(516) 771-7474 www.cheapcharliestreeservice.com
112 Shinnecock Ln, East Islip, New York 11730
Elevate the beauty and safety of your property with Cheap Charlie's Tree Service. Our skilled team specializes in precision tree shaping, safe pruning, and professional tree removal. Don't take risks with amateurs when it comes to tree care, especially for trees near your home. With a commitment to excellence, we provide outstanding tree services, including storm damage removal. Explore our recent tree removal and cleanup work in our photo gallery. Reach out today for a free estimate, and let us transform your landscape into a safe and stunning masterpiece.
4.4 from 128 reviews
Based on reviews representing only 14% of total ratings
Cheap Charlie’s Tree Service in East Islip, New York, is best suited for residential properties with straightforward, budget-conscious needs where speed matters more than perfection in every ancillary detail. Homeowners with multiple trees to remove or prune, tight budgets, and a sense of urgency, such as urgent removals or same-day responses for emergencies, will find this outfit appealing. The company also draws those who can tolerate a busy, high-volume crew and are comfortable prioritizing value over a perfectly pristine, low-impact footprint. For ivy removal, delicate situational pruning, or work that requires meticulous on-site planning around sensitive landscaping, this crew is more likely to be a fit if the priority is speed and price; for ivy or intricate access issues, clients should verify capabilities before booking.
Across the board, Cheap Charlie’s tends to win on price and speed. Numerous customers report competitive quotes, rapid mobilization, and jobs completed in a fraction of the time others quote. A recurring theme is an “army” of workers, sometimes 13 to 15 strong, delivering removal and stump grinding in a single, streamlined push. That efficiency translates into real value for homeowners facing a large removal or a tight schedule. Yet that same appetite for speed can create gaps in communication or scheduling when rain or equipment hiccups occur, and several reviews document missed calls, late arrivals, or rescheduling that drags on. The bottom line: the price-to-time payoff is excellent, but the reliability of the administrative side varies enough to demand explicit confirmation in writing.
Safety and cleanup standards emerge as the most consequential deciding factor. Tree work sits at the intersection of risk and responsibility, and the reviews reflect that reality in mixed measure. In the strongest performances, crews demonstrate professional handling near power lines, protect lawns and fences, and execute a thorough debris removal, leaving yards “clean as a pin.” In other cases, customers report trenching that damaged lawns, wood chips blown into neighboring yards, and inadequate protection of existing structures. Some accounts praise stump grinding done promptly with careful site protection; others lament stumps left behind or piles of mulch and debris that require an extra cleanup effort or neighborly mediation. The practical takeaway: insist on clear protection plans (ground mats, boards to shield turf, defined access routes) and a concrete cleanup timetable in the contract.
Service quality, when the crew is on site, consistently shows operatives who are capable, efficient, and courteous. Several reviewers highlight punctual arrival, professional conduct, and clean, rapid execution, professionalism conveyed by lines such as “Jimmy the foreman” guiding a capable crew through intricate removals and near-term pruning with impressive coordination. The strength of the workforce is evident in big jobs: large trees removed, stumps ground, and debris removed quickly, often with noticeable attention to harming surrounding landscaping. However, this strength is unevenly matched by the office side in some experiences. Positive stories emphasize reliable quotes, transparent on-site estimates, and responsive crews, while negative experiences underscore unreturned calls and inconsistent follow-up. The practical implication is that the on-site crew may excel, but the administrative channel needs proactive management.
Scheduling reliability and communication rarely align perfectly with the promise of low cost. The reviews present a roller-coaster: some customers praise prompt arrivals, clear time windows, and smooth coordination with the office, while others report missed appointments, sporadic voicemail or email replies, and delays that disrupt personal schedules. A handful of clients specifically mention being stood up for estimates or long waits between quoting and service. Given this pattern, the prudent approach is to lock in a detailed written window, request a dedicated supervisor for the project, and confirm a precise start-and-finish plan before any equipment hits the driveway. Additionally, verifying licensing and insurance coverage with the county and the contractor remains essential, since several reviews reference property damage or insurance questions with mixed outcomes.
The verdict comes down to a practical decision framework. For a homeowner who prizes affordability and speed, especially for removing several trees or grinding multiple stumps on a typical residential lot, Cheap Charlie’s is hard to beat in East Islip. The best-fit projects are those where the primary objective is getting the job done quickly, within a predictable budget, and with a solid cleanup that restores the yard to near-original condition. However, for jobs that involve ivy removal, near-structure work where precision matters, or scenarios where the stakes are higher (close proximity to utilities, delicate landscaping, or a history of accessibility challenges), it is wise to compare more than one estimate and insist on a formal safety and cleanup plan. Finally, always confirm insurance coverage and licensing, set firm expectations for cleanup, and document all agreements in writing to avoid the most common sources of friction that color these otherwise strong, value-driven performances. In the end, Cheap Charlie’s remains a compelling first call for many Long Island homeowners, provided that the buyer approaches the engagement with explicit protections and clear, written expectations.