Hiring the first Southeast Georgia land clearing company you find might make the process easy – or it could be a mistake. How will you know? Make it a priority to find experts who have experience with a property layout that matches what you own.
Start by avoiding the three mistakes below when hiring a service provider for site clearing in the Harlem, Georgia, region.
Mistake 1: Not Accounting for the Environmental Impact
When starting a land-clearing project, professionals should inspect the property for potential environmental issues that could derail your project.
Handling Endangered Plants
If you have some protected species of trees or plants on your property, can the company advise you regarding your options? You might be able to apply for a permit from the local Southeast Georgia authorities, allowing you to remove the species for this project only. If not, can your company successfully work around the species without damaging it?
Working Around Waterways
If the property has a creek or pond, you might have to use some different techniques for removing vegetation and trees. Are there limitations on how you can grade the land near these waterways? The site preparation company can come up with a plan for working around issues while preserving the bulk of your plans for the parcel.
Managing the Soil
If you want to use the lot for agricultural purposes, the lot-clearing company might need to use a different technique than they would for a new construction. You might need soil grading to create a space that fits your plan. Your land-clearing professionals can put together a soil management plan that includes something like forestry mulching.
Mistake 2: Not Receiving a Clear Plan and Cost Estimate Before the Work Begins
When hiring a company for land clearing services, you’re relying on these professionals to manage every detail of the process. You may have a vague idea of what you want to do with the parcel, but a professional service should give your plans focus from the beginning.
Develop a Lot-Clearing Plan
When discussing your plans for the lot, the land-clearing company should give you specifics about how it can help. If it doesn’t, this is a red flag. Your preferred land-clearing experts should provide a detailed itinerary and descriptions that include:
- Expected timeline
- Exact boundaries for clearing
- Equipment needed
- How it will remove trees
- Land-grading plans
- Options for disposing of debris
If your ideas for the lot preparation are not feasible, can your land-clearing company provide other ideas, such as clearing more or less land? A reliable service provider can give you valuable advice based on their experience with similar jobs.
Receive a Cost Estimate
It’s also important to receive a written cost estimate from the land-clearing company before you sign an agreement. If the professionals cannot provide a guaranteed estimate, you shouldn’t hire them to clear your parcel. A trustworthy company will provide a written contract that specifies when payments are due and the scope of the work, protecting both you and them.
Mistake 3: Not Verifying the Company Can Handle the Debris Properly
Taking down trees, grading soil, and removing vegetation will be the primary jobs of your hired land-clearing company. However, removing and handling the leftovers is just as important in delivering complete services. Here are some options to ask about:
Carrying Debris Away
You might want all the tree trunks and boulders carried to a remote area of the property or completely off-site. If the company doesn’t have the equipment to move these items, it’s important to know this fact before hiring them. Ask how much the company charges to move debris for you, too.
Burning Removed Vegetation
Many people prefer to burn brush, weeds, and other vegetation after removing it. Some burning can enrich the soil and eliminate the waste items efficiently and quickly. However, you might need permits from local fire officials to legally burn materials on-site.
Creating Mulch
Some companies offer mulching capabilities for the trees and branches they remove. If you want a pile of mulch that you can use for landscaping, or if you want the mulch spread across the property, ask the company whether it has the equipment to handle this process for you.
Contact Vitae Opus LLC for a Free Estimate for Your Land-Clearing Project
When you need grubbing services you can trust, you can count on Vitae Opus LLC to help you avoid the mistakes above. Our land-clearing experts study your parcel, determine the proper equipment to use for the job, and give you an accurate cost estimate – and we don’t cut corners. Our dedication to following the plan helps us avoid making mistakes and gives you peace of mind.
Vitae Opus LLC has local experts you can trust for stump removal, tree felling, vegetation clearing, and brush removal in Southeast Georgia. Contact us today at (762) 242-6207 for a free estimate!
