Prices for Arborist Reports and Tree Assessments
A site consultation is $225, and a tree permit report for one tree starts at $450. Tree risk assessments start at $495, and tree protection plans at $1,450. All prices are in Canadian dollars, before GST (Goods and Services Tax). Estimates for a scope of work are free; the site consultation is a separate paid advice visit. A “From” price depends on the scope of work, and we confirm your price in a quote before work starts.
In plain words
These are our starting prices. What you pay depends on how many trees there are and how big the job is. We confirm your price in a quote before work starts. A price estimate for a job is free. The $225 site consultation is a paid visit where we give you advice. Prices do not include tax. TRAQ means Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, a qualification arborists earn through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
| Service | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Site consultation (up to 1 hour, verbal advice) | $225 per visit | Up to an hour on site with verbal advice. We credit the $225 to a report you order within 30 days. Estimates for a scope of work are free; the $225 site consultation is a separate paid advice visit. |
| Hourly consulting and plan review | $150 per hour | Billed by the hour. |
| Tree permit report, one tree | From $450 per report | An arborist report on one tree for a tree permit application. Final price confirmed in a quote before work starts. |
| Tree permit report, 2 to 5 trees | From $750 per report | Add $75 for each tree over 5. Final price confirmed in a quote before work starts. |
| Tree protection plan or tree management plan (single lot, up to 5 trees) | From $1,450 per plan | Larger sites are quoted. |
| Tree risk assessment, TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) Level 2 (basic) | From $495 for the first tree | Add $150 for each extra tree. |
| Tree risk assessment, TRAQ Level 3 (advanced, can include resistograph mapping and sonic tomography) | From $1,200 per assessment | Can include resistograph mapping and sonic tomography to check for decay inside the trunk. Final price confirmed in a quote before work starts. |
| Project arborist supervision visit | $325 per visit | 4-visit package: $1,150. |
| Letter of assurance or protection barrier sign-off | $195 per letter | Or included in a tree protection plan package. A letter of assurance is a letter from an arborist that some municipalities, such as the City of Victoria, ask for when work is planned in a tree's root zone. A tree protection barrier is a sturdy fence put up around a tree that is being kept during construction. The sign-off confirms the barrier is in place. |
| Post-construction or security-release letter | $295 per letter | Includes the site visit. A tree security is money your municipality may hold as a guarantee when a permit requires replacement trees or requires protected trees to be kept. Some municipalities may ask for a report from an arborist before they return it. |
| Tree appraisal | From $650 per appraisal | Final price confirmed in a quote before work starts. |
| Travel to the Cowichan Valley, Sooke or the Highlands | $75 flat fee | Applies to sites in these areas. |
About these prices
- Prices last updated 8 November 2026.
- All prices are in Canadian dollars and do not include GST.
- “From” prices are starting prices. Your final price depends on the scope of work, such as the number of trees and the size of the site, and we confirm it in a quote before work starts.
- Estimates for a scope of work are free. The $225 site consultation is a separate, paid visit of up to an hour with verbal advice about your trees.
- Your municipality sets permit fees, tree securities and replacement-tree costs. They are not included in these prices. Replacement trees are new trees a municipality may require you to plant after a tree is removed. A tree security is money, such as cash or a letter of credit, that your municipality may hold as a guarantee that you meet the permit conditions.
- Oakstead is a consulting business. We refer tree removal, pruning, landscaping and construction to vetted partners, who price that work separately.
Questions about our prices
How much does an arborist report for a tree permit cost?
An arborist report for a tree permit starts at $450 for one tree and $750 for 2 to 5 trees, plus $75 for each tree over 5. Prices are before GST. We confirm your final price in a quote before work starts.
How much does a tree risk assessment cost?
A Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) Level 2 basic assessment starts at $495 for the first tree, plus $150 for each extra tree. A Level 3 advanced assessment, which can use resistograph mapping and sonic tomography, starts at $1,200. Prices are before GST.
Is the site consultation fee credited to a report?
Yes. A site consultation of up to one hour is $225, and we credit that $225 to a report you order within 30 days. Estimates for a scope of work are free; the $225 site consultation is a separate paid advice visit.
What does a project arborist cost during construction?
A supervision visit is $325, or $1,150 for a 4-visit package. A letter of assurance or protection barrier sign-off is $195 on its own, or included in a tree protection plan package. A post-construction or security-release letter is $295, and that covers the site visit. Prices are before GST.
Do your prices include GST and travel?
Prices do not include GST, and all prices are in Canadian dollars. Sites in the Cowichan Valley, Sooke and the Highlands have a $75 flat travel fee.
Get a quote
Estimates for a scope of work are free. Call (250) 888-9222 or send us your site details and we'll confirm your price in a quote before work starts.