Land Clearing Cost: 2025 Pricing Guide for Texas & Nationwide

From October 2025 through November 2025, our research team analyzed land clearing pricing data from excavation contractors, industry cost databases, and national surveys across the United States. We compiled verified cost data from multiple authoritative sources including Angi, HomeGuide, Homewyse, and regional contractor databases to provide property owners and developers with accurate land clearing cost benchmarks for 2025.

1. Land Clearing Cost Per Acre

The cost to clear an acre of land is highly variable, depending primarily on vegetation density, terrain complexity, and regional market conditions. The national average cost to clear an acre of land typically ranges from $1,200 to $6,200, with heavily wooded or challenging terrain pushing costs higher.

The table below details verified cost ranges based on vegetation density, comparing national averages with Texas-specific pricing.

Vegetation Density	National Avg. Cost per Acre	Texas Avg. Cost per Acre	DFW Estimated Mid-Range
Light brush and undergrowth	$1,000 – $2,500	$1,500 – $3,000	$2,250
Medium vegetation with small trees	$2,000 – $4,000	$2,500 – $4,500	$3,500
Heavy forest with mature trees	$4,000 – $7,500	$4,500 – $8,500	$6,500
Very dense wooded lots/challenging terrain	$6,000 – $12,000+	$7,000 – $15,000+	$10,000

2. Land Clearing Cost Per Hour

Hourly rates are often used for smaller projects, selective clearing, or when specialized equipment is required. These rates reflect labor, equipment operation, fuel costs, and contractor expertise.

Service Type	National Hourly Rate	Texas Hourly Rate	DFW Hourly Rate
Manual labor (hand tools, small equipment)	$20 – $50	$25 – $55	$30 – $45
Skid steer with mulcher attachment	$125 – $250	$150 – $275	$175 – $250
Professional contractor with equipment	$150 – $350	$175 – $400	$200 – $350
Heavy machinery (bulldozer, excavator)	$200 – $400	$250 – $450	$300 – $400

3. Land Clearing Cost Per Square Foot

Per-square-foot pricing is most relevant for residential lots and smaller parcels where acre-based estimates are impractical.

Lot Size	Square Footage	National Cost Range ($/sq ft)	Texas Cost Range ($/sq ft)	Total Project Cost (Texas)
1/8 acre	5,445 sq ft	$0.15 – $0.90	$0.20 – $1.00	$1,089 – $5,445
1/4 acre	10,890 sq ft	$0.15 – $0.90	$0.20 – $1.00	$2,178 – $10,890
1/2 acre	21,780 sq ft	$0.90 – $1.50	$1.00 – $1.75	$21,780 – $38,115
1 acre	43,560 sq ft	$0.90 – $1.50	$1.00 – $1.75	$43,560 – $76,230
Site prep for construction	Variable	$1.20 – $2.20	$1.40 – $2.50	Includes grading

4. Regional Land Clearing Costs: State-by-State Comparison

Regional pricing variations are influenced by local labor markets, equipment availability, vegetation types, and regulatory environments. The table below compares average total project costs across major U.S. markets.

State/Region	Average Total Project Cost	Cost Compared to National Avg	Primary Vegetation Challenges
Florida	$2,800	-10%	Palmetto, pine, wetland vegetation
Tennessee	$3,200	+3%	Hardwoods, rocky terrain
Oregon	$3,300	+6%	Dense undergrowth, Douglas fir
Colorado	$3,400	+10%	Altitude challenges, rocky soil
Texas	$4,000	+29%	Cedar, mesquite, oak, caliche soil
Nebraska	$3,500	+13%	Prairie grass, scattered trees
New York	$3,600	+16%	Hardwoods, rocky Northeast terrain
Maine	$3,550	+15%	Pine, birch, seasonal constraints
California	$6,000	+94%	Regulations, fire clearance, protected oaks
National Average	$3,100	Baseline	Mixed vegetation

5. Additional Cost Factors for Land Clearing Projects

Beyond basic clearing rates, several factors significantly impact total project costs:

Category	Item	Cost Range (Texas Average)	Notes
Site Preparation & Permits	Land clearing permits	$200 – $350	Varies by municipality (e.g., Dallas vs. Fort Worth)
	Land survey	$500 – $1,000	Essential for defining property lines
	Geotechnical testing	$1,500 – $6,000	Required for commercial or complex residential foundations
	Erosion control measures	$0.10 – $0.25 per sq ft	Required by many municipal codes
Debris Management	Stump removal (grinding/extraction)	$150 – $300 per stump	Price depends on diameter and method
	Forestry mulching	$450 – $900 per acre	Cost-effective alternative to hauling
	Debris hauling & disposal	$300 – $2,500	Depends on volume and distance to disposal site
	Burning permits and monitoring	$150 – $400	Where allowed; increasingly restricted in urban areas
Specialized Equipment (Daily Rates)	Skid steer with mulcher	$2,500 – $3,500/day	Clears 1–2 acres of light to medium vegetation
	Tigercat forestry mulcher	$4,000 – $5,500/day	High-capacity clearing (2–5+ acres any vegetation)
	Bulldozer (D61EX class)	$2,800 – $4,000/day	Used for grading, grubbing, and heavy pushing
	Excavator (medium duty)	$1,800 – $3,000/day	Used for digging, trenching, and selective removal

Choosing a Land Clearing Contractor in Texas

When selecting an excavation and land clearing company for your Texas project, prioritize contractors who demonstrate:

Essential Qualifications:

• Licensed and insured for excavation work in Texas.

• Minimum 5 years experience with regional vegetation (cedar, mesquite, oak).

• Modern equipment suitable for project scope.

• Knowledge of local permitting requirements.

• References from recent projects in your area.

Red Flags to Avoid:

• Contractors unwilling to provide detailed written estimates.

• Pressure to pay large deposits upfront (standard is 10-25%).

• Lack of proper insurance documentation.

• No established business location or equipment yard.

• Prices significantly below market rates (often indicates inadequate insurance or poor equipment).

Ready to Transform Your Texas Property?

Kitching Co brings over a decade of excavation and underground utility expertise to land clearing projects throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Our team understands the unique challenges of Texas terrain, from dense cedar breaks to challenging caliche soil conditions.

Whether you’re preparing a residential lot, clearing land for commercial development, or need precision excavation for underground utilities, our modern equipment fleet and experienced operators deliver results on schedule and within budget.

Contact Kitching Co. today for a detailed project estimate tailored to your specific property conditions and timeline.

References

1.Angi. (2025). How Much Does It Cost to Clear Land? [2025 Data]. Retrieved from: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-clear-land.htm

2.APX Construction Group. (2025 ). Average Cost To Clear Land In 2025: A Developer’s Guide. Retrieved from: https://apxconstructiongroup.com/average-cost-to-clear-land/

3.HomeGuide. (2025 ). 2025 Land Clearing Costs | Avg. Cost Per Acre. Retrieved from: https://homeguide.com/costs/land-clearing-cost

4.LawnStarter. (2025 ). Pricing Guide: How Much Does It Cost to Clear Land?. Retrieved from: https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/cost/clear-land-price/

5.Lawn Love. (2025 ). How Much Does it Cost to Clear Land in 2025?. Retrieved from: https://lawnlove.com/blog/land-clearing-cost/

6.HomeGuide. (2025 ). 2025 Forestry Mulching Prices | Cost Per Hour, Acre & Day. Retrieved from: https://homeguide.com/costs/forestry-mulching-cost

7.Angi. (2025 ). What Does Forestry Mulching Cost? [2025 Data]. Retrieved from: https://www.angi.com/articles/forestry-mulching-cost.htm

8.RJT Construction LLC. (2024 ). How Much Does It Cost to Clear Land in Texas? A Comprehensive Guide. Retrieved from: https://rjt-constructionllc.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-clear-land-in-texas-a-comprehensive-guide/

9.Lone Star Clearing. (2025 ). Land Clearing Prices. Retrieved from: https://bushwackerslandclearing.com/land-clearing-prices/