The usual order
- Survey and plan: know your lot lines and roughly where the house, drive and septic will sit.
- Check requirements: ask your parish or city, and your builder, what's needed before clearing.
- Mark what stays: flag the trees you want to keep and the edges of the clearing area.
- Clear: trees and brush out, by mulching, cutting or both.
- Stumps and roots: out of the house, drive and septic areas.
- Dirt work: fill and a raised pad if needed, rough grading so water drains away.
- Hand off: the builder takes over from the finished pad.
Mistakes that cost money
- Clearing before the house is placed, then clearing again
- Taking out trees you later wish you'd kept for shade
- Leaving stumps where the slab or drive goes
- Clearing right before the wettest weeks of the year
- Getting quotes with different scopes and picking the cheapest one blind
Keeping trees near a new house
Big oaks and pines are a big part of why people buy wooded lots. Whether a tree can stay close to construction depends on its size, its health and how much the ground around it will be disturbed. Talk to your builder and the clearing company before anything is cut. Some owners also get advice from an arborist on trees they especially want to save.
What to send with your request
Your town or ZIP, roughly how big the lot is, what's growing on it, and where you are in the process: just bought, plans drawn, or builder ready to start. If you have a survey or site plan, mention it, since companies may ask to see it.
Questions people ask
Should my builder hire the clearing company?
Some builders do; others leave it to the owner. Ask your builder which they prefer and whether they have scope requirements.
How much of the lot should I clear?
Enough for the house, drive, septic and working room. Many owners clear the rest later once they see the house in place.
Can clearing and dirt work be one quote?
Often, yes, and it's easier to compare that way.