Doesn’t everyone dream of owning their own home and land where they can carve out space for themselves, raise a family, or just enjoy themselves? Some things may stand in the way of your ideal property layout, though, such as dense trees and shrubbery overtaking the backyard. If you’d prefer a patio and pool there or you have a veritable jungle you’d rather develop, land clearing would be the next logical step.
Still, before calling in the bulldozers, you’ll want to consider the cost of clearing your land and how to stay within your budget. The Yard Force does this work with a strong work ethic and dedication to excellence. Read on for what our team has to say about the typical costs of vegetation removal in Tennessee, what affects this price point, and how to lower the bill.
How Companies Calculate Clearing Costs For Your Property’s Landscape
Everyone’s land looks slightly different, has unique dimensions, and houses its own attributes. There is no set rate for clearing your land. Instead, you should expect quite a wide price range that is wholly dependent on the property size, its condition, and the project’s merits.
Every square foot of land a professional clears might cost $1 to $2, with the average acre costing anywhere between $700 to $5,900. However, the condition of that landscape will tell you where on this spectrum your land-clearing rates are likely to fall. Denser foliage is more work, which takes more time and labor – and costs more.
According to Forbes, clearing half an acre of land with dense foliage can cost up to $2,900. Cleaning up a lightly lined two-acre field can run as low as $1,400. The estimate you receive after an on-site visit should detail these things carefully so that you understand how the land-clearing company plans to charge you.
What Are the Most Important Influences on Land Clearing Costs?
While the land’s current condition and surface area are the main determinants in your quote from the professionals, accessibility also affects how much you’ll have to spend on this type of project.
Is your site difficult to reach or navigate with machinery? Obstructions from houses to large boulders and trees you don’t want to chop down will change the price you pay.
What about the equipment necessary for land clearing? If your experts only have to remove shrubbery and smaller trees, they may only need pruning shears, shovels, chainsaws, brush cutters, and chippers. The price could go up significantly if they need excavators, bulldozers, and skid steer loaders for felling larger trees.
Other important factors affecting the land-clearing costs include the following:
Site Preparation
A lot of preparation goes into projects, including land surveying that maps out and measures the property (usually, that runs between $300 and $1,900). There’s also debris removal, which costs between $100 and $600. Obtaining the right permits could be up to $500.
Stump Removal and Mulching
After cutting down a tree, experts recommend stump removal to eradicate the unsightly remains. After a $200-$700 root excavation to pull the stump up, mulching adds $100 to $400 per stump to your overall bill.
Grading and Leveling
Unlike forestry mulching, land clearing often includes grading services and land leveling. The experts level out small slopes or add soil to regrade larger ones to create a sturdy foundation for homes and other structures. All of these extra services will add to the cost.
The Overall Average Cost of Land Clearing
Now you know the factors that affect the cost of clearing your land. How much will the entire land-clearing project run up?
According to Forbes, the average homeowner pays $100 to $11,800 to clear their land. The average is $3,100 for anything from a dense half-acre to a sparsely-lined four-acre forest.
How To Save Money on Your Next Land Clearing
If you’re noticing your land clearing costs rising, you might be pleased to learn there are still ways to save a few bucks here and there. For one, you could hire a landscaping company during the off-season. Why compete for a spot on the schedule and pay more?
Similarly, only opt for services you truly need. Is your tree stump not in the way? Consider repurposing it for your landscaping decor to save on excavation and grinding costs.
Other cost-saving tips include:
- Bundle services for a discount
- Reuse certain materials as mulch to avoid hauling fees
- Do your research on permits and get them early
From Land Clearing to Landscape Designs, The Yard Force Does It All
What’s the most important thing to remember with land clearing costs in Tennessee? In our experience, it usually costs the most to attempt a DIY job, rent machines, waste hours, and botch permits, and then get a professional in to fix everything!
Just hire The Yard Force! Call (865) 290-8815 for a free quote on Tennessee land clearing today!
