Whether you’re about to break ground on a new house or want to build a business on that tract of undeveloped wilderness, you may have a big land-clearing project ahead of you. You realize that this isn’t a project you can tackle yourself – that’s smart. You’ll need to hire a Florida land clearing company, but which one?
You shouldn’t just hire the first “land clearing company near me” that pops up on your search results page. Just because a company says it can knock down a few trees doesn’t mean they’re a good match for your job. Picking the wrong company can come back to haunt you in several ways, some merely annoying and others downright disastrous.
Below, learn the top five mistakes to avoid when hiring a Florida land-clearing company. Entrusting this task to the right company makes all the difference.
Mistake 1: Failing To Receive a Clear Estimate
You find a land clearing company that looks pretty good and decide to call for an estimate. “I need these trees removed,” you say, “and the ground leveled, too.” “Sure, we can do that,” the guy on the phone replies, so you agree to have them do the work.
Stop right there! You’ve just made a mistake, and it could cost you big time. Failing to get a clear, upfront estimate is one of the biggest and costliest errors people make when hiring a Florida land clearing company.
Land clearing projects tend to balloon in scope, and the price follows suit. You may think you only need tree removal and ground leveling, but when that land clearing crew arrives and discovers assorted trash buried beneath the earth, they’ll need to remove that junk before the project can kick off. That’ll be another $1,000 or more.
Then, the crew might discover your land is home to a protected animal species. The cost of figuring out how to proceed without habitat destruction escalates quickly. It’s critical to get an estimate upfront before work starts, as, without one, you may end up paying through the nose.
Mistake 2: Not Understanding the Scope of the Work
Far too many people hire a land clearing company without knowing exactly what the work is going to entail. They don’t ask, so the company doesn’t tell. This is a problem for two reasons:
- First, the cost can spiral out of control.
- Second, the project might end up taking much longer than you thought it would.
When you call a land clearing company for a quote, its answer should tell you exactly what the team plans to do on your land. What equipment will it use? How long will the work take to complete?
The team you hire should include all of these things in a written contract. That way, both parties can refer to it if there are any disputes.
Mistake 3: Neglecting To Verify Licenses and Insurance
Any land-clearing crew can figure out how to work a bulldozer and knock things down. Just because a worker can operate heavy machinery, though, doesn’t mean that they’re licensed to do so or safe behind the wheel.
Unlicensed operators may not fully understand safety protocols. Heavy machinery can be incredibly dangerous in the wrong hands, and the last thing you want is a worker getting injured (or worse) on your property. On top of that, unlicensed operators can do serious damage to your land if they don’t fully understand the impact of soil disturbance and deforestation.
In addition to licenses, the land clearing company you hire should be able to provide proof of insurance. Coverage protects you if something goes wrong while they’re on-site.
Mistake 4: Forgetting To Check Reviews and References
Just because a land clearing company has a nice website and says all the right things doesn’t make it a good pick. Check the company’s reviews and references before agreeing to hire it for your job.
It’s often easy to find reviews about local land clearing companies online. When browsing what customers say, be sure to look for:
- Complaints about shoddy work
- Missed deadlines
- Inexperienced workers
- Payment issues
If you see a negative trend, steer clear of that company.
Mistake 5: Choosing a Company That Lacks Experience With Similar Land-Preparation Projects
You need your land’s soil graded to direct floodwaters away from the build site. You hire a land-clearing company for excavation.
The problem? This company mainly has experience with brush clearing. That team hasn’t yet tackled many (if any) grading projects before.
It’s easy to see how this could quickly go amiss. To avoid disappointment, always pick a company that has experience handling projects similar to yours.
Hire a Dependable Florida Land Clearing Company Like TM Property Solutions for Your Project
You’ve learned about the top mistakes to avoid when hiring a land clearing company. Are you ready to start looking for the right company for your job? Call TM Property Solutions at (863) 216-3166 for a free estimate.
