Hiring A Land Clearing Service? Here’s What You Need To Know

Leave a Comment / Land Clearing, Site Preparation, Land Grading / By Holtlandworks.

Lot clearing, the planning required for a house / building lot should not be overlooked and you should plan to spend some time on this phase of the project. 

Clearing a plot of land is an important step in the construction process.  There are many reasons one might need to clear land. They can include the following:

  • New construction of building or dwelling.
  • Addition to existing structure.
  • Placement of Septic system
  • Expansion of outdoor space
  • Ball fields 
  • Pastures 
  • Parking areas 
  • Paths and Road ways.

Why Land Clearing Is Significant When you have a new building project. 

The purpose of the planning procedure is to:

  • To ensure the best usability of your land
  • Remove hazards making your project safer
  • Promote the growth of the landscape you want
  • Determine soil type and improve the health of your soil 
  • Level the building area
  • Increase the value of your building lot
  • Enhance the aesthetics of a house lot

Overgrown and land that is not accessible in many cases are overlooked as viable building sites. In many cases with a little lot clearing and a few loads of gravel you can turn a wooded lot into a building lot and greatly increase the value of that property.  

Where do you Start?  Clearing Land Preparation Tips

The first step is to survey the property. This process uses any sketches or construction blueprint to identify any trees, rocks, bushes, that need to be removed.  Also at this time it is wise to look at the different grades of the land.  

You may need to apply for building and zoning permissions based on the region you choose for your project or home, thus it is worth waiting for clearance before you start any work.

Once you have done your survey you will want to follow the checklist below

  • Mark the construction site with stakes
  • Determine the best location for a septic system 
  • Determine the best location for a well 
  • Mark out access points for all phases of construction 
  • Take in account of utilities that will need to be tied in
  •  Apply for any permits that may be needed in your area
  • Check with your local zoning board
Winter forestry management

How Much Does It Cost To Clear A Land Lot In My Area?

Lightly wooded building lots can range on average from $800 to $2,500 per acre, with some significant tree removal.  Alternatively, a heavily wooded lot with terran and access issues might cost up to $5,200 per acre.  

Remember the first step in your development is to clear the land in preparation for your construction project. Once the land is cleared you will have a better topographical view of the land, making it easier to decide final locations and grades. This will make planning your building site easier. 

The second step in any property development project is to clear land. After the area is cleared, graded, and prepared, land construction can commence.

It is essential to follow the correct process during lot clearing. Here is a brief summary of the steps involved on the building site:

  • Conduct a lot survey and soil testing
  • Demolish any existing structures, including underground infrastructure
  • Begin clearing bushes, timber, large rocks, and trees
  • Resloping the land and controlling any soil erosion
  • Grade the land

Contact Holt LandWorks Today!

Please don’t overlook the planning process of land clearing, it is an important phase in any successful construction project. 

Contact Holt LandWorks if you are in need of materials, heavy equipment, excavation, grading, and professional land clearing services. We know exactly what you need; therefore, we focus on providing efficient services and excellent value!

Call us now to get started!

Earthwork and Grading

Holt Landworks can help with all your Landwork Needs.

Earthwork and grading your construction site properly takes planning. To obtain, specific site contours, and to shape your sites landscape, one must accommodate a number of factors. Let’s look at a few together.

Elevations

When grading and doing earthworks for any new projects. The elevation of finished structures, such as foundations, driveways, parking lots, hardscapes, and soft landscapes, have to work together. Maximizing all of the properties useful spaces. At Holt Land works we use laser guided elevation controls grading and excavating.

Drainage

The grading of your construction site should take into account any drainage issues that maybe encountered from any new earthwork that will take place. Hiring a qualified Site planner can help. Planning ahead will reduce the possibility of any unwanted issues from arising. Contact us today for a consultation.

Erosion Control

Before any earthwork or grading starts the contractor and property owner should follow the D.E.P’s erosion control guild lines. This will ensures that your project will move along smoothly with out delays or fines.

Soil Stabilization

Earthwork grading is also done to stabilize soils. When slopes are to step soils can become unstable. Certain type of soils and aggregates are not suited for all situations. Good grade plans prevent common mistakes and will avoid erosion problems from occurring.

Lets look at some projects that require landwork and grading

Site Development

Grading and earthwork is key component in all site development and one of the largest part of a successful project, it is important to get it right. Good grading plans need to include existing and new features, Typically being prepared in 2 phases. A good surveyor can help with the existing topography, and document this. Next a grading design is usually drafted by a licensed architect or civil engineer. the finished grading design can then be laid over the original topographic.

Building Demolition / Land Clearing

When doing demolition and Land Clearing, a grading plan my be necessary to contain or reroute any unwanted runoff from the project. Consulting with a reputable earthworks contractor can protect you from many common pitfalls.

Landscaping Removals & Installations

The removal or installation of any landscaping, such as patios, walkways, retaining wall may require regrading of the surrounding area. Again, to ensure proper runoff and function of the landscaping. While maintain an esthetic flow.

In Summery

As we have demonstrated good grade plans along with a good landworks contractor, are key element in any successful project. We have only listed a few projects that require grading and a good plan. If you don’t see your project listed no worries. Just contact us and we will be glad to help.

Drainage

Trenching for French Drain Lassiter Excavating

Your property needs to properly drain water, to protect your home.  The Building foundations need to be protected from pooling water and seepage.

The property surrounding your structure needs to be engineered to divert water from storms, away from any areas that pooling water will cause issues.

If your dwelling or house is in a lower elevation than the surrounding area, you may receive run off water. In this case it may be necessary to excavate your property. Excavation of trenches and the installation of French drains, in is a great solution to divert the water flow away from buildings.

French drains involve digging a trench, in which a drain pipe is laid, then surrounding the pipe with crushed stone. Both the pipe and stone are then covered with sand and topsoil as needed. There are variations.

digging-trench

Trenching as a Tool in Draining Your Property

It is best to work with an experienced Land works contractor, to determine the best drainage system your property needs, but here are some basic factors that should be considered:

  • Where is the water coming from? Are you downhill from other properties that are draining water into your property? Are you on a flat area where water simply pools and is absorbed into the soil? Is it just heavy storms that cause the problem, or regular weather?
  • Where does the water currently go? Is it pooling against your foundation? Is water flow eating away at soil structures around the foundation, driveway or other property features? What needs to be protected?
  • Where should it be routed? Where does the excavator need to dig? Is there a public storm drain at the foot of your property? Do you need to avoid channeling water onto a neighbor’s property? Is there an open, sandy place on your property where storm runoff could harmlessly pool and percolate into the soil?
  • How best to channel the water in the right direction? What drainage design do you need? Where should the trenches be dug to build the French Drains? Are there other techniques, like terracing, that might also be effective?

Important: Check your community regulatory codes and utilities maps before bringing in a Bay Area team to Bay Area excavation team to improve your property.

French Drains need some slope to work. Trenching lines should be plotted out before the backhoes start digging. A grade of 1% (a drop of 1 foot for every 100 feet in length) is often recommended; others advise a drop of 6 inches for every 100 feet, leading to the water’s desired destination.

Trench width will depend on the magnitude of your drainage problem. Bigger moisture problems call for wider trenches.

Trenching is a Natural Part of Excavating

Contact your local excavating contractor to fine out more.