When most people picture a commercial project in progress, they probably picture a construction site. But before parking lots can be paved and buildings can be erected, the land itself needs to be completely cleared.
Land clearing services play an essential role in commercial construction. But why is this process so vital and what’s involved? Let’s take a closer look at commercial land clearing and why its benefits make this process a must-do.
What’s Involved in Commercial Land Clearing
Every hour, roughly 4,500 acres of forests are cleared by fires, bulldozers, machetes, and other means. Land clearing essentially involves the purposeful removal of trees, shrubs, stumps, rocks, vegetation, and even existing structural components from a parcel of land.
Usually, elements above the ground surface are removed during this time; in some cases, however, those who perform commercial land clearing are instructed to leave certain things — like natural hills or certain trees — intact. Land clearing may also involve clearing a layer of topsoil. Excavation may be included in this process to ensure planned structures (such as buildings, roads, or bridges) can be constructed and utilized safely. If excavation is necessary, this may also include debris and sediment removal from waterways.
Understanding the Importance of Land Clearing
This process represents the first necessary step in preparing a lot for construction. Although the clearing of land also takes place in residential applications, it’s especially important for commercial structures. Without clearing a piece of land at the start of a project, you’ll undoubtedly run into delays, compromise construction safety and stability, and even compromise the value of the land in general. If you don’t clear the land before beginning a commercial project, you’ll be doing yourself a huge disservice. By creating a strong foundation (both literal and metaphorical) for your construction project, you’ll safeguard your success.
The Benefits of Land Clearing For Commercial Applications
The goal of clearing land for commercial purposes is to create a clean and safe slate for construction. While that might sound simple enough, the reality is that land clearing can provide a whole other host of benefits that you might not even have thought of. Although the clearing of land is necessary from a practical standpoint at the start of a construction project, it can also have positive ripple effects in the long term.
- Efficiency: Of course, clearing a piece of land that contains trees and other structural elements can make your project execution more efficient. Rather than try to solve problems on the fly throughout the construction process, you can eliminate them from the start and take proactive steps to prevent delays and other challenges. Preparing a piece of land for construction at the onset of a project can help you stick to a tight timeline and address shortcomings that might otherwise lead to unnecessary downtime. With the land already prepared for construction, your crew can get to work in an uninterrupted fashion.
- Safety: Another main reason to prioritize initial lot clearing is the safety this process can provide. Say the lot you’re planning to build on has a number of dead trees or overcrowded vegetation. Whether you’ll be building on this lot right away or you plan to sell it to another builder, the presence of these natural elements can actually pose a threat. Dead trees are more likely to catch fire or to fall, both of which can cause immense damage, while overcrowded vegetation can spread disease, encourage pest activity, or decrease the health of the soil. Those facts alone should convince you to clear your land prior to building. But this process can also determine the areas of the land that need additional attention before structures can safely be built. If there are several areas on this piece of land that present stability issues, you’ll be able to tackle that during the clearing and excavation phase. That way, you can stop safety concerns before they present any risk to your crew or to the general public.
- Value: Maintaining the value of the land is another valid reason to clear it before construction begins. This is especially true if you don’t plan to build on the land yourself but intend to sell it to another developer or builder. By clearing the piece of land first, you can make the property a much more attractive option to buyers. Just like you’d factor in curb appeal when selling a home, you’ll want to make a parcel of land as enticing as possible — and that involves clearing any trees, rocks, and other features that could deter a buyer. If you can present a piece of land that’s ready to go, you’ll be more likely to garner interest. Of course, even if you’re building on the land yourself, initially clearing this property can help you retain value. A commercial property that’s overrun with plants and trees won’t attract customers or future buyers. Although ongoing property maintenance is important, starting with a clean slate is one of the best ways to retain value over time. If you nip problems in the bud from the start, you won’t have to worry about structural issues or the value of the land decreasing over time.
How to Address Your Need For Commercial Land Clearing Services
If you’re planning a commercial construction project or intend to sell a piece of vacant land you own for such a purpose, it’s important to get it ready for building before doing anything else. That necessitates a call to a land development service. While finding the right land developer for your needs isn’t always easy, it’s a process that’s well worth making an effort. Now that you know you have a need for clearing trees and other structures, you can research firms in your area that provide these services and ask others in your industry for recommendations. You’ll likely need to contact at least a few providers in your general area to determine whether they have the capacity and offer all of the services you need to prepare your land.
Important Questions to Ask When Clearing Land For Commercial Construction
When choosing a provider for the commercial clearing of land, you need to do your due diligence. In order to ensure your project is a success, you may want to narrow down your search by asking the following questions:
- How long have you been in business?
- Do you hold pertinent degrees or certifications in this field?
- Do you follow environmentally friendly practices?
- What happens to the materials that are cleared from my land?
- What kind of equipment do you typically use?
- How long will clearing my land take?
- What areas do you serve?
- What are the costs associated with this process?
- Will you engage in any kind of excavation?
- Is there an ideal time to schedule these services?
- Do you provide these services for other commercial customers?
- Where can I read testimonials or customer reviews?
By knowing what questions to ask, you can hone in on the right land development company to fit your specific needs.
Now that you’re virtually an expert in land clearing, you’ll be in a great position to take this first developmental step and find a land clearing company that can help you achieve your goals. For more on how Lone Star Land Enhancement can help you clear and ready your piece of Texas land for construction, please contact our team today.