Calling tree fellers ! Update.

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dom said:
maybe once or twice wasn’t too much of a problem?
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Fair enough. But I'll repeat again to her not to pay anything and to go to the press if it comes to anything over £5K ??

I have suggested getting more quotes from local tree surgeons, so hopefully the tree will go and she won't be robbed blind.
 


A decent tree surgeon should be able to work with a crane to get a dangerous tree down. Not sure about cost mind.
 
peachbum said:
Fair enough. But I'll repeat again to her not to pay anything and to go to the press if it comes to anything over £5K ??

I have suggested getting more quotes from local tree surgeons, so hopefully the tree will go and she won't be robbed blind.
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Good advice Peaches. I know you are only the messenger, but I'd be really, really wary of this with the sums involved..

My gut feeling is Network Rail would not do this, they are well within their rights to lop off branches on their side, at their expense.

If it was 'dangerous' they would have it surveyed and get the job done at their own expense (and actually compensate the 'neighbour', as NR call their trackside property owners..)
 
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Gromit said:
A decent tree surgeon should be able to work with a crane to get a dangerous tree down. Not sure about cost mind.
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Even then all you’re talking about is the hire cost of the Crain for a day (two tops), the. Labour costs, disposal costs and then add on a reasonable margin. Given the job should take no more than two days I can see how t would be more than 2k for the life of me.
 
peachbum said:
The estimated price is a lot more than £600.

Briefly there is a tree in an old lady's garden that overhangs a network railway line (a siding that is only used a few times each day as opposed to a major route line)

It is old and a few branches have come down. Network Rail have decided it has to go (fair enough), but they have told the old lady it is at her expense. I've told her to let them take the tree down and chase her for the money but she wants to do things properly(?) but can't afford what they are estimating. She has house insurance but doesn't think the tree itself is insured.
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Go to Citizens Advice.
 
Rueben Agboula said:
Even then all you’re talking about is the hire cost of the Crain for a day (two tops), the. Labour costs, disposal costs and then add on a reasonable margin. Given the job should take no more than two days I can see how t would be more than 2k for the life of me.
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It’s an active line though, it’s safe to assume there will be costs associated with that but even still it should be a few k tops.
 
I’ve taken a few down here and there at minimal cost.
Five to ten minutes with a half decent chain saw and Bobs your Uncle.
Mind the last one I dropped, downed the electric and telephone lines as well.
A huge gust of wind at just the wrong moment, ......well that’s my story anyway.
 
I’ve carried out consultancy work in the past for contractors developing sites adjacent to active railway lines and can say unfortunately, that some of the permissions needed to carry out the work are indeed required and it’s this element which is likely to be pushing the cost up.

An independent tree surgeon may need to apply for permission and permits before starting the work, so the actual cost of removing the tree is far lass than quoted, it’s everything else which adds to the cost, specifically if the roots are near the track and an assessment of heave needs to be carried out so it doesn’t affect the track.

Ask to look at the quotation when it arrives to see what they’ve allowed for.

What is the story with NR moving the boundary?
 
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You’d imagine network rail are highly experienced in this exact scenario must happen all over the country every day. Something doesn’t sound right with this like other posters have said. The law is they are entitled to chop it back over their side of the fence and offer the cuttings to the owner. Tell them that’s all they are allowed to do and that you are charging them £50k to access the lady’s land to cut it back further.
 
peachbum said:
The men were expected, to look at tree, to plan on its removal. But maybe they were just chancing asking for money first, ? I don't know.
Anyway she will wait the written quote.
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I've only had one dealing with "tree surgeons" and what a bunch of chancers they were.
The guy quoted me £800 to remove a small tree. He did the old stick his hand out to try to get me to shake on it before I'd given it any thought tactic. I burst out laughing and he immediately dropped to £400. By then I'd decided this prick wasn't getting my cash and told him to forget it. He than asked me how much did "I want to pay".

I ended up doing it myself. An hours work (plus the hassle of getting shot of it mind)

You've got to be careful, some of them will take the piss.
 
peachbum said:
The estimate currently is £40,000 to £50,000 . I have told her to pay nothing currently.
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she should at least get her councillor involved to highlight the cost NR are proposing.
Is NR proposing to stop the line for a day
I would definitely get reputable tree fellers in to establish that there are no hidden issues
 
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