Brush removal professionals near you

Brush removal is when a pro clear vegetation from a yard, roadside, field, or other area. Trees, plants, bushes, shrubs, undergrowth, and other vegetation are removed to make way for new landscaping. This service can often help prevent the spread of pests, plant diseases, and wildfires. It’s also sometimes used to help improve a home’s curb appeal or prepare for a new landscaping project.

In most cases, here’s what you can expect when having the brush removed:

• Inspection: An inspection can help determine what plants, shrubs, bushes, and undergrowth need removal from your landscape.

• Estimate: Pros often create estimates by going over the scope of work, labor costs, and other relevant fees. It may also include add-on services, such as disposal or laying down sod where the brush was cleared.

• Removal: Manual removal for small areas usually involves hand tools like saws and machetes. Mechanical removal is beneficial in larger areas and relies on heavy equipment such as mulchers, brush cutters, and bulldozers. Chemical removal is also a potential option, but your pro will need to consider local laws and environmental safety. 

• Cleanup: Once the removal is complete, your pro will likely pick up any leaves, twigs, and other debris left behind.

• Disposal: All materials should be safely and properly disposed of. 

When looking for a professional for brush removal, make sure you complete the following steps: 

• Verify their license and insurance: Depending on where you live and what the project involves, brush removal services may need a license. For example, they may need a license if they will be removing trees or if it’s a large-scale land clearing project. Be sure to do your research to find out. The professional you hire should also be bonded and insured.

• Get several estimates: The estimates should reflect the scope of the work, including what needs to be removed, the size of the plants requiring removal, whether the disposal is included, if any restoration is offered, and any fees or land clearing permit costs involved.

• Read their reviews: Look for detailed reviews that reveal whether the service did a professional job. Some red flags include reports of property damage, unprofessional behavior, or incomplete work.

• Look at their portfolios: A portfolio with before-and-after pictures of previous projects will help give you a better idea of their service quality.

• Find out if they have warranties: It can be helpful to ask about any guarantees the pro might offer.

• Ask important questions: For example, find out if disposal is included in their price and how they dispose of the organic materials. Also, ask the pro if they include restoring the cleared area in their prices.  

For more tips, visit Thumbtack’s Smart Hiring page. 

The cost to hire brush removal services can vary depending on the project. For example, the national average to hire professional land clearing services ranges from around $815 to $2,820*, according to Thumbtack data. However, national average shrub removal costs range from $310 to $9450*, and national average tree removal costs range from $722 to $2,068*.

Various factors may affect the total cost, including:

• Size of the area: Expect to pay more if you have a half-acre of overgrown land vs. just a tiny corner of your yard.

• Vegetation type: Clearing out stubborn blackberry bushes, kudzu, or bamboo often costs more than removing other shrubs.

• Equipment needs: Basic brush might only require loppers and a weed whacker. However, if the crew needs to bring in a brush hog machine, you can expect to see that reflected in your bill.

You might be able to save money on your project with these tips:

• Plan ahead: Last-minute jobs usually cost more. Schedule your project well in advance to avoid rush fees. You will typically save the most when scheduling during the off-season.

• Group jobs: Talk to your neighbors. If three houses on your street all need brush clearing, some brush removal companies may reduce the price of each job to secure the bigger contract.

• Get several quotes: Obtaining multiple estimates can help you choose the fairest price.

*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.

In most cases, it’s best to hire a professional for brush removal. Here are several reasons why it’s worth hiring a pro: 

• Tools: Professionals have access to chainsaws, wood chippers, heavy machinery and other tools that can make brush clearing much easier.

• Safety: Certain jobs, like cutting trees, can be dangerous for inexperienced DIYers. Professionals also have the expertise to avoid injury or other problems when handling briars, nettles, poison ivy, and other hazardous plants.

• Time savings: Brush clearing can be an arduous task. Save your weekends, and hire a professional who has both the tools and expertise to do this job quickly and efficiently.

• Disposal: Removing brush yourself usually means you'll need to find a way to dispose of the debris, whereas a professional can seamlessly handle disposal for you.

Depending on where you live, late autumn is usually the best time of year to hire a pro for brush removal. Foliage tends to be less dense in late fall, making cutting and removing brush easier. At the same time, the ground shouldn't be frozen yet, leaving root systems easier to pull out so that scrub trees and shrubs don't grow back.

Ask a local brush removal pro to recommend the best time to get the job done in your area.