Getting your trees inspected from time to time is definitely a good idea to keep an eye on their health and your safety. Trees usually give early warning signs of poor health and structural instability that take the trained eye of an arborist to see.
You will need to hire an arborist to carry out the tree inspection which will cost $40 to $550 on average. It all depends on the purpose of the inspection and your expected outcome and needs.
If you just want an option on whether the tree should be trimmed or removed when they are giving an estimate, then it will be free. But for a full arborist report to get a tree removal permit, it will cost $550.

What we cover
ToggleCommon prices for tree inspections
Visual + verbal = $0 – $100: Some companies advertise free inspections with any quote for tree trimming or removal. This would be a casual 5-minute ground inspection assessing the overall health and vigor of the tree while they give a price to trim the tree. Your outcome here might be just knowing the tree is in good health.
1-page checklist & recommendations = $100 – $250: This would be a little more formal where you have asked an arborist to come out and give an inspection and risk assessment of trees on your property and recommendations. They would fill out a form with minimal notes and a 2 or 3-line recommendation. Your outcome or motive is probably related to buying a home and wanting to know where you stand.
Tree inspection report = $350 – $450: Tree inspection reports or risk assessment with an arborist report is much more time-consuming. After the tree inspection, the arborist would need to go away and write up a 10 – to 20-page detailed information on their findings and recommendations. This is an official document to be used when applying for development approval or a tree removal permit.
Average Tree Inspection Prices
Inspection Type | Low | High | Average |
---|---|---|---|
Visual + Verbal | Free | $100 | Free |
1-Page recommendations | $100 | $200 | $120 |
Tree Report (Single Tree) | $350 | $550 | $450 |
Tree Report (Multiple Tree) | $550 | $1,200 | $750 |
What is a tree survey?
A tree survey is plotting the location of trees within a plot of land or across a whole city. They are used by the city to map significant and heritage trees for their protection. On a block of land, tree surveys are used by surveyors when determining the location of the new building which trees need to stay, and which need to go.
Tree Inspection vs tree survey
A tree inspection is carried out to determine the health of a tree and what steps need to be implemented to maintain it. A tree survey was done to map the location of trees over a predetermined area whether that that is a small block of land or across a whole city or forest.
Although the location of a tree is taken into consideration in a tree inspection, it is not its primary purpose. Tree surveys only look at the location and not the health and vigor of a tree.
Why get a tree inspection?
People’s motives for a tree inspection vary but generally come down to wanting more information on the current state of trees on their property.
A lot of the time, when people are house shopping, they will include a tree inspection as a part of their due diligence to avoid any costly surprises in the future. Large trees can cost thousands of dollars to trim or remove so it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.

How often should trees be inspected?
This would depend on two main factors:
a) Pot