Lot prep
Clearing a Wooded Lot to Build: The Practical Sequence
A wooded lot gets you shade, privacy and a head start on a mature yard. It also adds work at the start. Doing the steps in a sensible order saves money, protects the trees you bought the lot for, and keeps your builder on schedule.
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A sensible order
- Survey: confirm the boundaries and get the lot mapped.
- Site plan: place the house, garage, driveway, utilities and septic if needed.
- Ask about requirements: check with your town or county and your builder before any trees come down.
- Flag: mark keeper trees and the limits of clearing.
- Clear: cut and mulch or remove what's in the work area.
- Grub and grade: stumps and roots out, pad and drainage shaped.
- Hand off: the builder starts from a prepared site.
Where money gets wasted
- Clearing before the house is placed, then clearing a second time
- Removing trees that would have shaded the house for decades
- Leaving stumps under the slab or driveway
- Grading right after heavy rain on wet clay
- Comparing estimates that cover different work
Keeping the trees you bought the lot for
Trees near construction are affected by digging, heavy equipment over their roots and grade changes. Whether a particular tree can stay depends on its species, size, health and how much work happens around it. Talk through it with your builder and clearing crew early, and consider an arborist's opinion for trees you really want to keep.
What to include in your request
Town or ZIP, approximate lot size, what's growing there, and where you are in the process (just purchased, plans in hand, or builder ready to go). If you have a survey or site plan, say so; crews will likely want to see it.
Frequently asked
Does my builder handle the clearing?
Some builders include it; others leave it to the owner. Ask early so nothing falls through the cracks.
How long does lot clearing and grading take?
Often days rather than weeks for a typical home lot, but weather and wet clay can stretch it.
Should I clear the whole lot at once?
Many owners clear only what's needed for construction and decide on the rest later.
Related pages
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