Land Clearing Cost in Austin TX: Complete Price Guide 2025

Originally published: September 19, 2023 | Last updated: December 11, 2025

There are many reasons to clear land. For example, you might want to build a house on an undeveloped site or finish clearing that last bit on a partially developed property. Likewise, sections of the yard might have become overgrown during the years, and you wish to clean it up. Regardless of your needs, land-clearing projects can be highly beneficial.

Whether you have a heavily forested area or a lightly forested area, it’s essential to understand the land-clearing prices you might pay and what goes into the estimate you’ll likely receive from a professional.

The average cost to clear land ranges from $11,800 to $100, and most people spend about $3,100. However, this guide provides a full breakdown and explanations of the various factors that might influence the cost to prepare for your project. Let’s dive in!

Average Cost to Clear Land

In most cases, the average cost to clear land is about $3,100, but people could pay $1,300 to $5,200. Small and lightly wooded land will often be less, but dense or more wooded properties might be $11,800 or more.

Though the numbers can vary slightly, knowing the average cost to have land cleared is the first step.

What’s Land Clearing?

Land clearing requires someone to remove all the obstacles and vegetation on the property to prepare the land for use. It’s generally done in developed, undeveloped, and partially developed areas with unwanted vegetation.

Here are just a few of the land elements you could remove during the land-clearing process:

• Shrubs
• Tree stumps
• Trees
• Boulders
• Grass
• Sloped land
• Rocks
• Heavily wooded land

Breakdown of Cost for a Land Clearing Project

The costs of clearing land can significantly vary based on many factors. However, you can narrow down the expenses you expect to pay by focusing on your land’s condition and property size.

By Land Size

The cost to clear land, equaling about 1 acre, is anywhere from $700 to $5,900. If you clear 1 square foot, it would cost about $1 to $2. If the land is in good condition and only needs a light clearing, you will generally pay the lesser amount. However, dense land will require more work, so it will be at the high end of the price range.

• 1/8 Acre – $100 to $750
• 1/4 Acre – $175 to $1,500
• 1/2 Acre – $350 to $2,900
• 1 Acre – $700 to $5,900
• 2 Acres – $1,400 to $11,800

By Condition of Land

Your land’s condition can also significantly affect prices. That $600 to $5,800 range is pretty significant. However, light clearing will cost an average of $600 to $2,100, while dense land clearing will cost about $3,200 to $5,800.

Factors That Could Affect Your Cost to Clear Land

Many homeowners find it overwhelming to calculate the cost of clearing land. They’re not sure what’s involved, which is why they hire a professional. However, it’s still important to know the averages you could pay to ensure you’re not being taken advantage of.

Here are a few of the most critical factors that might raise the cost of the project:

Debris Removal

Junk removal could cost anywhere from $100 to $600 on average. If you only have a small bit of debris, you’ll generally pay less. However, a truckload of waste will put you at the top of that price range. It’s also important to remember that if you must rent a dumpster to store the junk before it’s hauled away, you might have to add $100 to $850 per week to those expenses.

Land Survey

In most cases, you will have to hire a land surveyor to determine where the property lines are before you can clear away land. This can cost between $300 and $1,900. The prices vary significantly based on the complexity of the job and the size of your land.

To get an accurate land clearing cost estimate, obtaining quotes from multiple contractors is advisable. Contractors assess the site, consider your needs, and provide estimates based on these factors.

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Land Clearing Permits

Before you can clear away land, you require a land clearing permit. These can cost about $175 to $500. If you must demolish, regrade, or excavate the land, you will pay more for the permit.

Your location also affects the permit price. In Texas, you won’t need a permit if you’re only using hand tools and have no grading requirements. However, if you must use machinery, you’ll need one. Likewise, some municipalities have varying rules, which is why it’s best to work with a professional who understands these nuances and ensures you’re compliant.

Labor

It costs about $120 to $250 per hour to hire a professional land-clearing service. Generally, clearing 1 acre of land takes 3 to 4 hours, so you can estimate that an expert will cost $350 to $1,000 total.

Land Grading and Leveling

Land grading or leveling will cost about $1 to $4 per square foot, but that’s just the average. You may require grading and leveling for unlevel land if you wish to build a stable foundation, such as for a house.

Likewise, you will pay more if you must regrade a significant slope that requires more fill dirt, but it will cost less if you’re leveling a smaller slope and will reuse that topsoil. In this case, you may not need any extra dirt at all!

Tree Removal or Mulching

The price for tree removal can be anywhere from $200 to $2,000, but it all depends on the size of your tree. Young trees are easier to remove than established pine or maple trees. Likewise, you’ll save money while cleaning up the site by shredding and mulching the tree waste with a wood chipper. It costs about $75 to $125 per hour to use the machine and offers free organic mulch for your landscaping projects.

However, forestry mulching is often more expensive because more tree clearing is required.

Excavation

If you must excavate the land, it will cost about $1,400 to $5,700, but this is just the average. Overall, the land slope, soil type, and property size determine what you’ll pay. Typically, sandy soil is easier to dig, so it’s less expensive than rocky soil, which may require a jackhammer to break it up.

Equipment

The equipment you will need will increase the price, and it could range from $100 to $5,000 per day. If you have a small yard and want to remove grass and shrubs, you can do it manually to save money. You likely have a shovel, gloves, and pruning shears in the shed. Therefore, you need physical strength, patience, and a waste disposal bin. Just note that it takes a lot of elbow grease.

Bigger jobs will require more than a simple shovel. You will need tree removal and excavation equipment. Therefore, you’d have to rent it, which could be upwards of $5,000 each day.

Accessibility

Accessibility concerns should also be considered. For example, you might have existing structures, trees, or boulders on the property. Likewise, it might be heavily sloped or in a rural area. These things could easily double or triple your project’s cost compared to an area with easy access.

What’s the Land Clearing Process Include?

A land clearing job involves removing things from your property, such as vegetation (grass, shrubs, and trees), old structures, rocks, and boulders. While it overlaps, land grading/leveling isn’t actually part of the land preparation procedure. It often goes hand in hand with land clearing to help remove obstacles.

Likewise, land grading will help to even out the land and offer erosion control. This will make it easier for a future construction project.

Here’s a breakdown of the process for land clearing:

• Survey the land.
• Get the appropriate permits.
• Decide what to clear away.
• Clear the old structures, obstacles, and vegetation.
• Regrade and level the land as needed.

Hiring Professional Land Clearing Services vs. DIY Land Clearing

In most cases, you can clear the land yourself, which could save you $120 to $250 per hour in labor. The cheapest way is likely DIY, but that’s not always the case. For example, you might have to rent tree stump removal machinery, an excavator, a tree shredder, or tree removal equipment, and haul the debris away yourself. Therefore, the cost of clearing land can add up quickly.

If you have a large property, it’s in poor condition, or you don’t have the time or ability to clear the land yourself, it might be wise to hire a professional. Though you might save a little bit of money, you’ll have to deal with all the trouble it would cause.

When the property requires more than a day or so of light clearing or is in poor condition, you’d do well to hire a professional. They can do the job with ease and get you ready for your project.

Land Clearing Cost in Austin TX: Local Pricing Guide

Land clearing costs in Austin, TX, range from $2,500 to $8,000 per acre, depending on tree density, terrain, and property access. Austin’s unique clay soil composition and strict tree-preservation ordinances significantly increase clearing costs compared to other Texas regions.

Here’s what Austin-area property owners typically pay for professional land clearing services:

By Property Size:

• Small lot (0.25 acre): $1,200-$2,500
• Standard lot (0.5 acre): $2,000-$4,000
• 1 acre: $2,500-$8,000
• 2 acres: $5,000-$15,000
• 5+ acres: $12,000-$40,000+

By Tree Density:

• Light clearing (few trees, mostly brush): $2,500-$3,500 per acre
• Medium clearing (scattered trees, undergrowth): $3,500-$5,500 per acre
• Heavy clearing (dense forest, cedar infestation): $5,500-$8,000 per acre

Austin properties near Balcones Canyonlands often have dense cedar populations that can add 20-30% to clearing costs. Cedar trees pull over 100 gallons of water daily from Austin’s already-stressed aquifer system, making their removal both costly and environmentally necessary.

Austin-Specific Cost Factors:

Our excavating contractors encounter these unique Austin challenges that affect pricing:

Clay Soil: Austin’s expansive clay soil requires specialized grading techniques and often requires additional compaction, adding $500-$1,500 to the total cost.

Heritage Trees: Properties with protected heritage trees (24″+ diameter oaks) require City of Austin permits ($200-$500) and certified arborist assessments ($150-$300).

Slope & Terrain: Hill Country properties with steep slopes require specialized equipment, increasing costs by 25-40% compared to flat-land clearing.

Tree Preservation Ordinance: Austin requires permits for removing any tree 19″ diameter or larger on residential properties, adding 2-3 weeks to project timelines and $300-$800 in permit fees.

Austin Land Clearing Cost by Tree Density

Understanding your property’s tree density helps estimate clearing costs accurately. Austin properties typically fall into one of three categories:

Light Clearing ($2,500-$3,500/acre)

Light clearing involves properties with:

• 20-40 trees per acre
• Mostly small cedar, mesquite, or brush
• Easy equipment access
• Minimal stump removal needed

Our construction site clearing teams can typically complete light clearing in 6-8 hours per acre. This is common on maintained pastureland or on recently cleared properties that need maintenance.

Medium Clearing ($3,500-$5,500/acre)

Medium-density properties include:

• 40-80 trees per acre
• Mix of cedar, oak, and native species
• Moderate undergrowth
• Standard stump grinding required
• Some rock/terrain challenges

Most Austin residential properties fall into this category. Site preparation services take 10-14 hours per acre for medium-density land.

Heavy Clearing ($5,500-$8,000/acre)

Heavy clearing applies to:

• 80+ trees per acre (dense forest)
• Large mature trees (30″+ diameter)
• Thick cedar infestation
• Significant undergrowth/brush
• Difficult terrain or limited access
• Multiple heritage trees requiring permits

Properties that haven’t been maintained for 10+ years often require heavy clearing. Using specialized land clearing methods, our team needs 16-24 hours per acre for dense forests.

Cedar-Infested Properties: Austin properties overrun with cedar trees typically cost $6,500-$8,000 per acre due to their dense, water-logged root systems, which make removal more challenging.

Land Clearing Equipment & Methods Costs in Austin

The equipment and methods used for land clearing significantly impact your total cost:

Forestry Mulcher ($1,500-$2,500/acre)

Best for medium to heavy clearing, forestry mulchers grind trees and vegetation into mulch. This method:

• Preserves topsoil
• Leaves nutrient-rich mulch on site
• Works well on Austin’s clay soil
• Most cost-effective for properties 2+ acres
• No hauling costs

Bulldozer & Excavator ($2,500-$4,000/acre)

Traditional clearing with heavy equipment:

• Best for complete land clearing
• Required for stump removal
• Necessary for site preparation before construction
• Includes hauling debris away
• Needed for grading work after clearing

Hand Clearing ($50-$100/hour)

Required in specific Austin situations:

• Near heritage trees
• Tight urban lots
• Around utilities and structures
• Selective tree removal
• When permits restrict equipment use

Most Austin properties use a combination approach: a forestry mulcher for bulk clearing, an excavator for stump removal, and hand clearing near sensitive areas.

Additional Equipment Costs:

• Stump grinder: $150-$350 per stump
• Chipper for debris: $200-$400/day
• Debris removal/hauling: $300-$800 per truckload
• Roll-off dumpster (if needed): $400-$600/week

Our tree removal specialists use the most cost-effective equipment combination for your specific property conditions.

How to Reduce Land Clearing Costs in Austin

Save money on your Austin land clearing project with these strategies:

1. Clear During Off-Season (Save 10-20%)

Schedule work during Austin’s slower months (December-February), when contractors are more available. The summer months (June-August) see higher demand and higher pricing.

2. Mulch Instead of Hauling (Save $500-$1,500)

Leave cleared vegetation as mulch rather than hauling it away. This enriches your soil and eliminates disposal fees. Our land clearing services include mulching at no extra cost.

3. Maintain Access Paths (Save 15-25%)

Clear an access path to your property before work begins. Difficult access increases equipment costs and project time.

4. Combine Services (Save $800-$2,000)

Bundle land clearing, grading, and site work into one mobilization cost, avoiding paying setup fees twice.

5. Keep Smaller Trees

Work with your excavating contractor to identify trees you can keep. Selective clearing costs 30-40% less than complete clearing.

6. Get Multiple Quotes

Compare detailed quotes from licensed Austin contractors. Ace Construction Texas provides free estimates with itemized pricing—call (512) 265-1198.

Land Clearing Permits Required in Austin TX

Austin’s strict tree protection laws require permits for most clearing projects:

City of Austin Permits Required:

Tree Removal Permit ($200-$500):

• Required for any tree 19″ diameter or larger
• Heritage trees (24″+) need special approval
• Processing time: 10-15 business days
• Certified arborist report required ($150-$300)

Land Disturbance Permit ($300-$800):

• Required for clearing more than 5,000 square feet
• Needed when using heavy equipment
• Includes erosion control plan
• TCEQ compliance for projects near waterways

Tree Mitigation:

Austin requires replacement trees at specific ratios:

• Protected trees: 3:1 replacement ratio
• Heritage trees: 5:1 replacement ratio
• Mitigation fee: $200-$500 per tree (if replanting isn’t feasible)

Travis County Requirements:

Properties in unincorporated Travis County have different rules:

• Less restrictive than the City of Austin
• Still requires protected species surveys
• Golden-cheeked warbler habitat restrictions (March-July)
• Typical permit cost: $150-$300

Pro Tip: Our team handles all permit applications as part of our construction site clearing services. We’re familiar with Austin’s requirements and can expedite the approval process.

How Long Does Land Clearing Take in Austin?

Project timeline affects your total cost. Here’s what to expect:

Small Lot (0.25-0.5 acre):

• Light clearing: 1-2 days
• Medium clearing: 2-3 days
• Heavy clearing: 3-5 days

Standard Lot (1 acre):

• Light clearing: 2-3 days
• Medium clearing: 4-6 days
• Heavy clearing: 7-10 days

Large Property (5+ acres):

• Light clearing: 1-2 weeks
• Medium clearing: 2-3 weeks
• Heavy clearing: 3-6 weeks

Add time for:

• Permit approval: 10-15 business days
• Environmental surveys: 3-5 days
• Weather delays: Austin rain can pause work
• Protected tree assessment: 1-2 weeks

Most Austin land clearing projects are completed within 2-3 weeks from permit approval to final cleanup. Rush services available for time-sensitive projects—call (512) 265-1198 for expedited scheduling.

Why Austin Property Owners Choose Ace Construction Texas

For over 20 years, Ace Construction Texas has been Austin’s trusted land clearing contractor with:

• ✅ Local Expertise: Deep knowledge of Austin’s clay soil, tree ordinances, and permit requirements
• ✅ Complete Licensing: All required permits and insurance for Texas construction
• ✅ 1,200+ Completed Projects: Extensive experience with Austin-area properties
• ✅ Modern Equipment Fleet: Forestry mulchers, excavators, and specialized clearing tools
• ✅ Heritage Tree Specialists: Certified team for working near protected trees
• ✅ Free Site Assessments: Accurate quotes based on actual property conditions
• ✅ Transparent Pricing: Itemized estimates with no hidden fees
• ✅ Permit Handling: We manage all Austin permit applications and approvals

Our comprehensive construction services extend beyond clearing to include site preparation, grading, and excavation—saving you time and money with single-contractor efficiency.

Service Areas: We serve Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Leander, Lakeway, and all of Travis County. Visit our Austin location page to learn more about our local services.

Ready to clear your land? Get a free, itemized quote from Austin’s most trusted land clearing contractor. Call (512) 265-1198 or request an estimate online today.

Final Thoughts on Land Clearing Cost

The price you’ll pay to clear land can be pretty high, and most homeowners shy away from it. However, hiring a land clearing company is often the best solution, and ACE Construction Texas is the best option. Request your free estimate today!

FAQs About Land Clearing Costs in Austin TX