Tree Surveys & BS5837 Reportsfor mortgage, subsidenceand planning applications.
Professional written reports for property purchases, insurance claims, planning applications and construction projects. Prepared to BS5837:2012 by qualified arborists, delivered in the format your solicitor, lender or planning officer needs.
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Watford · Bushey · Radlett · Harrow · St Albans
What tree surveys & bs5837 reports actually involves
Written arboricultural reports covering tree condition, safety, root protection areas, categorisation, and (for planning) tree constraints plans and arboricultural impact assessments to BS5837:2012.
Property buyers and sellers with trees on or near the boundary, homeowners facing subsidence insurance claims, developers submitting planning applications, and property managers commissioning routine safety inspections.
Before exchange on a property purchase; when a lender or insurer asks for a tree report; when submitting a planning application that involves trees within influencing distance; after a subsidence claim mentions trees; annually or biennially for commercial sites.
The wrong report — or a report from an unqualified surveyor — is worse than no report. Lenders reject them, planners return them, and insurers use gaps as reasons to decline claims. Reports need to be prepared by someone qualified, in the correct format, referencing the correct standard.
What happens if you put it off
A property sale delayed six weeks by a rejected tree report costs the seller thousands in bridging or a broken chain. A planning application returned costs the developer the same.
Sale collapse
Buyers and lenders can withdraw over trees flagged in a survey without a professional arboricultural report to clarify risk.
Planning refusal
Applications submitted without BS5837 documentation where required are routinely returned or refused.
Rejected insurance claims
Subsidence claims involving trees demand professional reports — the wrong evidence, or none, gives insurers a route to decline.
Common mistakes we're called in to fix
- Using a generic 'condition report' where the lender or planning authority requires a BS5837:2012 assessment.
- Commissioning a report from someone without the recognised professional qualifications.
- Leaving it to the last week before exchange or submission — good reports take time to prepare properly.
- Not including all the trees within influencing distance — reports get returned as incomplete.
A clear, quoted, tidy job — every time
No day rates. No guesswork on the day. You know what we're doing, when, and what it costs before a single cut is made.
- 1
Brief & scope
You tell us who the report is for and what decision it needs to inform — we scope accordingly.
- 2
Fixed-price quote
Written quote for the report, delivery timescale confirmed.
- 3
Site survey
Full site visit — every relevant tree measured, categorised and photographed.
- 4
Report preparation
Written report to the required standard (BS5837, mortgage/subsidence format, etc.) with plans as needed.
- 5
Delivery & follow-up
PDF report delivered by email — happy to answer follow-up questions from your solicitor, lender, insurer or planner.
What you actually get when we do the job
Format that gets accepted
Reports written to the standard the recipient expects — no rejections.
Independent professional opinion
Written by a qualified arborist, not a general surveyor guessing at species.
Quick turnaround
Standard reports delivered within 5–10 working days. Faster on request.
Follow-up support
We speak to your solicitor, planner or insurer if further clarification is needed.
Photographs & plans
Reports include site photographs and, where relevant, tree constraints plans.
Clear recommendations
Not just observations — what needs doing, when, and why.
Tree Surveys & BS5837 Reports — the full picture
BS5837:2012 tree surveys for planning
Where a planning application involves trees on or adjacent to the site, most authorities require a survey to BS5837:2012 'Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction'. This covers tree categorisation (A, B, C, U), root protection area (RPA) calculation, a tree constraints plan showing RPAs against the proposed layout, and often an arboricultural impact assessment and method statement.
Mortgage & subsidence reports
Lenders and insurers commonly ask for an arboricultural report where trees are close to a property, particularly on shrinkable clay soils. These reports assess species, size, distance to structures, soil type indications, and recommended management. They form part of the insurance or lending decision.
Homeowner tree safety inspections
For private clients with mature trees over houses and garden buildings, a written safety inspection (VTA — Visual Tree Assessment) documents tree condition, defects and recommended work. Kept on file, this is exactly the record insurers and courts look for after any tree-related incident.
TPO & conservation area advice
We can also prepare supporting evidence for TPO applications, appeals and conservation area work — technical justification for the proposed work, condition evidence, and recommended alternatives where relevant.
Tree Surveys & BS5837 Reports: your questions, answered straight
What's the difference between a BS5837 report and a normal tree survey?
BS5837 is a specific British Standard for trees in relation to construction and planning — it uses defined categorisation and requires specific plans. A general condition survey is broader and used for management or safety purposes.
How much does a report cost?
Fixed price per report, quoted after we know the scope and the number of trees. Typical residential BS5837 for one to a few trees is quoted individually. Free scoping quote.
How quickly can you turn it around?
Standard 5–10 working days from site visit. Urgent turnarounds available for a small premium.
Will lenders and insurers accept your report?
Yes — our reports are prepared to the recognised standard and format. We're happy to discuss specific lender requirements before you commission.
Do you also do the tree work if the report recommends it?
Yes — but there is no obligation. Some clients prefer the report from one party and the work from another; that's completely fine.
Do you cover subsidence claims?
Yes — reports supporting or responding to insurance subsidence claims are a common part of our survey work.
Can you attend a planning meeting or hearing?
Yes — we can attend or provide written responses to consultees and case officers, additional to the main report.
Which councils do you deal with?
All Hertfordshire and NW London authorities regularly — including Watford BC, Three Rivers, Hertsmere, Dacorum, St Albans, Harrow, Hillingdon, and others.
Ready to sort your tree surveys & bs5837 reports? Get a fixed price in 24 hours.
Free site visit. Written quote — not a day rate. Council TPO paperwork handled on your behalf. Full clean-up and all waste chipped or taken away under our Environment Agency waste carrier licence.
- Owner-led team — Sam or the team quote every job in person
- £10m public liability + £5m employers' liability
- NPTC CS39 climbers, City & Guilds qualified
- 24/7 phone answered for emergencies
Request your free quote
Tell us what you need — we'll come and take a proper look.