If you've bought a piece of undeveloped land for building your new home, the first step is to have it excavated. If the lot is small and there isn't much growth, you might be able to do the work yourself. However, it's much easier to hire an excavation company to come in with heavy machinery and clear the land. Although it adds to the cost of your home, the price is worth it when your lot is full of trees and bushes. Here are some factors to consider when estimating the cost of clearing your land:

Cost Of Basic Excavation

You'll want the contractor to see your land in person so the quote will be accurate. Several things affect how much it costs to clear land. If the lot is soil, it is easier to work with than if it is hard clay. Also, the amount of mature growth affects the cost too since trees and root systems are harder to dig out. The quote for the excavation might only include digging up growth and pushing it off to the side, so don't assume your lot will be clear and level unless the extra work is agreed upon and included in the quote.

Hauling Debris And Dirt

Once the land is cleared, you're faced with a pile of bushes, trees, and maybe even dirt. Depending on how much growth was on the lot, you may be looking at hefty disposal fees. Your contractor may include hauling and disposal along with the cost of excavation, which is the easiest way to clear your property. Otherwise, you'll have to hire someone to come in and haul away the debris. This could become quite expensive if mature trees need to be cut first.

It will also require machinery for lifting trees and hauling them away. If your lot didn't have much growth, you might be able to save money by clearing the debris away yourself depending on where your property is located. If it's in the city, you'll probably need to get it moved quickly and according to local codes, but if it's in the country, you might be able to burn the vegetation and bury small limbs and trunks in the corner of your property. You may even want to save the topsoil for planting sod or a garden once the house is complete.

The Added Expense Of Grading

Once the land has been cleared, it needs to be graded before you build your house. This may or may not be done at the same time as the excavation. In either case, it is an additional but necessary expense. Your lot must slope away from your house or you may have problems with a wet basement or shifting foundation in the future.

Knowing the above steps are necessary before you can build your home helps you prepare for the expenses you'll encounter and understand the quotes you're given for clearing your land.

Contact a company like B.C.K. Specialties, Inc for more information and assistance.