When removing vegetation from a piece of property, you’ll incur costs for hiring experienced professionals. How do you know whether the cost of the work will be justified by resulting in a higher property value? Receiving an estimate of the land clearing cost per acre is a good starting point.
You can ask a professional site preparation company to give you a detailed written estimate. Until then, use the following tips to determine a basic cost estimate.
The Density of the Vegetation Plays a Role in the Cost
Tree and brush removal is the primary focus of this type of work. If the property has large trees that are tightly packed together, you’ll pay more than if the site has sparse, young trees. An average lot costs about $2,900 an acre for land clearing. If you have thick trees, expect to pay close to $5,000 per acre. With less tree density, the cost might be less than $2,000 per acre.
Even if you don’t have trees, thick brush and tall, thorny weeds can result in a higher-than-average cost per acre for the work. A site that has mostly weeds and grass may cost around $1,000 per acre.
Determining How Much Manual Labor Is Necessary
The equipment and labor used for the work play a key role in the cost of land clearing services. If you choose to use forestry mulching services and equipment on the parcel, for example, you’ll usually pay the average or less per acre. Forestry mulching involves using a single machine to grind small trees and brush, leaving the mulch on the property.
However, if the crew needs to remove dense trees and carefully guide their fall, the team might need to use chainsaws to manually cut them. This takes longer than other options, which drives up the cost.
Natural Formations on the Property Affect the Price Estimate
If the property has quite a few boulders, hills, creeks, and other natural formations, the cost of the work will be higher than average. It’s more difficult to maneuver heavy equipment around these natural formations, meaning the job should take longer. Boulders might need to be hauled to a remote portion of the property or to an off-site location, which requires more labor.
A parcel with several low spots that collect rainwater during Florida thunderstorms could create muddy patches. If the equipment constantly gets stuck, the work will take longer to complete. A flat piece of ground devoid of creeks or boulders will take less time and cost less than usual to clear.
The Location of the Parcel Affects the Cost
Your land clearing service costs will rise if your parcel is in a remote location that’s difficult to access. For example, workers may have to remove trees to reach the portion of the property you want cleared. A remote parcel that’s difficult to reach because some rural bridges can’t support the weight of the construction equipment might also result in a higher-than-average cost.
Some land clearing companies will add a per-mile surcharge if you’re more than a certain distance from the company’s headquarters. However, rural areas may require fewer permits than properties in urban areas. This means you might be able to do the work more cheaply.
Proximity of the Land Being Cleared to Buildings and Property Lines
Parcel owners who need space cleared that’s close to existing buildings or power lines will probably pay more than average. If the professionals must clear trees near the property line, they’ll have to work methodically to prevent them from falling onto the neighbor’s land.
Crew members will have to work more carefully in these situations, which means the entire job will take longer and cost more.
Any Additional Land Clearing Services You Might Need
Add-on services will increase the project’s cost. If you need land grading to eliminate low spots that collect water and provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes, the cost will increase. Moving tree trunks and boulders with a crane and trailer to an off-site location will increase the cost compared to leaving them on site.
Trust Family Roots Landworks for Affordable Vegetation Removal and Site Preparation
Although you can come up with a land clearing cost estimate on your own, the better option is to reach out to experts for an accurate estimate. At Family Roots Landworks, we offer a free price quote for clearing your property.
We’ll discuss the plans you have for the property, which will help us provide an accurate price quote. To meet your plans, we might determine that you only need a section of the property cleared, rather than the entire lot, saving you money. To request a price quote, contact us today at (352) 623-6448. We serve Newberry, FL, and the surrounding areas.
