Site Clearing and Grubbing: The First 5% That Determines the Other 95%
Tree removal, stump grinding, organic stripping, erosion control, the unglamorous work that decides whether your slab cracks in three years or thirty.
Clearing vs. grubbing, they're not the same
Clearing removes everything visible: trees, brush, debris. Grubbing removes everything below grade: stumps, roots over 2 inches, organic topsoil. A site that has been cleared but not grubbed will settle and crack within seasons.
Standard depth of organic stripping is 4 to 8 inches, sometimes 12 inches in muck. Anything organic left in the subgrade decomposes and creates voids. Read site prep done right for the next step.
Permits and protected species
Most South Florida municipalities require a tree removal permit, with mitigation (replacement trees) for any specimen-sized tree removed. Mangrove and live oak removal triggers state-level review.
Erosion and sediment control (silt fence, inlet protection, stabilized construction entrance) is required from day one and inspected weekly during the project.
Cost and equipment
Bare-acreage clearing: $1,500 to $4,500 per acre depending on tree density. Stump grinding: $5 to $12 per inch of trunk diameter. Organic stripping and haul-off: $3 to $7 per cubic yard.
Get a free site work quote, Bedrock self-performs every step from survey to grade.
Frequently asked questions
Open burning is restricted in most South Florida counties; an air curtain incinerator may be permitted for large clearing jobs.
Yes, large hardwood logs can be sold to mills, and clean wood chips are usually given to landscapers free.
A 5-acre residential site: 3 to 7 days clearing and grubbing once permits are in hand.
Get a free quote from Bedrock.
Residential and commercial. Licensed, bonded, insured.