Lot Clearing in Pittsburgh, PA

Lot clearing removes trees, brush, vines and stumps from ground that is going to be built on, paved or used. Around Pittsburgh, many remaining building lots are wooded hillsides, and clearing them is more delicate than clearing flat ground. Roots hold soil on slopes; once they are gone, rain can move the topsoil within weeks.

Clearing only what the plan needs

We mark the limits of clearing with you before we start: the house or garage footprint, the driveway, utility routes and working room. Trees outside those limits stay. On steep ground we often leave stumps and root mats in place outside the building area to keep soil anchored, removing them only where something will be built.

Stumps under structures

Under footings, slabs and driveways, stumps and large roots must come out. Buried wood rots and leaves voids. HomeGuide puts each stump at roughly $100 to $400 to grind or pull.

Erosion control

Pennsylvania requires erosion and sediment controls on earth disturbance, and larger disturbances need a written plan reviewed by the Allegheny County Conservation District. Silt fence, stabilized entrances and quick seeding or mulching of finished areas keep soil on your lot and out of storm drains and creeks.

Debris

Brush can be chipped and spread on the site or hauled. Logs can be left in lengths for firewood or hauled. Burning is restricted in much of Allegheny County, so we plan to chip or haul. Disposal is a separate line in the price.

Costs

Per HomeGuide, an acre of light growth runs about $1,200 to $2,500 to clear, moderate growth $2,500 to $4,500, and dense woods $4,500 to $8,000. Steep slopes and limited access add time.

Clearing for driveways

A new driveway through woods needs a cleared corridor wider than the pavement, so there is room for ditches, shoulders and snow storage. Stumps and roots under the driveway come out; the subgrade is then graded and compacted before stone goes down. On slopes, the driveway's drainage is planned at the clearing stage.