Coordinating a Tree-on-Structure Removal
When a tree comes down on a house, garage or fence, several parties have to work in the right order: the electric utility if lines are involved, your insurer, a tree crew with the right equipment, and a roofer or contractor. Delays between them are what turn a bad day into a long ordeal. This guide focuses on the coordination.
It complements the tree-on-roof guide, which covers safety and insurance basics.
1. Utility and safety
If the tree touches any line, nothing else happens until the utility makes it safe. Report it to the electric utility and keep everyone at least 30 feet away. Tree crews will not work near energized lines unless they are qualified line-clearance crews.
2. Insurer and documentation
Open the claim early and ask what the insurer needs before removal: photos, video, an adjuster visit or estimates. Ask whether they will reimburse emergency removal and tarping, and if there is a limit on tree removal coverage. Keep a simple log of calls, names and claim numbers.
3. Tree crew and equipment
Ask the tree crew whether they need a crane, how they will protect the structure as weight comes off, where equipment will be set up, and whether driveway or lawn damage is likely. Get a written scope and price, and ask for proof of insurance. Published estimates put crane service around $500 or $250–$600 per day; complex jobs cost more.
4. Temporary protection and repair
Once the tree is off, the opening needs to be dried in quickly. A roofer can tarp the area; published estimates for emergency roof tarping run about $1,500–$4,200. The structure should be assessed before permanent repairs, which generally require a building permit.
5. City requirements
In Alpharetta, damaged trees qualify for a removal permit under UDC §3.2.4; contact the City Arborist about emergency situations and keep photos. If the remaining trees on the lot are damaged too, address them before the next storm.
Published tree service cost estimates
| Service | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tree removal, up to 30 ft | $150–$450 | Angi 2026 |
| Tree removal, 30–60 ft | $450–$1,200 | Angi 2026 |
| Tree removal, 60–80 ft | $800–$1,500 | Angi 2026 |
| Tree removal, over 80 ft | $1,000–$2,000+ | Angi 2026 |
| Pine tree removal | $250–$1,500 | Angi 2026 |
| Stump grinding | $120–$400 per stump (about $2–$5 per inch of diameter) | Angi 2026 |
| Tree trimming, 25–50 ft tree | $150–$800 | Angi 2026 |
| Crane service when needed | about $500, or $250–$600 per day | Angi 2026 |
| Arborist report (where a municipality requires one) | about $860 average | Angi 2026 |
| Emergency roof tarping | $1,500–$4,200 | Angi 2026 |
Sources: Angi: Tree removal cost (2026); Angi: Stump grinding cost (2026); Angi: Tree trimming cost (2026). Figures are published national or regional estimates compiled by those sites, labeled as estimates; they are not quotes and not prices from any provider on this site. Alpharetta's tree removal permit application has no submission fee according to the City's instructions; arborist reports and replanting are separate costs.
Local rules and code references
- City of Alpharetta UDC §3.2.4, permit for non-development activity (Municode): a tree removal permit is required except for routine pruning and exemptions; the application needs the reason and a sketch or photo identifying size and species; specimen trees need a risk assessment by a qualified professional; complete applications are decided within 10 working days; permits are issued for dead, damaged or diseased trees and for non-specimen trees if minimum density is maintained.
- City of Alpharetta UDC §3.2, Tree Conservation, Landscape, and Buffer Requirements (Municode): defines specimen trees by species and trunk diameter (for example 30 inches for pines, 24 inches for most other overstory genera, 8 inches for understory trees) and sets tree protection and density rules.
- City of Alpharetta Guidance Document for UDC Article III §3.2: tree density standard of 130 inches per acre (SDF − EDF = RDF), specimen tree health assessment at ISA Level 2 or higher, and tree care under ANSI A300 standards.
- City of Alpharetta Online Tree Removal Permit Application Instructions: how to apply through the City's online permit portal under the Tree Permits category.
Code text and department procedures change; confirm current requirements with the jurisdiction before work starts.
Frequently asked questions
- Who do I call first when a tree hits my house?
- If lines are involved, the electric utility (and 911 for emergencies). Then your insurer, then a tree crew and a roofer.
- Can a tree crew remove a tree touching power lines?
- Not until the utility makes the lines safe; only qualified line-clearance crews work near energized lines.
- Will my insurer pay for emergency tree removal and tarping?
- Many policies cover reasonable emergency steps to prevent more damage; ask your insurer and keep receipts.
- How much does emergency roof tarping cost?
- Published 2026 estimates put emergency professional tarping at about $1,500–$4,200.
- Can I remove a dead tree in Alpharetta without a permit?
- A permit is still required, but UDC §3.2.4 directs the City to issue permits for removing dead, substantially injured, damaged or diseased trees.
- Do I need a permit to repair structural damage?
- Generally yes; the contractor doing the repair should obtain the building permit.
Related local guides
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