Seattle Land Clearing Pros

Services & Scope

What land clearing services do you offer in Seattle and King County?

We provide brush and blackberry removal, selective tree and stump removal, grubbing, rough and fine grading, excavation for utilities and foundations, erosion control, construction entrances, and debris hauling/recycling across the greater Seattle area.

Do you handle both residential and commercial land clearing?

Yes. From single‑lot home sites to multi‑acre commercial pads, subdivisions, and public works, we right‑size the crew and equipment to your project’s scope and schedule.

Can you combine land clearing with excavation and grading in one contract?

Absolutely. Most Seattle projects benefit from a single turnkey scope—including clearing, excavation, cut/fill balancing, export/import, and site stabilization—to compress timelines and reduce change orders.

Do you remove invasive plants like Himalayan blackberry and English ivy?

Yes. We use forestry mulchers, brush cutters, and targeted grubbing to remove invasives, then stabilize soils and recommend follow‑up vegetation management to prevent regrowth.

Do you offer stump grinding or full stump extraction?

Both. For pads and utilities we often extract stumps and root balls; for landscaping areas, grinding to 6–18 inches is common. We advise the best method based on your build plans.

Do you install construction entrances and temporary access roads?

Yes. We install geotextile, quarry spalls, and rock tracking pads to keep streets clean and protect subgrades during the build.

Can you chip, recycle, or repurpose removed vegetation on‑site?

When feasible and compliant, we chip vegetation for mulch or erosion control. Otherwise, we haul to licensed recycling and disposal facilities.

Do you offer demolition of sheds, small structures, or old driveways?

Yes. We safely dismantle small structures, break concrete/asphalt, sort materials, and haul debris—often paired with grading for the new layout.

Do you trench for utilities (water, sewer, power, storm)?

Yes. We excavate, bed, backfill, and compact utility trenches to spec, coordinating with inspectors for timely approvals.

Do you prepare building pads and drive lanes to compaction specs?

Yes. We moisture‑condition, proof‑roll, and compact subgrades to geotech requirements, documenting densities for your records.

Permits, Rules & Compliance

Do I need a permit for land clearing or excavation in Seattle?

It depends on scope and site sensitivity. We flag Environmental Critical Areas (steep slopes, streams, wetlands), coordinate 811 utility locates, and help you navigate City of Seattle/King County permitting.

How long do permits usually take?

Permit checks take ~1–3 business days. Simple approvals can be 1–2 weeks; complex grading/drainage or ECA reviews can be 4–8+ weeks depending on agency workloads and submittal quality.

Can you handle permit paperwork and inspections for me?

Yes. We prepare submittals, plans, and erosion control notes, then schedule and meet inspectors to keep your project moving.

What about tree protection and heritage trees?

We follow local tree codes, install protection fencing, and work with certified arborists when needed to comply with Seattle’s tree‑protection requirements.

Do you manage erosion and sediment control (ESC) compliance?

Yes. We install silt fence, wattles, inlet protection, and blankets as required, monitor during rain events, and maintain BMPs through inspection.

Process & Scheduling

What does your start‑to‑finish process look like?

1. Site walk & utility locates 2) Written proposal & timeline 3) Permit support 4) Pre‑start protections 5) Clearing & grubbing 6) Rough grading/excavation 7) Haul‑off/recycling 8) Stabilization & final walk‑through.

How soon can you start after I approve the proposal?

For non‑permitted work we typically mobilize within 1–2 weeks. Permitted scopes start after approvals and utility locates; we hold target slots on the schedule for you.

How long will my project take on‑site?

Small lots: 1–3 days. Moderate clearing with grading/export: 3–7 days. Full site prep: 1–3 weeks. Weather, access, rock, and groundwater can extend durations.

Will weather delay land clearing in Seattle?

Heavy rain can slow production and activate ESC requirements. We plan phases around forecasts, protect soils, and keep you updated daily.

How do you communicate progress and changes?

You’ll get a clear schedule, daily updates with photos, and written change orders for any scope shifts before we proceed.

Equipment & Methods

What equipment do you use for land clearing and excavation?

Excavators (mini to full‑size), dozers, skid steers, forestry mulchers, grinders, compactors, and haul trucks matched to site conditions and access.

Do you use forestry mulching in the Seattle area?

Yes. Mulching is efficient for brush/blackberry removal and selective understory clearing while minimizing soil disturbance.

How do you handle steep slopes or tight access sites?

We deploy smaller machines, winch‑assist where safe, install access mats, and stage work to maintain stability and safety.

Can you balance cut/fill to reduce export costs?

When grading plans allow, we re‑use suitable soils on‑site, shaping pads and swales to limit trucking and dumping fees.

How do you compact soil to meet geotechnical specs?

We moisture‑condition, lift in thin layers, and compact with plate/roller equipment, verifying with density testing when specified.

Pricing, Estimates & Billing

How do you price land clearing and excavation in Seattle?

Pricing is based on scope, access, volumes, disposal needs, and risk factors (rock, debris, groundwater). We provide line‑item estimates for clarity.

What’s included in your estimate?

Mobilization, equipment, clearing/stump handling, erosion control, grading/compaction, haul‑off, and recycling/disposal fees—plus allowances for known variables.

Do you offer fixed‑price or time‑and‑materials (T&M) contracts?

Both. Fixed price for well‑defined scopes; T&M with not‑to‑exceed caps for exploratory or variable conditions.

How do you handle change orders?

We pause, document the discovery (e.g., rock, buried debris), provide pricing/time impact, and get written approval before continuing.

Do you require a deposit?

Yes. A modest mobilization deposit reserves your schedule slot and covers pre‑start costs; balance follows progress milestones.

Site Conditions & Constraints

What if you hit rock, groundwater, or buried debris?

We stop work, assess, and present options (ripping, hammering, underdrain, over‑excavation). No surprises—only approved solutions.

How do you protect neighboring properties and streets?

With fencing, tracking pads, street sweeping, spotters, and traffic control as needed to keep the public right‑of‑way clean and safe.

Can you work around existing utilities and structures?

Yes. We pot‑hole to verify depths, maintain setbacks, and hand‑dig near sensitive lines per utility and safety standards.

Do you operate in rainy seasons common to Seattle?

Yes. We schedule smart, reinforce ESC, install temporary surfacing, and protect subgrades to maintain productivity.

What if access is limited for large equipment?

We use mini‑excavators, tracked carriers, sectional mats, and staged hauling to reach tight or soft areas without damage.

Safety & Environmental

How do you keep the jobsite safe?

Daily tailgate meetings, PPE, spotters, equipment inspections, clear communication, and OSHA‑compliant procedures guide every task.

What environmental practices do you follow?

We minimize disturbance, separate and recycle materials, control runoff, and stabilize soils to protect waterways and neighbors.

Do you carry insurance and workers’ compensation?

Yes. We maintain full liability, auto, and workers’ comp insurance and can provide certificates on request.

How do you manage dust, noise, and vibration?

Water trucks, misting, equipment mufflers, and task sequencing keep dust/noise down. Vibration is monitored near sensitive structures.

Are your operators certified?

Yes. Our operators are trained and certified for the equipment they run, with ongoing safety refreshers throughout the year.

Scheduling & Communication

How far out are you booking Seattle land clearing projects?

Season‑dependent. Spring/summer fills fast; winter has more flexibility. Call early to lock in preferred start dates.

What does your pre‑construction meeting cover?

Access, utility locates, staging, BMPs, haul routes, neighbor notices, inspection checkpoints, and photo documentation standards.

Who will be my primary point of contact?

You’ll have a dedicated project lead for scheduling, daily updates, and coordination with your GC, architect, or engineer.

Do you provide daily progress photos?

Yes. We share date‑stamped photos and notes so you can follow production and sign off on milestones.

How do you handle weather rescheduling?

We propose the earliest safe window, adjust crew/equipment allocations, and update permits/inspections as needed to avoid idle days.

Aftercare, Stabilization & Restoration

Will you leave my site clean and stabilized?

Yes. We broom or sweep streets, grade smooth, install seed/mulch or blankets as needed, and remove debris—ready for your next trade.

Do you offer hydroseeding or temporary stabilization?

Yes. For exposed soils we can hydroseed, straw, or blanket to control erosion until permanent landscaping or construction starts.

Can you place base rock for driveways or pads after clearing?

Yes. We install sub‑base/base rock to thickness and compaction specs, setting your project up for concrete/asphalt crews.

Do you provide as‑built photos or production logs?

On request, we provide a package of photos and daily logs noting quantities, trucking, and compaction/test results where applicable.

Do you warranty workmanship?

We stand behind our work. Ask about workmanship warranties for specified scopes like compaction, trench backfill, and ESC installation.

Company, Coverage Area & Reputation

What areas do you serve around Seattle?

Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Shoreline, Renton, Issaquah, Bothell, Woodinville, and greater King County.

Are you licensed, bonded, and insured in Washington?

Yes. We are properly licensed, bonded, and insured for land clearing and excavation in the State of Washington.

Can you provide references or past project photos?

Yes. We’re happy to share relevant references and before/after photos for similar Seattle land clearing projects.

Do you work directly with builders, GCs, and engineers?

Frequently. We coordinate with your design team to align grading plans, geotech recommendations, and inspection schedules.

How do I get a fast quote from Seattle Land Clearing Pros?

Call or request an on‑site assessment. Share surveys, plans, or geotech reports to sharpen pricing, logistics, and timelines.

Technical Details & Materials

What thickness do you recommend for construction entrances?

Typically 6–12 inches of quarry spalls over geotextile, sized to control tracking per local BMP standards.

Can you import structural fill or drain rock?

Yes. We source WSDOT‑spec materials, deliver, place, and compact to plan.

Do you provide test results for compaction when required?

When specified, we coordinate third‑party density tests and include reports in your closeout package.

How do you separate and recycle cleared material?

We segregate green waste, clean wood, metal, and concrete/asphalt to maximize recycling and reduce disposal fees.

Do you offer pre‑construction video of adjacent roads and improvements?

Yes. Documenting existing conditions protects you and helps resolve any neighbor or municipal claims efficiently.

Seattle Land Clearing Pros — Land Clearing & Excavation in Seattle, WA

Serving Seattle and King County with safe, compliant, on‑schedule site prep.