How much does a tree removal cost in Brisbane?
Brisbane's plumbing market benefits from a subtropical climate that keeps demand steady year-round — there's no winter freeze-thaw cycle to deal with, but the city's intense storm seasons and aging infrastructure in established suburbs keep tree removals consistently busy. As of 2026, most residential tree removals in Brisbane charge between $90 and $150 per hour during standard business hours, with the majority of quotes landing around $110–$140/hr for straightforward work.
Brisbane generally sits 10–20% below Sydney's plumbing rates, driven by a lower cost of living, more accessible properties (fewer multi-storey terraces), and a competitive market with a growing pool of licensed tree removals. However, Brisbane's unique challenges — galvanised steel pipes in pre-1970s homes, tree root intrusion from fig trees and jacarandas, and flash flooding impacts on stormwater systems — mean the city has its own cost drivers that can push bills above the base rate.
We've compiled pricing from QBCC-licensed tree removals, industry cost databases, and trade associations to give you the most accurate picture of plumbing costs across Greater Brisbane for 2026. Every price reflects the Brisbane metro area including the Gold Coast fringe and Moreton Bay region.
Detailed Pricing — Brisbane 2026
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small tree removal (under 5 m) | $250per tree | $500 | $800 |
| Medium tree removal (5–10 m) | $800per tree | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Large tree removal (10–15 m) | $2,500per tree | $4,000 | $6,000 |
| Extra-large tree (15 m+) | $5,000per tree | $8,000 | $15,000 |
| Palm tree removal | $250per tree | $600 | $1,200 |
| Stump grinding (small <30 cm) | $150per stump | $200 | $300 |
| Stump grinding (medium 30–60 cm) | $250per stump | $350 | $500 |
| Stump grinding (large 60 cm+) | $400per stump | $600 | $900 |
| Tree pruning / trimming | $200per tree | $450 | $800 |
| Hedge trimming (per m) | $5/m | $12 | $25 |
| Arborist report | $300per report | $450 | $700 |
| Emergency / storm damage | $500per job | $1,500 | $4,000 |
Prices include GST. Based on Brisbane metro area, Feb 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
How Prices Vary Across Brisbane Suburbs
Brisbane's urban sprawl and diverse housing stock create meaningful price variation across the metro area. Where you live can shift costs by 10–20%, driven by property age, access, and local demand.
Inner Brisbane & Inner South
New Farm, Paddington, West End, Woolloongabba, Highgate Hill. Mix of Queenslander houses (raised timber with exposed plumbing underneath — good access) and newer apartment developments (strata approval required). Parking is tight in New Farm and West End, adding to callout costs. Older Queenslanders often have galvanised steel pipes that are rusting from the inside — a partial or full repipe ($4,000–$12,000) is increasingly common in these suburbs.
Northside & Moreton Bay
Chermside, Aspley, Redcliffe, Caboolture. Mix of 1960s–80s brick homes and newer estates. Generally good access and straightforward plumbing layouts. Older homes in Aspley and Chermside may have asbestos cement pipes (particularly underground) — these require licensed removal. Redcliffe and Sandgate properties near the coast may experience accelerated pipe corrosion from salt air. Strong competition among northside tree removals keeps rates moderate.
Southside & Logan
Mount Gravatt, Sunnybank, Springwood, Logan. Predominantly 1970s–90s homes with copper and PVC plumbing. The most affordable area for plumbing in Greater Brisbane. Flat blocks and single-storey homes make access straightforward. Growth areas around Logan and Beenleigh have newer plumbing that rarely needs major work, but builder-grade fixtures may need replacing after 10–15 years.
Western Suburbs & Ipswich
Indooroopilly, Kenmore, Ipswich, Springfield. Established homes on larger blocks, often with long pipe runs from the street. Ipswich's older housing stock (some homes dating to the 1900s) can have complex plumbing issues including lead service lines. Springfield and Ripley's new estates have modern plumbing but are further from city-based tree removals, adding travel time to callout fees.
What You'll Actually Pay — Real-World Scenarios
Here's what common plumbing jobs cost all-in across Brisbane in 2026, including callout fees, labour, and parts.
Leaking tap — standard mixer replacement
Callout fee ($60–$100) plus 20–30 minutes labour plus cartridge or washer ($10–$40). If the entire mixer tap needs replacing, add $80–$200 for the unit. Brisbane tree removals typically carry common parts in their van, making this a single-visit fix. Queensland's warm climate means outdoor taps cop more UV damage — if the tap body is degraded, replacement is smarter than repair.
Blocked drain — kitchen or bathroom
Electric eel clearing runs $160–$280. Stubborn blockages requiring a hydro-jetter cost $280–$400. Brisbane's most common drain issue is tree root intrusion — particularly from fig trees, jacarandas, and camphor laurels, whose aggressive root systems seek out pipe joints. If roots have cracked the pipe, relining costs $1,500–$4,500 per section. A CCTV drain inspection ($130–$300) before major work is highly recommended in established suburbs.
Hot water system replacement — electric to heat pump
Heat pump hot water systems are increasingly popular in Brisbane due to the subtropical climate (they work best in warm conditions) and available rebates. Unit cost ($2,000–$3,500 for brands like Reclaim, Sanden, or iStore), installation labour ($400–$800), removal of old system ($100–$250), and plumbing/electrical connections. Queensland government rebates of up to $1,000 can reduce the effective cost. Gas continuous flow units (Rinnai, Bosch) remain popular at $2,200–$4,500 installed.
Toilet repair — running cistern or poor flush
Usually a faulty inlet or outlet valve ($20–$60 for parts). Full toilet replacement runs $350–$700 including unit and install. Brisbane's hard water can cause calcium buildup in cistern mechanisms, shortening their life. WELS-rated dual-flush toilets (4-star minimum) are now standard — if replacing, it's worth upgrading to a 5-star model for water savings of $50–$100/year.
Emergency burst pipe — after hours
Emergency callout ($150–$250) plus after-hours rate ($150–$250/hr) plus parts. Brisbane's clay soils — particularly in western and southern suburbs — can shift during wet/dry cycles, stressing underground pipes. If you can isolate water at the mains and wait until business hours, you'll save $200–$500. Know where your main stopcock is — typically near the water meter at your front boundary.
What Affects Tree Removal Costs in Brisbane
Time of day
After-hours (nights, weekends, public holidays) typically adds 50–100% to the hourly rate. Book during business hours when possible.
Job complexity & access
A simple tap washer replacement is quick. A burst pipe behind a wall in a two-storey house takes longer and costs more due to access difficulty.
Parts and materials
Parts are usually charged on top of labour. A basic tap washer is a few dollars; a new hot water unit is $800–$2,000+ before installation.
Your suburb
Inner-city areas may charge more due to parking, access constraints, and demand. Outer suburbs can be cheaper but may include a higher call-out fee.
Tradie experience
A master tree removal with 20 years experience will charge more than a recently licensed tree removal. Both are qualified — you're paying for speed and problem-solving.
Urgency
Emergency work (burst pipe at 2am) commands premium rates. If it can wait until Monday morning, it almost always should.
Queensland Licensing & QBCC Requirements
Queensland's plumbing regulations are administered by the QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission) and are among the strictest in Australia. Understanding these requirements protects you from unqualified operators and gives you legal recourse if work is defective.
QBCC licence: All tree removals performing work in Queensland must hold a current QBCC licence. There are three tiers: Occupational (tradesperson who works for someone else), Contractor (can contract directly with homeowners), and Supervisor. For residential work, you need a contractor-licensed tree removal. Verify any tree removal's licence at the QBCC website — it takes 30 seconds and shows their licence status, class, and any compliance history.
Compliance certificates: All plumbing work in Queensland requires a Form 4 (Compliance Certificate) to be lodged with the local council within 10 business days of completion. This certificate confirms the work meets the Plumbing Code of Australia and Queensland Development Code. If your tree removal doesn't mention compliance certificates, ask — it's their legal obligation.
Home warranty insurance: For residential building work over $3,300 in Queensland, the contractor must provide a QBCC home warranty insurance certificate before work starts. This protects you if the contractor fails to complete work, fix defects, or becomes insolvent.
Gas work: Gas plumbing requires an additional endorsement on the QBCC licence. With Brisbane's widespread use of natural gas for cooking and hot water, ensure your tree removal holds a gas endorsement if the job involves gas lines. Gas compliance certificates must be lodged separately.
Seasonal Pricing Patterns in Brisbane
Brisbane's subtropical climate creates distinct seasonal patterns for plumbing demand and pricing. Understanding these can help you time non-urgent work for the best rates.
Storm season (November–March) is the busiest and most expensive period. Intense rainfall and hailstorms overwhelm stormwater systems, cause flooding, and expose drainage problems. Emergency callout demand spikes, wait times blow out, and after-hours rates apply more frequently. If you have known drainage issues, getting them fixed before storm season starts saves both money and stress.
Autumn (April–May) is the ideal time for planned plumbing work. Storm season has passed, demand drops, and Brisbane's mild autumn weather is perfect for outdoor plumbing work. Hot water system replacements are best done now — before winter demand for hot water increases.
Winter (June–August) brings Brisbane's mildest temperatures and lowest plumbing demand. This is when you'll find the shortest wait times and most competitive pricing. Hot water systems work harder and failures become more noticeable — if your system is over 8 years old, a preventative replacement now avoids the misery of cold showers.
Spring (September–October) sees a gradual increase in demand as homeowners prepare for summer. Tree Removals are still reasonably available, and it's a good time for drain inspections before the wet season. CCTV drain checks can identify root intrusion or damage before storm season turns a minor issue into a major flood.
How to Save Money on Tree Removal in Brisbane
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Trades in Brisbane
Tree Removal Costs in Other Cities
Our Methodology
Prices on this page are compiled from publicly available cost guides, tradie marketplaces (ServiceSeeking, hipages, Airtasker, Service.com.au), industry body data (HIA, Master Builders), and individual tradesperson websites across Australia. We cross-reference ranges from multiple sources and adjust for city-specific cost differences based on advertised rates, salary data, and cost-of-living indicators. Our guides are independently produced — we don't employ tradespeople and have no financial incentive to inflate or deflate prices. All prices are estimates and will vary based on your specific job. Always get at least 3 quotes. Last reviewed February 2026. Read our full methodology →