Landscaping & trees Replacement cost estimator

[jaebert]

Client has large house with expansive yard and landscaping. Wants estimate of cost to replace landscaping & trees, if fire or EQ. Anyone have tip on estimating software i can use to build? Craftsman has it for house, but not for landscaping....

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Wants estimate of cost to replace landscaping & trees, if fire or EQ. Anyone have tip on estimating software i can use to build? Craftsman has it for house, but not for landscaping....

You cannot "replace" large trees. All you can do is a "bucket tree" substitute (cost) and you might ask a landscaper to price it out. So are you doing this for the homeowner? Or a lender client? You do realize if they have a fire, the insurance company will likely contest the valuation, especially if over-priced. Further, a lot of people use the horticultural method which values large trees at tens of thousands of dollars and are generally totally ridiculous values. I'd have them hire a landscaping guy for that.

Having said that "There's a little pricing information on landscaping in the National Cost Construction costbook." - which is $50 or so in cost

 

[Joe Flacco]

Like with everything else, it depends. It could be $10,000 or it could be $1 million for landscaping a half acre lot.

 

[Joe Flacco]

Let's see some photos.

 

[Fernando]

You ain't no tree expert. Some buyers don't like trees. How about cost in tearing them down.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Some buyers don't like trees.

And some do...very much so. But what is landscaping cost? The most expensive I knew was about $40,000 including Japanese miniature shrubs... (the deer loved 'em) but again the only way to vet landscaping is by the cost to replant and large trees are impossible to replant. I've taken two courses from a certified Forester and CG appraiser.

You ain't no tree expert.

No reason you cannot be - from my resume.

Appraisal of Shade and Ornamental Trees (2003)
Introduction to Timberland Appraising (1998)

 

[Fernando]

There was this home in town for sale one time with this big ole tree in the front. Bad curb appeal.
I liked the house but that tree. Yuck.
It's hard to cut down trees in tree loving localities, requiring permits and such.
Well, someone bought that house and later the tree was cut down. Brilliant move. The house value went up.
Whether owner had a permit or not, I don't know. If not, just pay the fine.

 

[Fernando]

Cities like San Francisco love trees and plant them on the streets. The problem is that these trees buckle the sidewalks and owner responsible to maintain and liability.
Also those trees grow and their leaves clog up the drainage on the roofs. To trim, I need to get permits.
City planted them, city should take care of them.
These politicians make decisions and put burden on owners to maintain those darn no good trees.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Cities like San Francisco love trees and plant them on the streets. The problem is that these trees buckle the sidewalks and owner responsible to maintain and liability.
Also those trees grow and their leaves clog up the drainage on the roofs. To trim, I need to get permits.
City planted them, city should take care of them.
These politicians make decisions and put burden on owners to maintain those darn no good trees.

I cannot disagree with the gist of this. There used to be a tree cutter on TV (late night and probably still on YouTube or some such) who started his show with "Trees are the deadliest vegetation on the planet." He was probably right. Trees crash through houses. As a farmer, I have trees on the fenceline and my neighbor didn't want to cut them. They are a constant nuisance. I thought about injecting them all with Roundup. But I cut a lot of trees for firewood saves about $200-300 a month for heating with electric. I like shade trees, I just want them away from the house. As for gutters, I never saw the point of having gutters to rot the soffits and fill up with trash. My nephew was cleaning his gutters and a snake popped up out of the trash, and he toppled off his ladder and ended up in the hospital with a concession and a nasty gash in his head.... he rented a lift the next time...

 

[Fernando]

When I bought my house, I like the palm tree near front of my yard. Neighbor had one too so it looked good. He cut his leaving the stump several months ago. That was extreme.
On winter and windy days, the spiky big palm leaves fall onto the ground and I'm always worry someone will get hit. Fortunately, traffic is light.
I still like the palm tree representing the CA vibe but wife never cared much for it.