Land Clearing FAQ

Pricing depends on terrain, vegetation density, access, and disposal needs. As a rough guide: forestry mulching starts around $800 per acre, traditional residential lot clearing starts around $1,500 per acre, and individual tree work starts around $300 per tree. Commercial and complex sites are custom-quoted. Every quote includes a free on-site visit so you get a real number, not a guess.

It depends on the jurisdiction and what's on the lot. Inside Austin city limits, the Tree Protection Ordinance applies — protected trees (19" diameter and up) and heritage trees (24"+) need a city permit before removal. Many ETJ and county areas have looser rules but may still require SWPPP / erosion control for sites over a certain size. We assess permit requirements during the site visit and handle the paperwork.

Forestry mulching uses a tracked machine to grind brush and small trees in place, leaving a layer of mulch on the ground. It's faster than cut-and-haul, eliminates burn piles, retains soil and moisture, and disturbs the ground less. It's a great fit for cedar/juniper removal, fence-line maintenance, and preparing land where the surface mulch can be left to decompose. For full-build site prep where you need bare ground, traditional clearing plus hauling is usually the better call.

Yes — selective clearing is most of what we do. Walk the property with us during the site visit and flag the live oaks, pecans, or any tree you want kept. We work around them and document protection measures (fencing, root-zone exclusion) before equipment goes near them.

A quarter-acre residential lot is usually 1–2 days. A 5-acre cedar mulching job runs 3–5 days. Multi-acre commercial site prep with grading runs 1–3 weeks. Timing depends on terrain, weather, permit lead times, and how much hauling is involved. We give you a written timeline with the quote.

Yes. For any commercial site or any lot over the size thresholds requiring a SWPPP, we install silt fencing, stabilized construction entrances, and any other BMPs the engineer's plan calls for. We can also pull and maintain the SWPPP if you don't have an engineer on the project yet.

Mobilization is moving equipment to the site and back — tracked machines, support trailers, fuel, and crew. We bundle it into the quote so there are no surprise line items. For most sites in Greater Austin, mobilization is included in the day rate.

Greater Austin and the Hill Country — Austin, Dripping Springs, Bee Cave, Lakeway, Spicewood, Wimberley, Kyle, Buda, Cedar Park, Leander, Manor, and surrounding areas. Generally within a 30-mile radius of central Austin. For larger jobs we'll travel further — ask.

We come to the property at a scheduled time, walk it with you, talk about what you're trying to accomplish, and assess terrain, vegetation, access, and any permitting considerations. You get a written quote within 1–2 business days with scope, equipment plan, timeline, and fixed pricing. No pressure, no obligation.

Yes. Residential ranges from small backyard reclamation to multi-acre rural property prep. Commercial includes subdivision lot prep, retail and industrial site clearing, utility corridor work, and ongoing maintenance contracts. We coordinate directly with civil engineers and GCs on commercial jobs.