This is a valid question, and one that needs to be discussed with the beekeeper on the initial call. Most beekeepers do not charge for simple honey bee swarm removals. However, if the bees have found a home in your walls or rafters, most likely there will be a charge, as major work will be need to be done to remove the bees and repair the structure. Not all bees living within the walls of your home/structure, will require an extensive cut out, so you would be best advised to talk with a local beekeeper who does cut outs.
Many beekeepers use a special bee vacuum to remove the bees. Once the honey bees are removed, they will retrieve the comb and “sometimes” repair the demolition required to access the bees and hive. Many beekeepers offer this one-stop service, but not all of them, be sure to ask!
Do NOT let this fester too long if you have honey bees within your walls or structure. It can make a mess like you have never seen, with all the bees wax and honey. Also, if you spray to kill the bees, you will be leaving all the wax and honey to melt within your walls, and that may be even reclaimed by a new bee swarm the following spring. Tackle the issue as soon as possible. Many beekeepers listed here do “cut out”. Just click the Beekeeper Locator Map link above to find one.
Again, for most simple honey bee swarm removals, there will usually be no charge. Unless the beekeeper has to drive a long distance, the bees are in a difficult location (20 feet up and above power lines, etc). Remember though, the beekeeper not only has his time and gasoline involved for the swarm removal, but he is, and will be investing about $100 to box them in a Langstroth hive. These bee supplies aren’t cheap!
And, sadly, due to varroa mites, small hive beetles and CCD – Colony Collapse Disorder, and other challenges with honey bees, his hard work, gasoline and investment in a langstroth hive might not even pay off.
I personally do not charge for swarm removals. I do not do cut outs and discriminate on the bee swarm calls I get. Only way I can make it feasible for me. Each beekeeper will be different.