Arborist Report and Consulting Prices
Bay Area prices for the reports, assessments and plans we write, and what changes the number.
| Service | Typical price | Turnaround | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arborist Report | $750 to $1,250 for one to three trees (site visit, report with the city's required findings, replacement plan); multi-parcel and development reports from $1,650; responses to city comments $350 per round | 7 to 10 business days after the site visit | Tree removal permit applications |
| Tree Risk Assessment | $650 to $850 for a single tree with a written risk opinion; about $1,250 for five trees across adjoining parcels; $75 per additional tree added on site | 7 to 10 business days after the site visit | Leaning, cracked or storm-damaged trees |
| Tree Protection Plan | $2,500 to $4,500 for a teardown, SB9 split or addition, including tree appraisals and a plan-sheet-ready Tree Preservation Plan exhibit, with one round of City revisions included; 50% deposit at acceptance; $85 per tree beyond 12 | 7 to 10 business days after the site visit | Remodels, additions, ADUs and pools near protected trees |
| Site Consultation & Second Opinion | $375 to $450 for a site visit, verbal walk-through and a short email summary (the higher figure includes contractor referrals and a one-page written opinion); written report from the same visit adds $400; desk review from photos and documents $250 | Visit within 7 days of acceptance; email summary same week | Quotes over $5,000 |
| Dispute & Appraisal Reports | $850 to $2,500 for appraisal and expert reports depending on tree count and audience; expert witness and court time $250 per hour | 7 to 10 business days after the site visit | Neighbor cut or damaged your tree |
| Real Estate Tree Assessments | $850 for an inspection with tree documentation and permit mapping on a typical lot; $1,650 for multi-parcel inventories of 10 to 20 trees; single hazard tree $650 to $850 | 7 to 10 business days after the site visit | Sellers preparing disclosures |
Terms
- Fees are confirmed in writing before the visit. Consultations are due upon acceptance; reports take a 50% deposit at acceptance and the balance on delivery. Zelle or Venmo.
- Site visits are scheduled within 7 days of payment.
- Written reports are delivered 7 to 10 business days after the site visit. 48-hour turnaround is available for single-tree reports at a surcharge agreed in advance.
- Responses to city plan-check or Planning comments are $350 per round unless the proposal includes a revision round. Trees added on site beyond the proposal are $75 to $85 each.
- Court or deposition time arising from a report is billed at $250 per hour.
- The city's own permit fee is separate; it is listed on each city page.
What moves the price
- Purpose. A permit application needs the city's checklist items; an insurance or dispute report needs causation and valuation sections. The purpose, not the tree count, is the largest factor.
- Tree count and access. One tree in a front yard is the base price. Inventories of ten or more trees are quoted per tree.
- City. Cities with templates or approved-arborist rules (Hillsborough, Menlo Park) and cities with multi-prong tests (San Francisco) take longer to document.
- Speed. 48-hour turnaround is available for most single-tree reports at a surcharge agreed in advance.
Prices are the author's current rates and are confirmed in writing before any visit. Report fees are separate from the city's own permit fee, which is listed on each city page.
Not sure which one you need?
A short call sorts it out at no charge.