If you have a property that you need to develop, it’s helpful to understand all the costs involved. One of the first you’ll encounter is the price to clear the land. Understanding these and other factors can help you determine whether your plans for the parcel have a chance to deliver the financial return you want.
Size of the Area Being Cleared
The primary factor in the cost of property clearing is the size of the parcel. People who want to clear 40 acres will pay far more than someone who needs a few acres cleared.
If you only need to clear a narrow hiking trail to a remote area of the property to reach a fishing pond or a hunting blind, you’ll pay less than you would to clear the entire width of the lot. A company offering land clearing services can advise you on how much space you need cleared.
Ease of Accessibility for the Parcel
You’ll have a different cost for clearing a piece of property that is near the headquarters of the clearing company compared to a property in a far-off rural area. The company might place a fuel or mileage surcharge on the final bill when the property is more than 25 or 50 miles away.
Landowners who want a small section of the property cleared that’s far from the main road can expect to pay extra compared to clearing a section that’s adjacent to it. The company might have to clear a road to reach the remote area of the lot, which would lengthen the project’s completion time and increase costs.
Density of the Vegetation and Trees
If you have large, densely packed trees on the property, removing them will take longer. Consequently, the work will cost more. It might be difficult to use power equipment on these tightly packed trees because the workers can’t manage the direction of the fall. If the crew has to use chainsaws or other manual tools to drop the trees in a specific direction, the price will increase.
Using Land Grading To Prevent Erosion
When your property has creeks, steep hills, and ponds, it will take more time to clear. The crew might need specialized equipment to remove trees and vegetation while keeping debris out of waterways. If the site has hills and muddy soil, the equipment might get stuck, making the work more difficult and leading to a higher cost estimate.
Whether You Can Leave Tree Stumps on the Property
Depending on the plans you have for the site, the land clearing services company might need to remove tree stumps after knocking down or mulching the trees. Removing tree stumps can take a long time, which increases the cost of the work.
If the clearing company is creating a trail or road through your property, you’ll need to remove any leftover stumps, as they could create a trip hazard.
Stumps can also get in the way of landowners pouring a concrete slab for a building. Removing the stumps and main roots just below ground creates a safe work area.
Proximity of Buildings, Fences, and Utility Lines
When land clearing is occurring near existing infrastructure such as buildings, utility lines, or fences, workers need to work carefully and allow extra time. Rather than using heavy-duty construction equipment, the crew might rely on chainsaws and smaller machines to precisely direct the fall of trees away from the infrastructure. If the work takes longer, the property clearing company will prepare a higher estimate for it.
Plan for Managing the Debris
The cost of moving debris off site is far more than leaving it in place. Rather than paying the land clearing company to haul boulders and large tree trunks to a remote location, you could save some money by leaving the debris on site. Perhaps you can use the boulders in the landscaping for the new development project. Consider placing the trunks and large limbs in a burn pile at the corner of the property.
Another option is to use forestry mulching as a technique for site clearing. A forestry mulching machine cuts down vegetation and small trees, then turns them into mulch in a single step. The machine leaves the mulch on the property, which saves time and money.
Contact State Contractors Today for a Free Land Clearing Cost Estimate
You can develop a basic estimate of site preparation expenses in Bay County on your own. However, you probably don’t have a lot of experience with these kinds of projects, meaning your estimates for vegetation and debris removal costs won’t be overly accurate.
To receive the most accurate Bay County land clearing pricing estimate, contact State Contractors today at (850) 571-5250. We provide a free cost estimate for any of our services.
