When you’re ready to use a piece of property in a new way, you might need to clear the land first. Things like brush clearing, soil displacement, and tree removal can help the property come to life.
Land clearing might seem like it will be a costly, time-intensive process. To cut expenses, you have some options. Learn more about the different ways to save money when removing vegetation from a piece of property — and whether doing it yourself is actually easier.
Forestry Mulching — How It Saves You Money
One way to cut down on the cost of clearing a piece of property is to use forestry mulching techniques. This process involves first taking out trees and brush with heavy equipment.
Instead of hauling the brush and trees off-site, forestry mulching uses the debris to create mulch. Frequently, the land clearing company can create mulch as it’s doing the removal work, saving time.
The cost of hauling away large trees and brush can drive up the bill quickly. It’s more labor-intensive to haul the debris than to mulch on-site.
When hauling, you have fuel costs for the large trucks needed to carry everything. Some companies may charge you a disposal fee based on the amount of debris hauled. This fee could be large on a sizable property.
To save more money, our team can leave the mulch on your site. It works like a natural fertilizer that nourishes the soil. If you have landscaping plans for the cleared property, you can use this mulch, saving money versus buying mulch.
Renting Your Own Equipment — Pros and Cons
If you want to try to save money by clearing the property yourself, you’ll have to deal with some rental costs. Because the necessary equipment is large and specialized, finding a rental location can be challenging.
You might have to haul the equipment a long way to reach your property. If you don’t have a vehicle capable of hauling heavy equipment and trailers, you might need to rent one.
Learning how to operate powerful brush removal machines can be difficult for a novice. You may take quite a bit longer to do the work than an experienced professional would take which will drive up your rental costs.
If the machine breaks down, you’ll have to wait for the rental company to provide service. This could delay your timeline significantly.
Failing to clean the rental equipment after use could cost you penalties. If you damage the machine because you’re unsure how to use it safely, you could incur a major expense for repairs.
Equipment rental is not necessary when hiring a land clearing company. The company provides all the machinery. You don’t have the hassle of finding fuel or machinery.
For a smaller parcel, renting small outdoor power tools to do the work yourself on a Saturday may be cost-effective. For larger DIY projects, though, the hassles and cost of renting specialized machinery may be overwhelming. It might be cheaper in the long run to hire professionals.
Other Options for Saving Money on Land Clearing and Site Preparation
You have a few other options to consider to keep the costs low for removing plants from your property.
Using a Controlled Burn
Controlled burns remove vegetation and brush effectively. However, they don’t work well for large trees. Additionally, local governments might deny your burn permits during dry seasons.
Making a Detailed Plan
Take the time to think about how you want to use the cleared land. You might find that you need to clear a smaller space than you initially thought, which will save you money.
Doing Limited DIY Tasks
To save money, you might be able to do some work yourself. Using your personal equipment for mowing small brush or vegetation can be a quick job and you can save the larger items for a professional.
Being Ready for the Next Step
Don’t clear your parcel in the spring when you don’t plan to use it until winter or the following spring. Plants and brush will grow back if you aren’t ready to start your project right away.
Considering the Season
It’s frequently cheaper to hire companies to help with property management projects during winter. Machinery and labor are often in lower demand during winter. You might receive more competitive and affordable bids during the off-season for this type of work.
Trust Sawtooth Land Development for Competitive Prices for Clearing Land
At Sawtooth Land Development, we are the local experts for all your land clearing needs. We have the equipment and know-how to do the job quickly and at a competitive price. Our thorough but fast work lets your project move forward on time.
To learn more about our grading, tree cutting, and stump removal processes, call us today at (205) 523-3506 for a free quote. We serve Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and the surrounding regions.
