Finding the average cost of land clearing is difficult because each new job represents a new set of factors. Still, it is helpful to know what land clearing professionals are looking for so you know what to expect to pay.
Illinois property owners sometimes think that foregoing professional land-clearing services saves money. Unfortunately, taking on this project with a lack of experience, no knowledge of local regulations, and little to no access to quality machinery can cause more problems than it solves for you. Expenses for site preparation and legal penalties add up, so how do you decide whether you’re looking at a quote with reasonable land-clearing costs?
As land clearers in Petersburg, Illinois, Stewart’s Land Management understands your predicament. This post covers how service providers create estimates to clear your land based on several factors.
Factors To Consider When Estimating Land Clearing Expenses
What are the contributing factors to lot-clearing estimates?
Property Size
The general rule of thumb is that bigger properties will cost more to clear than smaller ones because they take up more time. Most professionals in the area price projects on a full or half-acre basis. For example, clearing a half-acre could cost anywhere from $250 to $2,800, and the price doubles for a full acre.
This estimate only covers basic services like vegetation and tree removal. You’ll see additional expenses if the project involves landscape grading, excavation, or waste hauling.
Land Condition
Is your property in or around Petersburg thick with overgrown vegetation and dense trees? Does it have a steep slope? Pay attention to your plot’s condition when determining the potential cost estimate.
Let’s say you have a lightly forested acre of land. The average cost to clear it ranges from $500 to $2,000. The price jumps significantly for a densely forested lot of the same size.
Labor
People often attempt DIY lot clearing to avoid paying for labor. That’s understandable since, no matter who you hire to do the work, you’ll have to pay them for their expertise and time. However, the labor time is reduced exponentially when you hire people who clear land for a living.
Why not get several local land-clearing quotes to determine the best price for the quality of work and services your project needs? Hiring the cheapest company before making this comparison might be unwise.
Land-Clearing Equipment and Supplies
Removing trees, leveling land, and relocating large rocks? All of that takes specialized tools and equipment that professionals can access.
Excavators, mulchers, and brush cutters are typical equipment. Your project may require other heavy-duty machinery, too.
Debris Cleanup
After cutting down trees, removing vegetation, and grinding stumps, the lot-clearing crew may need to haul the debris away. Must they relocate or dispose of inorganic materials and waste to ensure the property is clear for farming, landscaping, or construction work? The prices for debris cleanup vary.
What Drives Up Illinois Land Clearing Prices?
When estimating how much you may pay for land clearing in Illinois, you must consider everything from your plot’s terrain to its foliage. Expect your quotes to increase if your space has the following characteristics:
- The property has structures, such as a home or carport.
- The vegetation is dense.
- The land needs silt fences.
- The lot is on a hill.
- Brush burning isn’t allowed at the site.
- The space has or is near a stream, pond, or lake.
- The land has a soil saturation problem.
What Lowers the Property Clearing Prices?
You can expect lower quotes if your site is flat and without much foliage or many big trees. Demolition is an added fee, so you can save big if you don’t need to remove a building or structure.
Easy accessibility to the site and waste disposal area can also reduce expenses.
Get Affordable Lot Clearing Services in Petersburg, Illinois, From Stewart’s Land Management
Determining property clearing estimates in Petersburg, Illinois, can be tricky, especially if your project is complex. Count on Stewart’s Land Management to provide the services you seek at competitive rates. Our local company has years of experience, commercial-grade equipment, and expertise to handle everything from site preparation and grading to forestry mulching and debris hauling!
Get your free estimate for land clearing from Stewart’s Land Management. Call (217) 882-0732!
