Tree Removal

Started by ChadC • 6 replies • 2175 views

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ChadC (Indiana)
Posts: 15

Posted:

I have a question concerning the removal of a dead tree in the common area of our neighborhood. As a board we don't have a lot of money set aside for tree removal, we anticipate this tree (50ft) will cost more than $1000 to cut down by a professional (still waiting on bids), I found someone that would cut this tree down for $200 and take 90% of the wood, I brought this to the board and was told anyone that is to work on common area ground must be insured. Is this a common rule? Why doesn't the work committee have to be insured? If a homeowner wants to cut it down does he need to be insured?

I'm just wondering how we can cut down a tree for under 1k.

Thanks

RogerB (Colorado)
Posts: 5,067

Posted:

ChadC, does your association have an established Rule on insurance requirements of contractors? If not, it is prudent but not necessarily a requirement. So it depends on the risk; for example removing a large tree there is a higher risk of damage or injury than a boy shoveling snow from a sidewalk.

If you live in the Denver area call me for a contractor's name who is insured and inexpensive.

RogerB

LisaS (Illinois)
Posts: 341

Posted:

In our association in Illinois, we require insurance for all outside contractors that work on our common area. We also require them to name us as additional insured on their policy specific to their work on our common area. It costs them nothing, but makes it easier if something bad happens (they get hurt, or they hurt someone)

This was suggested by a Board member of ours who is also an Insurance/Liability Attorney.

LisaS (Illinois)
Posts: 341

Posted:

Also..forgot to mention. Consider yourself lucky at the prices you have so far for removing the tree. We have a 50 ft willow that needs to be taken down. We are looking at in excess of $3K!!

BarbaraS (New Mexico)
Posts: 49

Posted:

Would it work for you to have this person sign a work order as an "independent contractor, providing own equipment, insurance and tax responsibility"? $1000 to remove a tree? Wow! I've never paid more than $150 - and that includes stump removal!

JohnK (Minnesota)
Posts: 5

Posted:

If you have one 50 foot tree, I suspect you have others of varying size. In our Association we have found tree removal, trimming and replanting to be an ongoing expense which needs to be included in the budget. We interviewed several contractors, found one we liked and have used that contractor for the last 3 years. Depends on your climate of course (we are in Minnesota), but each fall we survey the trees (with input from the tree contractor and our regular landscaping contractor) and decide what needs to removed and/or trimmed - then the contactor does the work in the winter when the ground is frozen and it is easy to move equipment on and off the property without damaging the landscape. By having all the non-emergency work done at one time on an annual basis the costs are manageable. Of course the replanting comes a bit later after the spring thaw.

HelenS (California)
Posts: 7

Posted:

Don't forget to ask the contractor to grind out the stump, also. this is the additional expense that will not be mentioned by the guy willing to cut the tree down.
If you are planting in the same area, you will also need a treatment or amendment to the soil--otherwise nothing will grow in that spot.

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