Planning, mortgage and safety surveys
How much does a tree survey cost?
It depends on why you need it. A BS5837 tree survey for a planning application typically starts at £250–£500 for a small site; a tree report for a mortgage lender or insurer is usually £150–£350; condition and safety surveys are priced per tree or per hour (typical 2026 quotes). Checking whether a tree has a preservation order costs nothing, ask the council. Tell us what you need and qualified local tree surveyors will quote their price for your job.
Free
checking for a TPO with your council, and applying for consent to work on a protected tree
How it works
- Tell us why you need the survey, roughly how many trees, and where. Two minutes, no account.
- We pass your details to qualified tree surveyors covering your postcode, and to no one else.
- They contact you directly with their price and turnaround for your job. Compare, choose, or walk away.
Tree Survey Cost is a free introduction service operated by Ellul Solutions Ltd; we pass your details to relevant qualified tree surveyors who quote you directly. We may receive a fee from providers; you pay nothing and are under no obligation. We are not surveyors and nothing here is legal or professional advice; cost figures are typical 2026 quote ranges that vary by region, tree numbers and site. We are not affiliated with BSI, the Arboricultural Association or any council.
Typical tree survey costs, 2026
Last updated
What each common type of tree survey typically costs in the UK in 2026. These are typical quote ranges, not fixed prices: tree numbers, site access and location move every figure, and London sits at the top of each range. The free rows are genuinely free, they are council services.
Ranges reflect typical quotes for tree survey work observed across the UK market in 2026; they vary by region, tree numbers and site complexity. TPO checks and applications are free council processes under the Town and Country Planning Act regime (gov.uk). Get exact prices for your site via the form above.
| Item | Typical cost (2026 quotes) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Checking whether a tree has a TPO or is in a conservation area | Free | Ask the council's tree officer; many councils publish TPO maps online |
| Applying for consent to work on a TPO tree | Free | No fee for the application; you supply the details (and reports if the council asks) |
| Tree report for a mortgage lender or insurer | £150–£350 | Single dwelling, one visit, written report on species, condition and influence on the property |
| Tree condition / safety survey | Per tree or per hour, small jobs from around £150 | Priced by tree numbers and access; larger stocks are cheaper per tree |
| BS5837 tree survey for planning, small site | £250–£500 | Survey, category grading and tree constraints plan for a typical single plot |
| BS5837 with arboricultural impact assessment and method statement | £500+ | Larger or constrained sites; scales with tree numbers and drawings required |
- A BS5837:2012 tree survey for a planning application typically costs £250–£500 for a small site in 2026 quotes, rising with tree numbers and the drawings required.
- A tree report for a mortgage lender or insurer typically costs £150–£350 (typical 2026 quotes).
- Checking whether a tree has a Tree Preservation Order is free via the council, and applying for consent to work on a protected tree carries no fee (gov.uk).
Cite this page
“Typical tree survey costs, 2026”, Tree Survey Cost, https://treesurveycost.co.uk/ (updated 2026-08-14). Ranges reflect typical quotes for tree survey work observed across the UK market in 2026; they vary by region, tree numbers and site complexity. TPO checks and applications are free council processes under the Town and Country Planning Act regime (gov.uk). Get exact prices for your site via the form above.
Common questions
How much does a tree survey cost?
It depends on the purpose. In 2026 quotes: a BS5837 survey for planning typically starts at £250–£500 for a small site; a tree report for a mortgage lender or insurer is typically £150–£350; condition and safety surveys are priced per tree or per hour, with small jobs from around £150. Tree numbers drive every price.
What is a tree survey?
An inspection of trees by a qualified arboriculturist, recorded in a written report. What's inspected depends on the purpose: a BS5837 survey grades trees and maps root protection areas for planning; a mortgage report assesses whether trees near a house threaten its foundations; a condition survey assesses safety and recommends works.
Is a tree survey a legal requirement?
There is no blanket legal duty to survey trees. In practice one becomes required when a planning application involves trees (councils expect BS5837 information), when a lender or insurer makes it a condition, or as evidence of reasonable care: occupiers owe a duty of care for trees that could injure people or property, and periodic inspection of higher-risk trees is how landowners demonstrate it.
Who can carry out a tree survey?
A qualified arboriculturist: look for arboricultural qualifications (such as Level 4 and above), professional tree inspection training, and membership of the Arboricultural Association, which also runs a registered consultant scheme. For planning work, ask specifically for BS5837 experience and example reports.
Do I need a survey before pruning a tree in my garden?
Not usually, but check protection first, for free: if the tree has a TPO you need the council's consent for almost any work, and in a conservation area most works need 6 weeks' written notice. Unauthorised work on a protected tree risks fines of up to £20,000 per tree.
Is this quote service really free?
Yes, free to you, with no obligation to accept any quote. We pass your details only to relevant qualified tree surveyors, who quote you directly; we may receive a fee from those providers, which is how the service is funded.