A basic arborist assessment of one to three trees in Sydney is typically $300 to $600. The figures in this October 2026 guide are indicative budgets including GST; the consulting arborist confirms the fee for your particular report.
Typical costs by report type
| Report and purpose | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Basic tree assessment Health and condition of one to three trees | $300 to $600 |
| Development application (DA) report How proposed building work affects trees | $800 to $2,500 |
| Tree management plan Care of a group of trees | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Tree risk assessment Hazards and how to manage them | $500 to $1,500 |
| Tree valuation Value for insurance or legal purposes | $600 to $2,000 |
These ranges are not a quote from the consultant. Absolute refers report enquiries to Aymon, an AQF Level 5 consulting arborist at Sydney Arborist Solutions (opens in a new tab). It is a separate business: you agree the scope, fee and booking with the consultant. Our arborist report referral page explains who does what.
Reports are arranged and priced separately by the consulting arborist.
What does the report fee include?
Ask for a written quote that identifies the inspection and documents you will receive. An inspection with verbal advice, a written condition report and a report prepared for a development application are different scopes.
Before booking, confirm:
- Inspection: which trees and site visits are included.
- Written report: the assessment, recommendations, photographs and plans required for its purpose.
- Further investigations: whether specialised testing or other specialist work is needed and separately priced.
- Revisions and follow-up: whether responding to council questions or revised building plans is included.
- Later visits: whether construction monitoring or certification is required and priced separately.
- The final fee: GST, travel and any other agreed charges.
Council application fees and any physical pruning or removal are separate. Absolute’s free on-site tree-work quote does not include a consulting arborist’s report.
What changes the price?
The number of trees, the assessment required, site access and the detail of the written report all matter. A development affecting retained trees may involve plans, protection measures and later inspections, rather than one initial report only.
Send the consultant any written council request and building plans before comparing fees. Check how many trees need assessment, including relevant trees on adjoining land, rather than assuming every tree is included in a basic assessment price.
Tell the consultant about your deadline and ask what is achievable. An urgent request may affect availability and cost. Confirm a delivery date with the consultant before booking.
Choose the report your situation needs
Start with the decision the report must support: a concern about a tree’s condition, a proposed removal or pruning application, or building near trees. A cheaper general assessment may not answer a council’s specific requirements, while a full development report may be unnecessary for a simpler question.
A consulting arborist should have appropriate qualifications, insurance and experience in the type of report you need. Their role is to assess the tree and give an independent opinion, which may be to keep or protect it. A report is not permission to remove the tree and does not guarantee council approval.
What councils ask for
Requirements vary by council and application. City of Ryde distinguishes consulting arborists from working arborists, and North Sydney explains its report requirements for development. These sources were checked on 22 October 2026.
For example, North Sydney requires an AQF Level 5 consulting arborist or equivalent for reports. Depending on the application, documents may need tree identification and condition, a site plan, an impact assessment, tree protection measures and recommendations. Construction monitoring or later certification can be additional work. Ask your own council what is required before commissioning the report.
Common fee questions
Is the site inspection the same as a written report?
Not necessarily. Confirm the inspection and the written documents included in the quote. If council has asked for a particular report, send that request to the consultant before booking.
Can one report cover more than one tree?
It can, depending on the scope. Confirm the number of trees included, what happens if more need assessment and how any extra work is priced.
How long will the report take?
Ask the consultant about availability and the time needed after inspection. A report deadline and a council decision deadline are different; allow for both where relevant.
Is tree work included in the report price?
No. If pruning or removal is recommended, we can quote that work separately once the requirements and any necessary approval are clear. Our tree pruning price guide and tree removal price guide cover Absolute’s work.
Ask David about a referral
Have your suburb, the reason for the report, the approximate number of trees and any council request or deadline ready. David can discuss the referral to Sydney Arborist Solutions. Agree how to send plans directly with the consultant; Absolute’s form accepts optional photos, not plans or PDFs.
Reports are arranged and priced separately by the consulting arborist.
