Land clearing cost in Georgia ranges from $1,200 to $6,000 or more per acre depending on the density of trees, terrain conditions, and how much finishing work the project requires. For residential lots in the Douglasville and Douglas County area, most homeowners pay between $1,500 and $4,500 per acre in 2026.
Land clearing is the process of removing trees, stumps, brush, and undergrowth from a piece of property to prepare it for construction, grading, or other use. A cleared lot may also include rough grading, debris hauling, and stump grinding depending on the scope of the project.
A quarter-acre subdivision lot overgrown with small pines is a different job than five acres of mature hardwoods with ravines and creek buffers. This guide breaks down what drives the cost so you can budget accurately before breaking ground.
Land Clearing Cost Per Acre in Georgia
Vegetation density is the biggest cost driver. A lightly wooded lot with scattered young pines clears in a fraction of the time it takes to remove a stand of 60-foot oaks.
Here are the 2026 per-acre pricing ranges for the Douglas County and west metro Georgia area:
Clearing Level | Description | Cost Per Acre |
|---|---|---|
Light brush clearing | Underbrush, saplings, and small trees under 6 inches DBH (diameter at breast height) | $1,200 to $2,000 |
Moderately wooded | Mix of medium trees (6 to 18 inches DBH), brush, and undergrowth | $2,000 to $3,500 |
Heavily wooded | Dense mature trees, large hardwoods, thick undergrowth | $3,500 to $6,000+ |
Selective clearing | Removing specific trees while preserving others | $1,500 to $4,000 |
These figures include tree felling, brush removal, and basic debris hauling. Stump grinding, grading, and erosion control are typically quoted as add-ons.
For partial-acre residential lots, the math shifts. Equipment mobilization, setup, and minimum crew time apply regardless of lot size, so a half-acre lot does not cost exactly half of a full-acre rate. Clearing a 0.25-acre subdivision lot in Douglas County typically runs $1,500 to $3,000 depending on tree count and access.
What’s Included in a Land Clearing Quote
Not every land clearing company includes the same scope of work. Before you sign a contract, confirm exactly what the price covers.
Tree removal. Felling every tree within the designated area, limbing the trunks, and processing the wood for removal. Large trees near property lines or structures may need to be rigged down in sections. Our tree removal service in Douglasville handles everything from single residential pines to multi-acre clearing jobs.
Brush and undergrowth removal. Saplings, privet hedges, vines, and dense scrub all need to come out before equipment can move across the site.
Debris hauling. Wood, brush, and vegetation must be moved off-site. Some companies chip brush on-site and haul logs to a disposal facility. Others burn debris where local regulations allow it. Douglas County has burn permit requirements, and burning is not allowed during certain months or air quality conditions.
Stump grinding. Stumps left in the ground interfere with grading, foundations, driveways, and utilities. Most clearing quotes list stump grinding as a separate line item. Expect to pay $3 to $8 per inch of stump diameter, or $150 to $500 per stump for typical residential trees. For lots with 20 or more stumps, our crew usually offers a bulk rate. See our stump grinding page for details.
Grading. Rough grading levels the site after clearing, filling low spots and removing root balls. Finish grading for a building pad, driveway, or yard costs more. Not every clearing company handles grading, so ask upfront.
Erosion control. Georgia requires erosion and sedimentation control for land disturbance over one acre. Even on smaller lots, silt fencing or erosion blankets may be needed to meet county requirements.
Factors That Affect Land Clearing Prices
Tree Density and Size
A lot with 15 scattered loblolly pines under 40 feet is a half-day job. A lot packed with mature water oaks, sweetgums, and hickories takes two to three days with a larger crew. Hardwood is heavier, harder to process, and produces more debris per tree.
Terrain and Soil Conditions
Douglas County’s red clay soil holds water, which means wet-season clearing can turn a lot into a mud pit. Equipment gets stuck, ruts form, and cleanup costs increase. Slopes, drainage ditches, and rocky areas add time and sometimes require specialized equipment.
We cleared a 1.5-acre lot off Highway 5 last fall where the back third dropped 15 feet into a drainage swale. The front acre cleared in a day. That back section took the crew another full day just to safely fell and winch out the timber.
Access
If heavy equipment can drive straight onto the lot, costs stay lower. If the lot sits behind an existing home, down a narrow driveway, or has no road frontage, crews spend more time moving material by hand or with smaller equipment. Tight access adds 15% to 30% to most clearing estimates.
Permits and Regulations
Projects involving more than one acre of land disturbance trigger Georgia’s erosion and sedimentation control requirements, including permit fees, site plans, and inspections. Within Douglasville city limits, tree ordinances may apply to protected-size trees and buffer zones near waterways. We covered this in detail in our guide on tree removal permits in Douglas County.
Budget $200 to $600 for a standard residential land disturbance permit. Larger or commercial projects may run higher.
What You Want Done After Clearing
Some homeowners just need the trees and brush gone. Others need the lot graded, stumps removed, topsoil spread, and the site ready for a builder. Each additional step adds to the total.
Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
Stump grinding (per stump) | $150 to $500 |
Stump grinding (bulk rate, 10+ stumps) | $75 to $200 per stump |
Rough grading (per acre) | $1,000 to $3,000 |
Finish grading (per acre) | $2,000 to $5,000 |
Silt fencing and erosion control | $500 to $2,000 |
Topsoil and seeding | $800 to $2,500 per acre |
A fully cleared and graded half-acre lot in Douglas County, ready for a builder, can run $4,000 to $8,000 total once you add clearing, stumps, grading, and erosion control together.
Common Land Clearing Scenarios in Douglas County
New Home Construction
A builder or homeowner with a wooded lot in unincorporated Douglas County needs it cleared for a new home, septic system, driveway, and yard. These projects typically involve clearing a half-acre to full-acre footprint, grinding all stumps, and rough grading. Budget: $3,000 to $7,000.
Additions and Outbuilding Sites
Clearing a section of wooded backyard for a garage, workshop, or accessory dwelling. These jobs are smaller but can be tricky when the clearing area sits close to the house, septic lines, or mature trees you want to keep. Selective clearing costs more per tree but saves the trees that matter.
Fence Line Clearing
Removing trees, stumps, and roots along a 6-to-10-foot-wide corridor so posts can be set in a straight line. Usually quoted by linear foot at $3 to $8 per linear foot. A 400-foot fence line through moderate brush runs roughly $1,200 to $3,200.
Driveway Clearing
Cutting a 12-to-20-foot-wide corridor through wooded terrain, grinding the stumps, and rough grading the path. A 200-foot driveway through moderately wooded terrain typically costs $1,500 to $3,500 before any gravel or paving.
Overgrown Lot Cleanup
A neglected lot taken over by privet, kudzu, volunteer pines, and scrub brush. The vegetation is mostly small-diameter growth that clears quickly with the right equipment. Light overgrowth clearing on a half-acre lot usually falls in the $800 to $2,000 range.
How to Reduce Your Land Clearing Cost
Time the job for dry weather. Red clay and rain do not mix well with heavy equipment. Scheduling during a dry stretch in late summer or fall prevents rut damage and added cleanup costs.
Keep the wood. If your lot has marketable timber, some clearing companies will reduce the price in exchange for keeping the lumber. This can shave $500 to $1,500 off a large clearing job.
Bundle services. If you need clearing, stump grinding, and grading, getting all three from the same company is almost always cheaper than hiring separately. One mobilization, one crew, one cleanup.
Stage the work. If you do not need the entire lot cleared immediately, clear the building footprint and driveway first, then clear additional area later. This spreads the cost and lets you see how the lot drains before committing to a full clear.
Get a Free Land Clearing Estimate in Douglas County
Every lot is different. Tree count, species, terrain, access, and project goals all factor into the final price. An on-site walkthrough gives you an actual number.
Douglas County Tree Service provides land clearing in Douglasville and Douglas County, from partial-lot residential clearing to multi-acre construction prep. We walk the property, mark the clearing boundaries with you, and deliver a written estimate that breaks down every line item.
Call (678) 675-1313 or contact us to schedule your free land clearing estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to clear 1 acre of wooded land in Georgia?
Clearing one acre of wooded land in Georgia costs between $1,200 and $6,000 or more depending on the density and size of the trees. A lightly wooded acre with small pines and brush typically runs $1,200 to $2,000. A heavily wooded acre with mature hardwoods, thick underbrush, and difficult terrain can exceed $6,000. Stump grinding and grading add to the total if they are not included in the base clearing price.
Do I need a permit to clear land in Douglas County, GA?
It depends on the project size and property location. Land disturbance over one acre in Georgia requires a state-level erosion and sedimentation control permit, and Douglas County issues its own land disturbance permits as well. Smaller residential clearing projects may not need a permit, but properties within Douglasville city limits or in HOA communities may have additional tree protection rules. Check with the Douglas County Community Development Department before starting.
What is the difference between land clearing and lot clearing?
Land clearing and lot clearing refer to the same general process: removing trees, brush, and vegetation from a piece of property. “Land clearing” typically describes larger-scale work on undeveloped or rural acreage, while “lot clearing” usually refers to smaller residential or subdivision lots. The equipment, process, and pricing are similar, though lot clearing on smaller parcels often costs more per acre because of minimum crew and equipment charges.
Does land clearing include stump removal?
Not always. Many land clearing companies quote tree felling, brush removal, and debris hauling as the base scope, then list stump grinding as a separate line item. If you need the lot graded or plan to build on the cleared area, stump removal is necessary because buried stumps interfere with foundations, driveways, and utilities. Always confirm whether stumps are included before signing a clearing contract.
How long does it take to clear an acre of land?
A single acre of lightly wooded land can often be cleared in one to two days with the right equipment and crew. Heavily wooded acreage with large trees and dense brush may take three to five days per acre. Add another day or two if stump grinding and rough grading are part of the project. Weather, access, and equipment availability all affect the timeline.
Get a Stump Grinding Quote in Douglasville
Diameter, species, root flare, and access all affect the final number. The pricing in this guide gives you a solid baseline, but the only way to get an exact price is to have someone look at the stump in person.
Douglas County Tree Service provides stump grinding across Douglasville and all of Douglas County, including Lithia Springs, Villa Rica, Winston, and the surrounding area. We carry commercial-grade grinders and smaller walk-behind units for tight-access jobs.
