Quick Answer: What “Affordable” Really Means in Brevard
Ballpark ranges we see locally (not promises, just reality checks):
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Small trees / simple palms: $350–$750
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Medium trees (25’–45′): $800–$1,800
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Large, close-to-structures trees: $1,800–$3,200+
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Crane or extreme access issues: $3,200–$5,500+
Affordable doesn’t mean “$200 cash.” It means getting the safest, cleanest job you can for a fair price—and not paying twice when something goes wrong.
Want to save time, and make sure you’re hiring a pro? Try this:
“We’re looking for safe, professional work and a fair price.
Can you show us a couple of ways to keep the cost down—like cleanup options or flexible scheduling—without cutting corners on safety or insurance?”
Any reputable company in Brevard will respect that and walk you through your options.
The ones who don’t? They just filtered themselves out.
1. Combine Jobs Into One Visit
Sending a crew to Viera, Rockledge, Cocoa, or Palm Bay has fixed costs no matter what:
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Travel time
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Setup and safety checks
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Chipper / truck / equipment
You can make those fixed costs work for you by bundling work:
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Remove one tree, prune another
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Knock out stumps at the same time
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Share a crane day with a neighbor or HOA
Money move: If you know other trees “need to go soon,” do them all in one visit. One mobilization; multiple problems solved.
2. Be Flexible on Timing (Avoid “Emergency Rates”)
If the tree is already on the house or blocking a driveway on US-1… yeah, it’s going to cost more. You’re paying for:
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Night or weekend work
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Last-minute schedule changes
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Extra risk and speed
If the tree is leaning but stable, or just “on your nerves,” tell the company:
“We want this done soon, but it’s not an emergency. Put us on a flexible slot.”
That lets them slide you into openings in the schedule instead of building an emergency job around you—which usually means a better price.
3. Improve Access Before the Crew Arrives
Tree work is cheaper when it’s faster and safer. You can’t change the tree, but you can change the work zone:
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Move vehicles, trailers, and boats
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Unlock gates and clear a path for wheelbarrows or mini skid steer
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Pick up toys, furniture, and lawn clutter
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Mark septic fields or irrigation if you know where they are
This doesn’t turn a $3,000 job into $500, but it can be the difference between:
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“We can get the chipper close and roll logs out,” vs
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“We have to hand-carry everything 80 feet around the pool cage.”
Less labor = more affordable.
4. Choose the Cleanup Level That Fits Your Budget
You don’t have to buy the “white-glove, nothing left on site” package.
Most legit companies can give options like:
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Full service: Everything chipped, logs hauled, site blown off
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Logs left on site: You or a neighbor use them for firewood
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Chips left on site: Spread as mulch in beds or natural areas
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Minimal rake-out: Not pristine, but safe and usable
Be honest about what you’re willing to do yourself. If you’re okay stacking some logs or raking a bit, tell them:
“Quote the full service and a version where you leave logs/chips—we’ll choose.”
That alone can knock hundreds off the bill without cutting corners on safety.
5. Deal With Problems Early—Not After a Storm
The most expensive jobs in Brevard aren’t the planned removals; they’re:
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Trees that failed in a storm
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Dead trees left standing “one more season”
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Giant limbs over roofs that nobody wanted to deal with
If you have:
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A dead or dying tree
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A big limb over the house or pool
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A trunk with big cracks, cavities, or fungus
…removing it before the next storm season almost always costs less than emergency cleanup after it fails.
Think of it as insurance you control.
6. Get Clear, Line-Item Quotes (Not Just One Number)
The fastest way to overpay is to approve a quote you don’t understand.
Ask for a quote that breaks out:
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Tree(s) to be removed
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Stump grinding
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Haul-off vs. leaving material
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Extra protection (plywood over pavers, pool screens protected, etc.)
Then compare apples to apples, not:
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“$1,800 all-in” vs
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“$1,200 but no cleanup, no stump, no protection, no insurance”
The cheapest number on paper is often the most expensive once you add:
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Your time hauling debris
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Damage to pavers, screens, or fences
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A second company to come grind the stump
7. Avoid the “Too-Cheap” Red Flags
Some prices are low because someone runs a tight, efficient operation.
Other prices are low because corners are being cut.
Watch out for:
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No written quote
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No proof of insurance
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No details on cleanup or protection
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“We can do it today for cash if you don’t need a receipt”
If something goes wrong with a crew that isn’t insured or doesn’t stand behind the work, the “cheap” option can turn into:
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Roof damage you have to fight your insurance over
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Pool screens or AC units you’re paying to replace
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A tree half-removed that another company has to finish—for more money
Affordable = good work at a fair price.
Cheap = you’re the safety net.
