🛠️ FreeToolsHub
🚜

Land Clearing Cost Calculator

Estimate the cost to clear your land for construction, farming, or landscaping. Get instant pricing based on acreage, vegetation density, and terrain.

💰

2025-2026 Average Costs

Brush: $200-$800/acre | Light Woods: $500-$2,500/acre | Heavy Woods: $3,000-$6,500/acre

📐 Property Details

💰 Estimated Cost

Area to Clear

0.00 acres (0 sq ft)

Total Estimated Cost

$0 - $0

Moderately Wooded • Flat terrain

Base Clearing$0 - $0

Per Square Foot: $0.00 - $0.00

Cost by Clearing Method (per acre):

Forestry Mulching$0 - $0
Bulldozer$0 - $0
Excavator$0 - $0

📊 Land Clearing Cost Quick Reference

Estimated costs by property size and vegetation type (flat terrain)

AreaBrush OnlyLightly WoodedHeavily Wooded
¼ Acre$50 - $200$125 - $625$750 - $1,625
½ Acre$100 - $400$250 - $1,250$1,500 - $3,250
1 Acre$200 - $800$500 - $2,500$3,000 - $6,500
2 Acres$400 - $1,600$1,000 - $5,000$6,000 - $13,000
5 Acres$1,000 - $4,000$2,500 - $12,500$15,000 - $32,500
10 Acres$2,000 - $8,000$5,000 - $25,000$30,000 - $65,000

* Add 25% for sloped terrain, 50% for steep/rocky terrain. Prices do not include stump removal, grading, or debris hauling.

🚜 Land Clearing Methods Compared

🌿 Forestry Mulching

Cost: $400-$600/acre | Best for: Brush, small trees

Grinds vegetation into mulch on-site. No debris removal needed. Leaves nutrients in soil. Ideal for pastures and natural areas.

🚧 Bulldozer Clearing

Cost: $150-$250/hour | Best for: Large areas, mixed terrain

Fast and efficient for large properties. Pushes trees and debris to burn piles or removal areas. May disturb topsoil.

⛏️ Excavator Work

Cost: $150-$300/hour | Best for: Stumps, rocks, precision

Excellent for stump removal and rocky terrain. Can selectively remove trees. Often used with bulldozer for complete clearing.

📋 Factors That Affect Land Clearing Cost

🌳 Vegetation Density

Dense forests with large trees cost 3-5x more than brush-only land.

⛰️ Terrain & Access

Slopes, rocks, and limited access can add 25-50% to costs.

🪵 Stump Removal

Each stump costs $100-$400 to remove. A wooded acre may have 20-50 stumps.

🚛 Debris Disposal

Hauling debris off-site adds $100-$800. Mulching or burning saves money.

⏱️ Time to Clear 1 Acre

Brush Only2-4 hours
Lightly Wooded4-6 hours
Moderately Wooded6-10 hours
Heavily Wooded8-16+ hours

💡 Money-Saving Tips

  • Sell timber to offset costs
  • Use forestry mulching when possible
  • Get 3+ quotes from contractors
  • Clear during dry season
  • Consider renting goats for brush!

Frequently Asked Questions

Land clearing is typically priced per acre, with costs ranging from $200-$800 for brush-only land to $3,000-$6,500 for heavily wooded areas. Factors affecting price include vegetation density, terrain difficulty, accessibility, stump removal needs, and debris disposal method. Most contractors provide quotes based on a site visit to assess these factors accurately.

Professional land clearing services typically charge: $200-$800/acre for brush clearing, $500-$2,500/acre for lightly wooded land, $1,500-$4,000/acre for moderately wooded areas, and $3,000-$6,500/acre for heavily forested land. Additional charges apply for steep terrain (+25-50%), stump removal ($100-$400 each), and debris hauling ($100-$800).

Land clearing permits typically cost $200-$300, though this varies by location and project scope. Some jurisdictions require additional permits for tree removal ($50-$150 per tree), grading ($100-$500), or environmental impact assessments ($500-$2,000). Always check with your local building department before starting work.

Land clearing contractors earn $110-$250 per hour for equipment operation. A typical crew clearing 1 acre of moderately wooded land in 6-8 hours earns $1,500-$4,000. Equipment owners earn more due to the capital investment in bulldozers ($150-$250/hour) and mulchers ($150-$300/hour). Annual earnings for established operations range from $50,000 to $200,000+.

The cheapest methods include: (1) Renting goats for brush clearing ($400-$800/acre), (2) DIY with chainsaw and brush cutter for small areas ($200-$500 in rental/equipment), (3) Forestry mulching for mixed vegetation ($400-$600/acre), or (4) Selling timber if you have valuable trees, which can offset or even cover clearing costs.

Clearing time varies by vegetation density: Brush-only land takes 2-4 hours, lightly wooded areas take 4-6 hours, moderately wooded land takes 6-10 hours, and heavily forested areas take 8-16+ hours. These times assume professional equipment. DIY clearing takes significantly longer—often 2-5x the professional time.

🚜 Disclaimer: These estimates are based on national averages for 2025-2026. Actual costs vary significantly by location, contractor, season, and specific site conditions. Always get multiple quotes from licensed and insured contractors before starting any land clearing project. Permit requirements vary by jurisdiction.