I got quotes from 2 reputable and long time contractors in the area. Both have done work with the public works department where I work. Both do work for municipalities and power companies in the area. I didn't even bother with any contractor without the equipment to do this. The 2nd gave a quote to clean the brush and cut the tree to 18" logs, although all I asked was that they get the tree down. Their price was $1140. Still, a fair price for the work he quoted. I cut the logs, cleaned the brush and cleaned up in about 3 hours. Brush is still on my truck.Got it. Yours were done by a hack with a chainsaw, a rope, and a truck. Those kind work cheaply, and as long as it's an easy job and they get lucky, it's all good.
Real tree companies don't work that way.
I see! So, based on one picture you know better what hazards are present, how much room there is, etc., than the guy who lives there.
Makes sense to me.
$650 for that job is dirt cheap. I'd be checking references and insurance very carefully at that price.
I asked the guy on the ground the height of the boom. Upper and lower book are 30' each and he had the pedestal up about 10', so, counting the height of the man in the bucket, and the crew get left to the top of the branches, the tree was about 80' tall.