The average U.S. homeowner spends about $3,807 to clear land. Depending on the size, condition, and location, most spend between $1,403 and $6,215.
The average cost to clear land is $3,807, but you could pay anywhere from $400 up to $15,000 depending on the terrain type, the size of your plot, your location, and more. The cost per acre for land clearing runs from $500 to $5,600. Considering the tree-clearing cost and the site’s accessibility are the best ways to determine your final land-clearing prices.
To figure out your total land clearing cost, you’ll need to think about the size of your lot, how you’ll get rid of debris, tree clearing costs, and a few other factors.
Most projects are priced on a per half-acre or per acre basis and take into account the level of vegetation and trees to be cleared.
Generally speaking, the land-clearing cost per half-acre is around $250 to $2,800. This is only for your basic clearing of trees, brush, and other debris. To get your lot ready for building, there are additional expenses for services, including topsoil stripping, landscape grading (aka leveling your lawn), digging, hauling yard waste, and otherwise prepping the land.
The cost per acre to clear land is approximately $500 to $5,600. The price accounts for the range of vegetation that will need to be removed, as well as the intended use for the lot.
| Land Size by Acre | Average Cost Range to Clear Land |
|---|---|
| 1 | $500–$5,600 |
| 2 | $1,000–$11,200 |
| 3 | $1,500–$16,800 |
| 4 | $2,000–$22,400 |
| 5 | $2,500–$28,000 |
Local land-clearing professionals may charge an hourly rate for a land-clearing project, which typically runs between $110 and $250 per hour. This includes removing vegetation, trees, and debris, as well as disposing of waste from the project. Depending on the condition of your land and the services available in your area, you may need to consider the following costs:
Land clearing contractor costs: $1,403–$6,215
Forestry mulching cost: $400–$1,500
Tree removal cost: $200–$2,000 per acre
Excavation cost: $1,660–$6,730
Demolition cost: $3,600–$15,100
Professionals have access to heavy-duty equipment to clear heavy brush, remove small trees, and relocate large rocks. Brush cutters and mulchers are the most common, but they may need specialty equipment for forestry mulching when cutting through very dense areas of wood. All in all, equipment will account for between $150 and $3,000 of your total.
For undeveloped land, a good portion of your total will go toward removing trees, stumps, brush, and overgrowth. The total for this portion of the job could fall anywhere between $200 and $5,600, depending on what you need your pros to remove.
| Type of Removal | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Tree removal | $500–$2,000 per acre |
| Brush removal | $20–$200 per acre |
| Stump removal | $100–$150 per stump |
| Large rock removal | $650–$1,200 per acre |
One of the most crucial factors to consider when estimating land clearing prices is the condition of your land. Light brush will cost the least to clear, while densely forested plots and those with large boulders scattered throughout will cost significantly more. The slope of your land also plays a role, as a steep plot could prevent your professionals from using heavy machinery that speeds up the job.
| Land Size by Acre | Average Cost Range to Clear Lightly Forested Lots | Average Cost Range to Clear Densely Forested Lots |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | $250–$1,000 | $1,800–$2,800 |
| 1 | $500–$2,000 | $3,600–$5,600 |
| 2 | $1,000–$4,000 | $7,200–$11,200 |
| 3 | $1,500–$6,000 | $10,800–$16,800 |
| 4 | $2,000–$8,000 | $14,400–$22,400 |
| 5 | $2,500–$10,000 | $18,000–$28,000 |
In some cases, you might need to pay for removing inorganic material and waste, paying for brush burning rather than removal, or clearing small rocks to make way for construction. These will each come with unique costs based on the size of the plot and how dense the debris is.
| Type of Cleanup | Cost |
|---|---|
| Brush burning | $20–$200 per hour |
| Clearing small rocks | $120–$150 per hour |
| Waste removal | $130–$370 |
If the yard waste bags aren’t cutting it, you might want to consider renting a landscaping dumpster. Depending on the size of the lot, the level of debris, and the area you’re located in, final costs vary.
| Dumpster Size | Maximum Weight (tons) | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 yards | 2–3 | $225–$575 |
| 20 yards | 2–3 | $275-$700 |
| 40 yards | 5–6 | $350-$800 |
Is there a shed, pool house, or an even larger old structure in the way? Demolition costs can change the whole ball game, adding between $4 and $17 per square foot for the job. In this case, you will also need a permit, which costs an average of $200. You may also need to check for underground electrical and gas lines before proceeding.
Terrain, labor, and dumping prices will all play a role in your total land-clearing costs. You can expect to pay higher prices in states with a higher cost of living, in areas where dumping fees account for sustainable disposal, and near major metropolitan areas.
| State | Cost to Clear Land |
|---|---|
| California | $5,500 |
| Florida | $3,890 |
| Georgia | $3,480 |
| Illinois | $3,630 |
| Michigan | $3,510 |
| New York | $4,690 |
| North Carolina | $3,710 |
| Ohio | $3,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,610 |
| Texas | $3,520 |
In most cases, land clearing will just be one important step toward getting your land ready for building. It’s also a good idea to budget for the site preparation you’ll have to do after clearing brush and debris. You can hire a landscaper and work with other professionals like local excavation companies to prepare for construction.
| Project | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Building permits | $200–$2,500 |
| Excavation | $1,500–$5,100 |
| Grading and leveling | $1,000–$3,300 |
| Land survey | $800–$5,500 |
| Percolation test | $750–$1,950 |
| Soil testing | $670–$2,160 |
It may be possible to DIY your land clearing project if you’re dealing with light brush and small rocks and debris. Doing the work yourself will be time- and labor-intensive, but you can save around $3,000 if you can tackle the job yourself.
However, if your land has boulders or large trees that you can cut down from the ground, or you need grading services in addition to lot clearing, it’s best to hire a professional. Experts can make use of heavy machinery and safety equipment to get the job done quickly and without risk of personal injury.
While you’re considering land clearing costs, you may want to think about the following add-ons to bring your plot closer to the point where you’re ready to begin construction.
Stump grinding cost: $120–$400 per stump
Landscape design cost: $1,900–$7,250
Cost to install a drainage system: $2,100–$7,100
Landscaping and seeding cost: $440–$1,750
Cost to connect to utilities: $6,500–$30,000
Clearing land doesn't have to break the bank before you even get started on your gardening or new construction project. There are a few clever ways to keep costs as low as possible.
Clear land in the winter when you can see the area more clearly (without all those leaves), and use equipment on solid ground.
If you don't work in the winter, time your land clearing project around the best time of the year to landscape so you can compact your projects into one large project.
Consider working around large trees and focusing on smaller, younger brush.
Hire landscapers for multiple projects for bulk project prices.
When replanting your cleared land, consider grass alternatives to lower maintenance costs.
Speak with at least three landscapers to compare quotes and service offerings.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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A land-clearing project begins with assessing and preparing the property and pulling any necessary permits with your municipal building department. Clearing can begin after the project details are ironed out between you and your pro and a written contract is signed. Pros will bring out the necessary equipment and crew to first remove trees, stumps, brush, and vegetation. Your pro will then load up and haul away the project debris, and depending on the project, they may finish by grading the cleared land.
Clearing 1 acre of land takes anywhere from two to 12 hours for a professional team, depending on what they’re removing. The amount of time needed to complete the project depends on the size of your acreage, the land’s condition, the size of the crew completing the work, and what type of equipment they’re using. Smaller projects normally take a few hours, while larger projects may require one or two full workdays.
Costs vary, but you can expect to spend between $1,000 and $4,000 to prepare land for a mobile home or before you build a house. You’ll need to clear enough land for the foundation, which may require leveling or grading, as well as removing trees, stumps, and plants. Don’t forget to plan for permits and fees and the installation of a gas line, water line, and sewer main.
