Land Clearing Houston, TX
Land clearing is an early and essential step in commercial development, no matter where your structure is going. The land clearing process includes the following stages:
- Vegetation (tress, shrubs) and rock removal
- Grubbing
- Demolition
- Site surveying
- Site grading
- Pad clearing
A reputable land clearing contractor in Houston will have experience with all of the above services. Some contractors offer additional commercial development services, too, as land clearing is only part of a larger site development project.
The Land Clearing Process in Houston
Houston land clearing services typically include the following:
- Vegetation and rock removal – If your property is a raw piece of land, it may be overrun with trees, brush and other vegetation. If so, your land clearing contractor will first pass over the site with bulldozers and excavators to pull any vegetation out of the ground. Although large rocks are not especially common in Houston soils, they can be found from time to time, and a reputable land clearing contractor can remove them from the site as well.
- Grubbing – Grubbing is done in concert with vegetation and tree removal, as it involves removing any root structures left behind. If these root structures are not removed, the vegetation may grow back and cause issues with any foundation work. That is why an experienced land clearing company in Houston will uproot everything, using bulldozers to do so.
- Demolition – If existing structures are on your property – or the remains of existing structures – your land clearing contractor will remove them as well. Not all land clearing services also provide demolition, as it requires a specialized set of skills and equipment. For example, a commercial demolition crew must be certified to remove hazardous materials.
- Site surveying – If your land clearing company is also acting as your site development crew, they will be responsible for getting your property ready for construction. An important early step during this process is the site survey. While surveying the property, a Houston land clearing company will ensure the site plan is feasible, given the property’s layout, location and composition. Any construction-related challenges, like utility lines, are also identified during this step.
- Site grading – During the site grading phase, your land clearing contractor will shape the property to the plan’s specifications. Grading is done in multiple passes and involves a lot of dirt moving. Efficient drainage depends on proper grading, as the resulting slope will direct runoff away from any buildings.
- Pad clearing – With the site cleared and graded, one of the last steps for your land clearing service to manage is pad clearing. During pad clearing, all build sites are smoothed out further, compacted and stabilized for optimal load-bearing capabilities
Three Reasons to Partner with a Houston Land Clearing Service
Land clearing is a necessary part of any commercial development project and will set the course for future construction. Given its importance, there are several reasons to work with an expert land clearing service in Houston to handle the job, including:
- Resources – Commercial land clearing is a big, complex job that takes a well-resourced contractor to manage. Experienced land clearing companies have the manpower and equipment assets to ensure work is completed on time and within the budget.
- Precision – During land clearing, it is critical that every piece of vegetation and debris is removed before additional development begins. One rock or tree root is all it takes to damage a piece of machinery or otherwise delay a project. Reputable land clearing services make precision a priority, ensuring something like this does not happen.
- Professionalism – A reputable Houston land clearing company will be insured and can therefore protect their clients from any liability arising from damage or an injury. Further, an experienced land clearing contractor will also pull any permits needed for the job, which is a necessity in Houston.
What to Look for in a Houston Land Clearing Company
If you are embarking on a commercial development project, a reliable land clearing contractor will be one of the first contractors you will work with. Here is what to prioritize when searching for a reputable contractor:
- An impressive project portfolio – Experience is the great equalizer among land clearing contractors. Your land clearing service should be able to provide theirs with a robust project portfolio that includes projects like yours.
- Contacts from previous clients – Another way for land clearing contractors to demonstrate their work quality is sharing testimonials from previous customers. If a land clearing service can back their work with strong testimonials, it’s a good sign for your project.
- Proof of insurance – Commercial land clearing in Houston is inherently a high-risk endeavor. As such, you should expect your land clearing company to provide proof of insurance with the job. A reputable contractor will have no issue with this.
- Engineering experience on staff – If your land clearing company is going to install drainage structures or lay foundations, it is important that their work is guided by a structural engineer. You will also need an engineer to draw up a site plan if one is still needed. An established land clearing company will have engineering expertise they can draw from when necessary.
Pick a Houston Land Clearing Company That Offers Additional Services
Property that requires clearing will likely be developed well past the land clearing stage. The property will also need adequate drainage, foundations, pavement and parking lots.
If your land clearing service can provide the additional services listed above, it will be more cost effective (and faster) to work with a single contractor you can trust throughout the process.
In addition to an impressive project portfolio, a strong reputation among past clients, insurance and engineering expertise, consider a land clearing company in Houston that can serve in a complete site developer role.