Land clearing cost per acre, worked out before you call.
Tell us the acreage and how thick it is. We estimate clearing, stumps, debris and grading separately so you know what a fair bid looks like.
- $1.2k–$8kper acre, by density (HomeGuide)
- 811call before stump grinding
- $3,780average project (Angi)
Worked example
Worked example: the estimator with these inputs: 2 acres to clear; Vegetation (est. multiplier from HomeGuide density bands): Brush and grass (HomeGuide brush clearing $800–$3,000/acre); Terrain (est. multiplier): Flat, dry; items: Clearing, light woods ($1,200–$2,500/acre, HomeGuide); density multiplier below. Each line is the published range times the quantity where it applies, times the multipliers, rounded to the nearest $10.
| Line item | Range |
|---|---|
| Clearing, light woods ($1,200–$2,500/acre, HomeGuide); density multiplier below | $2,400 – $5,000 |
| Estimated total | $2,400 – $5,000 |
See the example step by step or read how the estimates are built.
Price the clearing, the stumps and the debris separately
Most clearing bids bundle three jobs: cutting or mulching the vegetation, dealing with stumps, and getting rid of the debris. These guides break out each one, plus the permits that can stop a job before it starts.
State guides
- Alabama Tree Removal Cost and Rules
- Arkansas Tree Removal Cost and Rules
- Florida Tree Removal Cost and Rules
- Arizona Tree Removal Cost and Rules
- Georgia Tree Removal Cost and Rules
- North Carolina Tree Removal Costs
- Texas Tree Removal Cost and Rules
- Utah Tree Removal Cost and Rules
- Colorado Tree Removal Cost and Rules
- California Tree Removal Cost and Rules
- Maryland Tree Removal Cost and Rules
Three rules to check first
Each one can stop a job or add cost if you find out after the dozer arrives. Checked against agency sources on October 15, 2026.
- One acre of bare soil. EPA requires stormwater permit coverage for construction activity disturbing 1 acre or more, and clearing counts. In most states the state issues that permit (EPA).
- Wet ground. Soil moved during mechanized land clearing in a wetland can be a regulated discharge under Clean Water Act Section 404 (33 CFR 323.2). Ask your Army Corps district before clearing.
- Burning piles. Florida requires a Florida Forest Service authorization for land-clearing burns. North Carolina requires a free N.C. Forest Service permit for burning near woodland between midnight and 4 p.m. Texas limits burning to daylight hours and moderate winds (FFS, NCFS, TCEQ).
Common questions
How long does it take to clear an acre?
Angi says a pro takes about 2 to 12 hours per acre depending on density. HomeGuide’s forestry mulching guide says a skid-steer mulcher clears roughly 1 to 3 acres a day.
What is the best time of year?
Plan around nesting birds first. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends scheduling vegetation removal outside the peak bird breeding season where practicable, and surveying for active nests within five days of clearing if you can’t. If you plan to burn, check seasonal limits such as Virginia’s 4 PM law (February 15 to April 30). More on timing and permits.
Do I need to remove stumps?
For lawns, pastures you will mow, or building sites, yes. For trails and wooded lots, ground-level mulching is usually enough.
Do I need a permit to clear my own land?
Often, yes. Disturbing 1 acre or more usually needs stormwater permit coverage. Clearing in wetlands can need a federal Section 404 permit, burning piles usually needs a state authorization, and many counties have tree or grading permits. See the permits guide.
Ask about your clearing project
Tell us the acreage, what is growing on it and what the land is for: pasture, house pad, trails or a view. The form goes to Cornelia Cove LLC, which runs this site, and we reply by email. We use your details only to answer this request, and we pass them to a contractor only if you ask us to.
Bring a range from our estimator to every site visit. A clearing bid should price clearing, stumps, debris disposal and grading separately, and say who handles permits.