Arborist Report Cost Northern Beaches: 2026 Guide
What a basic Council-ready arborist report costs on the Northern Beaches in 2026, when Council asks for one, turnaround times and the full cost of a permit.
| Report | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Single-Tree ReportA basic Council-ready report for one tree, including the site inspection and written document. | $350–$500 |
| Two or Three TreesA straightforward report covering a small group of trees on the same property. | $500–$800 |
| Several TreesA larger basic report where more trees, photographs and site notes are required. | $800–$1,200 |
| Express TurnaroundA 2–3 business day option where the request is suitable and capacity is available. | Quoted separately |
General guide prices only. Your written quote states the inspection, trees, written report and turnaround. Council decides whether a report meets its requirements.
Sam · Owner & Local Tree Care Lead
Updated 05 Oct 2026 · 6 min read
Key Takeaways
- 01A basic single-tree report sits in the $350–$500 guide band, including the inspection
- 02Standard turnaround is usually 5–7 business days from the inspection; express is quoted separately
- 03Council requires a qualified arborist report with applications to remove significant trees
- 04Council decides whether a report is accepted and whether work is approved
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The Short Answer
A basic Council-ready arborist report for one tree on the Northern Beaches sits in the $350–$500 band, including the site inspection and the written report. Two or three trees on the same property sit at $500–$800, and a larger basic report covering several trees at $800–$1,200. Standard turnaround is usually 5–7 business days from the inspection, and an express 2–3 business day option, where suitable, is quoted separately. Send us the Council request first so we can confirm it fits our basic report service and give you a written quote.
When Northern Beaches Council Asks for an Arborist Report
Not every tree job needs a report. Some work falls under one of Council's exemptions, so no application is needed at all. A report usually comes into the picture in these situations:
- Applying to remove a significant tree. Council's private-land tree rules state that a qualified arborist report must accompany all applications to remove significant trees.
- Council asks for more information. During an application, Council may ask for qualified written information about a tree's condition before it decides.
- A tree is an imminent danger. Council allows the owner to remove a tree without consent if a Level 5 qualified arborist provides written confirmation that states the arborist's qualification (AQF Level 5 or equivalent), declares the tree an imminent danger and high risk to life and property, and recommends immediate removal. A copy must be sent to Council for its records. If you think this applies, call us and we will tell you whether we can help with your situation.
Some situations need photographs rather than a report. Council's exemptions for a dead tree not needed as habitat and a tree that has fallen or partly fallen in a storm and still presents a danger ask for photographic evidence. Our Northern Beaches tree permit guide covers the exemptions in more detail.
The safest first step is to ask Council what it needs for your property, in writing, then send us that request.
What a Basic Report Covers
Our arborist reports are basic, Council-ready reports for straightforward tree matters. A team member with AQF Level 5 qualifications inspects the relevant tree or trees, prepares the report and signs it. Depending on what Council has asked for, a basic report can include:
- The tree's location on the property and identifying details
- Observations about its visible condition and surroundings
- Photographs taken during the inspection
- Practical recommendations that answer the Council request
The quote states exactly which trees, inspection and report contents are included. If the quote includes follow-up questions, we answer them after the report is delivered.
What Changes the Price
The Council request
A clear written request makes it easy to see what Council wants and how much work the report involves. Send the complete letter, form or email, not a summary. A request covering several issues or detailed site information takes more time than a straightforward one.
The number of trees
One tree takes less inspection, photography and writing than several. If more trees are involved than Council has asked about, check whether they all need to be in the report.
Access and documents
The report author needs safe access to each tree and enough room to inspect and photograph it. Locked areas, steep or overgrown ground, or trees with no clear location on a plan all add time. Site plans or a marked-up sketch help.
Turnaround
Standard turnaround is usually 5–7 business days from the inspection. If you are working to a deadline, an express 2–3 business day option may be available where the request is suitable and capacity allows. It is quoted separately, so ask at the start if timing is tight.
The Full Cost of the Council Path
The report is only one part of the cost. If you are applying for a permit, budget for:
- The report, if Council requires one, at the guide prices above
- Council's application fee. Council's 2026–27 fees and charges list $201 for a tree removal or pruning application, including assessment of the first tree, and $58.50 for each additional tree
- An on-site meeting, only if you request one with a Council officer: $116
- The tree work itself once a permit is issued. See our tree removal cost guide and pruning and lopping cost guide
- Any replanting that the permit conditions require
Council decides whether a report meets its requirements and whether any proposed work is approved. No report can guarantee an outcome. If a permit is issued, it expires 12 months after the date of issue.
What We Do Not Prepare
Our service covers basic Council-ready reports only. We do not prepare reports for legal evidence or court proceedings, detailed development-impact reports, root mapping or other specialist investigations. If your request needs one of those, we will tell you before you book rather than quote for unsuitable work, and you will need a different specialist. Council's tree page links to arboriculture industry associations that can help you find one.
We also do not submit applications or communicate with Council on your behalf. We prepare and send the agreed report to you, and you, your consultant or property representative submits it with the application.
What to Send for a Quote
- The property address
- The complete Council request, letter, form or email
- Any plans, surveys or a marked-up sketch showing which trees are involved
- Clear photographs of each tree and the area around it
- The number of trees
- Your deadline, if there is one
Preparing for the Inspection
A smooth inspection keeps the cost within the quote and the report on time. Before the visit:
- Make sure every tree in the request can be reached, with gates unlocked and dogs secured
- Mark the trees on a plan or sketch if there is any chance of confusion, especially on large or bushy blocks
- Clear enough ground around the base of each tree to see the trunk and root flare
- Have the Council request handy so the inspection can follow it point by point
- Mention anything you have noticed over time, such as a new lean, fallen branches or cracks, because recent changes help the report author understand the tree
If there is something you want the report author to see with you, tell us when booking so the visit can be arranged around it.
How to Compare Arborist Report Quotes
When you compare quotes, check:
- The author's qualification. Council's imminent-danger exemption calls for an AQF Level 5 arborist or equivalent, and its application rules ask for a qualified arborist report. Ask who will inspect and sign the report.
- What is included. Make sure the site inspection, every tree in the request and the written report are all in the price.
- When turnaround starts. Our standard timeframe runs from the inspection, so ask how soon the inspection can happen as well.
- Whether the report answers the request. A cheap report that does not address what Council asked for can mean paying twice.
How We Can Help
Send us the Council request and we will confirm whether it fits our arborist report service, which trees are included, the price and the expected turnaround before you commit. Quotes are free, with no travel surcharge in the 47 Northern Beaches suburbs we cover. If the report leads to approved work, we can also give you a free written quote for the tree removal or pruning.
If a tree is dangerous right now, call us on 0425 350 004. Our emergency service runs 24/7 and we aim to respond within two hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our basic Council-ready reports have guide prices of $350–$500 for one tree, $500–$800 for two or three trees and $800–$1,200 for several trees. Express turnaround is quoted separately.
Standard turnaround is usually 5–7 business days from the inspection. An express 2–3 business day option may be available for suitable requests. We confirm the timing before you accept the quote.
Council states that a qualified arborist report must accompany applications to remove significant trees, and it may ask for one during an application. Check the current Council rules and ask Council what it needs.
A team member with AQF Level 5 arboriculture qualifications inspects the tree, prepares the report and signs it.
No. We prepare and send the agreed report to you. You, your consultant or property representative submits it and communicates with Council.
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About the author
Sam
Owner & Local Tree Care Lead
Sam owns and leads Affordable Tree Services Northern Beaches. He is the main point of contact for many customers and coordinates the right team, equipment and next steps for each job.
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