What's the Cheapest Way to Clear Land by Yourself?

Land clearing can be pricey, but depending on how many acres you own doing it DIY can be significantly cheaper

Land clearing services can cost you thousands upon thousands of dollars, especially if you have a large rural property with many trees.

Tree removal itself can be a significant fee, adding to the total costs of your project.

A cost effective strategy is to do as much of the land clearing yourself as possible, then hire a professional crew to come in and do the few tasks you're unable. In this guide we'll go over how to clear land DIY and save money in your project budget.

How do I clear land low cost?

The trick is to do as many of the tasks yourself as possible, namely tree clearing, stump removal and minor landscaping tasks.

With a tractor and bucket you can move dirt and level small tracts of land. A chainsaw and a stump grinder like the WG28 PRO can help deal with even large trees, while you can simply uproot small trees with a rake attachment. Finally, a wood chipper like the Woodland Mills TF810 PRO can help deal with debris from tree clearing.

How I do Save Money While Clearing Land?

Hiring a land clearing contractor may seem easy but it can quickly become expensive. Here's what you have to do to keep your costs low:

Step 1: Figure out a Plan

Create a list of all the tasks required to clear land. This list will resemble something like:

• • Get all required permits and regulatory permissions

  • Find a way to move dirt

  • Find a way to remove and transport trees

  • Find a way to remove stumps

  • Get land levelled and ready for its future use

Depending on your plans for the land, whether you want to leave it clear, plant new trees or use it for building, you may be required to meet a higher threshold of regulatory requirements depending on your area.

If you're preparing for a building project you'll want to make sure your land is level and all tree roots are removed while avoiding any water lines or anything lying underground.

Find the best land clearing methods before you start and then implement your planning.

Step 2: Get Your Equipment Ready

Let's figure out the right equipment for your land clearing project. As a rural property owner you'll likely already own a tractor. PTO-attachments are great options for tractor owners since they use your tractor's engine power, so we recommend purchasing a PTO-powered stump grinder and wood chipper.

The WG28 PRO is a great option for stump grinding because it gets deep underground to remove tree roots, while the TF810 PRO can chip up to 8" materials, making it a great option for eliminating high quantities of large branches. It's also equipped with Twin Flywheel technology to consistently chip green, leafy material better than other wood chippers, helping to remove yard waste so it doesn't get in the way.

Large, mature trees will be more difficult to deal with so make sure you have the best equipment for dealing with the trees on your property.

Make sure your tractor can haul the equipment you need and take into account that moving dirt with a bucket may be slow, but where it takes up in time it will make up in cost savings.

Step 3: Keep a Schedule

Start your work with a timeline in mind and do work each day to continuously cross items off your list. Efficient land clearing means keeping a schedule and not falling behind.

More overgrown properties will take longer to clear, so adjust your timeline if you're having difficulties. If you have a schedule to maintain to prepare for a building project then don't be afraid to invite a friend to come and help.

Step 4: Cleanup & Land Utilization

Once your land is clear you can start the next phase of your building project or start laying sod or grass seed. Use your wood chips in your garden or use them to create trails throughout your property.

Working Around Existing Structures

What about projects where you're working adjacent to a pre-existing building?

You can move around dirt, remove trees, grind stumps and remove roots, but if there's anything you're unable to do then don't be afraid to hire a professional. Hiring someone to remove a risky tree located near a utility line will be worth it over potentially causing expensive damage. Plus in other areas you'll have saved a ton of money, so it can be worth it to hire professionals when needed depending on the task.

You can still do land clearing DIY but it does mean needing to be more careful. We recommend:

• • Have a second set of eyes: Have a friend or family member around to make sure you don't accidentally back a piece of equipment into your home.

  • Use spray paint: Draw lines on the ground so you know where is and isn't safe to clear or drive your tractor. This is especially helpful to designate underground pipes or fence lines.

  • Designate property lines: Use flags, markers and other bright objects to designate where your property ends and your neighbors begins. That way you don't accidentally build on your neighbors land.

  • Use dense vegetation as a barrier: Use your brush piles as a natural barrier, building them up around structures or areas that you want to protect. You'll know you're accidentally getting too close when you see and hear the crunch of brush under the tires of your tractor.

Check for Environmental Concerns

One of the reasons to get proper permitting is to ensure you're following all local regulations related to erosion control. That might mean getting soil tests done to ensure your land isn't contaminated or risking contamination.

Construction projects also require their own building permits, so ensure you're following all local laws. If you don't then your building department could order you to undo all your hard work or issue expensive fines, undoing your progress towards doing cheap land clearing.