If you happen to own a plot of unused land, you may want to clear it for development at some point. Whether you want to build commercial space or prepare the land for recreation, that project likely involves paying for land clearing.
What can you do to lower the potential costs of this endeavor? Read on to see what WR Land Development LLC’s quick guide says about saving money on that next land-clearing project.
Get Free Estimates on Land Clearing
With land development matters, you should always get a written estimate from the company you want to hire for land clearing before they begin. Companies should provide a free quote with no obligations. That way, you can assess your options without spending a dime.
A written estimate comes in handy for two main reasons:
- Using it as evidence if there’s a payment dispute
- Not settling for the first quote before showing it to another company to see if you can get a better deal
According to Angi, the cost to clear densely forested land is about $3,600 per acre on average. Base your expectations on that average as a starting point. However, expect that well-established land-clearing companies might offer you bulk discounts – the price per acre usually drops the larger your plot of land.
Cost-Effective Planning
The land-clearing company can help you with your project, but only you can draft a long-term plan. Do you have a detailed write-up for land clearing? What is the expected result of your land-clearing project?
If you have drawn up a clear and detailed plan, you will understand how to adjust things if you hit any hiccups along the way. Delays cost money, so a clear direction is helpful to keep things moving ahead.
Wait On What You Don’t Need To Do Right Now
Does your big landscaping plan require permit management? You might have a grand plan for land clearing and landscaping, but remember that grand plans suck up a lot of resources before they come to fruition.
Let’s say you want to introduce a gradient to certain areas, giving them the desired slope for the final landscape. Have you calculated how much extra work that land leveling and shaping will take on top of the general land-clearing efforts? Is your budget ready to handle all that extra time and labor?
Why not focus on the immediate and very selective clearing needs now and leave the less urgent stuff for later? One option is to wait until the off-season – when labor is cheaper, and schedules are flexible – to make those less urgent changes.
Confirm There’s Efficient Machinery
Before you agree to land clearing, always ensure you ask about the forestry company’s equipment and confirm that it can handle the job. Most land-clearing jobs will require heavy machinery in addition to regular hand tools, like shovels, axes, rakes, and saws.
Does the company own its machinery? Some also rent machinery for business purposes. Either way, efficient equipment usage will make the job progress much faster and create a better final result for your piece of land.
Choose a Trusted Company to Clear Your Land
When looking for a company, you might want to look for one that has garnered a lot of positive customer reviews and testimonials. Most companies will include testimonials somewhere on their web pages. You can also look at third-party review sites like Better Business Bureau to gauge the quality of their work and customer service.
Positive reviews don’t come easy. Companies that still have them after five years or more of service have proven they can provide a reliable land clearing. Otherwise, you risk someone who might use shady tactics like hidden costs.
Reuse Recycled Materials in the Land Project
One of the more time-consuming tasks of land clearing is cleaning up what’s left. It helps tremendously to reuse what you can.
For instance, after you clear a bunch of trees, you could do something with the lumber or even sell it. Similarly, you can mulch smaller trees and brush to replenish the topsoil on the cleared land area.
Consider DIY Options Like Debris Cleanup
Depending on the size and scope of the project, you may be able to do some of it yourself and save money. Does your hardware store offer heavy machinery as equipment rentals? A long weekend project of clearing light underbrush or a few small trees might be okay.
However, for safety reasons, you’ll want to rely on a professional if the land has significant underbrush or is densely packed with trees.
Land Clearing and Forestry Services in Florida
When it comes to curating your property’s potential, don’t leave it at the mercy of subpar land clearing. A qualified professional offers fast and effective land clearing that won’t waste your time or money.
Start with WR Land Development LLC – get in touch online or call (407) 993-1439 today!
