Planning to build a home or business on that patch of land you’ve just purchased? If your land is full of trees and weeds, you’ll need to hire a land-clearing company before you jump into construction.
Below, learn how to prepare for land clearing. TM Property Solutions describes what to expect when your project preparation kicks off.
Construction Planning: What To Know Before Diving Into Land Clearing
Land clearing is always a substantial project and one that requires significant preparation to pull off successfully. What should you know before hiring a land-clearing company in Florida? Start here.
Determine the Final Purpose of Your Cleared Land
Why do you want to clear the land? Are you planning to build a house, turn the area into a wildlife habitat, start a farm, or something else? Your land-clearing company will take this into account when deciding how to approach your project.
Let’s say you’d like to start a farm. In that case, the clearing team would need to perform grubbing for toxic plants that could harm livestock and weeds that would compete with crops or pollen sources. Farmland also needs strict erosion control.
Set a Land-Clearing Budget and Timeline
Once you’ve determined why you need land clearing, set your budget and completion dates. Land clearing can cost anywhere from $500 to more than $10,000, depending on the size of your property, but the details matter. For example, you may be able to negotiate a lower price by having the work done in the fall or winter, as there is less demand for land-clearing services during cooler and rainier months.
It’s wise to settle on a timeline for the project, too. If your project drags on for longer than anticipated, a higher-than-expected bill could throw off your next lot of building plans.
Identify Trees and Other Vegetation Correctly
Before land clearing can begin, the company will need to survey your property and identify all the vegetation you want to remove. We pay close attention to dangerous trees, leaning specimens, and signs of tree disease, all of which may require special removal techniques. Our team also looks out for invasive plant species to mark them for removal.
You should also know that even land-clearing professionals may not be able to remove all the vegetation. Florida designates some tree and plant species as protected. You’ll need special permission to remove these species, and depending on your planned construction project, that’s often hard to come by.
Evaluate the Important Topographical Features of Your Land
In addition to identifying the plants on your land, the land-clearing team will evaluate its features. What type of equipment does the project require? Is there uneven ground or a large rock that could complicate the bulldozing process?
We’ll also assess the soil quality and look for drainage patterns. If your land has poor drainage, changes to improve it would be crucial for stopping erosion.
Construction Prep: What To Expect Before and During Land Clearing
The planning stage is essential, but once that’s complete, site preparation kicks off with marking the areas for land clearing and designating boundaries. The team gets ready for the work by donning hard hats, boots, goggles, and brightly colored safety vests. They also bring in any equipment that they will need to use.
Expect one of two approaches for land clearing:
- Mechanical clearing entails removing trees and debris with heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, backhoes, and excavators. Machines clear large tracts of land quickly.
- Manual clearing works for projects that must retain some vegetation or won’t accommodate large equipment on the property. Smaller pieces of equipment like chainsaws and axes will remove your trees and vegetation instead.
Manual clearing is slower but much more precise than mechanical work.
The Importance of Quality Land Clearing for Every Construction Project
Not all land-clearing companies are built alike. Why hire a highly experienced land-clearing and excavation service?
- Improper land clearing can cause drainage problems, damage the soil, and harm delicate ecosystems. Companies like TM Property Solutions avoid issues like these by preparing carefully before starting the land clearing.
- Land clearing requires a permit in many parts of Florida. Professionals can obtain the proper permit on your behalf.
- Land clearing produces a lot of tree trunks, branches, and rocks, and responsible debris removal is important. Trees from your land might get a second life as firewood, mulch, or lumber.
It’s also important to look at the worst-case scenario. Is the team you’re hiring fully licensed, bonded, and insured to do this work in your area? If not, you’re opening yourself up to big risks.
Ready To Schedule Land Clearing? Reach Out to TM Property Solutions
Our family-owned company has proudly served Florida for many years, and we have the expertise to handle land-clearing projects of any size! Request an estimate for land clearing today – call us at (863) 216-3166.
