£780 to cut down a tree?

bunberry

Last year, not long after we'd bought our first house and moved in, we received a letter from the next street requesting that we did something about the tree in our garden - original thread here.

We wrote back saying that we simply couldn't afford it, and heard nothing further... Until a couple of weeks ago when a letter from their solicitors arrived.

The letter stated that our tree's roots, along with the 3 trees in next door's garden, are causing subsidence damage to the conservatory, demanded that we remove the tree, and threatened legal action if the tree roots caused further damage to the house. The letter we received last year was based on claims that her garden wasn't getting enough sunlight (with photos showing the trees blocking sunlight), so it seems strange it's now been changed to a case of the trees damaging her conservatory.

For reference, this is the letter we received last year (names removed) http://oi61.tinypic.com/ifapsi.jpg

Also, this woman's garden is behind our next door neighbour's, not ours.

Her solicitors sent someone over, who took one look at the tree and left (no photos or measurements were taken). They returned with a quote of £780 to cut it down.

We've contacted a few other independent tradesman who'll come round in the next week or so, but doesn't £780 sound absurd to remove one tree?

2013yearofthehouse

bunberry wrote: »

doesn't £780 sound absurd to remove one tree?

Yes, we paid less than that last year to remove a row of 10 trees in same position (end of garden and right next to fence) and roughly same height (assuming your tree hasn't grown much higher than in your old photos). I believe cost can vary quite a lot based on tbe method used though. We had quotes from £600-1200 for same job. Cheaper ones used ropes and ladders, more expensive ones wanted to use scaffolding or cherry pickers.

stebiz

bunberry wrote: »

Last year, not long after we'd bought our first house and moved in, we received a letter from the next street requesting that we did something about the tree in our garden - original thread here.

We wrote back saying that we simply couldn't afford it, and heard nothing further... Until a couple of weeks ago when a letter from their solicitors arrived.

The letter stated that our tree's roots, along with the 3 trees in next door's garden, are causing subsidence damage to the conservatory, demanded that we remove the tree, and threatened legal action if the tree roots caused further damage to the house. The letter we received last year was based on claims that her garden wasn't getting enough sunlight (with photos showing the trees blocking sunlight), so it seems strange it's now been changed to a case of the trees damaging her conservatory.

For reference, this is the letter we received last year (names removed) http://oi61.tinypic.com/ifapsi.jpg

Also, this woman's garden is behind our next door neighbour's, not ours.

Her solicitors sent someone over, who took one look at the tree and left (no photos or measurements were taken). They returned with a quote of £780 to cut it down.

We've contacted a few other independent tradesman who'll come round in the next week or so, but doesn't £780 sound absurd to remove one tree?

That sounds like a very nice letter and one I would have acted on at the time in order to help my neighbour. Why didn't you just say to her at the time that costs were an issue as you'd just gone through a lot of expense but if she wanted to get any work done to your trees then that would have been fine. You could have offered her something.

Mojisola

bunberry wrote: »

The letter stated that our tree's roots, along with the 3 trees in next door's garden, are causing subsidence damage to the conservatory, demanded that we remove the tree, and threatened legal action if the tree roots caused further damage to the house.

The letter we received last year was based on claims that her garden wasn't getting enough sunlight (with photos showing the trees blocking sunlight), so it seems strange it's now been changed to a case of the trees damaging her conservatory.

For reference, this is the letter we received last year (names removed) http://oi61.tinypic.com/ifapsi.jpg

The letter says that cracks have appeared in their property - that isn't enough evidence to force you to cut down your trees. AIUI they would have to have a report proving that tree roots were causing the cracks and then they would have to have samples taken from the offending roots and the dna matched to your trees. All that would cost more than you have been quoted for cutting the trees down.

They have the option of cutting the roots back to the boundary and installing a root barrier to prevent regrowth.

There are some qualified people on https://www.gardenlaw.co.uk/phpBB2/index.php who will give free advice.

bunberry

2013yearofthehouse wrote: »

Yes, we paid less than that last year to remove a row of 10 trees in same position (end of garden and right next to fence) and roughly same height (assuming your tree hasn't grown much higher than in your old photos). I believe cost can vary quite a lot based on tbe method used though. We had quotes from £600-1200 for same job. Cheaper ones used ropes and ladders, more expensive ones wanted to use scaffolding or cherry pickers.

Thank you. It's reassuring to know that the quote we got was excessive

bunberry

stebiz wrote: »

That sounds like a very nice letter and one I would have acted on at the time in order to help my neighbour. Why didn't you just say to her at the time that costs were an issue as you'd just gone through a lot of expense but if she wanted to get any work done to your trees then that would have been fine. You could have offered her something.

We responded straight away saying that as we'd just moved in, we didn't have the budget to cut it down. We didn't get a reply.

rustyboy21

It depends on what part of the country you live in.


I live NW and had 1 x large pear tree + 6 x 30 ft conifers cut down and taken away for £400.


Do some shopping around, you will get cheaper.

stebiz

bunberry wrote: »

We responded straight away saying that as we'd just moved in, we didn't have the budget to cut it down. We didn't get a reply.

Great. Then that's a good point on your part. I must say that it is rather large and must really annoy them. Try and see it from their point of view.

Try another letter saying

'Following your representatives visit although I am not obligated to get the work carried out I also don't wish to fall out with any neighbours'

'I did mention this last year to you and money is very tight. Would you like to get the work done? The only people who benefit from legal proceedings are the lawyers and this money could go towards the cost of removing/trimming the trees'

'I can contribute £x if that helps. With summer around the corner I can appreciate you wanting to spend time in your garden...................blah blah'

Gloomendoom

OP Head over to this forum...

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/homeowners-tree-advice-forum/

They will give you an idea of a fair price.

mttylad

And you are not responsible for what has happened before you bought the property.

Ask on Garden law as suggested and they will give you good advice.
You do not need to remove the tree, perhaps just cut some roots.

Beenie

We have been quoted £700 + VAT (total £840) to have a tree cut down and the stump ground out so your figure doesn't seem too bad.