Property owners hire land clearing contractors to remove trees, brush, stumps, and boulders from a lot — usually before a construction or landscaping project. The job is a highly complex one that requires a great deal of experience and skill. Therefore, it’s important to hire the right land clearing company.
Your choice of company could be the difference between completing your project on schedule and having to waste time on repeat jobs or, worse, dealing with legal issues. In this post, we’ll look at seven key questions you should ask before choosing a land clearing company.
1. What Is Your Estimated Timeframe?
Before you hire a company, you need to find out how long they’ll take to clear your lot. Will their schedule suit your main project timeline? Regardless of your reasons for clearing the lot, unnecessary delays can hamper your planning and cost you money.
An experienced land clearing company will provide a detailed project timeline after taking project variables like the land size, soil conditions, thickness of the brush, and more into consideration. They will also discuss how they will handle any unexpected delays that may arise.
2. What Type of Machinery Do You Own?
The equipment used during a land clearing project will influence the contractor’s speed and efficiency — and the outcome of the project. Hiring a company that only has tools for tree removal could mean hiring someone else for other subtasks like stump grinding.
Therefore, it’s important to confirm that a company has the right tools for the job before you hire them. Ideally, they should discuss all the equipment they will use to complete your project.
The best land clearing companies have powerful equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, brush chippers, stump grinders, and more.
3. What Is the Estimated Cost of the Project?
You need to request cost estimates before you sign any project contracts. Most professional land clearing companies will provide an estimate that clearly itemizes the cost breakdown. There should be no ambiguity about how much you’re paying for labor, equipment, and any other miscellaneous fees.
Don’t forget to check for contingency fees. How much will they charge in extra costs if they come up against a problem they missed while evaluating your land?
When you receive cost estimates from one company, compared them against the estimates from others to ensure you’re paying a fair price. Be careful to avoid getting fixated on the lowest estimate though. It may not be the best overall after considering other details.
4. What Are the Other Services You Provide?
Land clearing is a multifaceted project. Cutting down the trees and brushes is usually only one leg of the job. You’ll still need to remove the trees and brushes after cutting. Depending on the use case, you may also need to complete some excavation and grading work.
Choosing a company that can offer all the services you need in one package will work out cheaper than hiring separate companies for separate tasks.
Therefore, it’s always best to find out all the services a company offers before you decide to work with them.
5. How Much Experience Does Your Team Have With Similar Projects?
It’s always a good idea to consider experience and expertise when you are thinking about hiring a land clearing company. Find out how long the company has been in business and their level of experience in handling projects like yours.
The best land clearing company to choose is one that has extensive experience and expertise in clearing lands like yours. Don’t hesitate to ask for references if you feel like it.
6. Are You Licensed and Insured?
It’s important to ask for proof of licensing and insurance when hiring a land clearing company. The project involves the use of heavy machinery, dealing with falling trees, and working on uneven terrain.
The right licensing documentation will give you the peace of mind that the company can adhere to safety protocols and environmental compliance regulations during the job.
The right level of insurance will ensure you’re not liable if an accident, injury, or property damage occurs during the course of the project.
7. How Do You Handle Site Cleanup?
Land clearing generates a ton of debris. Someone has to clean the stumps, rocks, and tree branches. Many land clearing services will include site cleanup and debris removal services in their estimates, while others will want to negotiate separate fees for the job. Some companies do not offer the service, and you’ll have to arrange for site cleanup with another contractor.
Knowing what to expect ahead of time will help you avoid any sudden surprises later.
Get Comprehensive Land Clearing Services From Your Local Experts
Are you looking for a company that offers full-service land clearing solutions in Hernando, Mississippi, and the surrounding areas? Call B&B Landscaping and Land Clearing today at (662) 715-3931 to schedule a consultation.
