Preparing an overgrown piece of property for a new building, agricultural project, or another purpose requires the work of land-clearing experts. When the lot has overgrown weeds, damaged trees, and boulders, land preparation professionals will remove these items to ready the space for whatever you envision.
To help you estimate the cost associated with this work so you can budget more effectively, learn more about the factors affecting land-clearing prices.
Determine the Size of the Parcel That Needs Clearing
When generating a basic cost estimate, most professionals calculate by the acre. If you’re clearing a five-acre lot, you’ll pay more than if you need half an acre cleared.
That said, companies often offer discounts for larger properties, so you could end up saving on the per-acre rate, depending on the size of the parcel you need cleared. Keep in mind that other expenses, such as equipment transportation costs, tend to be fixed.
Accessibility of the Property
The accessibility of the property that needs land clearing services will also play a role in the cost estimate. If the area lacks roads, the experts may need to use their equipment to create a pathway, which increases the cost. If good roads already exist, the cost estimate will be lower.
Consider the Type of Vegetation
If you have primarily large, older trees, your land-clearing costs will be significantly higher than if the lot consists of brush and weeds. Mulchers and bulldozers are usually enough to make efficient work of areas with smaller vegetation. If several trees require cutting down by hand, the company will need chainsaws, cranes, and time-consuming manual labor, which is more expensive.
How Thick Are the Trees and Weeds?
When trees and underbrush are thicker, it will take longer to remove them, driving up the cost. Sparse weeds and bushes allow the equipment to move across the land faster, reducing the overall price for the work.
If the property contains numerous large trees that are tightly spaced, the removal process becomes more difficult. Land-clearing professionals have to spend more time planning the direction to drop each tree to keep everyone on-site safe, which increases the cost.
Understand Whether Earth Moving Is Necessary
Land clearing may cause erosion problems after removing most of the vegetation and trees. It might be necessary to grade the property to prevent standing water after rainstorms, allowing water to flow naturally.
If you plan to put up new buildings on the cleared site, you may also need earth-moving equipment to prepare the site for a foundation slab. A land-clearing company can sometimes perform this task for you.
Removal and Disposal of Debris
If you choose forestry mulching services, you’ll save money compared to hauling debris away from the property. Forestry mulching involves using a large machine to chew up vegetation and trees, leaving the organic material on the ground. This enhances the soil and provides a better habitat for native plants and wildlife.
If you choose to haul larger debris, including tree trunks and boulders, you’ll pay far more for the work. Professionals will need large trucks and cranes to load the trunks and rocks. They’ll have a fixed cost for the fuel used to haul the items, along with a disposal cost at a different site.
You might be able to save some money by burning large limbs and trunks on-site and incorporating existing boulders into the new landscaping plan.
Costs for Additional Services
Depending on the type of land-clearing work you’re doing, you might need local permits. Counties and cities in southeast Florida may have local regulatory rules that affect your ability to remove certain species of trees.
You may have to adhere to rules from regional water management districts in Florida regarding erosion control and waterway management. In addition to land grading, you might need downed trees and other debris cleared from an existing creek. Removing debris keeps the water flowing naturally and reduces the risk of flooding.
If people will be walking and hiking in the cleared space, any leftover stumps may require removal, as these can create a trip hazard.
Call Southern Charm Land Works Today for a Free Cost Estimate
If you’re looking to transform a lot for a new purpose, estimating the cost of land preparation can be a challenge without the assistance of seasoned professionals. For an honest and accurate assessment, count on our experts.
At Southern Charm Land Works, we offer a free price quote for our services. Just explain the plans you have for the parcel, and our team can suggest which of our services will deliver the best land-clearing results for your needs. For a land-clearing cost estimate in Fort Pierce, FL, call us today at (772) 242-7767. We serve the entire southeastern Florida region.
