I currently have a decent size tree resting on the roof of my house. However, the roof does not appear to be structurally damaged at all, and the tree seems pretty well lodged where it is. I’ve contacted a couple of tree guys and haven’t heard back from either, tree people being very much in demand in the area at this time.
So I’m thinking of letting it sit for a couple of weeks until the supply of tree guys opens up a bit, rather than frantically calling this one and that one. Is there any imperative that a tree in this situation be removed ASAP, or can it sit a while?
It could slide and do considerable damage to the roofing. But that’s likely to happen in the removal process also. If it’s placing a full load on the house it could eventually damage it structurally. I’d think there would be some tree services available with a few more days. You could contact the state if there’s still a delay. A lot of these guys are receiving emergency funds and they’ll go to your house if directed to do so.
I don’t think it’s sliding anywhere. As above, it’s kind of lodged where it is, in that it’s leaning on a sort of interior corner of the roof, and plus it’s still somewhat attached to the stump.
ETA: I wasn’t aware that guys are receiving emergency funds. But that sounds like the type of thing that might jack up the price of their services (for those who aren’t subsidized).
My experience is the opposite. The tree services will take advantage of the emergency funds to keep themselves fully employed. They’ll be foreseeing seasonal layoffs with winter coming so this is a boon to them. The funded work will get priority even if it’s for less than their regular rates because it’s plentiful and the government is a sure bet to pay up. When the funds run out they’ll take on as much other work as they can and will be reasonable on prices to maintain the employment level. Of course those willing to pay more will probably get their work done sooner.
My deductible is $1,000. On Wednesday I took a walk in the general direction of some chainsaw noise and found a tree guy and brought him back to the house. He said “at least $350” (& that he’d be back that afternoon or first thing in the morning :)), which I assume means something like $450-$500, but with that and replacing some roof shingles I don’t see it adding up to $1,000.
And unless you’re getting some serious money it’s probably not worth putting in a claim at all. Besides for the hassle, the insurance people track this, and if you put in too many claims your rates can go up.
[I have a half a mind to take a shot at it myself, with some heavy chains and pulleys and a chainsaw, and every so often I find myself looking at it in a contemplative sort of way. But realistically I don’t think that’s going to happen.]
If you don’t have experience in doing it yourself, I wouldn’t try doing it yourself. Trust me on this one. I learned the hard way where experience comes from.
One of my relatives fell out of a tree and broke his back. Not permanent for him, but not recommended, even when you don’t land on the chainsaw.
My suggestion would have been to start taking off the smaller branches, because (a) less work so cheaper when the pros get there and (b) in case the wind picks up and catches the branches and shifts the tree.
Once the tree was well trimmed, could you pull it off with a good rope and a heavy truck? Will it pivot at ground level?
But - if the guy’s going to be there in a few hours, who cares?
I assume cash payout would be better appreciated all around…
I second the advice not to try it yourself. You just can’t conceive how heavy that tree is (even a baby tree is), and how willful a tree can be, and how much damage it can do in a few tragic unbelievable seconds. It can kill you, or maim you, merely go straight through the roof to the floor, or roll off and crush the neighbor’s spectating child, or your car.
On the plus side, you’d certainly use up your deductible then.
Tree demolishers are right up there with roofers and coal miners and ocean fishermen in terms of job danger. It is way more dangerous than it looks.
I own a small hydraulic crane and get more calls for tree removal than i care. I hate to do trees but i do some because even some of the good tree removal people have a hard time with trees on buildings.
If you get a really high bid its probably because the tree remover doesn’t want the job, but for the right money he will do it. I always recommend a tree service first.
For starters i try and trim as much off the top as I can and then rig the tree to lift it away from the building.
Tree’s are hard to rig to where they move the way you want them to and it all comes down to the final cut and then its to late if your best guess isn’t good enough.
Like I said, I hate tree’s.
In any event, either demand has died down or there’s been an influx of tree guys or both, because I got my door knocked on by a couple of tree guys offering to do it. I took up the first of them, for $320, and they’re just done now.
[The other guy said he came up from Virginia, to work on trees in the storm’s aftermath. Which is sad when you think about it - guys need to drive hours and hours from home for the opportunity to drive around strange towns knocking on people’s doors offering to cut down their trees. :(]
It’s only mutually beneficial because the guy was in even worse shape back in Virginia. If he was doing OK back there he wouldn’t have to resort to this. I wouldn’t think this is a great way to have to make a living. But who knows? Maybe he just can’t get along with his wife …
