Land surveying costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Land clearing in Houston costs nearly 10% more than the national average.
Houston’s topography makes it challenging to clear land due to the high levels of clay and water saturation, but the area’s flatness can make accessing land easier.
Smaller projects with sparse vegetation cost less than larger projects with mature trees.
Strategically clearing your land and landscaping your yard can increase your ROI by as much as 217%.
Clearing land in Houston can cost anywhere from $1,756 to $6,608, with average prices falling around $4,148. Because Houston soil contains high levels of clay, you may end up spending more than the national average. Other major cost factors include the size of the land, the removal type, and the level of forestation. Labor and dumpster rental costs also play a role, so use this guide to estimate how much you’ll pay to clear land in Houston.
Land clearing costs in Houston, Texas, depend on the size of the land, removal type, land condition, dumpster rental, and additional structures needing removal.
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 $275 to $3,100. 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, digging, hauling yard waste, and otherwise prepping the land.
The cost per acre to clear land is $550 to $6,200. 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 | $550–$6,200 |
| 2 | $1,100–$12,300 |
| 3 | $1,700–$18,500 |
| 4 | $2,200–$24,600 |
| 5 | $2,800–$30,800 |
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 $220 and $6,200, depending on what you need your pros to remove.
| Removal Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Tree removal | $550–$2,200 per acre |
| Brush removal | $20–$220 per acre |
| Stump removal | $110–$170 per stump |
| Large rock removal | $700–$1,300 per acre |
| Small rock removal | $130–$170 per hour |
| Waste removal | $140–$410 |
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 | $275–$1,100 | $2,000–$3,100 |
| 1 | $550–$2,200 | $4,000–$6,200 |
| 2 | $1,100–$4,400 | $7,900–$12,300 |
| 3 | $1,700–$6,600 | $11,900–$18,500 |
| 4 | $2,200–$8,800 | $15,800–$24,600 |
| 5 | $2,800–$11,000 | $19,800–$30,800 |
When clearing land in Houston, you’ll also need to budget for dumpster rental costs, which range anywhere from $250 to $875.
| Dumpster Size | Maximum Weight (tons) | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 yards | 2–3 | $250–$625 |
| 20 yards | 2–3 | $300–$775 |
| 40 yards | 5–6 | $375–$875 |
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 $4 and $19 per square foot for the job. You may also need to check for underground electrical and gas lines before proceeding.
Hiring a land clearing pro in Houston costs between $120 and $275 per hour. Make sure that your pro is insured and licensed to clear land near you to ensure a successful project.
Depending on what you’re removing and why, you may need a permit to clear land in Houston. The cost to acquire a permit for trees, shrubs, and screening fences ranges from $135 to $675, depending on the size of the trees. Most pros will apply for a permit for you, but it’s a good idea to double-check the Harris County Engineer’s website to see if you need to obtain a permit.
The sales tax in Houston is 8.25%, meaning you’ll spend around $340 in taxes for an average land clearing project costing $4,150.
While most contractors don’t expect it, you can tip for land clearing services that go above and beyond what’s expected. A good rule of thumb is to tip between 5% and 20%, depending on your personal preference.
While most homeowners hire a land clearing contractor to handle land clearing jobs, you may need to hire additional pros for your project. For example, extensive demolition services might benefit from a demolition company that can dispose of debris as part of the service. Here are several other pros to keep in mind:
Forestry mulching cost: $400–$1,500
Leaf removal cost: $200–$600
Tree removal cost: $200–$2,000 per acre
Excavation cost: $1,660–$6,730
Demolition cost: $3,600–$15,100
Landscaping can increase home value by as much as 217%, making clearing land for your home’s latest upgrades worthwhile. Even just adding a few landscaping features to boost your curb appeal can lead to an increase of 7%. Whether you decide to clear land for future developments, landscaping, or other ventures, buyers appreciate not having to do the work themselves.
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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I recently purchased a property for which Celco had completed a survey approximately three years earlier. During the purchase process, it became clear that the survey contained errors, including obvious incorrect labeling of adjacent roadways. I attempted to contact Eddie by phone and email...
Cleared land for us, took down a couple of trees with just a mini excavator great work, great operator
AM Precision ConcreteWe were referred to this company by our daughter. The owner came to our home and explained the process, showed us their materials and made suggestions. He took measurements and presented us with a quote. The crew arrived early and worked hard. They demolished our old landing and steps which...
The USA Home Improvement INCWe appreciated the prompt response from the company to our initial inquiry as well as prompt scheduling of a survey. Daniel is very professional but friendly and accommodating to our schedule. Our scope of work was quite extensive and even with weather interference it was done in two day and...
Texas Prime RoofingI couldn't ask for a better experience. Calvin (owner) came the next day to survey and estimate the job. He and his crew were on the job the very next day and arrived at exactly the promised time of 8:30 AM. I have a three story home with an extremely steep roof. That presented no problem for...
WELLS & SON Roofing, LLCWell. I contacted Danny via AL messaging and he came out 01/02 to survey and estimate. He gave me an estimate before he left, and we decided to talk about future landscaping projects later. In 01/03, the crew of four (incl. Danny and his son) showed up around 9:30 am. They worked for hours...
DANNY'S LANDSCAPINGI called Missouri City Fence on the enthusiastic recommendation of a friend. We set an appointment for 1 pm on a Tuesday for them to come out and give me a quote on the work. At 12 pm, they called and said that they would be unable to come out that day. We then rescheduled for the following...
Five years after using StarTex Title Company to buy our house, I contacted them in need of a copy of the survey of the house. They were professional and quick, sending me the survey PDF via email right away. This saved me $400 for having to get another survey done for a renovation permit. ...
Fair priced, punctual, and generally of very high quality. However - B&B Surveying aggressively refused to correct the elevation certificate which qualified an incorrect area for garage and crawlspace. Despite the usually high technical quality and diligence of their work, the surveyor...
B & B Surveying CoCalling the office to arrange for the service was easy and the lady who runs the office (Sonya) was extremely nice and helpful. We had a minor glitch when the surveyor showed up while we were not at home because they forgot to tell us that he was coming. We did not have to be present for him...
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