. Compare price to the work included
A lower number may mean less cleanup, no stump work, no haul-away, or weaker insurance. Compare the full package, not just the headline price.

4. Confirm permits and protected-tree rules
If your area regulates heritage, protected, or street trees, ask who is responsible for checking and obtaining any required permits.

5. Do not sign under pressure
If anything feels rushed, unclear, or verbal-only, pause. A reliable company should be willing to answer questions and revise the contract so it is clear.

For more help choosing carefully, see how to vet a tree company.