Serious question about customer expectations on tree work estimates

Had a guy last month in Portland tell me he wanted his 60 foot maple trimmed for 200 bucks because his neighbor's kid had a chain saw. I spent 45 minutes climbing that tree with a proper safety setup and a pole saw. He watched me work, then complained the branches weren't cut short enough. Asked him if he wanted me to remove the whole tree for free while I was at it. Guy just stared at me. Anyone else run into people who think arborist rates are negotiable like a yard sale?

2 comments

2 Comments

victorbutler6h ago

Man I read somewhere that some folks think tree work is like haggling at a flea market. Saw a thing online about a guy who wanted a 50 foot oak taken down for the price of a pizza. People just don't get the danger and skill it takes to climb and cut right. One bad cut can send a branch through your roof or worse.

margaretj405h ago

Did your friend end up with a branch through the neighbor's fence, then? Mine had a guy try to talk him down from $400 to $100 for taking out a big maple, and he just packed up his saw and left. Called back a week later after a storm dropped a limb on his car, suddenly $400 was a bargain.