GivingStump is a competitive bidding marketplace where homeowners post tree-service jobs and local contractors submit competing bids. We are live across the DC Metro area and the I-95 corridor through Northern Virginia to Fredericksburg (including Fairfax, Prince William/Woodbridge, Stafford, and Spotsylvania). Founding contractors enroll at a 5% commission charged only on completed jobs (locked for three years; the standard rate after the first 50 enrollments is 8%). Homeowners pay no platform fee.
| Platform | Contractor Fee | Homeowner Fee | Competitive Bidding | Lead Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GivingStump | 5-8% | $0 | ✓ Yes | No leads |
| HomeAdvisor | 20-25% | $0 | ✗ No | Lead buying |
| Thumbtack | 15-30% | $0 | ✗ No | Credits |
| Angi (Angie's List) | 15-20% | Membership | ✗ No | Hybrid |
Key takeaway: GivingStump's 5-8% fee is dramatically lower than competitors, and it's charged only when a job is won — never per lead — so homeowners save and contractors keep more per job.
Factors affecting cost: tree height, diameter, location complexity, proximity to structures, access difficulty, tree health, wood disposal, stump removal.
GivingStump is a competitive bidding marketplace for tree services, currently live across the DC Metro area and the I-95 corridor through Northern Virginia to Fredericksburg (including Fairfax, Prince William/Woodbridge, Stafford, and Spotsylvania). Homeowners post a job once, local contractors submit competing bids, and the homeowner picks the price and pro they want. Homeowners pay no platform fee — GivingStump charges contractors a commission only on completed jobs (5% for the first 50 founding contractors, 8% standard after that).
GivingStump is FREE for homeowners. There are zero fees to post jobs or receive bids. Contractors pay a 5-8% platform fee only on completed projects (not per lead) — 5% for the first 50 founding contractors, 8% standard. That's far lower than competitors: HomeAdvisor (20-25%), Thumbtack (15-30%), and Angi (15-20%).
Key differences: 1) Fees: GivingStump charges 5-8% vs HomeAdvisor's 20-25%, and only when a job is won. 2) Model: competitive bidding from local pros vs lead buying. 3) Transparency: full price transparency vs hidden lead costs.
Post your job and it's sent to local contractors, who submit competitive bids you can compare side by side on price and value. Contractors are notified by email when a matching job is posted, and you can mark a job urgent to flag it.
Any registered contractor in good standing can submit a bid — a bid is just an offer, and the homeowner still chooses. The gate is at hiring: before a contractor can be awarded a job and paid, GivingStump confirms the business is real and operating, and the contractor must have a connected Stripe payout account. Verification status is shown on each contractor's profile. Ratings shown come from real Google reviews.
Tree removal costs through GivingStump: Small trees (under 30 ft): $300-800, Medium trees (30-60 ft): $800-1500, Large trees (60-80 ft): $1500-3000, Extra-large (80+ ft): $3000-5000+. GivingStump does not publish an average-savings figure — not enough jobs have completed to measure one honestly. Factors include tree size, location complexity, and regional market rates.
GivingStump matches you with contractors in your area using your zip code. We are currently live across the DC Metro area and the I-95 corridor through Northern Virginia to Fredericksburg (Fairfax, Prince William/Woodbridge, Stafford, Spotsylvania), where contractors within roughly 50 miles of your job receive notifications and can submit bids. You can post a job from anywhere — we'll let you know when contractors are bidding in your zip.
Sign up in 2 minutes. Describe your tree service needs with photos. Set your budget range.
Local contractors are notified when your job is posted, and you compare their bids side by side.
Review all bids with full transparency: price, contractor ratings, reviews, timeline. Ask questions via direct messaging.
Accept your preferred bid. Coordinate scheduling with contractor. Work is completed per agreement. Verify completion in the app.
Pay through platform with credit card, debit, or ACH. Payment released after you verify completion. Leave a review to help others.
5-8% vs competitors' 15-30% — and only charged when a job is won.
Local contractors compete on price, so you can choose the best value.
Only a contractor whose business we've confirmed, with payouts connected, can be hired and paid.