Land clearing cost: 2026 price guide
HomeGuide puts land clearing at $1,200 to $8,000 per acre: about $1,200 to $2,500 for light brush and small trees, $2,500 to $4,500 for moderate growth and $4,500 to $8,000 for dense woods. The price per acre usually drops as the property gets larger.
Typical price ranges
HomeGuide puts land clearing at $1,200 to $8,000 per acre: about $1,200 to $2,500 for light brush and small trees, $2,500 to $4,500 for moderate growth and $4,500 to $8,000 for dense woods. The price per acre usually drops as the property gets larger.
- Light clearing (shrubs, small trees): $1,200–$2,500 per acre
- Moderate clearing: $2,500–$4,500 per acre
- Heavy clearing (dense woods, large trees): $4,500–$8,000 per acre
- 1/4 acre lot: $800–$3,000
- 1/2 acre lot: $1,000–$5,000
- 1 acre: $1,200–$8,000
- 5 acres: $4,500–$35,000
- Forestry mulching: $500–$1,000+ per acre
- Brush removal: $800–$3,000 per acre
- Stump grinding and removal: $100–$400 per stump
Source: HomeGuide, Land Clearing Cost, updated November 20, 2025, accessed October 30, 2026. National averages, not a quote; your price depends on your project. HomeGuide, Land Clearing Cost
What changes the price
- Acreage; larger tracts cost less per acre once equipment is on site.
- Vegetation density and tree size; hardwoods like oak take longer than pine.
- Method: forestry mulching leaves mulch in place, while bulldozer clearing removes roots for building but disturbs more soil.
- Debris: hauling off, chipping on site or burning where local rules allow.
- Slope, gullies, rocks and wet ground.
- Access for trucks and equipment, including any temporary road.
- Permits, tree surveys or a land survey ($500 to $1,500+) where the county or city requires them.
How to choose a provider
- Get at least three written quotes that list the same scope, materials and cleanup.
- Check the license (where your state requires one) and ask for proof of liability insurance.
- Ask who pulls the permit and whether the permit fee is in the price.
- Agree on a payment schedule tied to finished work; avoid paying most of the price up front.
- Get the warranty for labor and materials in writing.
Red flags
- Cash-only deals or pressure to sign the same day.
- No written contract, no address and no proof of insurance.
- A price far below every other quote with a vague scope.
- Door-to-door offers right after a storm from crews you cannot verify.
Land clearing cost guides
What land clearing usually costs, with sourced price ranges and local rules.
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FAQ
How much does it cost to clear an acre of land?
HomeGuide reports $1,200 to $8,000 per acre: light brush at the low end and dense woods with large trees at the high end.
Is forestry mulching cheaper than bulldozing?
Usually per acre, about $500 to $1,000+ per acre according to HomeGuide, because the brush stays on site as mulch. It is not suited to a building pad, where roots and stumps must come out.
What should a land clearing quote include?
The area to clear, what stays (trees to keep), the method, stump and root handling, how debris is disposed of, grading if any, who handles permits, and the schedule.