Landscaping & Gardens · East Sussex

Cost of Tree Surgery / Removal in Brighton (2026)

Tree Surgery / Removal in Brighton works out at £240 to £1,800 per tree in 2025, give or take. Brighton runs a bit over the UK average, which mostly comes down to East Sussex labour rates and what the local housing stock demands. Straight like-for-like jobs hit the lower end; anything that needs pipework or structural changes pushes you up.

Typical cost in Brighton +20%
Low £240
Typical £1,020
High £1,800
Typical price per tree Last updated 22 April 2026
  • APL Professional landscapers
  • BALI British Association body
  • CSCS Site safety certified
  • RHS-aligned Horticultural standards

About tree surgery / removal in Brighton

Brighton is a large city of around 290,000 in East Sussex. The housing is mostly period cottages, Edwardian villas and 1930s semi-detached housing alongside newer commuter developments. That matters: older properties usually mean more pipework, rewiring and retrofit surprises, while newer builds in districts like BN1, BN2 tend to be quicker jobs with standardised fittings. Local trade prices sit on the expensive side for UK trade work. That's mostly wage levels plus the cost of running a van and a yard in and around East Sussex.

A lot of South East firms work both London and local jobs. Rates usually track London with a small discount, so you're rarely getting a bargain. Peak season runs May to September and good tradespeople can be three to four weeks out. Out of season is the time to price round.

Landscaping prices move with materials. Natural stone, porcelain pavers and composite decking have all climbed sharply in the past two years. APL (Association of Professional Landscapers) is the trade body to look for. Retaining walls over a metre need Building Regulations, and raised decking over 30cm can need planning consent — worth checking before you start.

Tree Surgery / Removal cost breakdown in Brighton

Basic £240 – £480

Crown reduction of a small garden tree

Standard £480 – £900

Medium tree fell and chip, clear access

Complex £900 – £3,000

Large mature tree, sectional dismantle, stump grind, TPO consent

What affects the price of tree surgery / removal in Brighton?

  • Tree height and species
  • Access (front garden, overhead cables, road)
  • Full removal vs crown reduction
  • Stump grinding
  • Tree Preservation Order check

Brighton vs the UK average

Brighton sits in the landscaping & gardens market at a cost multiplier of 1.20× the UK national average. That puts Brighton tree surgery / removal prices at £240–£1,800 versus the UK average of £200–£1,500 per tree.

Brighton vs UK national average — per tree Brighton £240 £1,800 UK average £200 £1,500
Typical price range, per tree

Tree Surgery / Removal cost calculator — Brighton

Estimated cost in Brighton
£505 – £945
per tree

Estimate based on live 2025 UK trade pricing. Always get 3 written quotes before committing.

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What's typically included in a tree surgery / removal quote

  • Risk assessment
  • Cutting and chipping
  • Stump removal (where specified)
  • All-arisings removed from site

Frequently asked questions

How much does tree surgery / removal cost in Brighton?

Budget £240 to £1,800 per tree for tree surgery / removal in Brighton. Prices here are around 20% more expensive than the UK average. What moves a quote inside that range is mostly landscaping contractor day rates in East Sussex and the specific material list for your job.

How long does tree surgery / removal take in Brighton?

A straightforward tree surgery / removal job in Brighton runs to 2–8 hours. You can lose days to things outside the contractor's control — parts on backorder, awkward access, or a firm slotting your job around existing bookings. Ask for a start date and expected finish up front.

What's included in the price of tree surgery / removal in Brighton?

A proper tree surgery / removal quote in Brighton should cover: Risk assessment; Cutting and chipping; Stump removal (where specified); All-arisings removed from site. If any of those aren't itemised on your quote, push back and ask. A written guarantee with a clear warranty period is reasonable to expect on this kind of work.

Is tree surgery / removal cheaper in Brighton than the UK average?

Tree Surgery / Removal in Brighton runs around 20% more expensive than the UK average. The UK-wide benchmark for this job is £200 to £1,500 per tree; Brighton quotes tend to land between £240 and £1,800. Handy to know what the average actually looks like before you price round.

Do I need planning permission for tree surgery / removal in Brighton?

Trees in conservation areas or with a TPO require local authority consent before works. An arboricultural consultant may be required. If the property sits in a conservation area or is listed, ring East Sussex Council before you book anything in. It's a free call and saves a world of grief later.