I hate to say this, but it if not safe to have a big plant that close to your front door. You might have to think about making that real short in the fall or move it someplace else. Big plants like that don't like to be moved. Because of the circumstances you might need to trim that on a very cool day when it is in the 50..'s....and do a little at time.....take several days to do it so it does not go into shock.....keep it watered. You must have something very right for it to get that big. Your going to need big heavy long handled loopers..lopers........they have them at the lawn & garden section....their not to expensive.....those little hand cutters are not going to work on those big thick branches.