For builders + developers
One arborist. Every job. Across every Melbourne council.
We're the single supplier Melbourne builders and developers call for anything tree-related. Pre-purchase reports, planning permits, tree removal, land clearing, protection fencing. Quoted in 48 hours. Scheduled around your build programme. Insured to $20 million. One quote, one contractor, one invoice, one point of accountability.
What you actually get
Four things builders tell us matter
We've built the operation around how project managers actually buy. Single supplier, predictable pricing, paperwork handled, scheduled around your build. No surprises.
One arborist. Every job.
Pre-purchase arborist reports, planning permit applications, tree removal, stump grinding, protection fencing, debris haul-away, build-ready handoff. One quote, one contractor, one invoice, one point of accountability across every Melbourne council.
48-hour fixed quotes
Send plans or site address. We confirm overlay status, scope the work, and email a fixed-price quote within two business days. Faster on urgent jobs. Standard residential blocks usually quoted same day if site is accessible.
Permits + paperwork done for you
We prepare AQF Level 5 arborist reports, file planning permit applications with the relevant council, respond to planner queries, and supply the Tree Protection Plan to your site supervisor before clearing starts. You don't chase council.
Built around your programme
Clearing scheduled against your construction timeline so the site is ready when your excavator arrives, not three weeks before or two days late. Standing partner rates, net-30 terms, single point of contact across your projects.
Partner pricing
Three tiers that scale with your project volume
More projects, better rates. Every tier comes with the same quality crew, paperwork standard, and builder-ready handoff guarantee. The difference is response time, payment terms, and how much you save.
One-off project quote
Single job, no ongoing relationship. Full RRP. Quote in 48hrs.
Preferred builder
3+ jobs/year. Priority response, partner rates, single account manager.
Volume partner
8+ jobs/year or signed retainer. Same-week emergency response, net-30 terms.
Developer programme
Subdivision or multi-site work scheduled in advance.
Tiers are forward-looking, not retrospective. Move up a tier and the new rate applies to your next quote.
Compliance + documentation
Everything your project manager will ask for
Six documents builders typically need from an arborist supplier. We have all of them ready. Emailed within the hour of any quote request.
$20M Public Liability insurance certificate
Current. Issued by leading Australian trades insurer. Emailed on request, included in every quote PDF.
AQF Level 3 and Level 5 arborist qualifications
All field arborists and report-writers carry verified credentials. Certificate copies available for builder due diligence.
SWMS template (Safe Work Method Statement)
Project-specific SWMS prepared and emailed to your site supervisor before any work begins on site.
Tree Protection Plan (AS 4970 compliant)
Where retained vegetation is on site, we install protection fencing, mark out TPZ and SRZ, and supply a written plan you can hand to council.
Sample arborist report
Anonymised PDF of a recent council-accepted report. Email request and you'll have it within an hour.
Subcontractor compliance pack
Where we engage subcontractors, all carry their own PL insurance, AQF qualifications, white card, and Working with Trees ticket. Documentation provided on request.
How a project runs
Plans to builder-ready in five steps
Share plans or address
Email plans, address, or a description of the scope. We pull overlay status from Vicmap Planning, flag any protected trees on the title, and identify whether a planning permit will be required.
Fixed-price quote in 48 hours
Itemised quote covering clearing, stump grinding, debris removal, protection fencing for retained vegetation, and any required arborist report or permit application. Partner rate applied if applicable.
Reports + permits filed
Arborist report prepared (5 to 7 days), planning permit application submitted to council, planner queries handled, status updates emailed to you weekly until decision.
On site, on programme
Crew on site at the agreed date. Tree protection fencing installed before any clearing. Real-time progress photos sent to you and your supervisor. Excavator-ready handoff with builder-ready guarantee.
Invoice + retention
Single Xero invoice on completion (net 30 for preferred + volume partners). Retention period and snag callbacks honoured at no charge.
Where we work
Across every Melbourne south east council
Glen Eira, Stonnington, Boroondara, Monash, Port Phillip, Whitehorse, Bayside, Casey, Frankston, Kingston. If your project is in Melbourne south east or inner east, we cover it.
Outer south east
- Carrum Downs
- Endeavour Hills
- Berwick
- Cranbourne
- Hampton Park
Partner agreement
Simple agreement. One page. Plain English.
For preferred + volume partners, a short written agreement formalises pricing, response times, and payment terms. No exclusivity. No minimum commitment. Either side can exit with 30 days notice.
Agreed partner rate (5 to 15% off RRP based on tier)
Response time guarantee: quotes within 48 hours, urgent same-day
Net-30 payment terms (from invoice date) for preferred + volume tiers
Single nominated account manager (Ashley) for cross-project coordination
Builder-ready handoff guarantee on every job
No exclusivity, no minimum volume, 30-day exit either side
Frequently asked
The questions builders actually ask
- How fast can you turn around a fixed-price quote?
- Standard residential blocks: same business day where the site is accessible. Complex sites (multiple protected trees, overlay layered, or remote): two business days. Urgent: phone in advance and we'll prioritise.
- Do you handle the planning permit application yourself?
- Yes. We prepare the AQF Level 5 arborist report, file the planning permit application directly with the relevant council, respond to planner queries, and send weekly status updates until decision. You don't chase council.
- What are payment terms for preferred and volume partners?
- Net 30 from invoice date for preferred and volume partner tiers. One-off projects are payable on completion. We invoice through Xero.
- Can you start work without the planning permit?
- Only on works that don't require one. For protected trees we wait for council approval before any clearing begins. We can install tree protection fencing under the same engagement so retained vegetation is secured early.
- Do you do native vegetation offset work for Section 52.17 applications?
- For smaller residential and minor builds, yes. For larger Section 52.17 native vegetation work that triggers DEECA offset obligations, we partner with an accredited ecologist for the offset calculation while we handle the clearing.
- What insurance and qualifications do your subcontractors carry?
- Every subcontractor on a Hilly's job carries their own $20M public liability insurance, AQF Cert III/V arboriculture, white card, Working with Trees ticket, and is signed off by our subcontractor scorecard before placement. Documentation provided to your project manager on request.
- Can we get a sample arborist report before engaging?
- Yes. Reply to any of our emails or use the form below and we'll send an anonymised PDF of a recent council-accepted report within the hour.
Send us your next project
Plans, address, or a description. We'll come back inside 48 hours with a fixed-price quote, overlay assessment, and a path to council. If you'd rather chat first, the number's below.
Builder project quote
Plans, address, or a scope description. Fixed-price quote within 48 hours. Partner pricing applied where eligible.