What a tree service change order is for
Trees hide their problems: a hollow trunk can make climbing unsafe and force a crane, or the customer decides on the day to take down the dead pine too. A signed change order with the reason and the new price keeps the crew safe and the payment smooth.
What to put on a tree service change order
- The original estimate.
- What was found or added.
- Method changes and why.
- Added lines and credits.
- The new total.
- Signature before the extra work.
A worked example
The climber finds the oak's trunk hollow at twenty feet, so it cannot be climbed safely; it needs a crane. The customer also adds a dead pine and wants to keep the oak rounds for firewood.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crane service, hollow trunk | 3 | hour | Your price | |
| Remove dead pine, added * | 1 | each | $614.00 | $614.00 |
| Credit: oak wood left for customer * | -1 | each | $144.00 | $-144.00 |
Explain the hollow trunk in the notes in plain words; safety is the reason, and customers accept it when they understand it.
* Typical price from our free tree removal cost calculator, which lists its sources. Your own costs and market come first.
Line items tree service companies use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Tree removal | each | Species, height and trunk diameter; say whether it is a climb or a crane job. |
| Stump grinding | each | Diameter and depth of grind. |
| Haul away wood and debris | each | Or leave wood cut to length for the customer. |
| Crown thinning or pruning | each | Say the goal: clearance, light, weight reduction. |
| Deadwood removal | each | Dead limbs over a set size. |
| Crown raising | each | Clearance over roofs, drives and walks. |
| Crane service | hour | When the tree cannot be climbed or dropped safely. |
| Emergency storm removal | hour | After-hours rates and access. |
| Cabling and bracing | each | To support weak unions. |
| Wood chips left on site | load | Some customers want them for mulch. |
| Stump grindings cleanup and backfill | each | Remove grindings, fill with soil. |
| Permit or arborist report | each | Some cities require permits for removing certain trees. |
Terms and deposit language for tree service
- Deposit. Larger removals and crane jobs may take a deposit to hold the crane and crew. Small pruning usually takes none.
- Payment. Due on completion, after cleanup.
- Warranty. Not usually warrantied; say how cleanup is left and that ruts or lawn marks from equipment are raked out.
- Underground utilities are located before stump grinding.
- Some cities protect certain trees; the customer confirms or you check whether a permit is needed.
- Lawn damage from equipment is limited where possible but may occur; say how you restore it.
How to fill it in
- Put in the original estimate number and amount.
- Write what changed in the reason box, plainly.
- Add the new work; type a minus quantity for any credit.
- Fill in the days added.
- Print it for a signature on site, or send it from Koira to sign by phone.
Free tools for tree service
- Tree removal cost calculator
- Land clearing cost calculator
- Labor rate calculator
- Satellite measuring tool
The same change order for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, snow removal, solar, waterproofing, window cleaning.
More for tree service companies: how tree service companies run on Koira.