It's been an educational morning.

First, the guy from Jim's Trees came by to quote us on the removal of 10 trees including stump grinding.

Quote: $500. That's $50 less than Metro All Tree Services that we obtained a quote from previously.

Am inclined to go ahead and book in a time slot.

Made an executive decision to cancel the afternoon appointment with Taylors Trees as they only have a 2-4 pm slot for our area, which is a really awkward time (school pickup). The customer service lady wanted to know why we were cancelling. Was intrigued that she didn't try to offer us an alternative time slot but simply accepted my reason and hung up. They probably have more than enough business.

Next came the valuer who's here on behalf of the lender we're seeking to refinance with.

He walked around the outside, took some measurements, went through the backyard (having first endured an over-friendly welcome from Scottie) with a laser to measure lengths and widths, walked through the interior (took off his shoes first - impressed), and finished by asking me about the vintage of the house.

He reckons he'll be done with his report this afternoon and we'll hear from the lender in the next few days.

After the trees are removed it'll be so much easier for the gardener to mow the lawn.

Hubby thinks he might even be able to manage the job himself.