What is Land Clearing?

The goal of the land clearing process is to ensure the development site is ready for additional work, like grading. It is one of the first steps in the overall site development process and must be done properly to prevent future delays.

Here is what land clearing consists of for most large-scale development projects:

• Site surveying – If your organization has already performed a site survey and has plans drawn up for the property, a land clearing company will reference them to ensure everything that is targeted for removal is removed.
  
  If your organization is still assessing the property’s layout, quality and primary features, your land clearing company may be able to handle site surveying. During a site survey, the site development team will determine the feasibility of any proposed construction plans, using on-the-ground intelligence to make informed judgments about what can be done on the site. Following the site survey, your land clearing and site development team may be able to provide site planning services as well.
  
  
• Vegetation removal and grubbing – The primary obstacle on most development sites is vegetation, especially trees and their root systems. As such, the first step for land clearing teams is to remove this vegetation. This is typically done with bulldozers and extractors, which can be used to push over the trees or pull them out using chains. If root structures are a concern, pulling the vegetation out (grubbing) will ensure it does not grow back.
  
  
• Identifying and removing subsurface obstacles – Although large subsurface rocks are rare in the Houston area, it’s common for land clearing crews to run into utility lines, old drainage structures and other unexpected debris. Your land clearing crew can assess the extent of these obstacles, determine if they can be removed and dig them out if so. If the obstacle cannot be safely removed (such as a utility line), the land clearing crew can assist with adjusting the development plan.
  
  
• Demolition and hazardous material removal – Many development sites in the Houston area have had construction standing on them previously. During the site survey, dilapidated structures may be discovered, or they may emerge while the land clearing crew is busy working over the site.
  
  If previous structures are discovered, your land clearing company will need the appropriate demolition skills to safely remove the structures from your site. In some cases, this includes removing hazardous materials from the site, such as asbestos. Your land clearing crew must be properly certified and permitted to provide hazardous material removal.
  
  Demolition requires the use of extractors, bulldozers, skid steer loaders and hand-held demolition equipment. Since trucks will be needed to haul everything away, you will benefit from a well-resourced demolition crew to get the job done right and on time.

At this point, the project will move from the land clearing phase to land grading. Experienced site development crews are often equipped to handle grading, with sufficient machinery, manpower and expertise to manage the job.

During land grading, site development crews will provide the following services:

• Rough and fine grading – The initial grading passes are designed to haul dirt from one part of the property to another, removing the dirt from where it is not needed and adding it to areas on the property where it can be beneficial. This establishes the property’s general shape and drainage grades. Grading is typically managed in a series of passes until fine grading precisely creates the desired elevations.
  
  
• Landscape grading – Landscape grading involves establishing planting areas, which means placing topsoil for vegetation and ensuring proper drainage flows through all landscaping. Many properties rely on their landscaping to manage runoff and to prevent soil erosion (and potential property damage).
  
  
• Soil compaction and stabilization – During soil stabilization and compaction, the land clearing and site development team will compact the soil using rollers and, if necessary, chemical stabilization. Stable soil promotes stable foundation work, so all building pads are compacted and stabilized to exacting tolerances.