What a tree service work order is for
Tree work goes wrong when the crew does not know what the salesperson saw: the septic tank under the drop zone, the power drop to the garage, the customer's prized rose bed. A work order with the method, the drop zone, hazards and protections puts that in the crew lead's hands before anyone climbs.
What to put on a tree service work order
- Trees, method and order of work.
- Drop zone and rigging plan.
- Overhead lines and utility locates.
- What to protect on the ground.
- Equipment and access route.
- Wood and chip handling.
A worked example
The oak removal. The crew needs the hazards and the plan. Prices are hidden.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climb and section oak toward back yard | 1 | each | Your price |
| Chip brush, stack rounds for haul | 1 | each | Your price |
| Grind stump below grade | 1 | each | Your price |
| Rake out ruts and blow off drive | 1 | each | Your price |
Put the service drop and the septic tank in site notes. Those two lines are the difference between a normal day and a disaster.
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. |
How to fill it in
- Fill in the customer, the site and the date.
- Add who is assigned, the arrival window and access.
- List the tasks and materials in the order the crew will need them.
- Put gate codes, pets and anything to protect in the site notes.
- Print it for the truck or send it to the crew's phone as a PDF.
Free tools for tree service
- Tree removal cost calculator
- Land clearing cost calculator
- Labor rate calculator
- Satellite measuring tool
The same work 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.