Hiring a Tree Contractor in NSW: A Buyer Guide

The cheapest tree job is usually the most expensive

Tree contractors in NSW span an enormous quality range. At one end: AQF Level 5 consulting arborists with $20 million public liability insurance, in-house climbing crews, AS 4373 specifications in every quote, and council pre-clearance built into their process. At the other end: a guy with a chainsaw and an Instagram account quoting half the price for the same job.

The cheaper contractor is sometimes a legitimate operator with lower overhead. More often they cut corners on insurance, qualification, council consent and arboricultural method. The cheap job becomes expensive when:

• The work breaches AS 4373 and damages your tree (claim against the contractor)
• Council consent wasn't obtained and a PIN follows (your liability as property owner)
• The contractor has no insurance and damages your house, fence, vehicle or neighbour's property
• A worker is injured and you face WHS exposure as the property owner

Five things to check before signing

1. Arboricultural qualification

The minimum standard for tree work in NSW is Certificate III in Arboriculture (AQF Level 3). For pruning or removal of significant trees, council often requires AQF Level 5 (Diploma of Arboriculture). Ask to see the certificate or qualification number. A contractor unwilling to provide proof of qualification is not a contractor.

2. Public liability insurance

Minimum $5 million, ideally $10-20 million for trees over residential dwellings. Ask to see the certificate of currency – it should be current and issued in the contractor's business name. An expired certificate or one in a different name is not cover.

3. Council consent

For any tree above the council protection threshold (commonly 200 mm DBH or 5 m tall), council consent is required before work begins. A reputable contractor asks about consent at quoting stage and refuses to start work until consent is on file. A contractor who is happy to proceed without checking consent is one who will leave you exposed when council asks.

4. AS 4373 specification in writing

The quote should specify the practice (crown reduction, thinning, lifting, deadwooding) and reference AS 4373. If the quote uses words like "topping", "lopping", "lowering", "hat-rack" or "size reduction" without specifying lateral-branch cuts, that's a red flag. Get the practice and the maximum percentage removal written in.

5. Written quote with ABN, scope, exclusions

Verbal quotes are worth what they're written on. Get the quote in writing with the contractor's ABN, the scope of work, exclusions (e.g. stump removal, debris haulage, traffic management if needed), the price, the timing, and a payment schedule (typically deposit + completion, not 100% upfront).

Red-flag phrases in tree-contractor quotes

If you see any of these in a tree contractor's proposal, ask for clarification or walk away:

• "Lop the top" / "Top it": topping, prohibited under AS 4373
• "Hat-rack it" / "Reduce it down" / "Take 50% off": over-pruning
• "Skirt up" without specifying clearance: often code for over-lifting
• "Quick removal, no council needed": if the tree is above threshold, consent IS needed
• "Cash job" / "Mate's rate": almost always uninsured
• No reference to AS 4373: contractor doesn't work to the standard
• No written quote: nothing to enforce

How to compare quotes fairly

Quote comparison goes wrong when buyers focus on price alone. To compare like-for-like, look at:

• Same practice specified (e.g., all three quotes specify "crown reduction per AS 4373, 20% canopy max")
• Same scope (e.g., all include or all exclude stump removal)
• Same waste disposal terms
• Same insurance level
• Same qualification level

If the cheap quote is cheap because it specifies a different (cheaper, lower-quality) practice, it isn't a like-for-like comparison.

For complex or contested work: get a Pruning Specification first

For significant trees, multi-tree jobs, contested neighbour situations, or work near retained trees on construction sites, the right starting point is a written Pruning Specification from a consulting arborist (AQF Level 5). This document:

• Specifies exactly what cuts to make, where, to what standard
• Provides the legally-lodgeable document for council consent
• Gives the contractor a clear, defensible scope
• Protects you with a written specification if the contractor breaches it

From $650 + GST per tree. Cheaper than the cheapest dispute over poor pruning.

Frequently asked questions