Arborist Consulting & Permits
Pre-Purchase Tree Assessments for Home Buyers in Greater Victoria
A pre-purchase tree assessment is an arborist's look at the trees on a property before you buy it. We tell you which trees are healthy, which could fail and what they might hit, and which ones a municipal bylaw protects. That way you know what you'd be taking on, including any limits on a future addition, garage or driveway, before your subjects come off.
A home inspector checks the house. They don't assess the trees around it. Big trees can mean real costs: removal or risk work, insurance questions, or a permit you'd need before you could build. They can also add a lot of value. An hour with an arborist gives you facts to decide with, and something to negotiate with if a tree needs work.
What we look at
- Condition and risk. We assess each large or notable tree using ISA TRAQ methods: decay, cracks, dead limbs, lean, root problems, and what's underneath if it fails (the house, a driveway, the neighbour's roof).
- Protected trees. We check which trees your municipality's bylaw protects and what that means for you. In most of the CRD, protected trees need a permit to remove, top or heavily prune, and the size limits and species vary by municipality. See our bylaw comparison table.
- Your plans. Tell us what you'd like to do with the property: a suite, an addition, a new driveway, a garden. We'll flag the trees that could get in the way and whether you'd likely need an arborist report or a tree protection plan to go ahead.
- Neighbours' and city trees. Trees on the property line, next door or on the boulevard can affect you too. We note them.
- What work might be needed. If a tree needs pruning or removal, we describe the work and its urgency. We don't do that work ourselves, so our advice isn't tied to selling it. If you go ahead with the purchase, we can refer you to vetted local partners.
What you get
A short written summary you can share with your realtor, your lender or your insurer:
- a list of the trees assessed, with species, size and condition;
- a risk rating for any tree of concern;
- which trees are protected, and the bylaw that applies;
- what any recommended work involves and how urgent it is;
- what to plan for if you intend to build or renovate.
If the purchase goes ahead and you later need a permit, the same assessment gives us a head start on the arborist report.
When to book
Book as soon as your offer is accepted, so the assessment fits inside your subject period. Tell us your subject-removal date when you call and we'll work to it. If you're still deciding whether to make an offer, a site visit before you write it is worth considering on properties with large or mature trees.
Cost
Pre-purchase tree assessments start from $495 (plus GST). The final price depends on how many trees we assess and the type of assessment you need. Large properties, or a tree that needs a closer Level 3 look (resistograph or sonic tomography, from $1,200), are quoted per site. See all our prices.
Why Oakstead
Oakstead is a family-owned consulting arborist company based in Brentwood Bay, serving Greater Victoria, the Saanich Peninsula and the Cowichan Valley since 2014. Our arborist is ISA Certified and TRAQ-qualified. We only assess and advise; we don't cut trees and we take no referral fees, so we have nothing to sell you once the assessment is done.
Selling instead? See our real estate pre-listing services.
Pre-Purchase Tree Assessments prices
- Pre-purchase tree assessment (typical residential lot)
- From $495 per assessment
- The price depends on how many trees we assess and the type of assessment. Large properties or a tree that needs a Level 3 look are quoted per site.
Prices in Canadian dollars, before GST (Goods and Services Tax), updated . See all arborist service prices
Guides
Pre-Purchase Tree Assessments: frequently asked questions
Does a home inspection cover the trees?
Usually not. A home inspector looks at the building: roof, foundation, systems. Trees are outside that scope, even large ones close to the house. A pre-purchase tree assessment by an ISA Certified Arborist fills that gap, covering tree health, failure risk, and whether a bylaw protects any of the trees.
Can I remove a big tree after I buy the house?
It depends on the tree and the municipality. Many CRD bylaws protect trees by size or species, including Garry oak and arbutus at small sizes, and removing a protected tree needs a permit that may be refused. Check before you buy if your plans depend on a tree coming down. See our Garry oak guide.
How long does the assessment take?
It depends on how many trees there are and how close they are to the house. Tell us your subject-removal date when you book, and we'll plan the site visit and the written summary around it. Larger properties, or trees that need advanced testing, take longer and are quoted separately.
Can the assessment help me negotiate?
It can. If a tree needs removal or risk work, the summary describes the work and its urgency in writing, which you and your realtor can use in discussions with the seller. We describe the work; we don't quote it, because we don't do it. Partners can give you a price.
Do I need to be there?
No, but it helps. If you can't make it, we'll need access arranged through your realtor or the seller. If you're there, we can walk the property together and talk about your plans for it, which makes the advice more useful.
Ready to talk to a Certified Arborist?
We respond to every request. Serving the Saanich Peninsula, Greater Victoria and the Cowichan Valley.