Tree Service Proposal: Site Assessment, Crew Time & Example
Prepare a tree-service scope with identified trees, qualified assessment, crew-hour pricing, cleanup boundaries and an editable proposal example.
Identify the trees and the objective
A tree-service proposal should refer to specific trees using a sketch, tags or labeled photos, with the owner's permission. Record the requested objective and what the qualified assessment found. “Trim trees” is not enough to distinguish a defined pruning objective from a removal, clearance or emergency job.
Our illustration covers an assessed pruning visit for two identified ornamental trees. It does not specify a cutting technique or promise that an uninspected tree is safe. The professional completing the assessment must define an appropriate scope before a fixed quote can be accepted.
Count the crew's time, not just elapsed time
Two crew members working three hours create six labor-hours. At an illustrative billing rate of $60 per labor-hour, labor is $360. A $150 equipment allowance and $90 debris-handling allowance bring the subtotal to $600 before tax. These inputs demonstrate the worksheet and do not represent local tree-care rates.
The billing rate should recover the business costs allocated to labor. Check whether equipment and disposal are already included in it. If they are, remove separate recovery for those same costs. An extra hour for that two-person crew adds two labor-hours, or $120 at the assumed rate, before changed equipment or disposal.
Let site assessment determine the conditions
Access, nearby structures, utilities, tree condition and required permissions affect the work. OSHA's tree-care guidance discusses the importance of work-site and hazard assessment. Qualified crews should resolve the applicable operating plan; this guide only helps describe and price the resulting scope.
State who handles permits or permissions and how the contractor will address an unexpected condition. Work involving utility lines, damaged trees or emergency hazards needs its own appropriate assessment and arrangements. Do not absorb it into an ordinary pruning example based only on a photo.
Write the cleanup boundary
Define whether branches are chipped, hauled or retained, whether logs remain, and what happens to sawdust and access damage. Stump grinding is a separate task from tree removal and is excluded here. The client should be able to compare completed work with the identified-tree scope.
Use the text below after the actual professional assessment. Include the specific pruning objective and evidence of the business's real qualifications where relevant, rather than borrowing an invented expert persona from a sample guide.
Worked example
Two-tree assessed pruning visit
A fictional qualified-crew visit to two identified ornamental trees, with a defined pruning objective and debris-handling scope.
- The example applies only after qualified assessment of the actual trees/site.
- Three crew clock-hours represent six labor-hours.
- Billing rates, equipment, disposal and access assumptions must be checked for the job.
| Work / item | Quantity | Unit price | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessed crew work6 labor-hours × $60.00 | 6 labor-hours | $60.00 | $360.00 | |
| Equipment1 allowance × $150.00 | 1 allowance | $150.00 | $150.00 | |
| Debris handling/disposal1 allowance × $90.00 | 1 allowance | $90.00 | $90.00 | |
| Subtotal before tax | Subtotal before tax | $600.00 | ||
Copy and adapt the complete example
The sample is available here without an account. Fill every bracketed field, replace the example scope and pricing, and confirm the terms before sharing it.
TWO-TREE ASSESSED PRUNING VISIT — EDITABLE EXAMPLE
Illustrative USD pricing before tax. Replace the scope, quantities and rates before using this as an offer.
Business: [your business and contact details]
Client: [name and contact details]
Job address / event location: [location]
Proposal date: [date]
Valid through: [date]
SCOPE
- Complete the professionally assessed [pruning objective] for trees T1 and T2 on the sketch.
- Work under the agreed site, access and hazard arrangements.
- Handle listed branches/debris through the agreed equipment and disposal plan.
- Complete the defined work-area cleanup and scope handoff.
INCLUDED
- Six planned labor-hours for the assessed two-person visit.
- The stated equipment and debris allowances.
- Specified pruning scope and work-area cleanup.
EXCLUDED / SEPARATE APPROVAL
- Removal, stump grinding or unassessed emergency work.
- Utility-line work or altered site conditions without appropriate assessment.
- Permits/third-party permissions not expressly assigned in the final quote.
PRICING
Assessed crew work: 6 labor-hours × $60.00 = $360.00
Equipment: 1 allowance × $150.00 = $150.00
Debris handling/disposal: 1 allowance × $90.00 = $90.00
Example subtotal before tax: $600.00
Applicable tax: [confirm taxable items, rate and amount]
Final total: [subtotal plus applicable tax and agreed adjustments]
SCHEDULE
Start / service date: [date or agreed trigger]
Duration / frequency: [confirm]
Access and client responsibilities: [confirm]
PAYMENT AND CHANGES
Payment schedule: [agreed amounts, due dates and any permitted deposit]
Changes: Describe the revised work, price and schedule in writing for approval before proceeding.
Cancellation / rescheduling: [agreed policy consistent with applicable rules]
Warranty / ongoing responsibility: [state the actual commitment, limits and owner responsibilities]
COMPLETION / HANDOFF
Review the identified-tree scope and cleanup with the client and record any excluded or separately recommended follow-up.
Client approval: [name, date and agreed acceptance method]
EXAMPLE ASSUMPTIONS
- The example applies only after qualified assessment of the actual trees/site.
- Three crew clock-hours represent six labor-hours.
- Billing rates, equipment, disposal and access assumptions must be checked for the job.Check before you send
- Identify trees and the approved objective.
- Confirm qualifications, hazards, access and permissions.
- Specify the debris/log/stump boundary.
- Document any changed-condition approval before expanding work.
Sources and project-specific checks
These primary U.S. references support the context discussed above. They do not supply the example prices. References checked October 13, 2026; confirm the rules and products for the actual job.
- OSHA tree-care assessment guidance
Professional hazard-assessment context; this example does not prescribe work methods.
- SBA business expense planning
Business-expense planning; our example amounts are illustrative.
From advice to action
Build the tree service proposal
Use the guide as your checklist, then choose one of three job-specific starters. Add the actual client, scope, and prices before you generate.
Ready-to-use examples
Start with the closest tree service job
Tree Removal, Trimming & Stump Grinding
- Tree-by-tree scope
- Stump grinding
- Debris removal
Tree Pruning & Canopy Clearance
- Tree-by-tree pruning scope
- Roof and structure clearance
- Debris haul-away
Stump Grinding & Site Restoration
- Defined grinding depth
- Debris and backfill options
- Lawn restoration allowance