Before utilizing any land, it’s essential to clear it first. This clearing process involves the removal of trees from the land prior to any construction or other intended purposes.
Land clearing costs between $3,680 and $17,569 per acre to clear depending on the number, size, and density of trees. The cheapest method for land clearing is finding free tree removal for the wood program.
There are several other ways that you can save money on land clearing costs.
Here are several ways you can clear land on the cheap.
Free Tree Removal For Wood
Land clearing is a costly endeavor. You can save your money if you get free tree removal for wood program. Lumbering companies offer such programs.
Your land needs to have a certain number of trees for the wood and time spent to be profitable to the company to warrant free tree removal.
Also, lumbering companies will consider the type of trees on your land before they can accept you in their program.
The more trees you have, the more time they will produce for sale. If your trees have high-quality timber, the better price and profit the lumbering company will fetch.
Tree Removal Financial Assistance Programs
If you are looking to save money in land clearing, you can apply for financial assistance.
- You can apply to federal, state, and private tree removal financial assistance programs.
- State tree removal programs provide financial grants for tree removals to farmers.
- Orchard and nursery owners can apply to financial assistance programs seeking funds to help them remove many trees from their farms cost-effectively.
- Individuals can apply to other financial assistance programs for tree removal. You can get $4000-$100,000 for your tree removal. How much you receive depends on funds availability and the number of trees to be cleared from your land.
- Some programs will assist during disasters such as forest fires that would have you clear your trees.
Sell The Trees to a Logging Company
The cheapest way to clear land is to sell your trees. You can sell your trees to anyone who needs trees. The person who buys the trees then decides on the best tree removal method.
By selling the trees, you make some money and have your land cleared.
You can agree with the buyer of your trees on how to clear the debris and trunks after land clearing. When they do this for you, your land is ready for use.
DIY Land Clearing
When it comes to land clearing, DIY could be cost-effective, but it will take a lot of time and some money.
First, you may need to buy some power tools to cut trees down. Once you cut down the trees, you will need to remove debris and tree trunks. Depending on the size of the land and the number of trees to clear, it will take you a long time.
If you don’t have the right tools, you will have to hire them. The longer you take to clear the land, the more you pay to hire the tools.
Preferably, hire a land clearing contractor near you.
Factors To Consider In The Cost Of Land Clearing
Size Of The Land
The larger the land, the more you pay for land clearing1. You will pay $3,680 – $17,569 to clear an acre of land. For ¼ acres, you can expect to pay $1,500 on average.
The size of the land is a significant factor in the cost of land clearing.
Permits
Depending on where you live, you will need a permit to clear the land. Permit fees increase the cost of land clearing.
Your local government will charge you depending on the size of the land you want to clear and, in some cases, the type of trees you will be cutting down.
The higher the cost of the permits, the higher the cost of land clearing.
Number Of Trees To Clear
The density of the trees in the land you want to clear will also determine how much you pay for land clearing. The more forested your land is, the more you will pay.
For a heavily forested ¼ acre of land, you will pay $1,900-$2200. Similarly, you will pay up to $7,000 for an acre of land.
Condition Of The Land
How your land looks plays a huge role in determining how much you will pay for land clearing.
It is much cheaper to clear flat land than sloping land. It is hard to get tree removal tools to the trees on sloping ground. Leveling the ground before or after clearing will also cost extra.
Rocky ground increases the cost of land clearing. Also, if there is a lot of mulch that needs removal, you will pay more.
Existing Structures
The cost of land clearing rises if there are existing structures. Removing the buildings costs more than tree removal.
Existing structures near the trees that need removal make the removal process more difficult. Therefore, you will pay more.
If the structures do not interfere with tree removal, they will have little impact on the cost of land clearing.
Cost Of Labor
Labor costs differ depending on where you live. Where labor is expensive, you will pay more to clear your land.
How To Keep The Cost Of Land Clearing Low
- DIY
- Hire a professional tree removal service. Get at least three quotes from professionals to set your budget.
- Use low-cost tools
How To Hire A Professional Land Clearing Service Provider
If you are looking for a reliable and affordable land-clearing service, you can use this FREE tool.
Gotreequotes.com is a free-to-use tool that connects homeowners to professional Tree Removal and Land Clearing service providers.
To use this too:
- Enter your zip code at the top of the tool.
- Fill in the form to provide more details on the service you require.
- You will receive three quotes from professional tree service providers.
- Contact the provider who falls within your budget and hire them to clear the land for you.
How Long Does Land Clearing Take?
How long it takes to clear your land is determined by several factors. The size and condition of the land, tools, and the density of trees determine how long it will take to clear your land.
The larger your land, the longer it will take to clear. The more forested the land is, the longer it will take to clear.
Rocks, slopes, mulch, brush, and debris on the land also increase the time it will take to finish land clearing.
- Jane Purnell, (2023) How Much Does It Cost to Clear Land? <https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/cost/clear-land-price/> Accessed: 23-02-2024
