You have several land clearing company choices in Florida, so don’t jump at the first one you find! Poor match-ups from hasty decisions can waste your time and effort.
WR Land Development experts suggest asking these seven questions before you choose your land clearing company. That way, you can go in with more trust and a base point for how reliable they will be.
Question 1: Can I See Some Examples of Your Past Work?
You’re well within your rights to see what the company has previously worked on to gauge several important details:
- What they have done before
- If they have specific trends in their work
- If what they’ve done before is in line with what you need
You may also discover how long or often the company receives work. Groups that work frequently, even when younger, may have more experience than an older group that receives less work and completes fewer jobs.
Question 2: Can You Provide Me With a Clear Estimate?
Land clearing involves many factors beyond vegetation removal or grading services. Even those aspects of the project differ depending on the land you have:
- Property size
- If they can burn some debris on-site
- Size and number of trees and other foliage
- How much debris they need to take to a landfill
Many estimates in Florida hover around $1 to $2 per square foot for foliage-mild properties. Those with thicker, denser wooded areas can expect a higher quote. Service permits also cost around $250 depending on government rates.
You’ll be able to tell if they can work in your budget with their quote and can choose the better company based on the rates they offer.
Question 3: Can You Show Me Your Licenses and Insurance?
Licensing and insurance coverage protect you and your property during land clearing projects. Contractors should prove they know what they’re doing and that you won’t have to pay for any injuries on the job. Companies with all the necessary paperwork to safely and legally work in the area exhibit basic trustworthiness.
Don’t be satisfied with a simple, “Yes, we can,” answer without actually seeing the proof. Instead, request physical proof of their licenses and insurance, which they should already have on hand. Contractors who hesitate to show it or have trouble finding it when needed are a bright red flag.
Question 4: How Do You Handle Debris Removal and Disposal?
Your property’s discarded foliage must go somewhere. As experts, they should know where.
For example, if you get forestry mulching, the contractors leave behind a layer of mulch for soil rejuvenation made from the cleaned-up portions of the land. However, you shouldn’t have anything left behind from a land clearing project, including tree roots, large rocks, and other obstacle removal.
You want to make sure that, wherever these large, cumbersome objects go, they won’t cause you or the city any problems.
Question 5: Have You Ever Faced Unexpected Challenges During a Project?
If this sounds like an interview question, it is. You’re interviewing prospective contractors to see how they work and if they have the skills to cleanly and quickly clear your land.
Contractors with problem-solving issues may not be able to handle your property. Any company that states they’ve never had problems might not have the skills to handle one if it arises during your land clearing.
Meanwhile, a group that honestly expresses that they’ve faced some unexpected issues and documented an efficient way to resolve them may be more likely to provide good results.
Question 6: What Are Your Safety Precautions?
Alongside licensing and insurance, you need to know they have plans to ensure the safety of their workers. A company that focuses on team safety may spend less time and energy on unnecessary injuries and shortfalls during the project. Keep notes on some points you should hear or ask about:
- Employee training
- Tree felling protocol
- What equipment they use
- Their site evacuation protocol
- How they secure the working area
Question 7: Do You Have References?
Having references helps employers understand what kind of employees the applicants were, so now you can get an idea of what kind of contractors they were to their clients. Companies that don’t have references they can provide may not be as trustworthy. For those that do provide references, remember to ask questions like:
- Were they on time?
- Did they complete the project on time?
- How satisfied were you with the results?
- Would you use them for future projects?
Add WR Land Development to Your Interview List
Our stump removal, site preparation, land leveling, and other related services are second to none in New Smyrna, Orlando, Daytona Beach, and nearby areas. We can easily answer these questions and other questions about land clearing in Florida. Call (407) 993-1439 or visit our contact page to schedule your free land clearing consultation today.
