Lot Clearing & Stump Grubbing in Vancouver, WA

Lot clearing and stump grubbing turns overgrown land into something you can use. In Clark County that usually means Himalayan blackberry, alder, maple and fir, scotch broom on idle fields, and the stumps left from past logging. Land clearing is one of the most searched excavation services around Vancouver, and it is usually the first step for a new home, a shop, a pasture or a sale.

What gets removed

Clearing takes out brush and small trees. Grubbing pulls the stumps and root balls that would otherwise rot under a building or driveway and leave sinkholes. On a building site, the organic topsoil is stripped too, since it compresses and holds water.

Haul, mulch or pile

Cleared material can be hauled away, mulched on site with a forestry mulcher, or piled for later disposal where allowed. HomeGuide lists forestry mulching at $500 to $1,000 or more per acre. Mulch left on the surface helps hold soil during winter rains.

Rain and erosion

Bare ground in a climate with about 161 rain days a year erodes quickly. We clear in stages where possible, put up silt fence along slopes and ditches, and build a rocked construction entrance so trucks do not track mud onto public roads.

Trees, permits and critical areas

Cities and the county regulate tree removal and clearing near streams, wetlands and steep slopes. On larger parcels, a survey may be needed before a clearing permit; HomeGuide puts that at $500 to $1,500 or more. We check what applies before we start.

Costs

HomeGuide puts light clearing at $1,200 to $2,500 per acre, moderate at $2,500 to $4,500 and heavy at $4,500 to $8,000. Brush removal runs $800 to $3,000 per acre and stumps $100 to $400 each. HomeAdvisor lists typical clearing projects at $1,400 to $5,800.

Stripping and stockpiling topsoil

Topsoil from a building area is worth keeping. We strip it, stockpile it away from the work, cover it through the wet season, and spread it back on lawn and garden areas when construction is done.

Large trees

Big firs and maples near structures, lines or roads often need a tree service for felling. We coordinate with them and handle stumps, roots and cleanup.

Fire-safe clearing

On forested north county lots, clearing brush and ladder fuels around homes and outbuildings reduces wildfire risk; the 1902 Yacolt Burn is a reminder that large fires do happen here.