If you want to get rid of bushes from your landscape for good, a bush removal service will take care of it for you.
In this cost guide, we’ll be delving into the average cost of removing bushes, the things that will affect the price, and how you can save money on bush removal.
How much does it cost to remove a bush?
Most people pay between $448 and $1,379 or $895 on average to remove bushes on their property. The rate will mainly depend on the height of the bush, with taller ones costing more and shorter ones less.
In general, cutting bushes less than 15 feet will cost from $50 to $60 per hour, whereas removing bushes 15 to 30 feet tall will cost between $100 and $200 for each bush.
What is the average cost of bush removal by size?
Below is a table indicating the average costs of bush removal based on size:
Take note that the higher end of the price ranges above pertains to denser shrubs, which are more difficult to remove.
Besides bushes, you may have hedges that you also want to remove. The price for this is calculated differently compared to cutting bushes.
How much does it cost to remove a hedge?
Typically, hedge removal costs $100 per hedgerow measuring 5 feet long.
What is the average cost of hedge removal by size?
See below for the typical rates of hedge removal by length:
Most professionals charge $100 per 5 feet of hedgerow. But if the hedge is particularly thick, they will quote $100 per 2 to 3 feet of hedgerow.
What are things that will affect bush removal costs?
These are the key price factors for bush removal and how much they’ll add to the final price:
Type of Plant
The type of bush you have on your property defines its size and leaf and stem appearance.
In short, they can make cutting, trimming, or removing the bush easier or harder. If it is easier, you will most certainly pay less, but if the work is hard or complex, you will pay a higher price.
Shrub Size
Not all bushes or shrubs grow to the same size. This can raise or lower the price of the bush removal service.
Take, for example, camellias often grow from 6 to 12 feet tall. Whereas the common fig shrub can grow from 10 to 20 feet high when it matures, and the thick-branched honeysuckle grows only to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide.
Roots and Soil
The bush’s root structure can affect the overall bush removal price. Some have simple and shallow roots that are easier to remove and thus, more affordable than those deeply fixed in the soil.
Speaking of soil, shrubs in sand-based soil are easier to take out rather than those sitting in dense clay or loam-based soil. That means the first will incur a lower cost, and the latter a higher cost.
Safety Concerns
Bushes that pose harm to the remover are more expensive to remove than harmless ones.
Some plants like hawthorn have very sharp leaves and stems that require more careful handling. Protective gloves and goggles must be worn in order to protect the hand and eyes while cutting them.
There are even severely toxic varieties like the mountain laurel or oleander, which if touched, can harm the pruner.
Ease of Access
Another large contributor to the final price of removing bushes and shrubs is your yard’s accessibility.
Say, if the bushes are situated on different elevations or have complex branches or there are many parked cars on the premises, the job will take more time to do, raising the service costs.
Bush and Waste Disposal
Once the bushes are cut out, they need to be disposed of properly. Luckily, all arborists offer this service.
Most of them charge their clients from $25 to $100 for each bush removed and hauled away from the property.
Labor
Arborists charge a labor fee of $6 to $15 per bush trimmed or removed depending on its size and accessibility. This can add up fairly quickly, so a huge percentage of the price comes from labor.
Additional Services
While getting bushes removed, you may also need extra services to make your house more attractive and/or secure:
Garden Bed Installation
Bushes and hedges cleared on your property can leave patches and gaps. One way to make them blend or disappear is to install a garden bed on which new flowers can be planted.
Flower bed installation ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 per job. Included in this price are the edging, topsoil, trellis, and other things for healthily growing plants and an appealing flower bed.
Fence Installation
Hedgerows that formerly served as the house’s boundary can be replaced with a fence. Its benefit is to give people and their homes privacy and security.
There are many kinds of fences, but vinyl fences are considered the easiest to maintain of all.
Adding a fence around your home should cost you between $13 and $50 per linear foot. The rate can vary, however, based on the chosen fence material, style, and height.
How can I save money on removing bushes or shrubs?
You can save money by removing bushes or shrubs by yourself instead of hiring a bush removal service.
You won’t have to pay for anything if you have all the tools and safety equipment at home.
If not, try to borrow them from a neighbor or friend rather than pick up one at your local hardware store.
Other than that, if you’ve chosen to hire an arborist, it’s worth noting that bush removal is cheaper at certain times of the year.
What time of year is the cheapest for bush removal?
Mid to late winter is the cheapest time for bush removal. During this time, bushes or hedges have fewer or no leaves, allowing the arborist to safely and easily cut and remove them.
What time of year should you remove bushes?
Ideally, bushes should be removed in early spring before new foliage grows or in autumn when their leaves are shed. This will make the bush removal work quicker and easier to finish.
How do I find a good bush removal service?
Research bush removal companies on Google, check their licenses, certifications, and years of experience, and read their reviews. Also, be open to family or friend referrals to make your search for the right tradesmen simpler.
