Land surveying costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
St. Louis’ lower cost of living is reflected in its land clearing costs, which are nearly half the national average.
It will cost more to clear larger lots and those with dense foliage and numerous obstacles, like boulders or old structures.
Property owners can also expect to pay permit and disposal fees for land clearing projects.
Land clearing projects in St. Louis, Missouri, cost $2,030 on average, which is 46% lower than the national average. However, property owners can expect to pay between $547 and $3,513, with actual costs determined by the size of the land and the amount of work required to clear it. But St. Louis has rolling hills, not the mountains of the Ozarks, so the easier terrain can also reduce land-clearing costs.
Land clearing costs in St. Louis depend on the size of the lot to be cleared, the density of the foliage, and how many, if any, obstacles or structures must be demolished or removed.
Most projects are priced per half-acre or per acre and take into account the level of vegetation and trees to be cleared.
The cost per half-acre is $135 to $1,500. This is only for your basic clearing of trees, brush, and other debris. To get your lot ready for building, there are additional expenses for services, including topsoil stripping, landscape grading (leveling your lawn), digging, hauling yard waste, and otherwise prepping the land.
The cost per acre to clear land is $270 to $3,000. The price accounts for the range of vegetation that will need to be removed, as well as the intended use for the lot.
| Acreage | Cost to Clear Land |
|---|---|
| 1 | $270–$3,000 |
| 2 | $537.50–$6,000 |
| 3 | 806.25–$9,000 |
| 4 | $1,080–$12,000 |
| 5 | $1,340–$15,000 |
For undeveloped land, a good portion of your total will go toward removing trees, stumps, brush, and overgrowth. The total for this portion of the job could fall anywhere between $110 and $3,000, depending on what you need your pros to remove.
| Removal Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Tree removal | $270–$1080 per acre |
| Brush removal | $11–110 per acre |
| Stump removal | $55–80 per stump |
| Large rock removal | $350–$650 per acre |
| Waste removal | $70–$200 |
Tree removal poses significant risks, especially when cutting down large trees. To ensure your safety, hire a professional tree removal service and maintain a safe distance from the fall zone during the operation.
One of the most crucial factors to consider when estimating land clearing costs is the condition of your land. Light brush will cost the least to clear, while densely forested plots and those with large boulders scattered throughout will cost significantly more. The slope of your land also plays a role since a steep plot could prevent your professionals from using heavy machinery that speeds up the job.
| Acreage | Cost to Clear Lightly Forested Lots | Cost to Clear Densely Forested Lots |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | $130–$540 | $970–$1,500 |
| 1 | $270–$1,080 | $1,940–$3,000 |
| 2 | $540–$2,150 | $3,870–$6,000 |
| 3 | $810–$3,230 | $5,800–$9,000 |
| 4 | $1,080–$4,300 | $7,740–$12,040 |
| 5 | $1,340–$5,380 | $9,680–$15,100 |
It costs $340 on average to rent a dumpster in St. Louis. The actual cost, however, will depend on the size of the dumpster(s) needed for the land clearing project and how long you’ll need to keep them on your property.
| Dumpster Size | Maximum Weight (tons) | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 yards | 2–3 | $120–$310 |
| 20 yards | 2–3 | $250–$375 |
| 40 yards | 5–6 | $190–$430 |
Is there a shed, pool house, or an even larger old structure in the way? Demolition costs can change the whole ball game, adding between $2 and $10 per square foot for the job. You may also need to check for underground electrical and gas lines before proceeding.
Small land clearing projects might be a good task for energetic DIYers, but larger plots of heavily wooded land are better left to a land clearing service in St. Louis. It’s well worth the price: Not only do pro land clearers know how to do the work safely and efficiently, but they’re also well-versed in securing all the necessary permits that ensure the work is done in accordance with local law. Here’s a breakdown of some of those costs:
Land clearing is priced per project. Larger plots or heavily wooded areas will naturally take more time, so labor costs will be higher.
While the land clearing professionals will handle the permit procurement process, the property owner will pay the fees. Visit the building division permits page on the City of St. Louis website to learn more about the permit process.
Sales tax in St. Louis is 9.68%, which is the combined city and state rate. When budgeting for your land clearing project, don’t forget to add the tax to your budget.
If you’ve got lots of land to clear or there are obstacles on it that are more difficult to remove or demolish, you may need additional contractors. For example, if you’re clearing out a heavily wooded lot, consider working with a forestry mulching professional who can dispose of the foliage debris sustainably.
Here are some other pros you might need to ensure your land clearing project is a success:
Forestry mulching cost: $400–$1,500
Tree removal cost: $200–$2,000 per acre
Excavation cost: $1,660–$6,730
Demolition cost: $3,600–$15,100
Land clearing can increase property value, though ROI will vary based on the extent of the improvement. Beyond improving a home's curb appeal, it can also create additional opportunities to use the land, from recreational spaces to new homes and commercial buildings. Although St. Louis has seen its population decrease, there are revitalization efforts aimed at bringing more people to the Gateway to the West.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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Stuart Lawn and LandThe contractor did not adhere to the terms of the contract. He arrived up to 90-minutes late on two out of four days. Often arriving without the equipment needed for the job. Too much time was spent on-site sourcing and procuring supplies and equipment. His crew started painting the exterior...
Carter's Painting and Cleaning ServicesAfter submitting a request for gutter cleaning, I began receiving phone calls from various service providers. One of those providers was LeafFilter Gutter Protection. It only took 10 seconds to schedule a time for a site survey for an estimate. However, the woman on the phone seemed more...
LeafFilter Gutter ProtectionI selected Metro Land Services based on the good ratings they had on Angie's list. Big mistake! Their price was the same as all the other quotes I had received ($35 per cut plus $45/hour for additional work, e.g., weeding). They were, however, unable to do handle lawn fertilization and weed...
Metro Land Services, LLC.Tony Monaghan, the owner, and his crew came out to survey the work needed to be done. He gave me what I believe to be a very fair estimate and indicated it would take approximately 1 week to complete. The next day, which was a Saturday, the crew came and did the demolition work. They...
Irish ConstructionRefused to return the money. Our initial proposal for maintenance work on our fire escape was supposed to be between $1,100.00 and $1,500.00, Our bill ended up being over $1,700.00 and an additional separate bill for a sandblaster (which was not in the original proposal) for over $1,100.00...
Overall, I was very happy with my service. All the work was done well and in a reasonable amount of time. The handyman was very nice and accommodating to my requests. He was upfront about needing some extra time beyond the deal amount, but then he surveyed the tasks quickly, got all...
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