Storm Damage Tree Cleanup in Raleigh: Costs & What to Do First
Raleigh has a long storm memory — Hurricane Fran in 1996 brought down thousands of trees across Wake County, the December 2002 ice storm snapped limbs all over the Triangle, and Hurricane Florence in 2018 dropped trees on homes and roads. Here's what to do when it's your yard.
First: safety
Stay away from any downed lines and assume they're live — report them to Duke Energy. Don't go into rooms under a fallen tree. Don't try to cut a tree that's resting on a house or under tension; it can shift or spring back without warning.
Document everything for insurance
Before anything is moved, photograph the tree, the damage and where it landed from several angles. Call your insurer early — after a big storm, adjusters get booked up fast.
Typical storm cleanup costs
These are typical ranges, not a quote: picking up and hauling scattered limbs commonly runs about $200–$800. Removing a single tree that fell in the yard is often $500–$2,000. A large tree on a roof that needs rigging or a crane commonly runs $2,000–$5,000 or more. Emergency, after-hours and peak-storm work usually costs more than scheduled jobs.
A Raleigh example
After tropical storms, the most common Raleigh call is a tall loblolly pine snapped mid-trunk and lying across a driveway or fence in North Raleigh, Wake Forest or Garner. If it's not on the house, that's usually a one-visit cut-and-haul. Hardwoods that uproot in saturated clay and fall onto a roof are the bigger, costlier jobs.
Watch out for storm chasers
After major storms, out-of-town crews knock on doors. Ask for proof of insurance, a written price and a local phone number before anyone climbs a tree on your property.
Need help now?
If a tree is on your house, car or driveway, call Kapok at (919) 708-8422. We answer emergency calls 24 hours a day.
Questions about your trees?
Estimates are free across Central North Carolina.
Common questions
How much does storm cleanup cost in Raleigh?
Typical ranges are about $200–$800 for limb cleanup, $500–$2,000 for a fallen yard tree, and $2,000–$5,000 or more for a large tree on a roof. Kapok gives clear prices before work starts — call (919) 708-8422.
Who do I call when a tree falls on my house in Raleigh?
Get everyone safe, stay away from power lines, then call Kapok Tree Service at (919) 708-8422. We answer emergency calls 24 hours a day.
Does insurance cover storm tree cleanup?
Usually when the tree damages a covered structure like your home, garage or fence. Trees that fall in the yard without hitting anything often aren't covered, or only up to a small limit. Check your policy.
Will the City of Raleigh pick up storm debris?
After major storms, the city sometimes runs special debris collection. Check the City of Raleigh website for current guidance. Kapok hauls away debris from the work we do.